Michael Barnett : Fourth of July is also about defending our values , like human rights . Barnett : America has not fallen behind in providing moral leadership in the world . He says the current period is no different from earlier times , it is not ` ` unusual '' or ` ` cruel '' Barnett : Simply put , the world has consistently chosen national interests over values .
Michael Barnett : Fourth of July is also about celebrating our values , like human rights . Barnett : America has not fallen behind in providing moral leadership in the world . He says the current period is no different from earlier times , it is not `` unusual '' or `` cruel '' Barnett : Simply put , the U.S. has consistently chosen national interests over values .