A Counter Point from Jason:

My friend, you are too funny and have truly outdone yourself as you have tunneled yourself in the deepest hole yet and I am curious as to what outpouring of love you might receive from your reader base (not much is my guess but thats besides the point). Ice Cube though, beat you to this topic and you must hear his classic, 'I Ain't the One'.

Did it ever occur to you that the real people to be throwing flak at is men? It's not really that men are victims and are duped into paying money into alimony or paying for pornography- its that a majority of men objectify women and only see them as objects and build the constructs of which women can find themselves forced into. Men, not women control the porn industry and men, not women control their sperm.

So if the majority of men, and not women, actually had a more profound thought driving them other then to see women naked, and actually respected them for equals, there would be no need for women to resort to the behavior you complain about.

So if you want to know who is using who, well I'd say its mutual.

Your friend

J

What are your views? I'd like to challenge you all to lively debate on whatever topics you feel strongly about as it pertains to America, it's politics and it's life styles. Just click on the big target button.

I think good parenting begins with being responsible..most of the broken homes in the US are from:

A) Players who had a one nighter and didn't use rubbers, the pill or both

B)Stupid broads who came from broken homes, become strippers and shack up with some loser guy who'll be her "daddy"

What needs to happen is not just for the fellas out there to take responsibility, but for these brainless dames who are "wooed" by bubbas beer gut and gap teeth to smarten up and take some pride in themselves. Finally, and I I cant stress this enough, Practice safe sex or hell, dont have it all...that'll cut down the mutants in the genepool real quick...

Chris,

You are correct. Additionally, there is a segment of the female population that thinks getting pregnant is like hitting the lottery. Especially if the sperm donor is gainfully employed. The laws are written such that if a man is trapped with either an unwanted pregnancy, or a fraudulently conceived pregnancy, ("I want to feel you, don't wear a rubber, I'm on the pill") he has to pay, regardless. A man should never have unprotected sex unless he wants to be a father. I believe there are less stupid broads than you might think. I believe it is quite often calculated.

Mike-

Well you could start by learning how to spell the word 'Marriage' . You've spelt it as 'Marraige' on your site .

Rob,

Tank youse for da spall chek. It be peeples lik youse dat maks dis a butter wurld.

Mike-

I just got married 3 weeks ago. We were together 10 years, but suddenly felt it was the right time. After all, you can't hurry love. And that's my tip, parents, smug-married friends and society in general should stop pressuring people to get married. They may not be ready. Fine. They may never marry. Perfect. We must stop glorifying marriage. It's not for everyone. You can be loving and committed to another without it.

As the great Mil Milligan has written, "You're still dead even if you don't have a funeral"

Tamara,

I think marriage is not for everyone. It should be considered sacrosanct. If you decide to marry, it should be after careful consideration and a decision made weighing the pro's and con's. However, most people decide they are in love and want to get married. Their decision is glandular and frequently for all the wrong reasons. That's why so many marriages end in Divorce.

As a prominent Brit said, "a rose by any other name would smell as Sweet"

Mike-

I have to say I agree with you on this one. Unfortunately, we promote the myth that two people can live happily ever after just because they pick out the right hallmark cards and their body parts properly align. Living together requires individuals who are complete on their own and have their act more or less together and can compromise and adjust without sacrificing what is essential about themselves. Not an easy task in the best of circumstances. I agree that we (men AND women) tend to choose partners with "problems but potential" and set about the task of turning sows ears into silk purses. Can't be done. Kids are incredible but are a huge responsibility. They don't come with instruction manuals and you don't need a permit to make one.

I am a huge believer in prevention education and have committed my career to stopping abuse before it happens whenever possible by educating the community, most especially young people in the dynamics of relationships, warning signs, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse etc. We must do more to provide opportunities for healthy communication, groundwork for positive relationships and accessible resources for options when relationships fail, including practical solutions such as shelters and housing and affordable counseling so that the patterns don't repeat themselves. Working in this area most of my life, I know that support services work.

Here in LA the schools are starting to teach "Life Skills" including parenting and relationship issues with much success. In these classes they also give students a doll which cries and demands feedings 24 hrs a day which each middle school kid is responsible to care of for a week. They can't go anywhere without taking care of or providing care for this baby and a computer chip monitors their success. Parenting classes are also encouraged and referred to by OBs for people expecting and we provide many programs free of charge for teen parents and other vulnerable groups. Still the statistics on violence and dysfunctional families is tragically high. Here in the US a woman is beaten by her partner every 9 seconds. 75% of all families in which the adult partner is abused the children are as well. Other forms of inappropriate parenting all leave permanent scars that affect the next generation's relationships, and so on. Thanks for bringing up this topic.

