[Pokey78]

Ping for the ASPL.

[Jewels1091]

Gotta love this guy!

[Shermy]

Remember Atlanta — where American audiences were regarded as oblivious to athletes from other nations?

I wasn't. But the television media wouldn't let me see the other athletes and tell their stories, or, heaven forbid! actually have reporters talk to them.

[WHATNEXT?]

So, he lives in London? Does he only write about U.S.? Got to love and truly appreciate him - he really knows us.

[MJY1288]

Andrew nails it as usual

[Draco]

Aye Pokey, another gem ye have here. Heck, how do I get on the "Andrew Sullivan" ping list? I'd rather not miss any of his columns if it can be helped.

[Pushi]

I'm so thankful to the Almighty God that George W. Bush is president right now. Can you imagine the snivelling that would be taking place and the giving-in to the Eurotrash, if Gore were the president?

[Amelia]

America, when you look at it, is damned if she does, and damned if she doesn’t. Which is why Americans, at some point, just get on with it and ignore the chorus of whining from around the world.

That about sums it up.

[Thorondir]

So the resentment envy of American power — even among close allies such as Britain — is not only likely, it’s inevitable.

Liberalism must be crushed!

[bfree]

Outstanding article!! This is a must read for all the "Blame America "crowd. It should be read by the moron in France who yesterday thought we should consult the useless EU before we defend our country. Today a British idiot also criticized the US for defending ourselves. They both think that we should get advise from the EU before we act. What a joke. In the last 60 years, no country on this planet has given more to those in need than the US. To be criticized by the elitist Europeans is an insult to the US and to the European citizens that are thankful for our actions.

[bootless]

Good post - thanks!

[GOPJ]

Great post. Thanks.

[barker]

In the end, the International Olympic Committee relented. It allowed the actual flag found in the wreckage of the World Trade Center to be carried in the opening ceremony of the Salt Lake City games.

The fact that President Bush said he was aware of the controversy over allowing that flag and "spoke" to a couple of people about it may have had something to do with them allowing us to have the flag there.

[Free the USA]

bump

[WaterDragon]

Andrew's last paragraph says it all. You know what? If France was growing as enormously as the U.S. is growing now, and becoming even more powerful, you know what Americans would do? They'd be over there in France checking out how they were doing it, and more than willing to emulate France and improve on what she was doing.

That's where America's energy comes from, partly. We are quite secure in who we are, and very interested in anyone on earth who is successful at something we want to do. We'll give them credit and then go them one better.

It's called character. American character. We don't waste energy being envious or resentful. We are a can-do, not a wannabe, nation.