Honesty in foreign affairs

Ezra Klein is at a conference, blogging:

Gordon Smith is currently explaining how his mother used to spank him, but that she loved him anyway. This, he thinks, is akin to our current standing in the world.

You know what American leaders should do more often? Compare the other 95% of the species homo sapiens to disobedient children, in need of violent punishment. I think this would really improve America's standing in the world.