That was a book, written by William Lederer and Eugene Burdick in 1958. Although written as a novel, it was really a commentary on the usual American arrogance and insensitivity toward other countries where we had established embassies. Things such as not bothering to learn the language or anything about the culture. The Russians were depicted as operating in opposition to this by learning as much as they could about a country. Showing honor for the culture of the people and learning the language.

I was reminded of this book by watching the difference in the way the Russians of today behave toward other countries and how we and NATO operate. I don't think we have learned anything over the decades. First of all, we have virtually surrounded Russia, and to some extent, China with our NATO bases, our military, and Naval forces. What are we afraid of?

Then, we invade a country like Syria because we don't like the leader? And, why is it whenever we want to take over a country, we use the same tired excuse, (He's killing his own people!) Saddam was our friend and ally. We supplied him with all kinds of weapons, including biological and chemical. Until it became more convenient to say he was an enemy. Imagine his surprise.

The Syrian people, for the most part, seem to be quite happy with Assad. Why is that our business? Assad invited Russia into his country to fight insurgents and rebel forces, which, by the way, we had supplied with weapons. That's what Ambassador Stevens was doing in Benghazi, running guns to the Syrian rebels. Shades of the '80s and Nicaragua. How many other countries have we done this in? Why is it up to us to decide what leader a country has?

I liked President Trump's attitude toward meddling in other countries' politics and internal policies. We have enough of our own issues here at home to deal with. And, I haven't noticed that our meddling benefitted a country very much, if Venezuela is any example. So we didn't like Hugo Chavez. Why? Because he didn't knuckle under to our military/industrial complex? Because he called Baby Bush El Diablo at the UN? So what? I call Bush the village idiot from Texas. I call them as I see them too.

If memory serves, Venezuela was one of the wealthiest countries in South America. Look at it now. This is what socialism accomplishes. Again, socialism is one of those things that looks good on paper. But, fails miserably in the application. The only places where socialism/communism has had a long history, like Cuba and China, were through force and control. Kind of like what Australia has become. Like what the Deep State is trying to turn America into.

If that is how the braindead leftist fools want to live, please, give up your U.S. citizenship and move to one of those places. Let us know how that works out for you. But, leave our country alone. I hope President Putin and other world leaders understand that the vast majority of Americans, especially those who voted for Trump, have no wish to start a war with any other country.

We need to pack up our troops and bring them home as quickly as is safe. I have a feeling we're going to need those who are patriots, to help us follow the dictates of the Declaration of Independence and end this tyrannical government. However, you don't remove troops as occurred in Afghanistan, until every American and supporting natives, who want to leave, have been safely evacuated.

Then, we need to keep our noses out of other country's business. Only helping out when invited in, like when Hitler went on his spree of gobbling up other countries. Otherwise, nations should run their own affairs and government. We can treat each other like good neighbors should treat each other.

Wasn't that one of Christ's commands, "love your God with all of your being and love your neighbor as you love yourself." Wouldn't that be a wonderful world to live in?