Rudyard Kipling heralded the passing of England's mantle of global leadership. Who will do the same for America?
I see it in the Greyhound buses with porta-potties for bathrooms. I see it in the service on our airlines that would be considered subpar, even shameful by most of the industrialized world. I see it in our near total lack of high speed rail (AmTrak's Acela being the only one), despite the fact that it is a proven technology and can turn a profit. Perhaps I see it most often in the Americans I see overseas; from what I've seen in Asia, if there's a white guy who's dressed shabbily, he's almost certainly American. I certainly see it in the idea held by many politicians that it's somehow in America's best interests to suppress the vote.…
Article comments
126 - Irene Athena
Glenn, a strong defense is vital. In Dr. Who's "Christmas Invasion" terms, we could be sending the message the world a proud and peaceful message: "This is a day of peace on planet Earth...we extend that peace!...but...we are armed, and we don't surrender...It is DEFENDED!"
Instead, we've slipped past "Don't you think she looks tired?" and, if we're not careful, we'll have created a Sycoraxian hell.
(Have yourself a merry little...New Year's, Glenn.)
127 - Glenn Contrarian
sorry - never was a Dr. Who fan and have no idea what you're talking about.
But yes, any nation who would lead the world must maintain a strong defense...but it must be a defense, and not subject to military adventurism.
128 - Igor
As for the poet, what's wrong with Bob Dylan or Springstein? I'm not promoting either one, but it seems to me they are both candidates. One could even nominate Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger.
My preliminary vote would go to Pete Seeger, who suffered constant de-rating through his life consistently and has risen above it. Even when I was young 50-60 years ago the hip as well as the public disregarded Seeger and never gave him his due, either as a musician or as an activist. He was excluded from TV for 17 years (IIRC) and the first thing he did when he got back on was sing the song ("Waist Deep In The Big Muddy, And The Big Fool Said To Push On") that got him barred!
And he wrote a lot of great songs that made other people rich, like Roger McGuinn. And one of the greatest childrens songs EVER: "Abiyoyo", which I used to put 5 of my own kids to sleep at night, and a bunch of other kids, too.
129 - One Americans Rant
Irene,
I'm not above using popular TV as reference, but I Wiki'd the episode "Christmas Invasion" and still don't get it. Could you elaborate some?
130 - Irene Athena
One American: Entire screenplay is online; ep is on Netflix. Quite seasonally a propos. You'll get it. Gotta do the Christmas Evish thangs nowm, though.
131 - Cannonshop
Glenn, as a culture, we're not England, in the old Soviet's term, we're "Nekulturny" in the extreme. Don't expect great poetry from a nation whose education has been declining through most of the last century.
132 - Glenn Contrarian
Cannonshop -
I haven't seen that term since reading Clancy...and yes, as a culture, you're quite right - we're largely uncultured.
But that's why I said our version of the sunset poet may likely not using poetry, but in the form of song or film...and you've gotta admit that our songwriters/singers are every bit as good as theirs. They brought us the British Invasion - and we answered with Rhythm and Blues (and, on a sadder note, disco)...
...and when it comes to film, Hollywood is world-class. Sure, we concentrate on special effects far too much, but that doesn't lessen the emotional impact at all. The Hurt Locker is a great example.
133 - Adam Scott
It's our mind set. What you think Glenn. If America decline the whole world will decline too.