BFF? (Patreon)

I've recently heard that the U.S. is often times "benevolently ignorant" of other nations, while the other nations are "malevolently cognizant" of the U.S. I side with this argument. While the others are keenly watching America and reflecting what move would work best in their interest, America assumes that things are pretty cool with the others (at least the "Western" buddies it believes to share values with), although the specifics slip its mind.

True, while one awkward remark from the U.S. President (reportedly indicative of dullness or cognitive decline or whatever) gets televised and commented all over the rest of the world, the opposite is hardly true. I was once sitting at a bar in Toronto and groups on my both sides were discussing American politics. If bar-goers in Chicago or Milwaukee were similarly debating what was going on in Ottawa at the moment, well, I'd be da*ned.

Maybe the U.S. is such a large and diverse country (geographically and ethnically) that it's difficult for its people to think beyond its borders. Either way, my message is not that the U.S. should be as cunning and shrewd as its older buddies - America, we like you just the way you are.