Whenever someone defends America, I attack it. And vice versa, whenever someone attacks America, I defend it. On such occasions I argue that the best attacks on America come from within. And I add that America is divided down the middle, pointing at the most likely solution to the current impasse. I just realized that I, too, am attacking America from within. After all, this is where I grew up intellectually. If this is an exaggeration, it is a slight one. For better or worse, I will remain an American all my life.

Addendum I (May 13, 2015)

Reading this piece, which I came upon in one of my random searches, I realized that America was the only country where I went twice. And most willingly, too. My “return” to Croatia was a first, for Yugoslavia was no more. Besides, I went to Slovenia the first time around rather than to Yugoslavia as such. And I went to Britain only once. In short, America has a special status in my meanderings around the world. Thus it has a special status in my heart, as well. Nonetheless, America will never be the only country where I went thrice, let alone willingly. For better or worse, I will remain a grumpy American all my life.

Addendum II (October 7, 2017)

As of late, the only defense I have of America is that it is a country that cannot be pinned down in national, racial, religious, or any other terms. In fact, it is where all sorts of humans have found a foothold the last few centuries. As such, America is the country of the human species entire. Whatever happens there is emblematic of the species itself rather than any of its divisions, of which there are quite a few. Although this is meant as a gentle defense of sorts, it actually ends up being the most vicious attack of America. For the human species is hardly worth going crazy about. Perish the thought. No sin is foreign to it, and no crime escapes it. Thus, America is perforce at the very bottom of the global cesspool. And the cesspool is no less than mindboggling in its breadth and depth.