Since an archeological and soil study trip to Yemen earlier this year, my well-traveled cousin has taken up the art of henna. The practice involves grinding up leaves from the henna plant into a fine dust, wetting the mixture, and applying the dye to the skin. The natural dye must stay on the skin for about half a day, and the result is a design that lasts on the skin for one to three weeks. Naturally, I asked my cousin if she would do a little something for me, and she replied that in Arabic cultures, only women had henna on them. It was considered degrading for men to do what the women did. This made me want her to dye my skin even more, and almost instantly, I felt grateful for the country I've lived in all my life.

While we can complain about a slew of problems in the United States, this is still the best country in the world. As the country celebrates its 224th birthday this week, the best overarching word to remember is Freedom. The choices and options we have as individuals in America are surpassed by no one, and the access to food and materials are more than abundant.

As many people know, I'm pretty much living for the entertainment, and there is no other place in the world that can appease my cravings. In the last week, I went to the theater, a minor league baseball game that lasted 12 innings, shot pool with my friends (including one who stopped into town from the Northwest), went out to eat New Mexican food, watched loud local music for a few hours, and ended the week at my cousin's place watching Star Wars: Episode 1 on video while she applied a henna dots onto my left forearm. A lifestyle made in the USA.

Is there still poverty in this country? Is there still corruption? Ethnic and gender inequalities? Violence and unrest? Traffic issues? Environmental concerns? Constant misunderstandings between men, women and children? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. The perfect society will never be achieved, but the simple fact that we raise these issues is far better than other spots around the globe.

When I was a kid, I was much less patriotic. I wasn't the kid who refused to stand up during the pledge of allegiance, but repeating the same lines on a daily basis never appealed to me. It seemed like a subtle form of brainwashing (sort of like the Scout Law and Oath which I can repeat word for word to this day). While I still distrust the government (particularly the military) to be honest and forthright about what it is doing, I am appreciative of the fairly conflict free attitude we have taken. Everything since Vietnam could be classified as skirmishes where active fighting lasted less than two months.

There are laws that I think our unjust, but there are also rights that I cling to with immense affection. Being a writer, The Freedom of Speech has always helped me overcome any doubt on whether I should write down certain ideas. I would be a tormented soul without it. The right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures is pretty important as well. My dwelling is my sanctuary, and I have things just the way I like them. No one should be able to just come in and throw things on the floor without a very good reason.

There is also the ambiguous Amendment 9 which states that the Bill of Rights are not the only rights available to citizens. "To list all of the rights the people of the United States simply take for granted would be impossible, but every citizen should be aware of these rights in order to protect them"

That's what this rant is all about--the rights we all take for granted. This country allows people to live a variety of lifestyles and do a number of things. It won't guarantee anyone will appreciate you or even acknowledge your personal independent ideas and actions, but the mere permission is as much as anyone should expect from their country.

With the United States' permission, I'm going to stick around this place for many years to come.

Chris Jungle crowns thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.