I checked out the picture. I thought it was nice, but didn't comment. Never thought it would raise such a storm. But then, this is a world-wide community isn't it? And the people out there who hate the United States, both within her borders and outside them, far outweigh those of us who love her. I've patiently read the screeds of those of you who have a problem with the United States and with President Bush in particular. I sit here, someone who considered himself a Democrat and a liberal up to the morning of September 11, 2001, and I can not believe the venom that is being spewed by Americans and foreigners alike. I'll be the first to admit that the US is far from right 100% of the time, and that our methods are not always the cleanest or most civil. My grandfather and seven of his brothers left their blood on the shores of Normandy, in Africa, in Italy and Germany. My peers and friends fought and died in Kuwait and Iraq not ten years ago. Why? Does anyone really think that they wanted to? What did we as a country or a people have to gain by fighting the Germans in WW II, or going to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion? We went because we were asked to. We were begged to help fight the Germans. We were begged to fight the Iraqi's by the very people who saw fit to fly commerical aircraft into the World Trade Center buildings and kill over 3,000 innocent civilians. No, we are not always right. Vietnam was an enormous mistake. The way we treated our soliders, sailors, marines and airmen in the wake of Vietnam was an even more appaling mistake and a digrace to the memory of everyone who ever wore the uniform of this great country. We are not always right. But I think we deserve the benefit of the doubt. We, as a nation, give more money and food and aid than the entire United Nations combined. We are always willing to help in a fight, especially if it is a fight for freedom. We are hated and reviled. How do those three things add up? If we were colonialist, we'd rule the world. If we really hated Arabs and just wanted their oil, we'd take it. Who'd stop us? France? No one ever better compare the United States to Hitler when they are within arm's reach of me, because they will regret it. Too many of my family suffered and died, went to war and fought, were maimed and killed because of that egomaniacal little whacko. We may not always be right, we may in fact be dead wrong sometimes. But we are not bullies or despots. We are free, giving, caring strong people who believe that everyone should have those same rights. e.d.