Clifton

I think Americans, or some Americans debate well enough, but it's rarely over issues.

It's generally two specific camps that argue out a complete agenda and who generally disagree on every topic. This is the two party system, which is not any true part of our gov't, it's just how the money flows.
The argument between them consists of who's side is right and who's side are the idiots. The folks in the middle who aren't arguing take turns letting each side have a turn at bat, until they strike out. This choice is generally based, for the centrists, as "the lesser of two evils".

I don't agree with a lot of what Guido says, but the binary point is dead on.

Wouldn't it be great if we (Americans)were able to find issues that we could discuss, where we could disagree on one, and then find common ground on another? It's all so polarized, that it's no wonder people have been conditioned to not talk about politics. That is if you want to get along with your neighbors.

Clifton

On the other hand, I never got this thing where Europe is "older and wiser". America and it's population didn't just appear out of nowhere. Almost everyone here decended from the cultures of Europe, Africa, Asia. Most European-decended Americans families were still IN Europe when most of these wars took place. They brought their cultures with them. Those cultures have been merged with many others, from all over. Europe is experiencing the same trends, but more recently.

How is it that anyone would think that being European to begin with, and then ADDING Asian, African and native cultural influences creates less worldliness and greater naivety?

DougP

Hopefully all people will pray, pro war and antiwar alike, that all troops get home safely and as soon as possible to their loved ones and that the leaders make the decisions that get them home safely and quickly.