Chet, Intresting thread. I wonder when things broke down. Myself, I think it broke down in the 1960-1970 eara. Perhaps even the groundwork was setup in the 1930's. What ever was the trigger, it caused all of our standards to fall. Look at the requirments to graduate from HS. In the US if you just show up, and don't cause too much trouble you can get a certificte of attendence (What ever that is.) In Italy, you have to learn three languages to get a HS deploma. Most if not all Europen countries require at least one language. Not to mention history, math, etc. I graduated from HS in 1968. I feel that in my 12 years of school I got a fair 5th grade education. Now what are they getting? 2nd grade. Just watch the girl try and give you change at the store. If the cashregester didn't tell them how much to hand you, they would be lost.

(Now watch folks get on my back for this next statement.) I personely feel that Afermitive Action did nothing but bring everyone down the the dumbest level possable. (Whew! any stones?) It did NOTHING for the blacks, but make them even more a 2nd class citizen. Now they are teaching Spanish only for those with Spanish sirnames. EGAD! If I was a member of the KKK I'd love that. Keep 'em dumb. Make sure that they don't speak the language of money, so they can't get the good jobs. Provide Spanish language TV and newspapers, keep them away from the good stuff. Old A. Hitler couldn't have come up with a better plan.

Then there is a case of "I don't have to worry about protecting myself, the police will do that for me."

Hmmm, I think Robert Heinline once put it, you can't take someones freedom, you make them give it to you. So we really are not losing rights, we are giving them up, one by one. As we sit around in our little playland dreaming our little dreams of the perfect world, some one is taking everything we take for granted away...for them selves.

So if you don't like the way things are, you must fight for what you belive in. Here the most powerfull wepon that I have, I use regulary, the voters reg. card. That scares a polician more than anything else. Vote the A** hole out of his cushy job. (heh heh)

Ok, done with spouting mode, Shields up Scotty...

-Fadac