Pride in the good old USA is one thing, but a feeling of SUPERIORITY has nothing to do with pride and is quite arrogant. The statement that "no other country is as prosperous" is also one that may be worth rethinking. Other countries and people of other nations may focus on different things than money, fame or fortune. Could it be that they are focusing on family first instead of climbing to the top of the ladder and having more than the next guy. There are many Americans that also focus on family before wealth, success of the heart and soul before everything else. I think we could learn something from that! Whoever wrote that we are superior or more prosperous than any other nation should travel to Europe and enjoy the beauty of the land that is richly treasured, visit buildings that are centuries old and have been maintained for their distinct architectural qualities and beauty instead of tearing them down just to put up something more modern, more expensive, maybe a visit to a small Italian farming community where people still milk their own cows, harvest their own crops, grow their own vegetables and share in the joys of everyday life with their extended families would give some perspective on whether the USA is SUPERIOR or better because WEALTH is so much more important here to many people than in other parts of the world! The letter from the little girl is wonderful. The letter is about sacrifice, family and survival. This should be the focus of any reply to the letter, not an empty effort to make the USA sound better than the rest of the world. We are all lucky to be born, no matter where we live, most importantly, we should all appreciate human life everywhere, equally. To say that we are superior to any other countries or any other human beings would take away from any sense of appreciation we should all have for the gift of waking each day! Superiority is not an appropriate feeling or word when discussing other human beings, other nations, other religions, other races. Each one of us on Earth began in the same way and will end in the same way and in the time we are gifted here on this remarkable planet, we have a responsibility to remember that. Also, if we think of each other as a parent would think about their children behaving, well, there are a lot of people that teach their children to be kind, generous and forgiving. Teaching their children to share, be polite, accepting of others, love thy neighbor, etc. Some of these parents that have wonderful intentions in teaching their children, forget to follow their own advice and therefore, lead by example. I, myself, am guilty of that. Parenting is a good time to review what behavior is appropriate for ourselves. As we teach our children, there are reminders for us about how to treat others. Take this information however you like, for that is what we do as humans, we all interpret things differently. No two people are alike and it is a beautiful gift to us, even though sometimes it is hard to see that as a gift. Everyone needs more peace, more tranquility in life and hopefully we can always be open to learning more and drinking in more of the beauty in order that we may gift ourselves with the peace that is offered each day, in the rising and setting of the sun, in the children at play, in the smile of a friend, in the blue skies, even in the rain. The magic lies in the beauty of our planet, stop and take a sip of it and feel the peace it provides. Peace and love dance in your eyes and on your heart when you stop to look at the rainbows. Kyra Prestininzi

I guess I missed what led to this but isn't this supposed to be a genealogy forum? KYRAFAITH@aol.com wrote: > > Pride in the good old USA is one thing, but a feeling of SUPERIORITY has > nothing to do with pride and is quite arrogant. The statement that "no other > country is as prosperous" is also one that may be worth rethinking. Other > countries and people of other nations may focus on different things than > money, fame or fortune. Could it be that they are focusing on family first > instead of climbing to the top of the ladder and having more than the next > guy. There are many Americans that also focus on family before wealth, > success of the heart and soul before everything else. I think we could learn > something from that! Whoever wrote that we are superior or more prosperous > than any other nation should travel to Europe and enjoy the beauty of the > land that is richly treasured, visit buildings that are centuries old and > have been maintained for their distinct architectural qualities and beauty > instead of tearing them down just to put up something more modern, more > expensive, maybe a visit to a small Italian farming community where people > still milk their own cows, harvest their own crops, grow their own vegetables > and share in the joys of everyday life with their extended families would > give some perspective on whether the USA is SUPERIOR or better because WEALTH > is so much more important here to many people than in other parts of the > world! The letter from the little girl is wonderful. The letter is about > sacrifice, family and survival. This should be the focus of any reply to the > letter, not an empty effort to make the USA sound better than the rest of the > world. We are all lucky to be born, no matter where we live, most > importantly, we should all appreciate human life everywhere, equally. To say > that we are superior to any other countries or any other human beings would > take away from any sense of appreciation we should all have for the gift of > waking each day! > Superiority is not an appropriate feeling or word when discussing other human > beings, other nations, other religions, other races. Each one of us on Earth > began in the same way and will end in the same way and in the time we are > gifted here on this remarkable planet, we have a responsibility to remember > that. > Also, if we think of each other as a parent would think about their children > behaving, well, there are a lot of people that teach their children to be > kind, generous and forgiving. Teaching their children to share, be polite, > accepting of others, love thy neighbor, etc. Some of these parents that have > wonderful intentions in teaching their children, forget to follow their own > advice and therefore, lead by example. I, myself, am guilty of that. > Parenting is a good time to review what behavior is appropriate for > ourselves. As we teach our children, there are reminders for us about how to > treat others. > Take this information however you like, for that is what we do as humans, we > all interpret things differently. No two people are alike and it is a > beautiful gift to us, even though sometimes it is hard to see that as a gift. > Everyone needs more peace, more tranquility in life and hopefully we can > always be open to learning more and drinking in more of the beauty in order > that we may gift ourselves with the peace that is offered each day, in the > rising and setting of the sun, in the children at play, in the smile of a > friend, in the blue skies, even in the rain. The magic lies in the beauty of > our planet, stop and take a sip of it and feel the peace it provides. > Peace and love dance in your eyes and on your heart when you stop to look at > the rainbows. > Kyra Prestininzi