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Related: About this forumThe US Owes the World an Apology
http://watchingamerica.com/News/224935/the-us-owes-the-world-an-apology/The U.S. needs to reflect on its actions, and it needs to apologize.
The US Owes the World an Apology
Renming Bao, China
By Wang XinJun
Translated By Diana Xin
26 October 2013
Edited by Gillian Palmer
In recent days, the ugly scandal of Americas surveillance program has continued to ferment: German Chancellor Angela Merkels personal cell phone has long since been a target of U.S. surveillance, and she may be just one among many other multinational dignitaries. Not only has this angered the German public, but it has caused an uproar throughout all of Europe. "We need trust among allies and partners. Such trust now has to be built anew," Merkel has stated directly to U.S. President Barack Obama. Leaders across Europe have demanded that the U.S. offer an explanation, but Obama and White House spokespersons have either declined to comment or given evasive replies. The U.S. may have a difficult time pacifying its dissatisfied allies and friends.
~snip~
Another key problem is that, even today, the U.S. has yet to demonstrate any signs of introspection or reflection. Since the NSA surveillance scandal unfolded five months ago, this country that claims to have unrivaled mechanisms for self-correction and self-improvement has shown no intention of changing its methods. Not only has it failed to question its own actions, but it has even expressed dissatisfaction on multiple occasions with countries that have been targets of its surveillance. This is simply too ironic.
If you dont want people to know of your dirty deeds, the only solution is to stop doing them. Since this scandal has fermented, the U.S. has owed an explanation to China, to Germany, to the world and it also owes an apology. Moral debts obviously do not have the same weight of law as financial debts, yet moral debts can erode an entire countrys prestige and influence. Americas reputation and influence are bleeding. The America of today seems to have long since lost its former sense of courage and willingness to take on new burdens and responsibilities. The consequences of this are predictable and obvious even allies that once had extremely close ties are now demanding that the U.S. sign a no spying agreement. This is akin to two good buddies who must sign a contract not to harm or betray the other. What kind of trust is there to be spoken of between friends like these?
No matter who it is in this world, unbridled arrogance inevitably carries a heavy price. Once the U.S. loses Europes vigorous support and assistance, its only remaining influence might be its military strength, which is often unwelcome. Americas decline may come sooner than predicted. The U.S. needs to reflect on its actions, and it needs to apologize. A famous American politician once said that a countrys power must be caged. This sentence holds deep meaning for the U.S. today.
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The US Owes the World an Apology (Original Post)
unhappycamper
Oct 2013
OP
bemildred
(90,061 posts)1. "If you don’t want people to know of your dirty deeds, the only solution is to stop doing them."
Precisely.