We live in the freest of all nations, right?

[Pat McCotter]

Disrespect for Government Is as American as Fried Bananas
by Felipe Franco

After decades of travelling throughout Latin America and years living there, I have developed a painful twinge every time I return to the U.S. and realize the loss of freedoms and rude behavior that is in store for me. It all comes flooding into my brain. What's the rule on shoes and searches at the airport? What will the cops do if my 7-year-old son is not in a government-approved booster seat in the rental car? What if a family member needs antibiotics or stitches? What are the things that will cause US residents to call the cops on me? What are the rules on car and health insurance that will get me in trouble? What kind of ticket will I get if I forget to turn on the headlights when there is a drizzle? Can the children stick their heads out of a sunroof or ride in the back of a pickup? No. Daddy might be arrested. Why? The cops are different here. The kids don't understand the oppressive environment. They don't understand the government worship and the angry woman screaming at Dad while he putts around on a motorcycle, "Where's your helmet!" Why do people want to control their neighbor's lives via the state in this country? We don't get it.
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[Jim Johnson]

no

[dalebert]

We live in the freest of all nations, right?

According to popular rhetoric, but that's about all it is-- rhetoric.

[thinkliberty]

The best government in the world has the biggest percentage of it's population in prison. Everyone know that!

That's what governments do, kill and cage people. The US government is obviously the best at what it does.

[Walker]

That's an interesting article with which I would generally agree.  My wife is from the Philippines, and many of the points in this article apply to that country.  I have spent some time in that country, and I see the examples like natural flow of traffic, lower obesity, and government officials who don't act like their crap does not stink.

It's interesting that this article is in sometimes stark contrast to organizations that rank countries by freedom.  If you look at an organization like Freedom House (www.freedomhouse.org), those people will tell you that places like Bolivia and the Philippines are less free than the U.S.  Their criteria for lack of freedom is sometimes the exact opposite of what is in this article.  Freedom House believes that items like corruption and religious strife are indicators of a lack of freedom.  I would say that these two criteria are simply a fallout from a system where people are more left to their own devices.

[Walker]

I can't figure out how to register a thank you, so I'll just say, "Thanks, Pat M.!"

I also just noticed my IP appears in the lower right, while other users read "logged."  I would be glad to hear how to erase that IP if someone can help.

[Tom Sawyer]

The IP only appears to you... and perhaps the moderators.... when I look at your posts they just say logged. 

[Lloyd Danforth]

Not me!   I can, however look right at Walker thru his or her's monitor when I press my mod button.

[MaineShark]

And, FYI, if you click on your IP, it should give you that note.

If an administrator (or a moderator with appropriate privileges) clicks it, they can do a whois track, or search for all posts that came from that IP, or a few other options, depending upon the software.  The basic purpose being to check up on trolls or spam.  For example, if you get a bunch of new registrations that are all posting quasi-spam messages, and they're all from the same IP, which doesn't connect to any legitimate posts, it's a pretty good bet you're dealing with a spam-bot.

Joe

[Pat McCotter]

I can't figure out how to register a thank you, so I'll just say, "Thanks, Pat M.!"

Your "Thank you" came through on June 19. Thank you for that.

I did notice when I changed the "Theme" from the "Default" that I lost the "Thank you" button.

[Walker]

I can't figure out how to register a thank you, so I'll just say, "Thanks, Pat M.!"

Your "Thank you" came through on June 19. Thank you for that.

I did notice when I changed the "Theme" from the "Default" that I lost the "Thank you" button.

I guess that option disappears once you use it.  Man, my memory is getting bad.