"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 23:47:44 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 23:12:11 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
m...
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 22:39:06 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Bert Robbins" wrote in message
...


Len, I do not think that a lot of the Americans on this newsgroup
can
comprehend what an "Ugly American" really is. They look into the
mirror
and
only see a reflection of what they want to see.

Why don't you paint a picture for us of an "Ugly American."

We, "Ugly Americans", will then respond with a poratriat of an Ugly
Canadian and an Ugly European.

You are a stupid little man.

Ugly American: Phillippines, Vietnam, Iraq. All the same.

Not to mention Ugly Muslims.

http://tinyurl.com/extdp

OK. But, it has nothing to do with the three debacles I pointed out to
the
child.

True, but let's not limit the term Ugly. I mean, what about Algeria
in the late '50s? Ugly French. The Greenpeace "Rainbow Warrior"
murder committed by the Ugly French Government.

In fact, if you really want to use the term ugly, about all 140
governments in the world can be termed "ugly" in one sense or another
with one or two exceptions - Canada being one.

Ya know, you're OK. :-)

Back to binis, aka "business": The existence of one sin doesn't make
another
sin acceptable. Or, as mothers used to say, "Just because all your friends
are jumping off a bridge doesn't mean you have to, also". This country's
mission is to set an example for perfection, even though that's elusive.

Absolutely true in terms of what our Mom's used to say.

But my word view isn't limited by what others may say or think. There
is no such thing as perfection. And who said that we are perfect?

Consider the social progress we've made over the past 40 years or so.
40 years - think about it. In 40 years, the vote was enforceable
extended to minorities, women were given active roles in shaping
government and business, technology has increased 1,000 fold which has
mean a freerer flow of information. As a society we've changed more
in 40 years adopting some foreign values, rejecting others.

The very fabric of our society is changing as we speak. Whites are
about to become a minority believe it or not - in another ten years or
so.

And yet, when the fecal matter hits the rotating cooling device, who
does the world look to? Where do immigrants want to immigrate to?
What other society tolerates the virtual imprisonment of some Muslim
women (adhering to cultural values) while at the same time promoting
values that celebrate their unique humanity?

We are more than we think we are and at the same time can improve on
what we are. It's the very essence of American society - open, free
wheeling and willing to accept change.

There will always be fringe elements that ignore what an open society
is and attempt to close it if only to try and control it. The
progressives had their turn, it's now the conservatives turn and
eventually - probably not in our lifetime, but eventually, it will
even out and something new and wonderful will emerge from the conflict
and confluence of different ideas and values.

I don't think our story is over yet - believe me. I see kids today,
including my own - doctors, military, state trooper, who are smart,
engaged and looking forward to their time to set things straight.

The apparent dichotomy of our society can be illustrated by a story
that I enjoy telling. Last year over Christmas, my oldest boy came
home with some of his friends - six in all, male and female and we
went to Midnight Mass. The "kids", officers all, were resplendent in
their Dress Blues and after mass, they were standing waiting for us to
come out of the church.

I happened to be standing close to a friend of mine and his wife who
are vehement anti-war activists - very serious folks. He and I were
on the Vollies together and we've been friends for years.

Anyway, this little girl, about ten or so standing close to us, said
aloud pointing to my extended family "Are those Army men?" And my
friend bent down and said with pride and"No - they are Marines".

Then he turned to me, shook my hand and said "I pray that we never
have to ask them to do what they do so well."

That's the how it should work.


Well said, I wish I had said it rather than responding to the bait.