This quote demonstrates the narrow-mindedness of American citizens. In this case, a person sees a modern airport as an American airport solely because it is modern. The narrow-mindedness is illustrated in the way we perceive the world through and ethnocentric viewpoint, seeing our culture at the top of the hierarchy. It is simple-minded to be so unaware of the modernization of different cultures and different places in the world. By assuming that a modernized airport must be in America is embarrassing for US citizens. There must be a solution for this problem. People must grow in awareness of events around them, by reading newspapers, publications, and news sources to remain informed American citizens as well as informed world citizens.
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Rachel
2/26/2014 11:15:01 pm
I don't know if the ignorance of American citizens is the underlying problem Vice President Biden was trying to address with this comment. It certainly is narrow-minded for Americans to believe that everything modern is American or western in nature, however, I think Mr. Biden is trying to emphasize the fact that Eastern countries (especially China) are quickly catching up to the West in terms of modern technology and modern culture. In the past Americans have viewed China and other Eastern nations as developing, they had an agricultural and manufacturing based economy and their infrastructure (such as roads, airports, technology streams) was still in flux. I think Mr. Biden is pointing out that in this moment in time much of the East has caught up with the West. Not only do they still dominate manufacturing but they are also on the forefront of technology design and intelligence. Biden also goes on to compare LaGuardia to a 3rd world country, showing the decline of American ingenuity and upkeep. The main point I got from this comment was that if Americans remain unaware and unprepared for the growth of Eastern nations we will end up being outsmarted and outperformed by them.
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Cassidy Rowe
4/2/2014 01:44:55 am
I agree with the idea that this quote demonstrates the looming threat of the US being outsmarted and outperformed by growing Eastern nations, but the delivery of this concept needs improvement. This isn't the first time that Biden has stepped on his own toes when trying to get his point across.
“Look at what they [Republicans] value, and look at their budget. And look what they're proposing. [Romney] said in the first 100 days, he's going to let the big banks write their own rules -- unchain Wall Street. They're going to put y'all back in chains." --Joe Biden, speaking to a largely African-American audience in Danville, Va., Aug. 14, 2012
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Breeze Riley
Junior public relations and political science major from Union Bridge, Md.
Alex Gladu
Junior, public relations and Spanish double-major from Virginia Beach, Va.