We are back in the era of The Ugly American. When Americans abroad were stereotyped as bullying, arrogant, ignorant, and tasteless. Interested only in money. Utterly self-entitled. Over the decades it had substantially changed and of course there is a minority of Americans who must despair at what has happened to their country.
And now they are led by the epitome of an Ugly American. Alienating the entire planet, apart from those who share his debased values and politics. It will take years for America to rebuild trust and respect, whilst countries look elsewhere. It is debatable now, whether Israel, the putative home of Gaza-a-Lago, will ever return from being a global pariah state. That gold plated pager said so much about both men.
Very true Robin. Except that the 'ugly American' described by Graham Greene had a kind of destructive 'innocence'. We can't say that about the latest incarnation. And yes, that pager, as you suggest, tells a story of America and Israel's catastrophic moral descent.
I’m old enough to remember the 60s/70s and America’s image back then. Followed by the dip over Iraq. I’ve been there a lot, including to the parts that are deeply Trumpian.
I have my son and family living in the USA - Detroit. She works with the poorest in Detroit. He at the other end, top level automotive. It’s not clear just how much news they are getting about whats going on. All mine comes from people on substack - Snyder, Krugman, Reich, Cox Richardson et al. They are over this week and its going to be interesting to hear their perspective and what they are hearing.
We are back in the era of The Ugly American. When Americans abroad were stereotyped as bullying, arrogant, ignorant, and tasteless. Interested only in money. Utterly self-entitled. Over the decades it had substantially changed and of course there is a minority of Americans who must despair at what has happened to their country.
And now they are led by the epitome of an Ugly American. Alienating the entire planet, apart from those who share his debased values and politics. It will take years for America to rebuild trust and respect, whilst countries look elsewhere. It is debatable now, whether Israel, the putative home of Gaza-a-Lago, will ever return from being a global pariah state. That gold plated pager said so much about both men.
Very true Robin. Except that the 'ugly American' described by Graham Greene had a kind of destructive 'innocence'. We can't say that about the latest incarnation. And yes, that pager, as you suggest, tells a story of America and Israel's catastrophic moral descent.
I’m old enough to remember the 60s/70s and America’s image back then. Followed by the dip over Iraq. I’ve been there a lot, including to the parts that are deeply Trumpian.
I have my son and family living in the USA - Detroit. She works with the poorest in Detroit. He at the other end, top level automotive. It’s not clear just how much news they are getting about whats going on. All mine comes from people on substack - Snyder, Krugman, Reich, Cox Richardson et al. They are over this week and its going to be interesting to hear their perspective and what they are hearing.