They learnt to see themselves as Americans rather than look back.
They learnt to see themselves as Americans rather than look back.
To Beinart’s list I would add the work ethic and energy
German-Americans have been so ready to forsake a separate identity, assume a new one, and push on
the work ethic, perseverance/determination/brains, plus Scotch-Irish cussedness (which moved DH Lawrence to write "the essential soul of America is cold, isolate, stoic, and a killer. And it has never yet melted.") make for a very, very dangerous opponent.
For all his demuring, I suspect the author is not as enamored of our purported qualities as he suggests- I, however, am. I think we rock.
We still stand foursquare for the lifestyles of the Strong And Certain! True Courage is based on the ability to Face Up To The Facts without flinching, but True Wisdom is the ability to Make Others Face Up To The Facts!