So tired of being manipulated. How about you?

Louise's blog yesterday really moved me. She got me thinking too. Her blog was a beautiful, ingenuous outpouring of her affection for her American friends. Thank you Louise. Your sentiments are mutual. I sincerely value all the fine things I have learned about you here at WA. You are special indeed. Your "questioning" is shared by your American friends.

Freedom of expression, recognition of the individual's rights, are why the experiment called "America" has been working so far. One condition though: everybody is required to play by the rules. It's an honor system. Can't cheat the way politicians and special interests people have been cheating, and expect the system to survive. I don't blame anyone for feeling bitter.  I'm mad as "H..." too.

I'll talk in artist's terms: It's like your canvas is getting to the point of where you want to take it, and someone throws black paint all over it. What do you do? Slug the culprit in the chops? Make the black paint work? Start over? Why are we faced with this? Pretty anger inducing, isn't it? It's not just America. This low vibe affects the entire world.

Like Louise, I question what we are hearing that is passed off as the "truth". How do we change it? Is this the end of innocence?

France and the USA have been doing an apache dance for centuries. I think it's very funny. Love-Hate. But, it's really love. The hate part is only misunderstanding. Politics gets in the way of people. We're like the couple that stays together for the sake of the kids. Freedom fries don't taste as good as French fries anyway. And French toast is the coolest.

Even during the time of the French Revolution, right before, but soon after 1776, when Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were sent to Paris, the cultural differences were apparent, but the basic ideals were the same.  There was a real fascination for each others' culture. Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin fared better invoking French financial aid because they seemed to have more charisma and charm than the adroit John Adams.  Benjamin Franklin represented the "Enlightened American". He was a genius who spoke French with a bad accent, he had wit and humor and was a touch randy, which the French loved.

Louise, who is more appropriate to comment on Independence Day than you? France had a huge role in the creation of America.

My niece's best friend is from Bayeux. She visits regularly, and my niece visits her and her family in France. Her name is Valerie. When Valerie first came to  America, she had all manner of stereotypical preconceptions of the "ugly American".  She changed her mind and has become as much an America-phile as my niece is a Francophile. Husband, children, mom and dad, all coming to visit us this summer. One big happy family!

"Exposure" made the difference. Valerie had the opportunity to know some Americans. We Americans need that same exposure to France and other nations so we can get rid of our prejudices. It's so stupid.

Basically, most of us share the same ideals and that's what unites us. Forget all the petty stuff, and let's work together. No, I don't want a One World Order, which seems to be the threat that is lurking in the shadows. I love different nationalities and different cultures. Don't understand war at all. Fighting for an ideal I understand. To protect yourself, nation, and loved ones I understand. But "real", not fake, not to line anyone's pocket.

Thanks Louise, you gave me a chance to get that out.