Some few years ago, I moved to a neighborhood I knew to be populated with several junior and mid-level Naval officers. I was concerned about the culture shock I anticipated to me and to my kids.

Not only did I earn to respect them, but (more importantily) I learned that I really like - like very much - most of them.

I understand that I was living in ignorance. My prejudices were based on theory instead of real world interaction and knowledge.

I lived almost half my life in Canada, and I understand that from exposure to American media, get the idead that that is one crazy assed mess of a crazy assed mass.

That was another prejudice born of ignorance and inadequate real world exposure.

I had to go through the same lesson as to Hispanic Americans, as I moved southward. So many lessons.

All I'm saying, in case it sounded abrasive above, is that you said you don't feel the need to travel. But consider, just consider, that you might learn something THAT YOU DO NOT NOW EXPECT TO LEARN if get that exposure.

I need to say it again: somthing that you DO NOT NOW EXPECT YOU WOULD LEARN.

You have undoubtedly noticed that you receive kind responses and warm welcomes on an American website as you lecture them about their Nazism and the Roman Empire-like atrocities. You probably have a good idea in mind as to why that would be so - but it is based on theory, isn't it?

When you read Time magazine and watch American TV you the idea you are looking in on them and at a haphazard mess. You might even know with some level of personal certainty that what you see is a bubble of paranoid and extremely dangerous political illusions.

What a bizarre idea - I'm not saying it is so, but - just try to imagine the possibility, that you might learn from down here that while you were looking down on it - you were in a goldfish bowl after all!

Stranger things have happened. To me.