While I am often your harshest critic, your readers should know that in real life you are a good friend and not the woman hater you try to sound like. (Sorry to blow your cover!)

P.S. Thanks for working so hard to fix my computer. Now I can continue to make comments on your site!

Luv,

Jason's American Mum

American Mum,

Your points are all perfectly clear. I am aware of all the problems that stem from people perpetuating the injustices they survived on their children. It is a shame that they don't seem to learn from the mistakes of others.

Mike-

Hi, I'd just like to say I enjoyed reading your site today. I thought the comments you made about living in London were an interesting perspective on day to day living here in the UK. OK, I aint close to London and dont actually like the place, but it was still a good read to see it through your perspective.

I was reading some of the comments you made in reply to some mail you'd been sent. In one, you said this:

"By the way, so many of your fellow countrymen have emigrated to the U.S.A."

It's true that many people do, but in this multi-cultural country we live in, you'll notice how many people from other countries also move to the UK to live here (even Americans, shock!), despite our "oppressive personal income tax structure". UK must have something which appeals to them more than the US does? Sure, it's not perfect, but it's not bad. It has it's good points, and it's bad, just as US has it's good and bad points.

You mentioned other issues regarding India, WW2 and even 'The American Colonies'. Come on mate, we live in the 00's! I dont loose sleep over the frustration of 'The Colonies' (or lack there of). I am proud to call myself a European more than I would a Britain. Perhaps it's because I am a Scot and we've always been more open to the idea of being a United Europe than a United Kingdom *shrug*.

Anyway, your quote about WW2 I found to be a little insulting. It was like saying "I'm American and we won the war for you, therefore we are better than you and you owe us". Perhaps that's not what you meant but where I appreciate the assistance the US gave to us in that war, I dont think it's appropriate for it to be continually dragged up. It's the past. I definitely wouldnt say something like "Europeans founded your country, so you owe us".

This may sound a bit like hippy-crap, but at the end of the day we are all part of the population of the earth and while you may or may not like part of that population, we all gotta live on this rock together. Personally, I like living in this multi-cultural, multi-ethnic country. Lets not forget though, that if you offered me a job on twice the wage and a house twice the size and weather that wasnt always raining, I wouldnt move to USA in a shot! lol.

Spaceman, taken in context the remarks were to make a specific point. I Agree that Great Britain is a cultural and ethnic melting pot. I have been Aware for many years that there is a great deal of diversity there. In Fact, I believe I'd love to emigrate to the area. As for the U.S.A., I am Somewhat disenchanted with our policies and politics. So points well made. Additionally, the "oppressive personal income tax" is harsher on persons In the upper income brackets. Many celebs from G.B. do move here for the Tax breaks. I don't take that to mean that we're better. Just that some people Do move here to save money that they'd have to lose in taxes. But please Read the reply in the context of the message that I was responding to.

Again, the remarks were "point, counter point" as opposed to how I feel about the country. As for being a United Europe...do you think that will Ever come to pass?

My comment about the US allying with Great Britain in both WWI and WWII is In no way to imply that the UK couldn't have found other means to win the Wars. What I was referring to is that the U.S. and G.B. are strongly Connected both historically and culturally. In fact, The U.S. has allied Itself closely with the fate of G.B. on almost all levels. When someone Insinuates that G.B. is better than the U.S., just as you felt I was maybe Implying that the U.S. is better than G.B., it stirs up my nationalistic fervor. In reality, like you, I feel all countries have something special to offer.

Now this message is one that I was pleased and excited to receive. You disagreed with me and Stated your opinions in a rational, well thought out manner. So many Others take the approach of attacking without taking the time to develop A clearly thought out pinion. Thank you

Mike-

So you're a misogynist - you're in good company!

A woman said to Winstion Churchill "Sir Winston, if you were my husband, I'd poison your coffee!" To which he replied "madam, if you were my wife I'd drink it!"

Good luck painting yourself into corners! Remember: sarcasm IS big AND clever

Steve,

Sarcasm and misogyny for fun and profit...What a way to earn a living! Once you're in a corner, good luck getting out!!!

