Patriotism v. Nationalism

By Creature

Some pretty nasty human rights abuses are taking place in Iran at the moment and the wingnuts in the audience, led by Michelle Malkin, are outraged--mainly at the left for their perceived indifference. The disconnect for the likes of Malkin comes from the fact that in her nationalistic frame of mind those who scream Abu Ghraib should be screaming even louder about Iran. But, of course, those who screamed loudest about Abu Ghraib screamed as patriots concerned about how their government treats the world. Barbara O’Brien, of Mahablog fame, boils it down perfectly:

However, as a blogger, I focus on human rights abuses perpetrated by my own country, because I’m more directly responsible for what my country does than for what the government of Iran does. And I think if all citizens of all countries took responsibility for their own nations’ actions instead of pointing fingers at everybody else, the world would be a better place.

The basic problem here is that Malkin does not want the world to be a better place, she wants America's place in the world to go unquestioned.

I urge you all to pay a visit to The Mahablog and to please read more.

(Cross-posted at State of the Day.)