Oooo...I like that. American Ethnocentrism. I'm wondering if as a "totally oppressed black man" I could fit under that umbrella *ponder face*...As for living in the era of American decline, my hope is that we realize our "claim to fame" as a nation--besides the wholesale exportation of brutality, murder, and economic exploitation--is freedom of expression. Once that's gone, we might as well learn Chinese as a second language. Hell, I might do that anyway :) Be well Amanda. Thanks for your reply!