At a critical moment, when America needs to show new policies and a new face to the world, who better than Barack Obama's?
- Dr. Susan E. Rice of the Brookings Institution

the above quotation is the dramatic closing line of an
endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama that appears in
today's The Huffington Post

in her endorsement of Obama, Dr. Rice highlights an
issue that pundits and TV talking heads are either
missing or ducking -

the issue is the "Face" that America shows to the
world, and our perceptions and feelings about that
face

Rice's contention that America needs to show a new
a face is one that resonates with many of us; and it's
a powerful way to close her endorsement -

but why?

just what are we collectively concerned about,
embarrassed by or ashamed of?

there has been much allusion to America's standing
and reputation, but not enough examination, not
enough in-depth discussion

rather than alluding to our shortcomings, real, ex-
aggerated or imagined; we need to examine them,
discuss them and, as necessary, do something about
them

the time would be Now, as part of the "national
debate" we undertake as we select our next
president