Have we got it right?

A couple of days ago I was walking along the flight line with my civilian instructor on our way to the airplane simulator. He is a former pilot with thousands of hours, a product of the cold war and a die hard conservative as most military members are. We were talking about the world cup games that are going on and I mentioned something about the size of the various countries that are represented and how small they are. His next comment really got me thinking. He said "and they still can't get it right." I knew he was referring to the common American view of most European countries and their "lack of freedom" and "socialist" ideals. Immediately I wanted to respond "do you think we've got it right?" but I already knew what he would say so I just kept walking and halfheartedly nodded in agreement. I didn't feel like provoking him at that moment.

I couldn't get his statement out of my head though. Do people in this country really think we are the only country in the world that has the right system? Do we all think that because we are the United States we are untouchable and we are simply too large to fail? That is a very arrogant state of mind, one that will certainly lead us down the wrong path if we aren't there already. If that is what a lot of Americans think it's no wonder the people of the world are upset with us. Arrogance lends us to lack of attentiveness and letting down our guard.

I believe we should appreciate other countries for what they can offer the world. We shouldn't write them off simply because we may not agree with them. Is it too much to ask to take a step back, appreciate the good and throw out the bad. We are all residents of this planet and if we don't work together somehow, war will never be very far from our thoughts.

After thinking about what my instructor said I have had a lot of thoughts about the subject. I run the arguments back and forth in my head. The pros and cons, the ups and downs, trying to see all angles of the story. Because of all of this I have decided that it is finally time to start a blog. Every day I see events, read articles, and listen to conversations that make my mind start running. I think I am mostly doing this for myself, to get this out of my head and written down. I know, a bit selfish of me but I am also hoping that a few people will read it and enjoy it. I am even hopeful that I might awaken a few to maybe think about their actions and try to improve the world. Its all about common sense conservation, using simple thinking to improve the world.