"Come to realize that we bear responsibility for every child" made victim of American jingoism and violent culture.

We were recently reminded in a rare moment of intropection that our oft-distant President is a mortal man like ourselves. He spoke of "coming to bear responsibility for every child," and "being judged" by our care for children. Where, then, is the compassion for the countless children in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, and Latin America that have faced death and injustice either directly or by the complacency of this American Empire and its henchmen in the WTO, IMF, and NATO? What of systematic abuse at home by agencies federal and otherwise? We must ask the President to think of the consequences of the imperialism, jingoism, and American exceptionalism that plague the bodies and minds of people near and far. To do well by Americans, we must do well by others. The hypocrisy must end.