>Metin certainly has his POV but I think it's useful for us to be reminded how we are viewed abroad these days. Our self-image as beacon of democracy and envy of the world is pretty out of date.
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>This does not have to be permanent and I don't think it will be. Getting rid of the knuckleheads in the White House who have "led" us to such global esteem will be a terrific first step.

You mean, like this guy, aka The Fourth Branch?