Mike-

I think there is no such thing as stupidity, just stupid decisions. Anybody given enough information will make valuable decisions. THey may be wrong, but at least they are informed decisions. THe worst are the shit heals who don't use their head when a little bit of thinking is important. Like the morons who voted for Bush because they thought he'd make a nice neighbor, or wanting to go to war out of fear and not out of prudence, or having a one night stand without protection because the urge of getting laid was more important than precaution. SO what I am getting at is that stupidity seams to be born out of ignorance rather than intelligence.

Chuck,

I agree with some of your assertions. I do disagree with the premise that Anyone who is given enough information will make valuable decisions. I Believe in the basic goodness of people in general. I do not believe that Most people will ever make good decisions. It would depend on what the decision is about. For instance, how do you think con artists stay in business? They rely on the greed and poor decision making of their victims. When you Think about George W., how could people vote for a man that had accomplished Nothing in his life except being the son of George Sr.?

Going back a ways to other campaigns, why would anyone vote for a candidate that ran on a platform of "family values", no abortions and banning Flag burning? Each of these issues may be important to some people, but not In the national political arena.

As for stupid being born out of ignorance...maybe. I believe it is born out of Ignorance, but that ignorance is sometimes born out of an unwillingness to Learn, grow, examine new ideas, dogged refusal to change, frustration with Lack of control of their environment and refusal to let go of how things used to be.

I believe that the largest majority of people who are pro war with Iraq, feel that Way not out of fear, but of anger.

Good message Chuck

Mike-

Michael, reading your comments is like being held captive in a nightmare.In it I try to talk sense to you but you can't hear me. The disadvantages of Cyberspace. Michael, we live in a society in which a woman is physically abused every 9 seconds. Please take a moment to think of the 3 women nearest and dearest to you. Perhaps, its your mother, your grandmother, your sister, your girlfriend or maybe your daughter. Now...... guess which one of them will be raped? Those are the numbers, 1 in 3 women! In Los Angeles County there have been 12,741 domestic violence calls as of 9/30/02. There have been 985 (reported) rapes. Now imagine if you will how many of the batterers, rapists, pedophiles and sexual predators espouse the same thoughts as you!Then they go on to perform their dastardly deeds. THIS IS THE COMPANY YOU KEEP. Are guys like these (who you keep company with) the men you want spending time with your monther, grandmother, sister,or your daughter? I will not presume to answer for you, cuz frankly my dear, who knows what goes on in that obviously confused brain of yours.

Vaginamony? The simple fact that you equate alimony with sex is a dead giveaway. You my dear, or a pig of the porkiest order. Imagine telling your daughter that she should be prepared to give sex for money before, during and after marraige.Perhaps you would like to see this as part of the marraige vows. Would you propose that this become a part of the court record in the dissolution proceedings or would this be a bartering agreement? On second thought..... don't answer.

Specifics, you want specifics? Your comment to Steve regarding the depictions of Black Americans in movies as shiftless, lazy and happy only while eating watermelon and fried chicken, you described as offensive. I find you extremely hypocritical. I refer you to the the photos which "adorn" this website. Brotha' please. Socrates of Soul? I think not! Purveyor of Putrid Crap maybe.

Denise, after reading your response to my thoughts on male-female relations, I can see that anything I write back will be like spitting into the wind. However, I will try to address this venom filled pile of crap point by point.

I am fully aware of the statistics on rape and violent assault against women. You may not be aware that I was married to a counselor on a rape crisis hotline. I am fully cognizant of the violence and brutality some men perpetrate against Women. I have 8 sisters/step-sisters, 5 nieces and 2 great nieces. I am aware that Violence can and possibly may be perpetrated against them. I was raised in a home Where my step-father battered my mother. I was first hand witness to her being beaten Until she went blind for 3 days. So don't lecture me about violence towards women.

I am 49 years old and have NEVER struck a woman. I will go to my grave without having Hit or raped or otherwise assaulted any woman. By the way, how the hell would you know Who I keep company with? The fact is, you are mentally masturbating when you are making These declarative statements.

