When one touts Israel as the only democracy in the region, which it is, and the only civil society there having mechanisms allowing civil dissent, which it has, it makes sense to hold the political entity that is Israel to the higher standards that it claims as its own.

The criticism of other nations in the region is substantially absent because nothing better is expected of them.

This is why the US is also a target. We tell the world we stand for Western civilization and all the -- yes -- liberal values it has espoused over the evolution of a millennium. (Never forget that the conservative philosophies of the world have evolved from the royalist parties.) So when we fall back on Realpolitik, the tool of Bismarck, in the exercise of our foreign policy -- an acceptable tool for a Great Power -- but then try to play Pearl Pureheart in its exercise, it should surprise no one that somebody would notice the cognative dissonance inherent in the practice and holler at us.

When autocracies show respect for dissent, it's a surprise, and considered a victory of character in the autocrat. When plutocracies show generosity, it's a surprise, and considered enlightened self-interest in the plutocrats. When aristocracies show support for upward mobility, it's a surprise, and considered respect for the humanity of the less fortunate in the aristocrats.

When democracies show these things, it's expected, because these are the values we claim for ourselves. The surprise, to me, is why we display hurt feelings when our lapses into real-world behavior should provoke criticism. The drunk is praised for a day of sobriety; the preacher who takes one glass too many at a wedding is condemned.

We have to live up to our own publicity as best we can, and grow thicker skins to withstand the barbs from those who point out our inevitable fallings-away from our ideals. When we fail, we can acknowledge our failure and set out publicly to do better instead of deflecting blame by pointing out that other people are worse. Everyone knows other people are worse; it doesn't matter. When one claims moral leadership, whining about being held to higher standards is unbecoming.

Or we could get different publicity writers, but I am too fond of Thomas Jefferson to fire him.

Regards--
Mary Anne