I JUST LOVE IT WHEN I SEE THREADS ... ASKING IF WE AMERICANS KNOW THAT WE ARE HATED; KNOW THAT WE ARE DISLIKED; KNOW THAT WE ARE THOUGHT OF AS FOOLS BY OTHER COUNTRIES ... THAT ALL AMERICANS ARE MURDERERS BECAUSE WE DON'T BAN FIREARMS ... THAT ALL AMERICANS ARE WARMONGERS BECAUSE WE HAVE AIDED OTHER COUNTRIES.

It is a privilege to post your thoughts on this website, which, in case you haven't figured it out is the "child" of an American, with it's homebase in an American City, in an American State, and funded by many American Dollars, as well as "dollars" from overseas.

So ... if you don't like Americans ... find a website that is maintained by Cuba or Russia or Iran or Iraq and see how far you get when you voice your opinions about them.

For those of you who wonder what it's like to be the Ugly American, let me tell you ...

I "lost" a fiance to the Vietnam conflict and have regretted not standing tall to be counted during that time, with the knowledge that it would have been my right as an American to do so.

I marched and demonstrated for the right of all women to make their own choices regarding their bodies, with the knowledge that it was my right as an American to do so.

I have "fought" everyday in my career for other women and men to be treated fairly and equally in whatever careers they choose ... and I continue to do so because it has made a difference.

I was "raised" with my parents telling me everyday that I could be whatever I wanted because of those basic rights outlined in the Constitution of the United States.

None of us live in Utopia, g-d forbid ... and human nature and genetics and environment will always be in evidence.

And ... before any of you tell me to calm down, I've been reading this dreck for several days and I am calm.

So, before you slam Americans, please clean up your own backyard ... moonchild