Thankful

After immersing myself in websites for human rights organizations, I have come up with a take home message: I LOVE the U.S.A.

Does this country have problems? Yes.

Are the problems in the U.S. comparable to the problems in other countries around the world? No.

Most importantly, the U.S. has freedom of speech, right to assemble, freedom from religion, and habeaus corpus. Those four rights make me love my country!

That I can post photos of protests in Iran and criticize politicians in Kentucky are examples of freedom of speech.

That I can go to the corners of 16th and J in Sacramento and gather with others who support the Egyptian revolution is an example of my right to assemble.

That I can choose to be a Christian and have friends who are Muslim and agnostic without threat of sectarian violence as a result of our friendship are examples of freedom from religion.

And the fact that I do not fear being arrested in the middle of the night, and the knowledge that I am confident in my country's judicial system are examples of how habeaus corpus protects me.

I have traveled across four continents, and studied many of the cultures of the ancient and contemporary worlds. And today I conclude that I am thankful to live in the U.S.A.