I've been watching TV coverage of the earthquake in Mexico

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

and the amazing rescue efforts of the first responders and the volunteers who are helping them. And then I thought about the people who were helping rescue people in Texas after Harvey, and all the annoying American Exceptionalism™ that went along with the news coverage - as if those rescues were happening because the rescuers were American and therefore special (and better), and not because they were just people helping other people. The same kinds of efforts are occurring in Mexico. There are hundreds of people digging through dangerous piles of rubble trying to find people who might be trapped, and they aren't even American! These efforts occur everywhere in the world whenever a disaster occurs. People everywhere are always going to help each other when these things happen. I don't mean to diminish what happened in Texas or Florida, but Americans aren't any more altruistic or selfless than other people. I get so tired of the USA! USA! crap...