Our "International Image"

I'm not a big fan of Bill O'Reilly. I listen to his radio program and I find him to be a snot, I don't like him. Its not just his attitude and personality that I find offensive, I also don't like many of his commentaries. For instance one of his big "Talking Points" right now is how America should be working to ensure that we have a favorable image in the international community.

My question to him is why? Why do I care what the people of the world think about America? Their values are wrong and are values are right. I think if we have the world's approval, then we have lost that which makes us unique, that which makes us America.

Think of it like this: One of the big values we try to teach children is to stand up for what is right, no matter what others think. Isn't the problem of peer pressure really a question about what my image is to my peers? We have all heard, "If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?" This rhetorical question is geared to help children realize that just because a majority of people engage in a certain behaviour, doesn't mean that behaviour is wise or right. Actually, we honor those who are able to withstand the masses and stand alone for what is right. Why should this be any different in the world community? Isn't being right better than being popular?

Of course, anyone who thinks we can modify our image so that everyone likes us does not understand human nature. We are an envious people and think we should be the most powerful person around. There is a natural tension between those who are less powerful and those who are more powerful. Think about this in your own life. See, we are the richest, most-powerful nation that has ever been graced to live on God's green earth. The other nations are envious of our position, so the decry everything we do and seek ways to bring us down and promote themselves. There is no amount of "image consulting" the nation could do to overcome the envious nature of humanity.

We have to do what is right despite what others think. We must care more about ensuring that our citizenery is protected from foriegn enemies than we care about how some Frenchman, German, or African Tribesman thinks about us. We must be more concerned with ensuring that we are feared and respected by the nations than we are loved; our safety and security depends on it.