WHat do the cops look like where you live.? For my money, the U.S. has some of the scariest looking cops in the world, with even store rent a cops packing. In China, at least where I have been, I don't see cops with guns at all, though I 'm sure they can produce them soon enough if needed. The way that the Chinese government gets it's message across is much more pervasive and subtle than that. This is one of the standards I use for how it feels to live somewhere. Of course, here you need to show your receipt or ticket to get out of the grocery store or train station. THe last time I was in the U.S ( summer 2000) I was in a place in Washington State that did this, but still I think it's pretty rare. But if I have to walk past two armed guards to get in the supermarket, and there is another one walking around inside, that makes me feel like leaving the store and the country. What is this like where you live? Seth