A happy thought on Barack Obama's presidency
There are signs that the fierce antipathy toward America in the hearts and minds of US journalists worldwide might just be easing.
Why, the New York Times is even suggesting that displaying the American flag is about to become acceptable again.Washington is suddenly hip again, infused with the heady double-barreled combination of a new crowd of idealistic young political worker bees, who actually believe they can change the world, and the arrival of America's first black president. It's even cool to wave the Stars and Stripes.
Though the circumstances are unfortunate the notion that for the first time in their professional lives these journalists can be proud of America has positive aspects.
In my travels around the world, including to a number of Islamic countries, the only time I was confronted with fierce anti-American sentiments was from my fellow Americans. Certainly those sentiments exist in other peoples, but the juxtaposition of the gentility (if that's an appropriate word here) of our Turkish hosts with the attitudes of my fellow travelers was intriguing.
It is my sincere hope that Barack Obama succeeds in making the United States acceptable to US media again. And that this notion sticks around longer than he will. It would be a good thing for the country, and for the world.
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Why, the New York Times is even suggesting that displaying the American flag is about to become acceptable again.Washington is suddenly hip again, infused with the heady double-barreled combination of a new crowd of idealistic young political worker bees, who actually believe they can change the world, and the arrival of America's first black president. It's even cool to wave the Stars and Stripes.
Though the circumstances are unfortunate the notion that for the first time in their professional lives these journalists can be proud of America has positive aspects.
In my travels around the world, including to a number of Islamic countries, the only time I was confronted with fierce anti-American sentiments was from my fellow Americans. Certainly those sentiments exist in other peoples, but the juxtaposition of the gentility (if that's an appropriate word here) of our Turkish hosts with the attitudes of my fellow travelers was intriguing.
It is my sincere hope that Barack Obama succeeds in making the United States acceptable to US media again. And that this notion sticks around longer than he will. It would be a good thing for the country, and for the world.
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