It's not the country. The United States is one of the greatest countries in many respects, culturally, economically and militarily, and will remain so for for the forseeable future. As a neighbour, I cringe when citizens down-rate their country because those who do so do not remain for long as members of a great nation.
Everything's changing lickety-split. North America's resources, including wildlife, are being pushed hard. Migrations to our cities are producing anti-gun populations with what I consider an overweening concern for safety and security. We're the little guys now to pick on---and the results are everywhere to see. To keep what we've got we can't make mistakes.
Be assured, however, Americans don't have more dingbats than elsewhere. Our veterans fought when our countries were different places. In many ways our freedoms are stronger, our citizens more aware of their rights and prepared to exercise them. That's the vet's legacy: more commonfolk influence over the capricious forces that always controlled their lives.
The pity is that the wonderful, resourceful people who developed and serviced the agricultural, manufacturing and energy sectors to the envy of the world are now off the open spaces. Canada is hollowed out to a couple dozen urban sprawls. Publics who saw guns as useful are now gathered in great cities taking in each other's wash.
Let's not blame our countries. They are better now in lots of ways. We can only protect our sports by being the most responsible persons on our byways and streets, and by never backing off on the integrity of what we do.
