“Since the Republican party has been in the majority for the past seven years I find it odd that the GOP has not taken care of that little problem already.”

Perhaps you missed it what with all of your European travels, but the Democrats have been in control of Congress for a couple of years now. Perhaps you find it odd they’ve done nothing as well? Or perhaps you’re just another partisan looking to bash the other side?

If we need oil, we drill for it. We don’t demand that others stop using it. I suppose you didn’t use any oil in those long European trips, eh?

Now will begin the less-than-charitable, if not plain yahoo comments of those who will take your remarks as some sign of abject denunctiation of mom, apple pie,our flag, etc: I do wonder how many posts will it take before you are asked ‘well why don’t you go live there?!?!?’.

HOWEVER…I have no particular argument w/ the points you make, but do remember poor Europe has a ticking time bomb of a large immigrant population that, as it grows ever larger, may challenge those secular ways and attitudes we here might share. I hope my fellow countrymen and women have it in their hearts and guts to rise to the challenges of the next 10 years, as far as life-style changes and doing what is best for the common good. I’ve enjoyed visiting Europe, but it my country I love…

Teutonic Twaddler:

“I do wonder how many posts will it take before you are asked ‘well why don’t you go live there?!?!?’.”

Nothing of the kind, German. I was thinking ‘Don’t let the door hit your posterior on the way out.’ Solutions to petroleum consumption problems are proposed by the Party of pre-pubescent quarrelsome siblings who have the ability to individually change 50 percent of existing problems but can’t bring themselves to do it, “Not unless you do it first.”

Burke,

While you were visiting Europe and falling head over heels in love with it, did you take a few moments to visit at least one cemetary containing the remains of America’s sons? If it weren’t for the sacrifice of the people of the United States, Europe would not be the peaceful, prosperous place it is today.

Try to remember that point before you rip your country.

perhaps this erudite traveller has forgotten the huge demand for oil coming from the booming economies of India and China. Exxon-Mobil wouldn’t export oil to those 2 countries just for fun, there is huge demand from China and India. China has consumed as much energy in the last 2 years as they have in the previous 8 years. These countries also need copper, steel, coal, grain,fertilizer, etc. So once again the Democrats, who promised to fix this as soon as they seized Congress, refuse to drill or build refineries but are first to complain that there isn’t enough gas. Can’t blame the evil GOP for everything, as much as some people try. Reality bites!

Thank you for your thoughtful letter, Burke. While the US is a fantastic country to live in and I cherish many of our values & ways, it would be absurd to claim that we are perfect. The fact that so many people who will respond to your letter are so passionate about their love for the US is a testament to our national pride. The fact that so many of those people are passionate about their hatred for Europe is something else, though. There is something for us to learn from many of our friends around the globe. I love the way so many European nations and cities are able to so successfully blend modern conveniences & high-tech advancements with their tremendous history and ancient sites. They are able to enjoy fantastic transit systems, as you stated, yet these are built with respect for centuries old buildings & monuments. Many of the people have also embraced the practical nature & efficiency of driving smaller vehicles as well as walking or bicycling where possible. Our way of life could definitely improve if we adopted some of these habits. I hope that we (the USA) are able to rebuild our relationships with our European friends over the next few years.

Has anyone taken notice the size of European countries. We have many states that are much larger than some of those countries. We macro-manage while they only have to micro-manage. Give us a break!

Boy. leave it to ol’ Mr. I.S. to be so clever with his sophomoric sobriquet; don’t you feel humbled and put in your proper place, Mr. German etc?

Gawrsh, but that ol’ Mr. I.S. boils it all down, don’t he?
Whoops - he forgot to use his new buzzword of “Donks!”

Thomas F. Maher:

“Gawrsh, but that ol’ Mr. I.S. boils it all down, don’t he?
Whoops - he forgot to use his new buzzword of “Donks!””

It’s an honor to be confused with Tango but I’ve never used the term “Donks!” He is far kinder than I, my references to liberals are limited to the final digestive orifice preceded by the adjective “insufferable.”

Mea culpa, Mr. TGS -
It is you who are the nascent neologist.
Mea culpa, Mr. I.S. -
I attributed the D-word to you when in fact you coined but the cited sophomoric sobriquet.

As to confusing your contributions to dialogue with those of Mr. TGS, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the scent of one armorphophallus titanium from another.

Somehow, I think William F. Buckley, Jr. would have found different words to describe a “liberal” than thy tacky ‘terminal’ traducements.