The Other America Sucks.

There are "two understandings of America," writes Father Douthat, "one constitutional and one cultural[.]" His description of the latter:

This America speaks English, not Spanish or Chinese or Arabic. ...

It sees [Park51] as an affront to the memory of 9/11, and a sign of disrespect for the values of a country where Islam has only recently become part of the public consciousness. And beneath these concerns lurks the darker suspicion that Islam in any form may be incompatible with the American way of life....

...the second America often strikes cruder, more xenophobic notes. ... the second America demanded that [immigrants] change their names and drop their native languages, and often threw up hurdles to stop them coming altogether. ... the second America persecuted Mormons and discriminated against Catholics.

To hear Douthat tell it, this America personifies the basest angels of our nature. And yet, says he, this embarrassingly narrow, divisive, isolationist chunk of the country "ha[s] real wisdom to offer" and has "been necessary to the American experiment’s success."

Christ, what a nasty piece of Broderist bullshit. There is no wisdom in bigotry. To the extent that this country has succeeded, it is despite this second America, not because of it.