I was born in America...I have been out of its borders for perhaps a total of 12 hours, so I can't judge how my country rates compared to the rest of the world, but it is heartening to read that we do ok in some places. I not only appreciate the sentiment, I am SO very grateful to those who took the trouble to express it.

This is a huge country...we have states--even cities--that are larger, and richer, than many other countries. The thing is we ARE many of those other countries. Any visitors to the US can find enclaves of people who came here from their homeland for various reasons.

We are 'only' 250-400 or so years old, depending on how you count...really young as many cultures go, but we have the best 'and' worst of those older cultures within us, as well as the Native American culture we almost totally displaced as we tried to find our way in what seemed like a nearly empty Eden.

No matter how you characterize America, it is partly right...and partly wrong, as we have all extremes of people and attitudes...as well as a great dollop of the middle. But we DO have a system that is designed to allow this diversity to work for the greatest good,...and even sometimes does.

I am not surprised that some people in this world have found aspects of **America** to criticize, as I often criticize it myself...but we did not deserve the travesty of 9-11.

I AM grateful that others see thru the problems we have to the basic spirit which drives a majority of us...the desire to live our lives in harmony with the rest of the world as best we can. I just hope that I can someday visit some of the countries that are sending these outpouring of shock and support....and express my gratitude personally.

Thanks, everyone...we'll get thru this, and we'll try not to let it harden our hearts too much.....