Wei,
    Sorry you didn't like that quote from Mencken. Maybe this one from e.e.
cummings will make up for it.

          "Nothing"  in 1944 A  D
          "can stand against the argument of mil
          itary necessity"  (generalissimo e)
          and echo answers  "there is no appeal

          from reason"(freud) - you pays your money and
          you doesn't take your choice.  Ain't freedom grand

    But partly in answer to your question, I think it's great being an
American although I'm not sure how many would vote for my interpretation of
what that means, but I really don't care if they would.
This is putting it kindly to you, I think.
    Question for you - Why did the Boxers call Christianity a "pig and
goat" religion?

CDM