Eric Holder: American Greatness never really existed

[Shiloh Raven]

Look up Iranian history to see how we not only meddled in the affairs of other countries, but we straight up helped overthrow governments to prop up ones that would do our bidding. Iran was actually a pretty progressive place before we overthrew their government. It was our involvement that let the religious zealots eventually grab power.

Not only does the United States have a long history of meddling in the government of other countries, it also has a very long history of warmongering as well. The article is from 2015, so the years between then and now should be added to the total years the United States of America has gone to war.

America Has Been at War 93% of the Time – 222 out of 239 Years – Since 1776

 

[Nithavela]

Eric Holder: American 'Greatness' Never Really Existed

Appearing Wednesday evening on MSNBC, former Attorney General Eric Holder told Ari Melber he believes the notion of American “greatness” never “really existed.”

BURN THE HERETIC!

 

[Nithavela]

The thread is about Eric Holder. As the creator of it, you would know that, I should think.

Who made you the on topic police?

 

[DaisyDay]

Ask Holder. I suspect there may be a context shortage, judging by the links.

I was wondering if anyone was going to bring up that point. What did he mean by this? Inquiring minds want to know...

ERIC HOLDER: Well, that’s exactly right and that’s why I hear let’s “Make America Great Again,” and I think to myself “when did you think America was great? It certainly wasn’t when people were enslaved. It certainly wasn’t when women did have the right to vote. It certainly wasn’t when the LGBT community was denied the rights to which it was entitled.

HOLDER: It takes us back to an American past that never in fact really existed, this notion of greatness. You know, America has done superb things, great things, and it has been a leader in a whole range of things, but we’re always a work in process. Looking back, “Make America Great Again” is inconsistent with who we are as Americans at our best where we look at the uncertain future, embrace it, and make it our own.
​

 

[durangodawood]

I was wondering if anyone was going to bring up that point. What did he mean by this? Inquiring minds want to know...

ERIC HOLDER: Well, that’s exactly right and that’s why I hear let’s “Make America Great Again,” and I think to myself “when did you think America was great? It certainly wasn’t when people were enslaved. It certainly wasn’t when women did have the right to vote. It certainly wasn’t when the LGBT community was denied the rights to which it was entitled.

HOLDER: It takes us back to an American past that never in fact really existed, this notion of greatness. You know, America has done superb things, great things, and it has been a leader in a whole range of things, but we’re always a work in process. Looking back, “Make America Great Again” is inconsistent with who we are as Americans at our best where we look at the uncertain future, embrace it, and make it our own.
​

Sounds reasonable. No need for a freakout today.

 

[PeachyKeane]

I was wondering if anyone was going to bring up that point. What did he mean by this? Inquiring minds want to know...

ERIC HOLDER: Well, that’s exactly right and that’s why I hear let’s “Make America Great Again,” and I think to myself “when did you think America was great? It certainly wasn’t when people were enslaved. It certainly wasn’t when women did have the right to vote. It certainly wasn’t when the LGBT community was denied the rights to which it was entitled.

HOLDER: It takes us back to an American past that never in fact really existed, this notion of greatness. You know, America has done superb things, great things, and it has been a leader in a whole range of things, but we’re always a work in process. Looking back, “Make America Great Again” is inconsistent with who we are as Americans at our best where we look at the uncertain future, embrace it, and make it our own.
​

I believe he meant "I hate America, baseball, and your mom's apple pie".

 

[cow451]

I believe he meant "I hate America, baseball, and your mom's apple pie".

And “I take a knee during the Russian national anthem “.

 

[Colter]

Eric Holder: American 'Greatness' Never Really Existed

Appearing Wednesday evening on MSNBC, former Attorney General Eric Holder told Ari Melber he believes the notion of American “greatness” never “really existed.”

The fact that Holder can say that....in America, is proof of the first elements of Americas greatness.

 

[PeachyKeane]

The fact that Holder can say that....in America, is proof of the first elements of Americas greatness.

What if he had been kneeling in front Old Glory during the national anthem as he said it?

 

[durangodawood]

The fact that Holder can say that....in America, is proof of the first elements of Americas greatness.

What is "greatness" anyway?

Raw power?

 

[Colter]

What if he had been kneeling in front Old Glory during the national anthem as he said it?

He could say it then as well, we could point out his white privilege like Obamas and Kaepernics.

 

[Colter]

What is "greatness" anyway?

Raw power?

The freedoms of the secular revolt and the fruits there of.

 

[durangodawood]

The freedoms of the secular revolt and the fruits there of.

Which freedoms and fruits are those?

 

[Colter]

Which freedoms and fruits are those?

The creativity of American industrialism, our unprecedented material progress of Western civilization, democratic government and civil liberties.

 

[Pommer]

Totally off topic but one of you moderators should maybe look into rebooting your servers.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Hmmmm...... you question his accuracy and then make his argument.!?
The end of the Civil War did not usher in equality by any stretch of the imagination. Government sanctioned segregation was long-standing. I attend a segregated elementary school.

The end of slavery didn't end the damage done by slavery, up to and including today it seems.

 

[bhsmte]

The end of slavery didn't end the damage done by slavery, up to and including today it seems.

Damage will always linger, when humans are abused.

 

[rjs330]

Damage will always linger, when humans are abused.

Especially when there is no one living who were abused by slavery. It's time to get past that. A lot of Americans died to end the slavery. It's time to be grateful. It's also time to be grateful to the people that cleaned up the Civil Rights and ended the nonsense of segregation. There's not a lot of people around that we're alive during the segregation period either.

There have been throughout history people that gave been conquered, enslaved starved and abused. Sometimes we just have to move past the past and quit living there. Especially when we weren't actually there to experience it ourselves.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

What is "greatness" anyway?

Raw power?

Greatness, as in God's promise to Manasseh.

"And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he (Manasseh) also shall be great: but truly his younger brother (Ephraim) shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations." Gen 48:19

 

[Speedwell]

Especially when there is no one living who were abused by slavery. It's time to get past that. A lot of Americans died to end the slavery. It's time to be grateful. It's also time to be grateful to the people that cleaned up the Civil Rights and ended the nonsense of segregation. There's not a lot of people around that we're alive during the segregation period either.

LOL! Only me and about 30% of the US population.

There have been throughout history people that gave been conquered, enslaved starved and abused. Sometimes we just have to move past the past and quit living there. Especially when we weren't actually there to experience it ourselves.

Thanks for the advice. You are certainly free with it, telling people what it means to be a American. Who gave you that authority?