<Any rational person would realize that this has nothing whatsoever to do with race or national origin, and that this definition includes a variety of peoples including parts of Greece and the Muslim civilization* of the Middle Ages. The latter was, at the time, a prosperous civilization, with respect for science, art, free trade, and often, a surprising tolerance of other cultures and religions. At the same time, the Europeans of the Dark Ages were largely superstitious and barbarian, and for the most part, did not subscribe to the values listed above. They were called the "Dark Ages" for a reason. In any case, by the definitions listed above, parts of the Muslim world had a better claim back then to being the repository of Western Culture than the Europeans did.

The governments can't get past it. Those who can, though, seem to want to come here, to that fabled land called America.

The "smelting pot of the world." It is here that they come, in droves, illegally, with work visas, married -- any way they can. My Irish ancestors actually came to this land by way of Mayflower (which voyage is unknown), where they met relatives of my ancestors, the Cherokee. I have ancestors from Germany, Italy, Austria, Bosnia, and Hungary. My wife sums herself up as a Russian-Rumanian-Panamanian-Jewish American, but there are a few other nations that could easily be tossed in. My kids are simply mutts.

Why here?

There is a reason, and it's the freedom to openly express yourself. To be able to elect an official who promises to support the local and national issues that concern you, and support local and national changes you would like to see implemented. This has absolutely nothing to do with who discovered that a+b=c, or that stars are neat to look at, or that it's nice to be clean on days whose name does not begin with the letter S. It has nothing to do with how much nicer life is with a 0, or how much easier 1 2 3 is than I II III -- but it has everything to do with what's going on right here on this very BBS. We are able to openly discuss our beliefs, some of them very personal, with others, and we can do this in public, out where anyone in the world can look in on us and see us -- without any fear of reprisal or retribution.

Well, that was a week ago. Guess what. If the Taliban has its way, this practice certainly will not.

Dan