A holiday in Asia offers a perspective on America’s role in the world. By day I’m visiting countries experiencing growth we’d see as fast that they worry is too slow (Vietnam’s concerned growth will only be 6% in the year ahead; In Thailand, there are fears that recent flooding will cut growth to 3%, far behind its regional rivals).
By night I check the international cable channels to see if I’ve missed anything back home, but come away frustrated because their perspective on the international economy assigns America a peripheral position.
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The Political Language of Apology (or Not)
In Punjab in 1919 public discontent with British colonial rule was growing. In Amritsar ruthless but stupid Brig-General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to fire at point-blank range on a large crowd of Indian protesters. Hundreds died. This massacre was denounced in Parliament in London by Winston Churchill, then Secretary of State for War and no slouch as a public speaker…
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