I don't have time to respond to all this. At the risk of being labeled a jerk:

I'm going to remember "And just because they have a right to their opinion does not make them any less of a jerk." It will come in handy when I hear the "Netnanny" comment, etc.

Americans are capable of committing atrocities. When they do, it should be reported in our free press. How on earth can we be a democracy if we keep our fingers in our ears? If we defend an American action (atrocity or not) by citing special information concerning God's will, then there is no difference between us and Bin Laudin.

Cho's comment about Bush was pretty mild compared to the shit piled upon certain past presidents around here - regardless of whatever crisis said past president was dealing with at the time. I think she was pointing out her support for the president in spite of her politics. You should take what support you can get from folks who really don't like the man. You can't expect everyone to become a right-winger.

Thanks for the Cho link. Very funny stuff in there.

Yes, I bought some Dell and some mutuals too. A good way to support the economy right now. Dunno how much help the 1 share idea is, though. More trouble than it's worth probably.

Not all liberals are "pacifists". When you put words in my mouth, like that, it is offensive. I believe you have no clue what a democrat believes. You certainly do not apply what you hear from your local democrats, when you make blanket indictments like this.

About Michael Moore (not in mentioned in this post, but a hot topic lately) he is certainly way out there on the left side of things! His apparent hatred of Wall Street is noteable. Though whether more mourning was called for before resuming operations is a judgement call. And some of his comedy is certainly mean-spirited (I hated how he ragged on the town of Groom, for example).

Some of his stuff is funny and on target. The comment about the TX sign is one that some Texans I know would laugh at. You need to be able to laugh at yourself, you'll live longer.

I think wearing PJs at all is silly.

About America being the "Greatest Country in the World". I get teased about our propensity to describe ourselves that way, by 2 Canadian friends of mine. I have a two-piece answer to the issue

1) It is not true by many important "objective" measures: # of nuclear warheads (this was true, last I checked in, but may be no longer because of the split-up of the Soviet Union and various rounds of reductions - feel free to correct me). education level of our children. % of population that is overweight. % of population addicted to dangerous drugs. # of hungry people. # of homeless people. If I scratch my head, I could think of more.

2) Even if it is true it is not polite to trumpet it to the world. Whatever happened to "Talk softly and carry a big stick."? A lot of Americans seem to equate patriotism with pointing out in effect "Our country can kick the crap out of your country" every chance they get. If we want anyone in the world to care what happens to America, we should learn some humility.

Wish I could answer in more detail. Why is it necessary to chop into little bits everything these people say, and pass judgement on it? Kinda Talibanesque, isn't it?