Just my opinion here... I am born an American of international blood and heritage. I also have some Native American blood in me.
I have lived in- and traveled to many places throughout the world - Africa and Antarctica being the continents I've missed, so far - courtesy of my government-employed parents and my own international chemical company career. I have been detained inspected, fingerprinted, x-rayed, searched, and even gassed before entry (Thanks Australia, but I understand) to any number of countries. I've had my passport seized and my luggage held for weeks by the governments of the nations I have visited. I have enjoyed visiting there anyway (once I got through the government bullshit), BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE! Not the policies of the government. Guido, Peter, and some of the rest of the posters here seem to be attributing the current or long-term policies of the US government to all of the individuals of that nation. To me, that shows a major degree of international ignorance. I will not claim to be a "man of the world," but instead, a "man who enjoys the world," but I'd still bet I know more about the happenings in the US than you. (Don't try explaining my own constitution to me...you don't live it.) Of all of the places I've lived or visited, I would not trade my place in the US for anything,. I have more personal freedom than essentially any other "common man" in any other country, if you're willing to look at all aspects of your daily life. Do I like everything my government does? HELL NO! I'm working my ass off to rid this country of the current administration - a bunch of power-hungry whores who think of nothing but lining their own pockets, no matter what the long-term impact or world's perception. Are you perfectly happy with your own country? Yes, my civil liberties have been trounced upon - just today the Senate voted to "strike from the record" the comment of a Florida Representative who brought up the "coup de etat" that occurred at the last election. That may not affect me directly, but it's a trend I really don't like, so will fight. "Freedom of speech," huh? Those of you who have condemned the entire population of the US for Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, etc., are more narrow minded and uninformed than the "whole US population" you condemn for being unaware of the government's actions. Maybe we've been lulled into some degree of complacency, but that doesn't mean we're ignorant. I guess that happens when you've "got it good." Can we PLEASE stick to orchids? Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! ...and apparently more open-mindedness than many.
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