[geoschmo]

Keep in mind that American influence of this level on the world stage is a historically recent thing. For much of our history we were pretty isolationist. The current generation in power grew up in an era where we were the only major nation to come through World War II basically undamaged. The cold war was our major formative influence and that taught us basically that there is right and wrong in the world, and that we were right. Nuance and subtlety wasn't really something we dealt with. We have to learn a little humility, and we have to learn a little moderation. I believe that for the most part we are decent people and are just trying to make a living the best way we know how.

These things run in cycles, and if we can manage to get through the next fotry years without wiping ourselves out or irradiating the planet I'm hopeful that things are moving in a more positive direction long term. While the threat of terrorism is real, it's not nearly as serious as many here believe. Certainly not as serious as the threat of mutual nuclear annialation that I grew up with.