Not that I feel the need to justify myself to you, but did you read the context that I used the Word "vaginamony?" In my opinion, why should a man pay a woman alimony in an amount That is ridiculously high? Where does the idea that a woman or a man is entitled to "live in The style that he/she has become accustomed" come from? Where does it originate that if A person of low or moderate means marries another that is rich and successful for a few years
and then gets a divorce, is entitled to continue to live in a rich lifestyle? That is my point when I use the word "vaginamony". Conversely, if a man is married to a woman, and then divorces, why shouldn't he continue to have the sexual relations "he has become accustomed to?" The Real point (if you can get off your soapbox for a moment), is that what entitles anyone to Continue in the style that they have become accustomed to? I do believe that children of such A marriage should be able to live in a style that befits both parents combined incomes. So that A man cannot have money but then not pay child support commensurate to his income.

" Specifics, you want specifics? Your comment to Steve regarding the depictions of Black Americans in movies as shiftless, lazy and happy only while eating watermelon and fried chicken, you described as offensive. I find you extremely hypocritical. I refer you to the the photos which "adorn" this website. Brotha' please. Socrates of Soul? I think not! Purveyor of Putrid Crap maybe. "

To address this paragraph, your good friends son, designed, created the graphics, named the Page and executed the whole concept. So if you have a beef with the title "Socrates of Soul", Take it up with Jason. I don't particularly like this title myself. However, he did it in fun and jest. Get over yourself!!!

Let me be blunt. These are my feelings. I don't expect anyone to adopt my point of view. What I do expect is for the exchange of ideas to bring about a lively debate. I do not expect to be attacked and insulted for my view points. Especially from a person that is as well educated as I know you to be. If you disagree with me, state your points of contention in an intelligent, well Thought out manner.

Since you have decided to attack me on a more personal level, I will ask, Why? I will not explore All of my feelings about what would make you vent this much bile filled spleen all over me. I will Say that it is consistent with the time I spent with you. However, that spleen you vented the day We met was all inner directed. I didn't much like it then, and I don't much like this now.

Thank you for your points of view.

Mike-

Steve,

Are you saying that the British did not participate in the slave trade? Nowhere did I say it was sanctioned by the British Government. But are You saying there were no British citizens participating in the slave trade? As for watching movies to learn about factual history...I don't do it. If I did, I'd believe the only contributions that Black people ever made was
As pimps, pushers, prostitutes and maids. I'd believe that we were a shiftless Lazy race of people who were only happy when eating watermelon and fried chicken. Oh, by the way...I didn't see that in any British movies. For the most part,

British made movies have been pretty decent with their portrayal of people of Color.

Do you really believe that slavery was the burning issue behind the American Revolution? I seem to remember a slogan that went something like this..."no Taxation without representation." Maybe I'm wrong. There were persons of many nations participating in the slave trades. Some had the blessings of their
Government, some did not. As I recall, The British refused to run the Union's Sea going blockades to provide supplies to the Confederates based on the
Declaration by Lincoln that the war was not to prevent secession, but to
Abolish slavery.

So Steve, after all that...I'm sorry if I led you, or any other reader to believe I was saying that the British Government/Monarchy sanctioned the slave trade. I Guess my sarcasm backfired on me that time.

Mike-

I've met and spoken to you on several occasions and had great respect for your opinions because they were honest. I enjoy tongue in cheek humour as much as the next person. Now lets get to the point.

I think your commentary does not reflect the Mike that I know. Your comments about women if they are meant to be clever fall in the catagory of disgusting. If you are goimg to pick catagories to develop discussion, pick subjects that you have intelligent opinons based on educated fact. I lived in LA and enjoyed its uniqueness. I've also visited The UK, Italy, France, Japan, China, Switzerland and Israel. Everyone of the people I met from those countries loves their cities and countries as much as we love America. Dont knock someone elses country because it sounds clever. You sound like an ugly American.

There is a UN and they are the ones that will react to Iraq in due time. Just because it sounds clever to say America under a maverick president should go in with guns drawn and shoot down the tyrant Sadam is stupid and the rest of the world knows it. So what am I trying to say. Write what you have passion about with honesty and you not only will have more friends, but will contribute to the international discussion in a mature manner. So there, I said it and you have no argument. I love you anyway. Your nephew's GP

Marvin,

You are making the assumption that I don't believe what I write. The fact is that I took it to an extreme to generate controversy, but I do believe that Saddam Hussein is a problem. I believe that most countries would rather not deal with the issue of Iraq. I do base that on sound thinking. I seem to recall how the rest of the world played Nero and fiddled as Adolph Hitler nearly destroyed it.

