It’s probably too late now, because I've offended so many people, but I'd like to offer an apology to bloggers from the U.S.A..
I rave about and criticise too often US politics – especially when commenting on other people’s blogs. It’s rude on two counts: It assumes you guys are not able to see such things for yourselves and it seems as if I expect you guys to do something about it, when in fact, there’s little any individual can do except live their own lives as well as possible.
The fact remains that the U.S.A. has the world’s best constitution, and the most secular rules for government. And, I have to say, some of the world’s nicest people. My first visit was in 1973. I came up from Mexico to California, then bussed across the south and up the east coast to New York, before catching an ocean liner to Europe.
Everywhere we were amazed by the friendliness and hospitality, from the down and out parts of the cities where the Greyhound busses had their terminals, to the swankier parts. In shops and cafés, hotels, theatres, cinemas, parks and art galleries.
Since then we’ve flown to California and been amazed at the politeness of drivers, the friendliness of people, the willingness to chat and laugh and offer friendship – even in parts of LA where Europeans reckoned they didn't dare venture.
Sure there’s a lot to worry about, but that’s the same in every country. The government’s not perfect – but no government ever is. The fact remains that by far the most friendly people I've met in over fifty years of travelling in almost every country of the world, have been citizens of the U.S.A. Oh they’re often irritating, loud, innocent, and ignorant... but nearly always very likeable.
The U.S.A., with all its flaws, has been a beacon of hope and a good example for millions of oppressed peoples in the world, and I'm sure it will continue to be so – especially if the bloggers on MyBloggers are any indication of the current generation.