"Unfortunately, I think that this is how the rest of the world looks at the US right now. Not as part of the hand, giving strength and purpose to the rest of the fingers, but instead, scratching our nose and sending a far different signal."
Maybe in ms. nooyi's world but not in reality. What former soviet republic did GW just visit to be received by 250,000 fans? What former soviet republics cry and thank America for implementing policies that brought about the demise of the ussr? Lebanon? 50 million freed muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan? What about the third world hell holes where the subjects look to the horizon hoping to see an American fleet here to invade and free them or as the first to deliver aid in time of calamity, more aid and expertise than everyone else in the world combined? What about the Chinese slaves who look to America with hope as the beacon of freedom in a savage world?
"And we wonder why the world views many Americans as boorish and culturally insensitive."
Do they? See above. Maybe in the author's narrow little, elitist bubble. How many Afghani women or former subjects of the ussr has ms. nooyi spoken to?
"They were giving China the finger. This finger was red, white and blue."
"Yet to see us frequently stub our fingers on the international business or political stage is deeply troubling."
How so? Only if your world view holds as heroes the likes of bin laden, the u.n., michael moore or castro.
"We can do better. We should do better."
How so? By acquiescing to the corrupt u.n.? Possibly cowtowing to militant islam that vows our destruction? Should we give more foreign aid to corrupt kleptocrats? Bow to the nuclear blackmail of china, north korea or iran? More American lives to free the ingrates?
"Now as never before, it's important that we give the world a hand, not the finger."
We extend the hand of friendship, compassion and liberty. If all you see is the middle finger there ain't nothing that we can do about it.
Excellent.
I agree with your examples of American popularity, but in my experience talking to foreigners and following the news and reading commentators I trust, America's image has suffered in much of the world, largely due to the Eurotrash elite, the non-Euro elite, the global news media, and perhaps most importantly, envy, reinforced by specific incidents of boorishness or some such when folks overseas get to meet an American firsthand. I think of the business rule of thumb, where a positive experience will be retold ~3 times and a negative ~30 times.
"Yet to see us frequently stub our fingers on the international business or political stage is deeply troubling. We can do better. We should do better."
I disagree with you on this one. I like the fact that she left whatever specifics she may have been thinking of OUT of the speech, leaving it to the graduates to form their own opinion. Remember, Clinton's admin was noted for its arrogance and GWB ran in 2000 promising a more humble foreign policy, a humility I think they've shown though shockingly the media doesn't see it that way.