On Nov 8, 2:21*pm, Brian Whatcott wrote:
On Fri, 7 Nov 2008 15:01:59 -0800 (PST), Bolaleman

wrote:
Thanks to Barack Obama, suddenly it may be cool to be an American
again!
For longtime U.S. expatriates someone far more accustomed to being
targeted over unpopular policies, for having my very Americanness
publicly assailed *it feels like an extraordinary turnabout. Like a
long journey over a very bumpy road has abruptly come to an end.
Overnight, Americans did something their harshest critics in Europe
have yet to do: elect a person of color as head of state and commander
in chief. That gives U.S. citizens some bragging rights, even if a lot
of us would just as soon eschew hubris and embrace humility.

I understand this sentiment - and you didn't even mention a
forthcoming end to *the sense of national shame at being associated
with state-sponsored torture, clandestine export of torture sites,
pre-emptive declarations of war for unfounded reasons, sub contracting
a legitimate drive to hunt down a terrorist organizer to *mercenaries,
an effort to provide social disincentives to people who object to
government policies (krystallnacht II in a way) * and on, and on.

Brian W

What you call "state-sponsored torture" was analyzed a few months ago
by The Economist. There, an article published in March 29, 2008
addresses America's image crisis. The author suggests some ways the
U.S. can improve its reputation:

-Play a more active role in combating global warming
-Deal with the mess over Guantanamo Bay
-Extend Mr. Bush's attempt to deal with AIDS in Africa (one of his few
highlights in foreign politics)