"But the way he lied to the United Nations still leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, and definitely a negative impact on my mind."

Under what patio of naivete do you reside, gs-chandy? have you no idea of the military mindset? Pres. Bush is Commander-in-chief and his orders must be followed. Have you doubts that Bush TOLD Powell how to respond to the United Nations? WHY do you think Powell resigned his post in the Bush Administration!

Why did not Powell resign his post in the Bush Administration BEFORE he lied to the UN on his Commander-in-Chief's instructions?

Why do you think our troops in Afghanistan/Pakistan cannot catch bin Laden? He and his family have been friends of the Bush family for decades. Maybe when Bush leaves in January, our troops will "miraculously" discover bin Laden's cave du jour. At one point, Delta Force HAD located bin Laden and requested permission to capture him. Permission was denied--by the Commander-in-Chief.

Well, we shall have to see what happens - first on Nov 4th, and then in the two months till the next President (whoever he may be) takes over.

Why do you think brutality was prevalent in Guantanamo? Bush ordered it, and the military there HAD to follow those orders.

I believe it is NOT necessary even for military mind-set people to follow criminal orders - wasn't that the whole point of the Nuremberg trials?? That is the kind of military we should be seeking to create. (I'm not claiming that we have successfully done that in India - here too our military too often blindly obey illegal orders). But I do believe things will change - both in the US and in India. That kind of change HAS to come, in ourselves as citizens, in our respective governments and their instruments, such as the militaries. It can be done. Check out a few of my past letters here where I discuss ways and means. Or, write to me at gs (underscore) chandy (at) yahoo (dot) com, and I shall be happy to send you information.

These misconceptions are heartbreaking. I knew the Dumbing of America was a serious situation, but I didn't think dumbness extended this far.

By the way, the phrase you're seeking is "the Dumbing of the USA". I'm sure you know geography well enough to understand that American consists of North and South America. the USA is just one of the nations of North America, amongst some 8 or 10 or more, I think - agreed, the USA is the world's sole superpower. And S. America is a whole different almost-continent in itself, also consisting of some 8-10 (at least) nations!

I pray the misinformed will learn some truths before Nov. 4.

I too have been praying that misinformed US citizens - who voted GW Bush, War Criminal, into power in 2004 DESPITE knowing fully well that he and his Gang were War Criminals! Only a small percentage of those were of 'military mind-set' - I do hope and pray that these misinformed US citizens might learn something about the US and about the world around them before Nov. 4. It doesn't look as though my prayers have been heard yet. I'm sure NancySue22 has her usual illiterate response ready for that.

GSC

Long ago, when I was a boy, a close friend of mind used to have a pet chimpanzee as part of their family. (No, not GW Bush, who's a pet of any kind - he's always been of war criminal mind; that pet chimpanzee was a female, a truly delightful character).

That pet chimpanzee, who was called, if I remember right, JoAnn, had I understand learned to spell out a few simple words in English. As your "eddicated husband, who is a reverand" apparently lacks the time, inclination and ability (most likely the last) to help you improve your spelling, let me check out and try and find out if JoAnn's available to give you some spelling lessons.

Meanwhile (even if you do NOT work to improve your spelling), do ask try and learn one lesson at least from Jesus, whom you proclaim as your 'saviour' ("savior" in American English) - remember what his greatest lesson was: "Do thou unto others as thou woulds't have them do unto you". If only a few Christians, including GW Bush (War Criminal) had learnt that great lesson, the world would have been a far better place than it is today.

GSC

"...GW Bush, who's NOT a pet of any kind..." of course, not as mistyped: "...GW Bush, who's a pet of any kind...".

Sorry about that.

GSC

Cut it whichever way you will, the fact remains that US citizens voted GW Bush and Gang into power in 2004 despite it being widely known that:

-- they had LIED to US citizens to get them scared enough;

-- LIED to US Congress to get funding for GW Bush's little personal war against Saddam Hussein;

-- TRIED to lie to the world;

-- prosecuted an illegal war, i.e., that they were in fact War Criminals

.

I do hope they have learned enough now at least to vote Barack Obama to the presidency and then work to remove the blot on the USA that the Bush Maladministration has been over the past eight years.

GSC