I get to be as self-indulgent as I want without wasting anyone's time. Guilt-free solipsism -- excellent!

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Looks like Hitchens has been reading Using Bees, although, typically, he does add a healthy dose of vitriol. On the other hand, he uses the word "immiserate", which is The Best Word.

The Economist has also been checking out the ol' blog, and after cataloging in a fair way America's numerous failings with respect to foreign policy, it makes interesting counterpoints like "the Versailles treaty does not excuse Auschwitz" and

Of all the great powers in history, it is probably the least territorial, the most idealistic. Muslims in particular should note that the armed interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo, both led by America, were attacks on Christian regimes in support of Muslim victims. In neither did the United States stand to make any material gain; in neither were its vital interests, conventionally defined, at stake.

National pride is so much more satisfying when it's clear-eyed, don't you think? A refusal to brook any criticism of America just taints true patriotic feeling (which is why so many liberals traditionally have a hard time wavin' the flag). When the choice is between undiluted passion and nuanced appreciation, I'll take the latter every single time. It's a trade-off, but for me the choice is clear. Probably why I'll never be a demagogue (or a great leader of men).

OK, I've done *no* work yet, so...
| posted by Alex at 9:38 AM