For the transgressions that the current generation had no influence in and can't meaningfully change, yeah, I think they mostly get a pass. Though "zero points

For the transgressions that the current generation had no influence in and can't meaningfully change, yeah, I think they mostly get a pass. Though "zero points" is also probably a bit too harsh. I think Americans should be proud of their peoples' past accomplishments, but should recognize that they're distinct from their own accomplishments and kind of irrelevant to the current race. The current space race is really just about the US trying to show that it isn't in decline, that it's still more capable than a rising China. So, "my grandfather was alive when America set foot on the Moon, so we've already won!" is kind of a sad statement.