While waiting for my flight to Paris, I found the courage to approach a Buddhist monk sitting in the terminal. Fortunately, he spoke enough English to answer nearly all of my questions, and I felt a twinge of pride when I had him keeling over in laughter at one point. He was from Jakarta, Indonesia, which happens to be the on the same island (Java) where the volcano is currently erupting! One of the more influential things he commented on relates to the unique role America plays in the world as a harbinger of good will. The context of the conversation was the Dalai Lama, and how countries such as China have always been hostile toward “dangerous” influences. Conversely, America is open to everyone who is non-malicious in intent. Coming from a purely objective individual who has nothing to gain from inflating the United States, I took his comments to heart… It is certainly true that America sticks up for what is “just” more than any other nation. The obvious retort is the subjective nature of “justice”, but the freedom to pursue one’s own beliefs without fear of being persecuted seems to be as notable as any other achievement in human history.

The never-ending criticism of the United States has always baffled me. While there are certainly many policies that run counter to the interests of foreign nations, tourists who do not recognize the significance of their actions, and a general feeling of American imposition into foreign cultures, these same accusations can be applied to any government or populace. More focus should be given to the widespread willingness of Americans to meet new people, experience new things, and accept foreign ideas. Excluding the British and Australians, I cannot think of any other nations who will more eagerly start a conversation or offer assistance.

**This was the day I left the United States for Asia (with a stopover in Paris for the Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona).