Ok AS, I find that a lot easier to understand than most of the half baked attempts at justification we hear so often from the Right. I don't know how I'd feel or react in your shoes, maybe the same way.

I just read through this thread for the first time.

I Stone

I CJ

But CJ, dont underestimate my generation. We have been through 2 wars, the Oklahoma City bombing, the first bombing of the WTC, 9-11, Clinton, Y2K, Katrina, and now the Bush administration...and i know ive probably forgotten some things...and im only 20 years old. IMO my generation is as tough as nails...but i guess thats not really the question.

Also, the question isnt 'do we realize that we are responsible for fixing past generations problems?'...weve been told that our entire lives...the question is 'are we willing to take on that responsibility?'.

Are we willing to get up and change things?

I think some of us are...but right now for the most part the answer is no. We've grown numb to global and domestic issues...it took an event like 9-11 to even get my generation's attention.

Hopefully in 20 years we'd have proven everyone wrong.

Much of the anti-U.S. rhetoric assumes that America is all one unified thing. We are incredibly diverse and do believe in freedom, free speech, a free press, and the rights of the individual. We make mistakes, such as Iraq. However, America is a country based on morality and high intentions. It is part of the deal that we can challenge and criticize our leaders. We can change the government at the ballot box. When all is said and done, America is one of, if not the, greatest country in the history of the world. Who would disagree with that?