I know what you mean. But think about it from their POV. They see American exceptionalism as a pernicious error, symptomatic of ego, harshness, individualism, militaristic patriarchal, and uptight conservative nazis. That is the feeling form they have. That is "the other" by whom they "feel" they are confronted.
They hate the fact that in their view, the 9-11 attacks gave GW an opportunity to exercise Texas [& American] individualism and manliness in standing up to the attackers and the terrorists.
The opportunity to assert masculine and American values and proclaim them as truly good values that we all should respect, is the thing that is most grievous to the lefties. Their war against individualism, the "patriarchy" and armed strength and individualistic self-defense, is undermined by the War on Terror. This is why they insist on refusing to see the WOT as a comprehensive response to the 9-11 attacks. They have to try to persuade people that the enemy is only Osama Bin Laden or this or that one. Not an enemy that requires a comprehensive reforming of our posture internally and to the rest of the world. This is why they opposed the war in Afghanistan [though trying to deceive the real motive for their opposition] and they really opposed the war against Iraq even more forcefully, because success in Iraq would establish the viability of an approach that would scare the leftys to death.
All this is being attempted by GW Bush. This reforming our domestic and foreign stance is so thorough-going that the lefties relaize that it would/could be the antidote to all of their enclaves such as in the University and with the "Ordinary People" and with ethnics including Jews, Blacks and Hispanics.
That all this is encapsulated in the figure of the president is why they hate him so. Their radical feminist, marxist-relativistic worlview is at stake in all of this. The continuation of the WOT through all its stages --in Iraq and well beyond that, is what the leftys fear the most. This is why the smarter ones say "great" about the Iraqi election, "now bring the troops home immediately." NOT.
I think this perspective on it can be plumbed for many answers [and ramifications] as to what is actually going on in Bush's planning, what it will entail in the future, and how the left responds to it.
In essence, the left does not see GW's America as their America. They are more loyal to their leftist worldview than the interests of our country. This is why they actually do favor a UN type of government which would stifle any individualistic American type of spirit. Only that would make the world "safe" for their worldview. In sum, the America that we know and love, is their enemy. This is why they are so defensive about the perception that they are not "patriotic". Indeed, they are disloyal and not patriotic. But, of course, it is vital to their interests that this truth be obscured.
I think you are right. I was watching a cspan show on the People's History of the US which is popular on campuses now. It was a totally different view of us. There were pieces from Indians, labor organizers, black activists,,they really view things so differently. And the audience was mostly white women who were eating it up like crazy.
They are losing the war. They really are. Hopefully, their ideals will die off with them.
Excellent summation, counselor.
I worked at an environmental non-profit at the time of 9/11 and it was very evident that my liberal colleagues were far more disturbed by how the attack might boost the President and bring Americans together, than by the actual attack. We had a meeting on Sept 12 to discuss our "feelings" and everyone but a couple of secretaries, who were quickly shouted down, expressed anger at BUSH for the attack and anger at America for being such a bully that someone just HAD to do this. That disgusting experience ended my days as a liberal.