[ffusco]

-If I saved a person from drowning I world expect to have a friend for life....I wouldn't. That's a form of opression.

No, loyalty to a friend is a virtue. Obviously beyond your grasp. We helped our friends, now they abandon us, when all we ask is their moral support. IMHO they were never allies, just opportunists.


-In fact, America's post war boom was predicated upon the fact that Europe was in ruins and they had to buy from our companies to re-build.

Pure rubbish: The Marshall Plan rebuilt Japanese and European Industries at no cost to them. WE gave them state of the art factories that produced radios, televisions, motorcycles etc. that led to THEIR ECONOMIC MIRACLE of the 50's and 60's and contributed to our recession in the 60's and 70's. And they didn't have to buy from us.

-Was the Cold War the right thing to do or not? Were there no American interests at work in the Cold War?

The west winning the cold war was in the best interests of all free people. America had not just the means but the will to win the cold war. Many Euros, save the Brits, have neither.

-Everything that is good true and beautiful about our way of life is based upon Old European ideas. Have you ever calculated how much we owe them?

I don't need to. I'm first generation from Italy. My family came over because they knew this was the best country on Earth and honored it every way they could.

[LaBelleDameSansMerci]

"..I'm first generation from Italy..."

Our country is enriched and blessed by your presence.

As the descendent of two veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic who fought to preserve the "Last Best Hope" in the Civil War, I hope you will show your eternal gratitude to them for their sacrifices by learning what it was they were fighting for.....