An American Expat in Southeast Asia

America's Ambassadors or America's Shame

"You can't expect anyone else to love you until you learn to love yourself"

In my years of travelling, living and working overseas I have run across and met many other expatriates who live and work overseas, they come from countless other countries from Australia and England to Germany and Japan.

Travelling and meeting people from different countries and backgrounds can be a great learning experience. I personally believe it to be one of the best educations that one can get. I have learned much about other countries from the other expatriates I have met, all of whom have a deep love, affection and allegiance for their own countries.

Of all the expatriates and travellers I have met though, there is one unique traveller and expatriate that spreads nothing but hatred, contempt and scorn for their own country and that is the American.

The American is unique because of his own self-abasement and hatred. He blames all the world's ills on his own country and like a monkey at the zoo, throwing his own feces, he draws in the crowds to watch and listen to him spew his virulent hatred and contempt. He differs from all the other expatriates I have met who are proud to defend their own countries and their country's policies both foreign and domestic. Many times I find myself at a loss to either understand or explain to others why he does it.

Over the last few years I have watched the "American influence" (for lack a better word) almost fade into non-existance and obscurity and be replaced by scorn and contempt. The American story, the message of freedom, democracy and what we as a nation stand for is not getting out and it is something that should concern us all deeply.

I have at times felt alone. I now find myself alone over here defending America's point of view and position in the world today and as such, I am reaching out.

I love America and what America stands for in the world and yet I find absolutely no support in expressing my country's views or promoting the American story not from my fellow Americans here or even from the American embassy or State department here who seem to be on the defensive and preoccupied with trying to appease and placate those who are beginning to hold contempt and scorn for us rather than being on the offensive and promote what we stand for.

For myself, being away from America and living as an expatriate has made my heart grow fonder, and while being a learning experience has also been an enlightning experience for me as well. I have learned to appreciate deeply what America stands for in our world. Our country's freedom, democracy and liberty have in the past and continue today to serve as beacon throughout the world.

Tonight on Christmas Eve, I hope that all of you reading this will reflect on what you have and how lucky you are to be Americans. As you tuck your children to bed think of the Christians in Indonesia and in many other countries and how they will celebrate their Christmas in fear and in some cases under armed guard.

Merry Christmas and May God Bless You All

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