Thank you, Cataholic. Well put, both posts.

Ann - there are more countries than just China that are religiously intolerant - Afghanistan, for example. I didn't say the US had a lock on religious freedom; it just seemed funny, you commenting on the religious "ignorance" you encountered in this free country which was really little more than a difference of opinion. Go tell a member of the Taliban that you feel Shintoism is a superior religion, and you will come away with more than hurt feelings. Just as we are not the only free nation, we are also not the only ignorant one. Yes, the US has "flaws". (Yes, we "whities" can see the flaws.) I'm sure Sweden does too. I just don't have the time or inclination to look up what they are and then bash them for it.

If you ask me "is there a town in Sweden called Malmo?", I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. A multiple-choice quiz with 2 possible answers doesn't constitute European superiority in knowledge of world geography, just good luck.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki are SICKENING. I wasn't on this earth when they happened, but I do NOT hold the opinion that it was a quick, easy way to end a war. Unfortunately, our elected officials can make decisions without the input of the American population, such as dropping bombs. This does not in any way mean that all Americans condone such activity. This happened back in a far more unenlightened time, which is why you wouldn't see us annihilating Afghanistan with nuclear bombs today to put a quick end to the bin Laden conflict. The US always contributes humanitarian aid to the victims of wars it participates in (not all the wars are STARTED by the US), and if it's not "enough", well, there's only so much to go around and still maintain the homeland. At least we give a little something.