Warning Signs
A brief list of seemingly minor things that should give Americans reason to pause.
1) It is becoming increasingly common for foreign political and business leaders to speak over the heads of Americans.
Whether it is a discussion of economics or a political meeting or social commentary, increasingly it is easy to find examples of foreign leaders (in whatever sphere) who know that their words will be interpreted in a simplistic way by Americans. They create "inside jokes" that most American really don't understand.
A stunning example was the skyscraper designed by Dutch architects for a South Korean firm to look like the exploding twin towers. They can say "We did not notice the resemblance until it was pointed out in the media" and that is defended by people who understand what they are reacting to, specifically American "exceptionalism".
2) A limited number of countries in recent history have gone overboard on "exceptionalism".
The Nazis, of course, considered themselves divinely appointed to rule over other nations. They had plenty of evidence ("proof") for their feeling of superiority. Germany had produced many of Europe's best musicians, scientists etc. This led many to believe there was something special, divine, about their blood. The Japanese likewise considered themselves an exceptional people, above others.
American exceptionalism is similar in many ways to that of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Most Americans are completely sure that there is some inherent, intangible superiority in Americans. They miss the parallels with similar attitudes in the past by their certainty that "We are moral and they were not", or some variation. The problem there is that history judges morality. If the Nazis or Japanese had won WWII we would be taught why their morality was superior, and we would understand it.
What is the root of this "American exceptionalism" disease? It's simply a tactic used by clever people to manipulate less clever people. You can approach almost anyone and say "You are so smart / beautiful / wise / etc. How did you get to be that way?" and they will say "Gee, I don't really know. I guess I was born this way.", and that person will invest in your apparent vision. Politicians who try to get votes from stupid people do this constantly.
3) When there is a shift downward in morality towards one's perceived enemies, it is generally a harbinger of failure.
A people generally has anger or contempt for an enemy when they anticipate (consciously or subconsciously) success. When they anticipate failure (usually subconsciously) they begin to loosen their own morality. This phenomenon is reliable both in individuals and groups.
A classic example of this is the case of the "underwear bomber". His family was one of the wealthiest families in Nigeria. When the son showed signs of being in a radical phase his father approached the U.S. government and asked for help.
In normal times, particularly with such an influential family, the U.S. would have expended considerable resources to help the young man. Instead, it was seen as an opportunity to further the "global war on terror". The evidence seems to be that the young man was brought into a group that was controlled by the U.S. government and deliberately set up with a defective device that would lead to publicity that would be beneficial to the western cause.
A person with a view could point out that the young man did indeed try to detonate what he thought was a bomb. He did try to potentially kill a large number of people and therefore can't quite be called entirely blameless. But, as some people know, any person can be drawn into committing any act. It would have been simple to arrange influences on the young man that would have taken him on a more humane path and probably led him to become successful in his father's profession. Instead, the morality of the U.S. agents involved was "Let's profit as much as possible. We can sacrifice this young man for a greater good".
Considering who the young man is, and his families influence, it honestly looks like the purpose of the operation was to further sabotage America's standing with educated Muslims in Nigeria.
4) Obvious lies from officials, usually to boost morale or promote a mainstream agenda, are aimed at a lower and lower audience.
Officials in every government, in every country, lie. But when the lies become consistently transparent, or when they clearly are targeted to less educated people, that is a danger sign of political trouble.
Afghan soldiers have killed a number of NATO troops. Eleven in 2010. Twenty one in 2011. In 2012 the number is at 20 already in mid May. The official line is that "in most cases the rogue soldiers are motivated not by sympathy for the Taliban, but rather by personal grievances". "Personal grievances" have been doubling each year?
Instead of being honest with the public, the government is creating a house of cards built with American lives and money. Afghan soldiers, who are physically in Afghanistan, speak the language, know the local personalities, etc, are murdering their trainers at a rapidly increasing rate. Put another way, the number of thoroughly vetted Afghans who are betting against the West is increasing rapidly. But that is the small problem. The big problem is that our "officials" are deliberately lying to us about the circumstances and context.
