Conflicting codes

As we move from culture to culture, or from stage of life to new stage of life, there are conflicting codes as to what constitutes honorable, righteous, responsible behavior. During transitional periods, which I always seem to find myself in, it is often extremely difficult to be simultaneously judged as doing the right thing by different groups of people, because sometimes, that which is seen as an indication of a dedicated, conscientious citizen in one country does not seem that way at all in another country. Many Americans think it is unAmerican to criticize the president, but it can also be argued that such a criticism is the basis of a thriving democracy, the very essence of Americanism, supposedly. Many Icelanders on the other hand relish opportunities to criticize their government, an idea that still makes me a little uncomfortable. But I do try sometimes.

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