OT - George, Razor, hello.
I'd like to weigh in on this one, too. I have been working internationally on an exclusive basis for about a dozen years now: West Africa, North Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Former Soviet Union, South America.
In all of these countries there is an element of inherent resentment of the US's might, and its willingness to lean on regions and countries to achieve its ends. This is an understandable aspect of human nature, to resent an outsider's influence, to whatever degree, in one's homeland. I'm sure you remember a similar time when the Japanese were buying up real estate and companies at a rate which was perceived to be alarming.
Nevertheless - that resentment comes with a double helping of envy. I work shoulder to shoulder with these nationals, from virtually every societal level. And universally, while venting their grievances, they also acknowledge that the place to live - and the place they would do nearly anything to immigrate to - is the US.
Be proud, but much more, be thankful. We live in the safest and greatest country in the world.
On the subject of George W. The crime was a misdemeanor, not a felony. He is not obliged to report it when serving jury duty or while making other attestations, any more than one is obliged to report speeding tickets in those cases. Those questionnaires do not ask about arrests, they ask about convictions - felony convictions.
There is no indication that he behaved in anything else but an honorable way. If there were, you can bet that it would be plastered all over the media in excrutiating detail, with the exception of the information's direct source.
Regards to all and Get out the vote.
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