"because middle America is utterly lost in jingoistic feelgood mythology"

Another fantasy based on media perceptions.

There is still that unfounded romance with revolutionaries that seems to foster a paranoia that comes from a perception that the rest of the world is afraid of them. It really seems to be the radicals that have the notion that whatever god is on THEIR side and they love to run with these myths. It is no different than the wackos on the far right who carry a bible in one hand and a shotgun in the other and presume they are in charge.

The truth is that most of America sees through the bullshit and while the media loves to shine their ligths at the worst on both sides of the spectrum, the reality is far different.