Remember that this is a quotation -- yes, from a 
serious source -- PUBLISHED THIRTY YEARS AGO.

It's really amazing the number of people who have 
neglected to read what this IS before reading 
what it is ABOUT.  

No, the United States has not always been above 
reproach. Our government has perpetrated some of 
the most ridiculous things in the history of 
mankind. Many were done at a time when the 
prevailing world view would have called the 
actions correct -- not to excuse the actions, but 
you have to take them in their historical context.

But YES, if you're talking about the PEOPLE of 
the United States as opposed to the government 
(and that's what the writer was referring to, 30 
years ago, the PEOPLE) we have always been 
willing to go where ever the trouble is and try 
to do something to help. Folks here who have next 
to nothing will quite willingly go out and share 
what they have with a family who've had a flood, 
or a fire, or some other tragedy.

People have gone to great lengths the last few 
days to point out how the actions of a few 
Palestinians celebrating in the streets did not 
necessarily reflect their government's views.  
Well gee, imagine this...the same thing applies 
to us.  We are by and large a very good hearted 
and open people who are willing to believe the 
best of others unless we have the worst shoved in 
our faces.

I am sick to death of all the anti-American crap 
I've read in the past few days.  I don't see any 
place on earth that has reached a state of 
perfection yet.  If you know of one, let me 
know.  In the meantime, thousands of people have 
died for reasons that have nothing to do with 
themselves or anything they ever did.

Thank you for allowing the rant; I now return to 
my regularly-scheduled cel hunting. :-)