America is number 1! True or exaggeration? Humor.

I use "kiddo" a lot lately just because it's become a generic type word that I throw in to at least attempt to directly address someone. My eyes are getting so messed up that I can't always make out the letters on people's names that are written in yellow and I'm too lazy to go to the trouble to get a clearer picture under the profiles, so I just say "kiddo." It's not meant to offend anyone, believe me. I've got much better words to accomplish that with.

I don't think the worst of you for anything, honest. I don't even think the worst of some of the folks I stringently disagree with politically or on religious issues or whatever. You see, I firmly believe that it's the differences in people that makes all the fun in life.

I have lived in foreign countries -- am an Army brat -- and spent all of my formative years outside the United States, with periodic visits on what we called "home leave." That, plus going to DoD schools and working on the Army bases kept me in touch with what was going on in the States and, of course, we always had our own Little America communities overseas. And then the home leaves, as I mentioned. And then I came back home for good. Believe me, I loved all of my experiences overseas, all the good and bad spots, but I much, much prefer living in America. Hands down, no contest.

I am sorry to hear you say living here "disappoints" you sometimes, but I challenge you, or anyone else in this world, to name any place, country, whatever, that you can live where there aren't things and folks who are going to disappoint you now and again. Human nature, kiddo, human nature, period. I try my very best to turn bad situations around and am happy to say that on a few occasions I have succeeded. One success and, man, you want to go out and do it again, honest. I have been witness to people behaving poorly, rudeness, dominating attempts, you name it. I tend to write comedy scripts in my mind when I encounter these situations and then, if and when the opportunity arises, I pop off and say something which points out the absurd nature of the misbehaving individual(s) while at the same time not goading them into worse behavior. It ain't easy but it sure is fun. You'd be surprised how it can work sometimes. Not all the time, I'm sorry to say, but I've gotten through to quite a few folks that way. And, believe it or not, a couple of them are good friends of mine today.

I'm glad you liked the foot comment. My favorite was "How's that for rabid patriotism." Kind of went hand-in-foot on that, don't you agree?

But just to assure you, I was born in America, my family served long and well for America, so I naturally am prone to beat my chest and sing America's praises. I'm sure if I were born and lived somewhere else that I probably would sing praises for that place. Who knows. But I love my country. I am ashamed of some of the things that people have been doing lately -- or at least been getting caught lately, heaven knows how long they've been doing them -- but that is not America's fault, it is the citizens of America's fault for not paying closer attention and extending blanket trust to people that they will do their jobs properly and then not checking to verify. We've got nobody to blame but ourselves, and I just hope 2012 changes a lot of things and puts us back on the right track. Meanwhile, with all of our flaws and character chips, I'm still happy to be American. And very, very grateful.

May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous, Happy New Year. And have a sip of champagne for me! Nice chatting with you.