Teaching a kid to love the Americans

The following conversation reflects, you may say, a boy’s innocent curiosity over the complexities of America’s action and principles, and a grown man’s understanding of the “grey” world:
The father: Don’t get too stressed over diplomacy, son. It’s just a charade materialising on an international stage. Everyone will perform his rhetoric and then go home to do the dishes. It’s a diplomat’s job to say something and it’s the government’s job to say something back.
The boy: That’s exactly my point, Dad. I asked my pro-America teacher if America really cared. I mean, for a country that should focus on its own bankers and fund managers, why is a former third-world leader’s impeachment such a big deal?
The father: I’m not defending America, but the impeached person was elected by the people. What happened to her was “undemocratic” and the US, you know, is supposed to defend democracy.
The boy: I wonder how many Americans know the name Yingluck Shinawatra.
The father: I know what you’re getting at, son, but democracy is all about entrusting your representatives to take care of things for you. Once you cast your vote for Barack Obama, you accept the possibility that one day, an aide of an aide of his aide might travel half the world to deplore a martial law that he knows little about.
The boy: I appreciate that empowerment-by-the-majority stuff. But if majority voices really matter, why does America need that power of veto at the United Nations? Why did it invade Iraq when most of the world said it shouldn’t?
The father: You are asking ancient questions. The answer is, if you want police to protect your neighbourhood, you give them some rights that you don’t normally give others.
The boy: Don’t we have rights to police ourselves? Don’t we have rights to say what’s right and what’s wrong in our own home? We are supposed to know more of the details than the Americans, aren’t we? And who made America the world’s policeman anyway?
The father: They have the firepower. And they have the money to buy your goods, sometimes at unusually high prices and sometimes when they don’t really need them.
The boy: Now I understand why the rich kids at school have so many sidekicks.
The father: Don’t be so negative. Democracy is good for the world. It provides the best environment for creativity and innovation. It’s no coincidence that that iPhone of yours originated from America. And there are your favourite Jason Bourne movies. They can’t make films like that in China.
The boy: If expansion of knowledge is the spirit of democracy, why are they going after copyright thieves all over the world? Why are drug patents so important to the democratic superpowers?
The father: Because pirated Jason Bourne movies will land money elsewhere and, in the end, the creative Jason Bourne makers will have no funds to produce a new film. The same goes for all the expensive drugs.
The boy: Wouldn’t it be better if pirated Jason Bourne films inspired new filmmakers in the third world? The same goes for all the drugs.
The father: What would you say if someone stole your creation or idea?
The boy: I would be flattered. If the idea is having as many people benefit from my creation as possible, that is.
The father: That might be what Daniel Russel (US assistant secretary of state) was trying to do. He probably wanted to promote democratic values as much and as far away as he could.
The boy: I don’t know, Dad. Something doesn’t feel right. Democracy is supposed to open our minds, right? It’s not as if the secret police are knocking down doors and water-boarding suspected dissidents for fun over here. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for democracy in Thailand. My point is, are we supposed to be lectured by those who have colonised many countries, who sent Edward Snowden and Julian Assange running for their lives, and allow police to kill an unarmed black man during a period of political peace?
The father: The Americans have got their reasons, kiddo. Each country has its own complexities. And most importantly, son, you’re talking as if all Americans are the same. Never ever generalise. Never ever use a stereotype on a country or a people. Never ever simplify other people’s or other countries’ situations. Don’t ever do that again.
The boy: I’ll try to understand America more, Dad. Thank you for listening, and be patient with me.
The father: Anytime, son.