Lady Sun

Me too...

You cannot imagine how people (general public) have changed over the past few years... When I came to the US in 2000, it felt friendly... Now, I am almost used to hearing unbelievable things... I have people at work analyzing the world political situation for me and as insensitive as they are, they tell me: you know, we are sure Iran is the next target.... We worry for you! you want to know our reasoning? here is X, Y, Z...

I would get so upset and would start arguing with them... now I have just learnt to say, what is another topic of discussion for you, is my whole life... Please do not talk to me about this...

Sorry I talked to much! I guess I am very worried too.

I am hoping to see some positive changes after the election as well! I will most certainly exercise my right to vote! Fortunately, my polling place uses a paper ballot and an optical scan machine, so I have every confidence that my vote will be counted. I think that is the best way to run an election. I really wish the whole country would use the same machines! I am really scared of the Dibold electronic voting machines with no paper record. They would be so easy to reprogram to steal an election! If Democrats don't make big gains in the election, I will have the strong conviction that the election was rigged by those damned machines! I will hope for the best and wait and see.

believe it or not, as the US becomes more and more isolated from the rest of the world, US politics also become less and less influential on the rest of the planet. Basically the world is moving on while American politicians are still stuck in their cold war mentality. The result of the election might have an effect on the situation in Iraq, but will remain only around that domain. For people who live only in the US it might be difficult to imagine, but most of the planet now doesn't even think of the US when making decisions.

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L.S. Unfortunately I think the US still have negative impact on the rest of the world.

"...all I got was a few people's accusations of being an agent! So much for the freedom of speech..."

That's not quite what Freedom of Speech means. It basicly means that you can't be jailed for what your say. It doens't mean that people can't disagree with you.

I'm not defending those that call you an agent. People are free to say whatever knuckleheaded things they want, but then they own their statements and it reflects on them and their group.

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L.S. Well I don't know if you are familiar with that story or not, but at one point the story was revolving around freedom of speech and I was referring to that. My freedom of speech to talk about who I want to vote and why was ignored. They didn't criticize, they committed libel. Libel is very different from criticism and disagreement. And calling a person an agent without providing evidence is considered libel in the law in the US, not criticism. Also, my freedom of speech to defend my right was attacked later.

just hope ... nth else ?! !isht our blue world !

I hope we made you proud. I know I feel better.

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L.S. You certainly did! We can still be hopeful about the greatness of this nation. :)

Thanks for not giving up on us. Americans are actually good people -- we just have bad leaders. I wonder if America and Iran will ever realize just how much they have in common.

Keep hope alive!

Iran’s leader is just a puppet for the new world order. The invasion of Iran is imminent, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. My advice to the civil people of the world is to enjoy these times we live now because the tyranny we will encounter will be like no other.