“Some States are Safer: Violent Crime in the United States” (Henslin, 151)

“Executions in the United States” (Henslin, 157; “…since 1977 when the death penalty was reinstated)“As Florida Goes, So Goes The Nation” (Henslin, 280)“The Globalization of Capitalism: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Business” (Henslin, 318)“How Does Your State Rank?: The Location of the Worst Hazardous Waste Sites” (Henslin, 431)“The Distribution of Dominant and Minority Groups” (Henslin, 237)“Patterns of Poverty” (Henslin, 212; “Note: Poverty varies tremendously from one state to another. In the extreme, poverty is three times more common in Arkansas (18%) than it is in New Hampshire (5.6%).”)“The ‘Where’ of U.S. Divorce” (Henslin, 343)“Women in the Work Force” (Henslin, 269)

Accordingly, ND seems to win the prize for “most desirable,” though if cultural centers of interest and geography were able to be considered this would shift drastically.  Another problem with that award is that I happen to like the elderly, minorities and foreign owned businesses (though these are probably the most contentious factors).

But is it true?

In America, we have guns and butter, technology and with it convenience, genius, but because of it, lethargy.

Americans can be riled for a cause, and perhaps Obama’s presidency will move us beyond the jaded self-interest of Bush’s last term, but can we be as devoted as religious martyrs? As desperate for success?
As driven by revenge?

Americans are well-fed (perhaps overly so), have longer life-spans, suffer primarily from self-afflicted rather than natural maladies: heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes, stress. Even the more endemic of diseases, such as cancer, most traditional cultures don’t live to see. It is no lie, then, to say that as a people we are more vital than the impoverished, habitually mis or uninformed peoples who are raised, on promise of security and paradise, into the culture of terrorism.

But stronger?

Jets and tanks may make us more able. Losing proportionately less warriors in every fight. But would we ever allow the proportionate loss that they encourage?

Globalization may make our ideals more widespread and our overall society more resilient. Incorporating the best ideas into our pre-existing framework and discarding the rest. But do we have the convictions of ignorance or religious dogma?

We have our advantages, but against guerilla warfare I contend that though we may have strength of arms and currency (for now), if strength of spirit IS critical, then the harder we crush our self-declared foes, the more passionate they will become.

If it were up to me, we would talk every day. But for the last six months it has been up to you, and we haven’t spoken at all.
And that, I suppose, says everything.

if I were to say it again and again

the way that I need to

the way that it strikes me

I MISS YOU.

Every day the desperate SOS

seems farther and farther away

I love you

and it seems as though

time will break us, after all.

Love

And I loved you

I’ll never be over it

I’ll just want to be

I’ll never be over it

But I’ll never be over him

And that, my dear,

Is the sticking point.