“Stumbling”, “sliding”, “drawn into” war––the media frequently assumes the US is bumbling its way around the world. The idea that the United States operates in “good faith” is taken for granted for most of the American press while war is always portrayed as something that happens to the US, not something it seeks out.
On this episode, Adam and Nima explore the media’s commitment to the narrative of “United States as reluctant warrior,” whose leadership and decision-making always has the “best intentions.” We also examine the new Ken Burns and Lynn Novick PBS series on Vietnam which traffics in many of these tropes. With guest Professor Hannah Gurman.
I read it as when America is committing it’s greatest sins, e.g. committing slavery and genocide, are examples of it failing to live up to its progressive ideals. Still a wild American exceptionalism take
Well damn, here I was thinking its greatest sins were slavery and genocide.
The USA is just a innocent lil smol bean. Other countries commit warcimes. Unlce Sam just does lil uppsie woopsies
Citations Needed Episode 13: The Always Stumbling US Empire
“Stumbling”, “sliding”, “drawn into” war––the media frequently assumes the US is bumbling its way around the world. The idea that the United States operates in “good faith” is taken for granted for most of the American press while war is always portrayed as something that happens to the US, not something it seeks out.
On this episode, Adam and Nima explore the media’s commitment to the narrative of “United States as reluctant warrior,” whose leadership and decision-making always has the “best intentions.” We also examine the new Ken Burns and Lynn Novick PBS series on Vietnam which traffics in many of these tropes. With guest Professor Hannah Gurman.
I read it as when America is committing it’s greatest sins, e.g. committing slavery and genocide, are examples of it failing to live up to its progressive ideals. Still a wild American exceptionalism take