Endoh’s Dungeon

The “supremacy” some Americans thought they have over the rest of the world, is nothing more than just one sentence. The opening line in this apparent response to an alleged “anti-American writer” was enough to send some spilling over their chairs, myself included.

Mother Earth has evolved, and we thought mankind has learnt to love each other and accomodate the differences between us in a more profound manner. From the barbaric wars in the ancient world to the highly sophisticated technology wars prevalent in Afghanistan and North Korea, it did struck me on a famous saying my mentor shared with me. I think it came from a political figure…

If you want peace, be prepared to go to war!

As I finished the article, one question remained in my mind. What is the definition of “the greatest nation”? As hard as I tried, I realized there isn’t really any benchmark as to what determines the “greatness” of a country? Furthermore, what are the basis of measurement to determine this holy highness above all other mankind sharing Mother Earth? Is “greatness” determined by the economy of a country? Or is “greatness” the eventual reputation of a powerful military drive under the facade of “international safety”? Or is it a combination of the above two factors, coupled with possibly more than several thousands layers of other social values that contribute to this “greatness”?

I can’t help it, but if I were to recognize United States as the greatest nation ever, I would also have to agree that the Nazi’s “white supremacy” was right. Afterall, the “white supremacy” started by the Nazis with the pure basic belief that they are far superior than any other races. Wouldn’t that have been a great mockery at any American who condemned the Nazis but agree with the “greatest nation” notion?

United States has always been strong in many areas, particularly on the effect on external economies. I am not a financial expert, but anyone who takes occasional reads into the stock exchange will not find it difficult to see that any major downfall in the Stock Exchanges of US will often affect the rest of the world. But is that all it takes to be the “greatest nation”?

Anyone whom have lived on American soil for a period of time, let’s face it. Racism is still a very on-the-street practice. Not talking about it, doesn’t necessary means racism doesn’t exist. In fact, it exists in all parts of the world. For those who are familiar with Los Angeles, it is separated as East/West LA… where violent crimes are prevalent on one side and even local residents of United States avoid going to. On the other end of LA, much catering and offerings for residents of a different social class. As to which end of LA is the vicious area, I leave you to find out for yourself.

If some Americans are even discriminating against their own native citizens, what kind of social value are we looking at? On this, I think Singapore as a small red dot, has done hundred times better in integrating a society with various races and religions.

What about the vices we see in United States? What about the nuclear warheads accidentally sent to another military base and most recently, another accidental shipment of parts for nuclear bombs being discovered in Taiwan? What about all the sexual scandals with so many politicians? What about the social values that the rogue American celebrities like Britney Spears & Paris Hilton have shared with the younger generations of United States?

Even with the current technologies that we have in modern days, it is a fact that a small Asian country like Japan has developed much more sophisticated innovations than we have seen in United States. For some technologists, it is even easier for them to spot that some US innovations are nothing more than a spin-off of an idea that originated elsewhere.

Am I being anti-US? Surely, not. But I think we need to be fairly realistic when we claimed outright that United States is the “greatest nation” ever. Being realistic need not necessarily means we are against a certain group of people. Take for example, coming to terms with the disability of some Singaporeans and their incapability to use public transports on their own, does that point to anyone being biased against the disabled?

Lance Winslow has said it, it is close to impossible to debate on the “greatest nation” with or without data. How does one end up with the verdict of the “greatest nation” then? What’s the fundamental comparisons between United States and the rest of the world that are being used by Lance? I was totally appalled by the audacity of one of his closing statements…

Anyone who denies the United States of America is a single greatest country ever created in the human species is a detractor, a fabricator of truth and lacks the integrity needed to debate the subject.

My point being, there will be NO greatest nation ever when humans cannot learn to live cohesively with one another. There will be NO greatest nation when a specific race of mankind is deeming themselves to be more superior than others. There will be NO greatest nation when one is hitting on another just because of his Middle Eastern heritage.

If there is one… Lance just stripped his own country of the “greatest nation” tag by shooting himself in his own foot. It’s about time Lance grew out of his illusions of old age.