2014
Vladimir Putin takes issue with any claim or expression of American exceptionalism. He delights in pointing out the many problems we face.
Mr Putin doesn’t get it.
Yes, we have problems, all the problems caused by human nature and people living in a society, but …
America is exceptional for reasons the Putins of the world cannot understand.
🔵 For over 230 years the United States has, through thick and thin, had a smooth transition in governments even when half the population was unhappy.
🔵 No head of state caused the extermination of 20 million of his own countrymen.
🔵 We operate under the rule of law, not exempting any citizen from ultimate justice
🔵 America suffered through a great civil war with 500,000 of its citizens killed and yet over time healed its wounds without retribution or continuing divide.
🔵 Members of the American press who vehemently disagree with our politicians don’t disappear in the night. When something goes wrong, Americans know about it. Our government doesn’t play silly games by preempting live television for a practice video.
🔵 When our citizens protest or challenge, more often than not change happens.
🔵 When we vote, it actually means something
🔵 When we were victors in a war, we did not subjugate those whose territory we occupied, we build them up and restored them and their people
SMILE
Mr Putin, I have visited your country and the Ukraine and many former Soviet bloc countries. I have talked with your people, visited their homes, seen their faces on the street. I have visited small villages and major cities. I have seen how you maintain your museums, facilities and even your space center.
Your people have been through a great deal of adversity, much of it caused by their own governments. Russia was a great country and there is no reason it should not be again. All it takes Mr Putin is for you and your fellow leaders to understand what being exceptional truly means.
America is far from perfect we have many problems to solve, wrongs to right, but when it comes to the governments and societies of the world, yes Mr Putin, we are exceptional and you could be too.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 