I'm a degenerate by my own right. I found that site no more than 4 days ago. Prior to that I thought for myself. I'm much more relaxed now, a bit like a Conservative with a radio and Rush Limbaugh's schedule.

As a kid, though, I purchased the propaganda magazine "USSR" which was distributed in the US as part of an exchange agreement. The US sold a magazine "USA" in the Soviet Union. Subversive little jerk, I'd guess.

A story about that. A friend of mine was at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg a number of years ago. Killing time he was talking with a Russian who was a guide and guard. My friend asked if the Russian had seen the "USA" magazine.

He replied he had, and knew it was all propaganda. Asked how he knew that, the Russian replied to this effect:

You know all those pictures of stores just filled with meat, fruit, everything? They had to be nonsense. There were no lines.

I'd strongly suggest you read Clausewitz or any of the Chinese military strategists. They stress knowing and understanding one's enemies. That doesn't mean agree with them.

We are in the midst of two lost situations because we did not and do not understand our adversaries. That is folly. However, I cannot do more to convince you of that if you choose to remain in a black-and-white ignorance. You will never believe our foes have very good reason to dislike the US based upon what the US has done. It's true. For instance, the US overthrew the first democracy in the area and the first democratically elected leader. Mohammed Mossadegh. Of IRAN. Installed the Shah and SAVAK.

The US is behaving like the old fishermen who chopped up starfish to kill them. Each leg grew into a new starfish. The US is creating more hatred in it's hateful effort to kill everyone who hates us. Because our leadership will not learn from history, from experts or from logic.

Arf