As for my comments about women, be specific about what offends you. I know that the subject from the viewpoint that I laid out is inflammatory, but what in specific do you disagree with? I cannot accept your opinion if all I get from you is a thinly disguised insult about me being disgusting if I believe what I wrote.

I live in The USA. I believe it is the greatest power on earth. I do believe that we make stupid mistakes. However, the only country I ever insulted in my diatribes was Iraq. What other country did I insult and show myself as an ugly American? Be specific in making a point. I don't accept anything as a valid argument if it does not cite facts and in this case, direct quotes. As for the UN, there would be no UN without the USA. We supported it financially when most other nations did not. I believe the UN serves a function, but not in place of the national interests of the USA.

The rest of the world may be correct in the belief that Saddam Hussein and Iraq is not a problem to be dealt with in a heavy handed manner. However, Iraq lost the gulf war. As part of it's surrender to the UN forces Iraq promised to completely comply with all UN mandates for weapons inspections. This averted their complete destruction, and removal of Saddam as the president of Iraq. This promise was made to avoid the further destruction of Iraq. It was an empty promise, and was made with no intent to actually comply. The US was forced to go along or risk losing support from the rest of the coalition. We had to promise that all we'd do is remove Iraq from Kuwait and not oust Saddam. Now we are living with the results of not destroying him.

As for writing with passion and honesty about what I believe, I believe we should go in with guns drawn and blazing and forcefully remove him from power. If I don't make friends or keep others...so be it. But my politics are not designed to win favor or make friends.

Marvin, I respect your opinions, but I'd really like to know what they are. A personal attack on my integrity is not the way to discuss opinions. I love you too. But opinions are like asses...everybody has one.

Mike-

Mike;

I am shocked and horrified! I always knew you were a misogynist and its sad to see my son's uncle confirm that fact so publically. Additionally I had always considered you to be far more intelligent than your site reflects. If you are going to debate the world please research facts rather than revealing your ignorance. Now that I am aware that you have declared that men's platonic friendships with women are just a ploy to get them naked I am not sure how to respond to your next invitation to "hang out".
Shame on you!

-Jason's Mum

Jason's Mum,

Now I am really damned if I do, and damned if I don't. If I say I don't think of you that way, then it's "why not, aren't I good enough?" If I say I do think of you that way, Then my nephew is mad because I'm macking on his Mum. What to do? What to do?

Screw it...I stand accused of being a misogynist. Okay, what of it? You wanna go toe to toe? Point, counter-point? Uncle Mike against Mum and Grandpa? Roll up your sleeves and bring a Lunch. Don't feign lack of knowledge about my feelings about men's and women's so called Platonic friendships. I've told you the same thing in person. Or did you forget?

Which facts am I ignorant about? Be specific. I told your dad the same thing. BE SPECIFIC.

Mike-

Sid,

I agree with you about treating women with respect. The little quote of the week was all about stirring up a little controversy. However, the other things I said about alimony and the like are pet peeves of mine. I don't know what the laws are like in Britain, But here in the USA things are a bit dicey. In some states a man is made to pay a woman Child support even if he is not the father of a child, if he has lived with the woman for a short time. If a man chooses to adopt the child of the woman he lives with/dates, that is one thing. But to pay child support for a child that is not his, is another. Also, If a man tells a woman that he does not want to have children, and she gets pregnant through sabotage of the contraceptive devices (holes poked in condoms), he is liable for child support for 18 years.

There is a very famous murder case that is still under investigation involving Robert Blake, the Actor. The motive for the killing was the wife tricking him into an unwanted pregnancy. Of course, murder or other harm is not acceptable for these situations. It's just that The laws that were designed to protect women from many of the harms they were historically subjected to, have gone overboard and are now terrorizing men.

Mike-

And those are my good points right? Instead of insulting me like I would expect from an irrational woman, why don't you object point by point to my assertions, and tell me where I'm wrong. Or is that too complicated for you little lady?

Mike-

Joe mama,

Joe Mama I left N.Y. years ago myself. So you left L.A. to go to the big apple! Well in deference to all the New Yorkers who lost their lives a year ago...I'll Be a kinder gentler Angelino and say, Bite me!!!

