It is one of the great tragedies of the US, that most learn most of what they know about the government from the government.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I wish the world could better know this country for what it really is. Not just a greedy economic giant crouching fearfully behind its walls, not just a panoplied warrior nervously fingering his weapons. What is this, is a people who gather together in thousands to give a people's government its essential vitality.
Many Americans, we know, are horrified by the posture of their government but seem to be helpless.
If you want to learn about America, watch 'The Wire.' It's a profound piece of entertainment.
We, as Americans, have so much to learn here. We have a shockingly low level of global awareness and familiarity and little idea of how the world sees us. And those disturbing facts keep getting us into a lot of trouble.
I believe the American people have a genuine and justifiable fear of government intrusion in what they instinctively know is going to be an ever more intrusive world.
Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and concern for others because this is America. This is who we are.
It's such a different spectrum of tragedies when you talk to people in developing countries.
All I ask is that you not be naive about how the government works when it decides to go after its prey.
The example that America knows how to govern itself is one of the compelling aspects of our national security.
Governments never learn. Only people learn.