CIA World Factbook 2000

-- Rich (living_in_interesting_times@hotmail.com), September 16, 2001

Answers

Rich: I just wanted you to know that SOMEONE noticed this. I reviewed the information about Afghanistan, and will keep the other countries for review later.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 16, 2001.

Thanx Rich, that is a handy site

-- Dr. Pibb (dr.pibb@zdnetonebox.com), September 16, 2001.

Thanks Rich, I once had some similar software with the same information for my kids, but it's about 10 years old now.

BTW, I wanted to comment on your new attitude and it's grateful to see it happen but of course sad that it took thousands of deaths. You see, I've felt that kind of patriotism since joining the Air Force. I've recognized that we have a need to defend this great country no matter what the cost.

This morning I saw purple mountains' majesty and started to cry. Every morning I see Pike's Peak, the inspiration for that song and I'm so grateful to live in such a beautiful country with such wonderful liberties.

Rich keep posting, I always enjoy reading them.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 17, 2001.

Thanks Anita and Pibb. I am still in awe of this thing we call the internet. So much available at the touch of a key or two.

Maria, I know I'm not the exception but the rule in that I shed a tear every day now. And that's a good thing. Tears cleanse not only our eyes but our hearts too. Tears cascading down cheeks provide tangible signs we are alive, that our hearts are open to others and we are connecting to something larger than ourselves.

And thank you for your kind words Maria. They were much needed. I'd love to post more often but I really have so little to say right now. I have no access to intelligence information, so how can I formulate 'this is how the U.S. government should proceed' type posts without suffering the burning feeling I'd be kidding myself and others that I know WTF is and has been going on?

The terrible series of attacks this past Tuesday did not occur in a vacuum. This is not a black & white situation. Let's face it, our foreign policies and activities during the Cold War years were far from angelic, based upon what little I have read over the years. And I am confused and torn by this.

But make no mistake, my heart and soul are focused on supporting the enormous task we face. I'm buoyed by the strength of support President Bush has received to this point. I've done my part by pleading for just this with a few people close to me who will carry hatred for GW to their graves. They listened and have put aside their anger aimed at him for the good of the country. A small miracle!

Best -

-- Rich (living_in_interesting_times@hotmail.com), September 17, 2001.

Rich: Since you started a somewhat "educational" thread, I thought it best to include this here. I learned quite a few things from the read. Dispelling myths about Arabs

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 17, 2001.

The two statistics from that site that struck me were the literacy rate of women 15-49 is like 15% and the avg life span is like 45 years old. Hard to imagine what living in this country (Afghanistan) must be like for any human soul who knows the difference. Truly, truly unimaginable to most of us, which makes it all the sadder.

Thanks Rich, for a site that's a keeper.

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), September 18, 2001.