I will agree that many citizens of the US know little about Canada. I spend a great deal of time in Canada, and am fascinated by its patchwork of peoples, its politics, its way of life, its history, and its music. The songwriters seem so tied to the land they inhabit, and the history, and their pride of country, that it seems they write music unlike much of what I hear out there. My comments are not intended to reflect discontent with Canada, in fact I have great admiration for that country and its denizens. They have retained much of what the US has lost. It is a unique and wonderful country, with an identity that is enviable.

As to criticism of the US, much of it is deserved, and I can't recall a time when I was more disappointed in the actions of my country. I just react when I see justifiable criticism cross over into the area of everything we do is despicable. The contributions of this noble experiment are legion. Its mistakes are out there for all to see. We are not a perfect nation, but our people, in the main, are decent and well intentioned. I agree with John McCain and others when they say that only full disclosure, prosecution, public mea culpa, and then get back on the road. While we never should have been in Iraq to begin with, we certainly have a moral obligation to help restore the infrastructure, turn the government over to leaders the Iraqui's choose in a free, fair, and internationally monitored process of some sort, and leave. Succinct and oversimplified, I agree, but that is the path we must follow. And no alibi'ing our actions in those prisons.

As to the animal that beheaded Berg, my opinion is the same. And the same standard should apply to all sides in this matter.

Mick