OPINION:
RULES FOR THEE, NOT FOR ME
By Trevor K. McNeil
Power Of Perception
Perception can be powerful. As Mark Twain said, give someone a reputation as “an early riser” and he can stay in bed until noon. Though, as with most things powerful, such perceptions can also be exceedingly dangerous. Like the “honest man” who turns out to be a con man or thief. Or the “quiet guy” who turns out to be a serial killer. Perceptions, especially unverified ones, make it very easy to deceive, particularly ourselves. Such is the case with American Isolationism.
Divided We Stand
The idea of American independence goes back to the beginning. Not only in terms of the country but with the individual states. At the time of founding, the United in United States was more wishful thinking on the part of the founders than expectation. The reality was less a nation than a loose collection of essentially independent British colonies, each with it’s own local government, and usually a militia group, the British being absentee landlords at best.
Over the last two decades it has been China that has challenged the U.S. for world economic dominance. The world has seen a lot over the last couple years, as power shifts, both militarily and economically. A devastating trade war between the US and China has shaken up the accepted. With Brexit, the economic difficulties in Greece and Italy the European Union is showing signs of unraveling. There has been an ongoing shadow war among the Middle Eastern states, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of civilians in Yemen, Syria and Iran. Additionally, economic polarization is rearing its ugly head among Latin American nations.
Mike Tyson: Responding to a question regarding his retirement plans to: “Fade into Bolivian, I guess.” Joe Theismann: “The term genius is inapplicable to anyone in this game. A genius is Norman Einstein.” Pedro Guerrero: About his relationship with the press, “Sometimes they write what I say, not what I mean.” Chuck Nevitt: On why he appeared nervous: “My sister is having a baby, and I don’t know if I’m going to be an aunt or an uncle.” Yogi Berra: “It gets late early out here.” George Foreman: “There’s more to boxing than hitting. There’s not getting hit, for instance.” George Roberts: “I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first.” Tug McGraw: “Always root for the winner. That way you won’t be disappointed.” Don King: He (Chavez) speaks English, Spanish, and he’s bilingual.” Dizzy Dean: The doctor X-rayed my head and found nothing. Bill Cowher: On whether the Steelers bent NFL regulations: “We’re not attempting to circumcise the rules.”
