Why is it so acceptable to America-bash? If an American were to desparage another culture or country, RACIST IMPERIALIST CAPITALIST PIG HOW DARE YOU!!! Yet it seems many non-Americans find it totally ethical to call us assholes, ignorant, mindless, what have you. I cannot think of one American that I have ever known in my life that would insult another country or culture as quickly and as easily and as thoughtlessly as I read and hear us insulted, my friends. While it is wrong for US to judge a society or country based on a few people or incidents or their government, it is totally okay for them to judge us on any criteria they see fit. Why is that? Oh, so it is alright for you to decide what kind of person I am or what I believe because of where I live, because we are all alike. I see. And who has the small mind? Who is the racist? Who is the xenophobe?

Any foreign visitor who has spent any time here and met real Americans would know that we are compassionate, thoughtful, caring people. We should not be defined by our government's foreign policy or by the entertainment industry. I appreciate the many friends I have made overseas and in the US through this blogging experience. It is through you that I've learned that the US is not universally hated, that not everyone thinks we are all wealthy and arrogant and war-hungry. It is through you that I've learned that the Muslims I see on tv or read about in the papers do not represent you. You have the crazy folk just like we do and no one should be judged by their color or religion or their certifiably insane. When it comes down to it, we are pretty much the same. You have love affairs and heartaches and career worries and concern for your children. You are just trying to live your life, hoping for a better world. Just like us. Some may try to tell us that we are so different. You and I know we are not. Those who try to amplify minor differences are trying to keep us separate because they are insecure in their identities. They need it all to be black and white. Life isn't like that. It may be easier to think that way but it's not reality. The reality is that it's all different shades of grey. I don't believe in Jesus or God or Allah or Buddha but most of you do. And that's ok. I don't need to make you think as I do and you don't need to make me believe as you do. It's ok for us to be different. It's good. It makes life interesting. It's what makes life the adventure that it is. I wouldn't have it any other way. Why would anyone?

Query

Let's have a little informal poll, shall we? At this point and time in America, who is hated most?

1. Homosexuals
2. Illegal Immigrants
3. Muslims

I think it's a pretty tight race between gays and Muslims. But that's just my opinion.