Patronizing? When I decide to be patronizing, you'll know it, believe me. And believe this, too: I don't consider myself judge of anyone. I do, however, reserve the right to respond with the POV that my age does give me. Right or wrong, we all view things differently, and those of us who've been around a bit longer have had the opportunity to see things from more angles and through different filters. Doesn't make us any smarter or more worldly, but it does afford a broader experience base from which to speak (and it's an AARP membership benfit ).<br><br>In dj's case, you're dead-on a/b my annoyance with him. Everyone has something interesting to say if you listen closely, and he's no exception. However, incoherent, ill-informed, and thoroughly self-absorbed rants masquerading as a rationale for arguable statements will suck the air out of an idea in a New York minute. In the end, all I hear is "blah blah blah blah me me blah blah me me blah blah..."<br><br>In you case, sorry if you feel I've "come after" you. No such intentions. However, I calls 'em as I sees 'em. I prefer to be direct because it's the best way to get a point across. Whether you accept that point or not is entirely up to you, but in your case, you shouldn't take what I say as anything remotely close to a personal affront. On the other hand, you wanna call me a grumpy old f@rt, go for it. <br><br>

thought you weren't going to talk to me anymore?<br><br>I said I probably wouldn't respond to your political posts, since I have trouble determining their seriousness - this being less political and more informational topic, I thought I'd give it a shot ... still, I guess I' might be breaking my own rule a little here, as I mentioned in my previous post ;-)<br><br>Australia is a beautiful country and I've actually been lucky enough to visit it, albeit for a disappointingly brief amount of time ... I hope to be able to visit again some day - gorgeous place, and the people seemed top-notch =) ...<br><br>Have you ever visited the US?<br><br>I won't get into a pissing match about who did what in Iraq - suffice it to say US special forces were on the ground as well performing the same types of missions as yours FAR in advance of the invasion ...<br><br>And it's outstanding that none of your people were killed and I hope most of them were able to go back home unscathed ... There are what, ~900 left in-theater? Hopefully they'll be able to go home soon as well =)<br><br>Thanks for your post, and have a great morning!<br><br>***matt<br><br>Turn up the signal, wipe out the noise ...

I think it's been said elswhere in this thread that "the best place in the world to live" is largely up to the individual.<br><br>Is the U.S. among the best places to live? Certainly. Are there other places better? Depends on you. You can make "pros & cons" lists for every place on earth, and none of them will be everyone's ideal.<br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>In dj's case, you're dead-on a/b my annoyance with him.<p><hr></blockquote><p>I'm happy that you admit this.<br><blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>I prefer to be direct because it's the best way to get a point across.<p><hr></blockquote><p>I like that a lot.<br><br>[color:green]One man's compost is another man's potpourri.</font color=green>

I think a lot of you failed to read the 3 little letters that read 'IMO'- which means it's MY opinion that I live in the greatest country in the world.<br><br>I happen to think so, and that's all that matters isn't it? After all, I'M the one living MY life.<br><br>Just thought I'd clear that up. <br><br>I'd like to get a gander at those statistics too Treebeard, when you have the time. Sure, there's probably plenty of other countries around the world that are FANTASTIC places to live in, but I'm sorry I enjoy this place too damn much.<br><br>Rose colored glasses, eh? Where does that comment come from? Am I beating the political drum here? Am I waving a big Bush banner? When did I ever say I loved what our current government, or that I agreed 100% with its course of action in the Middle East or any other part of the world for that matter?<br><br>The great this is that our whole attitude towards the rest of the world could change in one election. Bush would be out, a new president in, and that president could very well take a whole new approach on the matter. And then a lot of you would have nothing left to post about... <br><br>When I say 'greatest', I go by my daily life. I go by the opportunities I have in this country to succeed. I go by the diversity that I experience every day when I go to work or visit with my friends. I go by the fact that in this country, a man like Steve Jobs can start by building computers in his garage and have the sort of ideas that are allowing all of YOU to sit and post your rantings from a damn fine computer and operating system.<br><br>Now who can argue with that last point? <br><br>

nobody <br><br>[color:green]One man's compost is another man's potpourri.</font color=green>

just a point i have noted about Australians <br>if they cant pull the left or the right leg <br>they will pull the middle one<br><br>they'll have you for dinner everytime <br>mr yahoo serious.<br><br>

Hey Steve... do you get the free coffee at McDonald's with that AARP membership? <br><br> What?<br>Visit Me!

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>On the other hand, you wanna call me a grumpy old f@rt, go for it.<p><hr></blockquote><p>That's my turf ya dang whippersnapper! Go find your own playground!<br><br>drjohn's photos

*slap* Outta my way, sonny. I'm feelin' my geritol today, so you'd best not be sassin' me! <br><br>