From an outsider's perspective, I am saddened by the fact that so many intellectuals decide to balance out generic nationalism of the masses by a mix of pity and resentment towards their own nation.
This is not just American feature, it is the same in all cultures whose language I understand (Czech, Polish, German).
An unfortunate consequence is anti-intellectualism. It is easy to slip into anti-intellectualism if intellectuals cultivate an anti-(American, British, French, German) image.
I wish this did not happen as often as it does now. There is no intrinsic reason for learned people to be antagonistic towards the country/nation they live in. It is a weird fashion.
Pity the nation whose leaders are liars, whose sages are silenced, and whose bigots haunt the airwaves.
Pity the nation that raises not its voice, except to praise conquerors and acclaim the bully as hero and aims to rule the world with force and by torture.
Pity the nation that knows no other language but its own and no other culture but its own.
Pity the nation whose breath is money and sleeps the sleep of the too well fed.
Pity the nation — oh, pity the people who allow their rights to erode and their freedoms to be washed away.
My country, tears of thee, sweet land of liberty.”