tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post6791382515390932347..comments2024-02-24T00:41:37.836-08:00Comments on The Buddha Diaries: As American...Peter Clothierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11525159413387378704noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-32526531303618671762008-11-20T01:46:00.000-08:002008-11-20T01:46:00.000-08:00Maybe you can be "happy to be an American" rather ...Maybe you can be "happy to be an American" rather than "proud to be an American"...khengsionghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08388168568808671784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-56291149713674561352008-11-19T07:55:00.000-08:002008-11-19T07:55:00.000-08:00America is a country in which its people will figh...America is a country in which its people will fight to the death in order to reserve the right to save a chance to win the lottery. Sarah Palin!...need I say more?<BR/><BR/>It is also a political philosophy put into action that has the uncanny knack at re-inventing itself over and over again.<BR/><BR/>It is not a perfect system. Genetically, it is a 'knock-down, drag out' system that was born of conflict. It celebrates and holds proud its history of battles fought and wars won. Belligerence is in our bones.<BR/><BR/>But, every so often, we come back to resume and continue, what I think is, the 'right' path. In these instances, America's resilience shines through as a beacon and model for other nations' political, cultural and social philosophies. <BR/><BR/>We have allowed ourselves another chance. The present seeming disintegration of economic and social institutions can be viewed as a tremendous opportunity to 'reboot' and start fresh.<BR/><BR/>Now the challenge for each of us is to break our own self-imposed restraints; our thoughts and our understanding; through the actions of our lives.<BR/><BR/>Once we come to accept this freedom and act out with courage, enthusiasm and no fear or anxiety; the discovery of true 'meaning' begins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-71965706924223830002008-11-18T16:18:00.000-08:002008-11-18T16:18:00.000-08:00Speaking of pride and patriotism...I've had heapin...Speaking of pride and patriotism...I've had heaping spoonfuls of both ever since election night, but recently an uneasy feeling has crept in. <BR/><BR/>The source of this feeling is the thought that perhaps luck played a more significant role in Obama's triumph than many of us would like to think. <BR/><BR/>Remember after the GOP convention, when McCain surged to a lead in the polls? What if the economic crisis had not erupted at just that moment, to drive home the point that the country is worse off now than before GWB took office? <BR/><BR/>Are we playing Russian roulette each time we hold a national election?Cardozohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15458100243031931974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-17896488814672057732008-11-18T15:51:00.000-08:002008-11-18T15:51:00.000-08:00I think being able to think critically about our c...I think being able to think critically about our country, past and present, is the hallmark of a strong democracy. <BR/><BR/>I watched the Obama interview and was very proud and pleased. Dignity comes again to the White House.Taradharmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17665801586196931603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-1887148291310667792008-11-18T10:30:00.000-08:002008-11-18T10:30:00.000-08:00"I know that I risk seeming down on America" Well,..."I know that I risk seeming down on America" Well, appropriately so! A risk, always in a violent nation, but without critical reasoning and a firm command of factual history we would descend into predatory anarchy..... come to think of it, you are quiet prescient.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com