Many innocent Angelinos get killed every year in drive-by shootings. We don't need the military to kill any more of them. Perhaps you are anti American? Perhaps we should put you in a uniform And stick you on the front line? Just what are you trying to say? What's your Point? Get a life. Come better prepared that that and we can have a dialog.

Mike-

I'm a big hippie and think we shouldn't be killing anyone - instead we should take a deeper look at why the rest of the world dislikes us so much.

Jen,

We are a lucky group of people, us Americans. We live in a very prosperous Influential country. Problem is...many others hate us because of who we are And what we have, as well as who our friends and allies are (Israel). Some Of them hate us enough to want to see us dead. All of us.

My question to you Is...do we try and understand people who are actively trying to kill us? Or, do we kill them in self defense and then ponder the questions while sipping a café latte at Starbucks? I spent some time in the 60's being a Peace and love child. It has not dulled my senses to the fact that people want to kill us. I won't waste time during the shooting wondering why.

A brief history lesson. Very seldom in the history of mankind has it mattered what the individual thinks. Unless, of course the individual is a monarch.

Mike-

Sara,

Let's take a look at your message...Shall we?

-Have you considered the fact that maybe, just maybe life in Britain is better than the US?

I can accept that in your opinion life in Britain is better than in the U.S., but who made it a fact?

-Or LA for that matter?

I'd even grant that life for you may be better in Britain than L.A.

By the way, so many of your fellow countrymen have emigrated to the U.S.A. and to the L.A. area in particular...why do you think? Because maybe they're stupid? Or maybe it is because of the oppressive personal income tax structure of Britain? I wonder.......

- Americans are always so me me me. Just look at your president trying to finish off daddy's unfinished business. me me me and let's kill some people while we're on the subject of me.

Let's think for a while about a few places Britain has had it's issues. Can you say the Falklands? India, Ireland, The Middle East or The American Colonies?

Was it the me me me people who joined in with the allies in WWI and WWII to assist Britain in defeating the Nazis?

As for George W., I did not vote for him. He also did not win the popular vote. But in a representative form of government you have to Live with whatever person the electoral college votes it. Mores the pity about that.

If Saddam Hussein has his way, he will plunge the Middle East back into the dark ages, so that he can be in charge. He has used Chemical weapons of mass destruction on his own people who dissent, and on the coalition troops when he was forced out of Kuwait. Can you say Kuwait?

Mike-

Which do you think is a larger threat on world stability? An isolated dictator in the middle of a desert or a self-serving, special interest influenced, ignorant and short sighted president of the largest economy, military and nuclear arsenal?

Since W's introduction to world politics, we have had huge tax breaks to the rich, his buddies involved in giant corporate scandals, a derailment on a world agreement for saving the environment, a retraction from UN involvement, an attempt to sabotage the creation of a world court, and the lack leadership in solving the Israeli crisis. I'd say if there is a 'regime change' to save the world, it needs to start in America.

Now this is what I call a well thought out argument. I agree with you on most points. GWB is doing all that you say. In fact he isn't smart enough to have thought this all out himself. He is a figure head for his father and his father's cronies. IN MY OPINION. I did not vote for him. Nor do I believe he won the election. My biggest problem is that the American public stood by and let our nation be stolen from us. We deserve the kind of government we got.

As for a threat to world stability...That dictator in the desert is sitting atop one of the largest oil producing regions in the world. As long as this country's life blood is petroleum, he is in fact a very large threat to our interests. As we have seen since the fall of the USSR, there seems to be a fanaticism permeating throughout many third world nations where they seem to not be able to let go of ancient feuds. As long as there is an Israel, many of her Arab neighbors will want to see her destroyed. The Palestinians hate Israel, maybe with good reason in their minds. So instead of trying to address their issues in the court of public opinion in a positive way, they approach their grievances in a violent bloody manner.

In 1967 the Arab neighbors of Israel proved they want to destroy Israel. We, as their staunch allies cannot forget that. As for leadership in solving this dilemma, what can we do besides hold Israel hostage for support? What can we do with their Arab neighbors? We cannot force a solution on them. Cooler heads must prevail. What is your suggestion for bringing about peace in the Middle East?

Mike-

Mike, you make some good arguments but you are also naff. You have your wires crossed as most Americans surely will, having been subjected to years of mind-numbing retarded US TV. First off, the Falklands War was initiated to defend British owned islands from the invasion of Argentinea. It was not because of some power mad unilateralist decision like Big W's.

