The notion of the US being the “leader of the free world” has always struck me as oxymoronic if not outright moronic. How can you be the unelected leader of anything free?
Then there’s the attitude that international law that is inconvenient doesn’t apply to the US. Having taken part in the creation of the International Criminal Court, the US has refused to sign up to the Rome Statute. Some African leaders have argued that they are being unfairly treated when targeted for crimes against humanity. I argue that victims of US crimes are being unfairly treated. While the US may have a much stronger public opinion against atrocities if they are revealed, that is hardly a reason for exemption from international law. On the contrary, if the US is supposed to exert moral leadership to justify “leader of the free world”, it should lead by example, not lead by exceptionalism.
Putin’s savagery in his various wars is not excused by any of this though that is the logical fallacy his cheerleaders use.
That the US is imperfect is hardly an excuse for anyone else to be even worse.
The notion of the US being the “leader of the free world” has always struck me as oxymoronic if not outright moronic. How can you be the unelected leader of anything free?
Then there’s the attitude that international law that is inconvenient doesn’t apply to the US. Having taken part in the creation of the International Criminal Court, the US has refused to sign up to the Rome Statute. Some African leaders have argued that they are being unfairly treated when targeted for crimes against humanity. I argue that victims of US crimes are being unfairly treated. While the US may have a much stronger public opinion against atrocities if they are revealed, that is hardly a reason for exemption from international law. On the contrary, if the US is supposed to exert moral leadership to justify “leader of the free world”, it should lead by example, not lead by exceptionalism.
Putin’s savagery in his various wars is not excused by any of this though that is the logical fallacy his cheerleaders use.
That the US is imperfect is hardly an excuse for anyone else to be even worse.