[Boreas]

Thanks for your thoughtful response, Chris. I agree with much of what you say, especially regarding some of the great contributions of some Americans to the arts and to social commentary. Many of the people you mentioned are heroes of mine too.

What disturbs me is that all those people are gone and there are none to take their place here. Instead we get "art" from the "Fast & Furious" movies and rap and our social commentary from talk radio. America is no longer the source for anything positive in the world.

And sadly, the sentence you quoted, "Never forget that some people have nothing else to do than to try to make others feel and or seem small in their eyes and you just can't give them that satisfaction."

Speaks to me of America's attitude toward the rest of the world and our leaders' attitude toward us.

John