Faded Glory

An article appeared recently about Russia's effort to thwart the Americans' plans to get loans from the Chinese a few years ago. The motive seemed vague, cavalier, maybe capricious.
A number of years ago I was an usher in a wedding where a good friend of mine--and a contemporary--was to marry a young--and younger--woman. The groom's friends were 15 years older than the bride's party but the latter's cars were better. A number of them worked in Washington and were quite confident despite their youth. We were all sitting around after dinner discussing politics and it was clear the bridal group was talking past the groom's party. One of my friends, an accomplished banker, turned to me and said, "These guys don't care what we think." The groom's party sat back; it was the first time--even when in school--where no one cared what we thought. It was a defining unpleasant moment.
I'm getting the same feeling now internationally. We bluster, cajole and smooze but we are only tolerated; we no longer are esteemed. Part of this might be economic: We are certainly on a downturn. But it is likely we will recover, at least in relation to the other sick economies. And we are still dangerous, in military potential if not philosophy. But we seem feckless and uncertain. These terrorist trials are obviously an error, the government can't pass its signature legislation despite huge majorities and the philosophy of the government is linked with a loose thinking, impractical minority that threatens unlimited embarrassment at any moment. And we have made enemies, even among our friends.
For the first time I wonder about Obama's race and European bigotry (I am certain of Asia's bigotry.) Leadership requires some acceptance by the lead and that is not always easily achieved, even by the best of men. We may be headed towards difficult times where mutual respect and assistance will be a necessity. All of us may not be so lucky.