>>Walter;
>>
>>Just a few words. I have to agree with your analysis. Being blind and ignorant to reality is something that has truly hurt our nation. We are a nation based upon the individual and self-gratification. Taking care of the poor and elderly is something that is paid lip service to. Every dog has to take care of him/herself.
>>
>>We were an innovative nation and sold our souls for a few dollars to increase the quarterly dividend. Bankrupt is not the word that would describe our economy if we had to pay back all debts of the federal government and individual debt. We live in a world of creative accounting and no fiscal responsibility.
>>
>>We will rebuild Iraq – it will take decades the Administration tells us. In the mean time our nation is falling apart. Our education and health care systems are a shambles.
>>
>>PAL is a child of NTSC. SECAM is superior to PAL. Just ask the French. By the way I worked at Ampex for 15 years as an electronics engineer with the people that invented the video tape recorder, video editing and instant reply. Ampex was behind the HDTV which is beginning to be implemented. Ampex had over 20,000 employees and today has about 55. Ampex was one of the leading innovative companies in the world. Today it is little more than a sign on hi-way 101 in Redwood City, California.
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>>The present atmosphere in this country towards our federal administration is one that is worshiped by some. Republicans control the Executive, Jusical, and Congressional branches of our government. Everyone in the administration is a god. They can do no wrong. Blame others for your faults and do not admit the truth. When there is doubt attack another nation. That helps to focus attention upon another area of our lives – for a while!
>>
>>Someday China will own this country and we will be little more than an annex. Why they are teaching Mandarin in public schools for at least 50% of the day, in Cupertino, California, just a few blocks from my home. One child from Germany is in the program.
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>>http://fccncalif.org/schools.htm
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>>I can imagine that in a few years we will all be happy to have a bowl of rice to eat.
>>
>
>And happy Valentine's Day to you, too, Mr. Gloom ;-) Did the cat pee in your coffee?

No, but he just realized that his mug, the coffee maker, the coffe, the spoon and the sugar were all imported from China. The milk or cream is still produced locally, until...

I saw a show about China 2 weeks ago and to give you an idea how cheap labour is there, an apple grower "hires" people to put a brown bag over each and every apple shortly after they form ON THE TREES so that he can "meet export criteria". I don't know what that criteria is, but it seemed to have something to do with pollution.