Couldn't have said it any better myself, Spike. My village lost 25 residents in the 9-11 attacks (I knew 3 of them personally), and my cousin's husband was also a victim. It's hard going to funerals when there's no body...another lady with whom I work lost her best friend's husband.

These people, along with the New York Police, Fire, EMS and the brave men and women in service gave of their lives so that we can live in a free society...a right that unfortunately tolerates and in some cases condones the actions of those people you described above.

Our real heroes aren't the Barry Bonds' and Metallica's...they're the people like Pat Tillman, who quit pro football to fight for this great nation...and for the right for those "jackasses" to voice their opinions and spew anti-American rhetoric. That's what makes America better than the rest of the world. It's a damn shame we have some ungrateful SOB's living amongst us.

Sorry for the rant. You just kind of touched a nerve. When you get a little older, Spike, and earn the right to drive and to vote, you'll appreciate our freedoms even more.

Peace,

LI Phil