on "American" patriotism and values

one is born into one's nationality, and unless there was some pre-natal choice, that is hardly one's  achievement, or fault. and even this assumes that one is speaking of "nationality" in the sense of one's political identity, and not as many educated Russians did, and perhaps still do, mainly as of one's culture, ethnicity or country.

American "values", eg freedom, equality, etc, are now (historically again) spoken of abroad as universal human values. secular, they are perhaps not much less undefinable than pre-modern characterizations of the divine. though it is almost impossible in our world to agree on (non)things divine, it is perhaps much more possible for many of differing nationalities to believe we agree in the ultimately ambiguous character and facts of eg "freedom".

a "Harry Haller" in Spaso House would not be unpatriotic, but he would see necessary attempts at political solutions as just temporary and often all too human, however sincere and well-intended. a discussion where the transcendent does not disturb, even by its absence.