The very first person who commented said:

Why the American public is not demanding impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney for their secrecy, illegal and anti-constitutional behavior is a mystery. Perhaps it reflects collective low self esteem, poor civic education, or apathy. But we DO deserve better, and the way to keep our democracy vibrant and healthy is for the people to assert thier power!

Frankly, I'm not so sure we DO deserve better. This is a nation that has participated in its own dumbing-down. It has allowed not only political leaders to fool us, and fool us again, but it has fallen victim to corporate public relations that tells us how to live, what to eat, how to dress, what to read (for those few of us who DO read these days), where to go, and even our entertainment options. People are so busy watching survivor shows, bachelors picking out ditzy women or vice versa, sitcoms and even quiz shows that are often downright offensive morally, ethically and intellectually, and so-called "news" that is doctored, censored, and copied from other sources with little in-depth investigative journalism taking place.

We send our kids to cheeringleading camp instead of Girl Scout or Boy Scout camp. We fail to censor what they watch or listen to, or spend their money on, and we don't encourage individuality. We fail to put enough emphasis on intellectual curiosity and achievement. We don't discuss current events at our dinner tables. Heck, how many families even eat dinner together these days?

Frankly, I think people DO have good self-esteem. It's just directed in the wrong way. As for poor civic education, you can't educate those who don't want to learn---and that includes people at all economic strata.

Of course they are apathetic. They've been taught to be apathetic. They've been brainwashed into believing in a "me only" society that disregards what's happening on a government level until, or when, it hits home on very specific and personal issues.

There are always going to be evil people who are going to take advantage of the fact that people don't care. And remember that they, too, are part of that "me only" societal trend. If it means that they use whatever means at their disposal to make themselves richer, or more powerful, or to cover up for their mistakes, or to reward others who helped them achieve their desires, or to punish those who stand in their way, they will...if they can. They lie. They cheat. They steal. And we allow them to do it!

It's the sorry state of this country today. We allowed the Supreme Court to appoint someone to office (and didn't stand up and scream in horror----at least most of you didn't) along with a Vice President who appointed himself. We allowed the same characters to steal a second election because too many of us either didn't vote, or believed the propaganda and supported the scoundrels who had already screwed up massively. We sat back and allowed the Supreme Court to be packed by individuals who will misdirect our laws for decades to come. We didn't even seem to notice that our "fourth estate" (the media--which had always been there in the past to keep watch on government for us) was purchased by corporate mindsets and those intend on controlling the news. We didn't insist that Members of Congress act in the roles we elected them to--as the entity that provides checks and balances for the Executive and the Judicial branches.

I could go on and on and on. And at this point in time, and viewing the country back through my 65 years of life, I don't think we deserve better. Nope, in truth, we deserve just what we got!

What happened to the good old days when people simply did their jobs---and did them in the best, most honest way possible?

For the writer who suggested putting a little Vicks in the nose, why in the world would the average traveler have Vicks with him/her on the plane? After all, we're only allowed a tiny plastic bag of such items. Vicks would not generally be among the tiny amount of small-packaged items included....ya think?

"Out of the Wilderness" reminds me of.... Well, I suppose we shouldn't get into the blog by that name and rile up the readers.

Obviously the journey across the country was an eye opener, Tim. And, hopefully, a reinforcement of the need to continue educating those who are at least willing to be educated...or, at least, informed.

Welcome back.

P.S. If it's any consolation, we're seeing fewer and fewer of the "support the troops" magnetic ribbons on cars here in the midwest these days. Could be they've just worn out, fell off, and there is little market these days for selling new ones. Ya think?