[Moneyguy1]

An excellent idea Steve, but I still want direct access to the "dirtbags" so I know what they are up to. Excluding them is like ignoring the bomb makers in the house next door. Imperfect intelligence is better than no intelligence at all. The groups of "evil doers" out there are by and large successful because they are not members of a forum of any type since they are not officially governments. I would respectfully submit that removing countries we "don't like" from the "club" could create even larger dangers.

I don't know what the answer is, or even if there is an answer. I said it before; this is a time in history that concerns me more than any other I have lived through, simply because the lines are not clearly drawn.

JP: I do not, as well, believe in the "nobody's perfect" excuses put forth by the apologists. I am concerned about the death of a thousand cuts that can result from continuing attacks here there and elsewhere by small groups, draining our resources in an attempt to keep up. Maybe I am slowly becoming more of an isolationist. Seal all borders, become energy self sufficient, ban future immigration, build enough defensive/offensive missles to take out any country IN TOTO that has the audacity to make a pre-emptive strike.

I do not believe we should be in the business of nation building either. It is, in my humble opinion, silly to assume that, when it comes to styles of government, "One size fits all".

Friend of mine once told me: "My wife and I have a great relationship. I make the big decisions and she makes the little decisions. I decide what we should do about the Middle East, North Korea, the economy and so on. She makes the little ones like what are we going to eat, where we go on vacation, where we are going to live".


Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, help me to change the things I can change

Accept the things I cannot change

And the wisdom to know the difference