We've Only Got America A

Friedman's latest blog, from December 14, 2010, is entitled, "We've Only Got America A."  Thomas claims that America's current position in the world, number one, is being challenged by a rising superpower, China, and superempowered individuals and the only way to maintain power is to revert to our core values and find a medium between the two extremes.  China prevents conversation past its borders while superempowered individuals go too far beyond their borders.

As reasoning, he states that China prevented one of their pro-democracy citizens from going to the Nobel banquet which honored him as Nobel Peace Prize winner.  Instead they put him in prison, prevented any of their other citizens from attending the banquet, and intimidated countries with whom they traded from sending representatives.  This shows the extent China will go in order to prevent democracy.

• Statistics and facts provide emphasis to his support.  Stating that this is only the fifth time in 109 years of the prize that the winner did not attend, he describes how radical China is being.  He then states that not only was the man's chair empty, but so was China's.  This evokes an image of a large area with empty seats at the ceremony which refers to China being isolated from everyone else in the actual world.
• Sarcasm express Friedman's discontent, disrespect, and doubt with the country.  He says, "Honestly, I thought China’s leaders had more self-confidence than that. Clearly, they are feeling very insecure."  This statement also expresses his presonal confidence that America can do better and rise far above them.  Although he knows that China is rising as a superpower, he has faith that America can improve to maintain its power.
• Listing all of the countries that boycotted the ceremony due to pressure from China creates a tone of worry that maybe our country is at a risk simply because the list is so long.  "...Serbia, Morocco, Pakistan, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Colombia, Ukraine, Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Vietnam and the Philippines."  Friedman realizes this as he sarcastically adds, "What a pathetic bunch" at the end.  This is the concession to his claim that we can do it.  He doubts our country.  However, throughout the rest of the editorial, he appears to regain confidence, much as anyone would gradually do after hearing such news.

Superempowered individuals are changing society either destructively or constructively.  These individuals are able to hack into anyone's computer they don't like.  He then compares China to anarchy.  China equals throwing "whistle-blowers in jail."  Anarchy equals a person leaking governmental information that undermines the ability to function as a private nation.

He concludes with his final support to his claim.  He states that there is no alternative for America.  We must balance the two extremes and become a healthy country again.