The Subtle Re-Making of America

Michael V. Hayden, retired United States Air Force four-star general and former director of the National Security Agency (NSA),  and director of the Central Intelligence  Agency (CIA) has written an important book (“The Assault on Intelligence”) for our time and I encourage everyone to read it.  

Hayden writes about NSC-68, a policy document written seventy years ago about American engagement in the world.  Hayden, reading the document, was “struck by its deep sense of history, the scope of its vision, its reverence for American values, and the toughness of the actions it was willing to countenance (like developing a hydrogen bomb).  It even had a section devoted to describing the fundamental purpose of the United States:  ‘to assure the integrity and vitality of our free society, which is founded upon the dignity and worth of the individual.’”  The document also emphasized “the free society does not fear, it welcomes, diversity” and seeks to “foster a world environment in which the American system can survive and flourish,” while rejecting “the concept of isolation” and affirming “our positive participation in the world community.”  It is, Hayden says,   “a policy [of] attempting to develop a healthy international community.”

A subtle (and sometimes not so subtle)  re-making of America is happening now.  The issue of immigration is being given priority while Russian interference in our election process (it did and is occurring) is seen as a “hoax”  and a “witch hunt.” Health Care is tabled and the “Flag” and National Anthem are used to denigrate and divide people and undermine the First Amendment.  Allies are being ignored and ridiculed and tyrants are being praised.  The judicial system is mocked and delegitimized. The dignity and worth of the individual is being crushed by name-calling and defamation. Children are being detained in internment camps.  The values of America are being de-valued.

Hayden sees the subtle remaking of America in the vocabulary used  in a new NSC policy document framed by the Trump Administration, where it is written:  “The world is not a ‘global community’ but an arena where nations, non-governmental actors, and businesses engage and compete for advantage.” 

The most blatant (not subtle) re-making of America happened when the president said of those who oppose him:  “These are very, very bad and evil people.  They know who they are.”  He would later call NFL players taking a knee  during the national anthem S.O.B’s.”  Yes, in subtle and not so subtle ways, America is being re-made into a non-America.

Is "Lady Liberty" fading away?