Out here in the boonies, in a US west burning up from the worst drought in centuries, the whump! sound of fireworks being set off in the distance was a little too warlike to be comfortable. Love of country I still have in full measure--we are incredibly lucky to have all we have here-- but this largesse of goods, and the abundant goodwill this nation enjoyed right after 9/11, is being squandered heedlessly and needlessly. What a waste...