We have isolated ourselves from the very councils we are charged, by both power and principle, to lead. At a time when E pluribus unum — however idealistic, however difficult to accomplish &mdaash; is becoming the world's motto, the United States, whose founders gave this vision as a gift to the world, increasingly stands alone.
What a lost opportunity this represents. Recognizing their own tears in American eyes, people throughout the world expressed unprecedented sympathy for our nation in the wake of September 11. President Jacques Chirac of France procalimed, "We are all Americans now." Today even America is divided against itself. To have squandered both the world's affection and the united spirit of our citizenry in little more than a year represents a tragic triumph of American nationalism over American patriotism.
— Forrest Church, Spiritual Perspectives on America's Role as Superpower by Editors of Skylight Paths