Well, now that we’re not in fact numero uno in everything (by our own estimation anyway), it will be interesting to see how the world economy shakes out, as well as what it will mean to all of us. It’s a scary place to be (not knowing). Is it possible that somehow eventually a greater piece of the pie for all workers will result in a concomitant slowdown of world population growth, more responsible use of all resources, fewer violent confrontations? I’m dreaming … 

Oh joy! Here you are again, triple loading your post with high-inference language meant to appeal to our emotions— we, your poor hapless readers who wait breathlessly for you to pour what is REAL into our brains. Gosh, let’s see. Just in the first sentence mind you: "aggressively," "crusading," "takeover," "guise."  How would we know what to feel if it weren’t for you! But don’t stop; what would we poor empty vessels do without your flagwaving vindictives. You write them so well. Heavens, would we dare to make up our own minds by looking for the FACTS? Hmmm, sounds dangerous to me …

Just a few thoughts, Deniseann: (1) Please don’t be afraid of taking your bible with you anywhere you want to bring it, even a federal building. That’s your personal property, your personal symbol of your faith, and by law should never be confiscated or you threatened for carrying it (as long as you don’t use it as a weapon or force it into someone else’s face kind of thing). That’s exactly what the women who are fighting to cover their heads with scarves are fighting for. Support them, and you will be supporting your own freedom as well. (2) Though Christmas plays are not permitted in public schools, they are permitted just about everywhere else, as long as it is on private property. Why don’t you organize your grandkids and their Christian neighbors’ kids and produce/direct one yourself? Put it on for some charitable cause, so the kids will learn two lessons: one, that they are Christians and two, that helping others is a good thing. Why deny yourself the pleasure? (3) And finally you wrote, "none of the other ones [religions] were spoken of or in existence."  I’m not sure of your meaning here, but the Pilgrims were well aware of Muslims and Jews, for example. Many lived in Europe for quite some time. I don’t know about the Far Eastern religions, but Europeans traded with them, so I suspect those religions were known too. Christianity has never been alone in this world, and I think the Good Samaritan knew that, too—as the story goes, he didn’t stop to check if the sick man on the side of the road was Christian, he just did what his heart told him was the right thing to do. I hope all Christians keep their hearts open in the same way, especially during these difficult times …

Well, nothing comes to me in the way of a caption. But can’t resist saying that my favorite here this morning is (no criteria except it made me giggle — and it’s sooooo catlike):

"Just one move, if that thing makes just make one…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" (Jack Mayberry on 09/19/2009 3:50 pm)