The rest of your examples of British History were from 150 years ago during Victorian Colonialism times and are used as an example of how world domination by one culture is detrimental. You also mentioned how the US was involved in WWI & WWII. For your information, the US did not get involved in WWII until after there were already five years of invasion, death, and destruction, and only after they were forced the hand by the Japanese. Meanwhile the UK defended herself against an entire continent of hostile neighbours during that time the US sat on their hands. It wasn't until US soil was finally attacked before they got involved. If there was no Pearl Harbour, I'd probably be speaking German thank you very much.

Now that we have established your points are irrelevant and incorrect, let me explain where you are further mislead. The most powerful Arab state in the Middle East is Israel, not Iraq. Stability there is far more important than anywhere else in the region. Think of the billions upon billions that the US is looking to spend to kill and decimate and how much good that money could do helping in restructuring and supporting a stable Palestinian - Israeli state? Don't you think that your importance on killing is due to the US's own colonialism and ego, and less about world peace? Hmmm??

Phlegmmy, naff??? I suppose that is a term from your region. I can take it in context and ask if you are calling me daft or stupid? From your perspective the Falklands were British owned. From the perspective of the Argentineans, it was theirs to take back. I guess it all depends on your point of view. As for India, Ghandi died in my lifetime. I seem to at least recall he was involved in the struggle to end British colonialism. Perhaps I'm wrong. Ireland still has it's issues with Britain.

I remember my history about WWI and WWII. The US did want to get in the war sooner in WWI. Woodrow Wilson ran on a platform of keeping us out of the war. It was not until the Zimmerman telegram was made known by the British to the US, that we declared war. In that telegram from Germany to the German Ambassador to Mexico, they asked to have Mexico attack the US to keep us busy and out of the European conflict. The President kept us out of war until the popular sentiment was for going to war. As for WWII, the people of the US did not want to get into another war. It took an act of war by Japan to pull us into the conflict. Did you know that WWI was called "The War to end all Wars"? The fact is, Pearl Harbor was attacked. And the fact remains that the US did help Britain in both wars, whatever the timing.

If Israel wasn't the most powerful by far, they would have been obliterated by now. I suspect there are far more billions in petrol dollars spent in the region. In fact, the rich Arab states could set aside land and money to establish a Palestinian state. Why is Israel responsible to support the Palestinians? All the Arab states that attacked Israel were not doing so to help establish a Palestinian homeland. They were doing so for their own ends. They could care less about their fellow Arabs. Please get your facts straight.

Mike-

Life in Los Angeles should always be remembered as it really is. It is mired down by the worst traffic in the United States. Because of the love affair that Los Angelinos have with their automobiles, I doubt this problem will ever clear up. L.A. is situated in the middle of the Lower Sonoran Desert, so the temperatures here are very high during the summer months, and is mostly arid year round. Our annual rainfall is quite low, and the lion's share of our water supply is shipped into the area via an aqueduct system. There is an inversion layer that sits atop the Los Angeles area that keeps the heat and air pollution right on top of us. This is responsible for the SMOG that Los Angeles is world famous for.

Los Angeles has a serious gang problem. There are many murders here and lots of violent crime. The greater Los Angeles area sits atop an active fault system, and has frequent earthquakes (mostly too small to matter).

God!!!! I love this place. I don't want to live anywhere else. I feel sorry for my expatriate nephew Jason.

Imagine, living in a country like Great Britain!!! Being forced to endure all those historical landmarks. Being so close to the origins of our forefathers. Having to put up with cultural differences that could possibly round out an American's personality and broaden his world view. IMAGINE!!!

Of course, if I were to visit, I'd like to visit the shipyards where the ships were built that transported my ancestors on their world tour which began on the African continent, and ended in the American South. Such history!

Sentiment here in the U.S. is somewhat divided. It is not as it usually is, heated and contentious. It is rather more sedate. The feelings of many Americans is to kill Saddam Hussein and change the political structure of Iraq. There is almost no tolerance for the plight of the Palestinians.

Any sympathy that may have been felt here was blown up on 9/11/01. It was further damaged by the seemingly supportive stance that many Arab-American expatriates showed for the bombings of the world trade center and the Pentagon. Sentiment is not running as high as it was in September 2001 thru March 2002. However, it can turn on a dime with any new atrocity.