Hey Tess!
I don't take anything Col says personally, I just have fun with it. The truth is, I agree with most of what he says.
Maybe I should have been born in the UK, who knows.
Oh no... I can totally see his side.
And I too tend to agree with so much of his ideals. Which is why we became friends in the first place.
It's only when he groups "Americans" all together and says something derogatory that I am in danger of taking it personally. It SADDENS me to the core that we, as Americans, have this reputation. MOST people I surround myself with do not fit into, in the least iota, any branding that Col projects his feeling of rage.
Now of course every country has its extremists. In fact, there's a wonderful girl who used to visit quite often, who used to work with Col, who was quite a religious girl and had very adamant views because of it. Now, I didn't agree with everything she said, but I could certainly understand her viewpoint because of her beliefs. I didn't hold that against her at all. As I said, she was a lovely girl. I could potentially lump her into a group of people I rail against with great gusto in my private thoughts. But I'd never attack her personally.... and I always thought before I spoke about the great religious machine, tempering my language with her in mind, knowing that, in her soul, she was not any part of the evil manipulations I detested, and I wouldn't ever want her to think that I thought she was.
As an American, I feel especially fortunate not to have been born a woman in other countries. I feel especially fortunate to have a least a glimmer of hope to rise above my born station in life. Yes, at times, of course, I see the hand of power holding me down lower than my potential. But, I think we all experience that. (Well, all of we humble people anyway. Not those of us born into royalty and riches... lol) Sometimes we all feel powerless and ignored, disenfranchised at times, and helpless... but not without hope.
I've never lived anywhere else or experienced any other government. I only know that, no, it is not perfect, but I could have it so much worse.
So, with all of that said, when I hear Col rail against Americans, it's the only country I know and the only country of which I can call myself a member. So, it's just a tad difficult to bear his disappointment and still feel that glimmer of hope that I hang on to.
Love all of you.
Tess
