sister has lived in Chicago for the past 50+ years; & I have dear and cSurely it is all a factor of the phenomenon that the United States (within which concept I include the pre-1776 colonies) have always been noted for a lack of any moderacy, leading to that basic mismatch between aspiration and achievement which meant that the The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave was predicated and founded on an unshakeable base of genocide and slavery.

I observed something of the same sort on another such thread as this once before: and stood back waiting for the flak which was sure to follow and zoom around my innocent head; but to my surprise I got enthusiastic support in those observations from over here, together with several shrugs of pained recognition from Over There. Wonder how it will go all down this time.

I love you, America. I have always felt most happy and been made to feel very much at home on my frequent visits to East, West & Middle America. My beloved late wife's beloved sister has lived in Chicago for 50 years, and I have close friends in NY, LA, SF, and cousins with whom I am close regular correspondent terms in DC/Va. But I still feel that the truth of my observations above cannot be gainsaid.

~Michael~