Which American?

The Mission of the Philadelphia Society reads:
"To sponsor the interchange of ideas through discussion and writing, in the interest of deepening the intellectual foundation of a free and ordered society, and of broadening the understanding of its basic principles and traditions. In pursuit of this end we shall examine a wide range of issues: economic, political, cultural, religious, and philosophic. We shall seek understanding, not conformity."

Midge Decter, the controversial new president of the society, praised the United States as embodying universally applicable principles, and endorsed the aggressive foreign policy that is the hallmark of the Bush administration. On the same panel, Claes Ryn, the 2001-2002 president of the Society and the author of the recently released America the Virtuous, criticized this kind of universalism as "neo-Jacobin" and as incompatible with traditional American views on government, not to mention peace in the world.

Please read Professor Ryn's remarks. It's a long read. I wish there were an audio file to point to for those who would rather listen. I feel depressed and overpowered by the powers-that-be after reading it but perhaps his words can spark some consideration/reconsideration in those who just can't/won't see it.


US diplomats' letter to Bush posted by Cyndy | link | | |
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