I stand corrected Richard. Some Americans think that freedom and rule of law is exclusive to the U.S...., even though some European democracies are given a higher score on individual freedom and tolerance.

>I stand corrected Richard. Some Americans think that >freedom and rule of law is exclusive to the U.S...., even >though some European democracies are given a higher score on >individual freedom and tolerance. Yeah-- give me the Westminster form of Government any time!!!Barry

Yawn........:-doh

By saying "Yawn", I assume you must have felt compelled into reading the thread despite the topic. So consider it a self induced yawn :)

Thanks mate,I won

Well said John. My experience of the US is that those freedoms are not so free as people are led to believe, especially when compared to many other "free-world" countries.Not wanting to start a flame war as I am not going to judge, I read an interesting paper comparing Capitalism and Communism. They achieve similar means and similar class structures but from different ends of the spectrum, but the Big Brother syndrome is so very similar.I loved my time in the States and would do it again, but would have to say that there are other countries whose interpretation of "freedom of rights" is significantly different.Thats the good thing about the internet, the global village concept and ease of travel, it is slowly opening up peoples minds and in the process making Governments more accountable. More power to the people.Now just to keep it related to flightsim. I wonder how big a percentage of users explore the WORLD frequently in FS2002? I got a big pile of cash here that says less than 30% judging by comments and questions in the forums.

"Now just to keep it related to flightsim. I wonder how big a percentage of users explore the WORLD frequently in FS2002?"That question was a huge motivation for my creation of Landclass Assistant. My wife is from Latin America, and MS came far short in representing its cities and urban areas, turning even Mexico City into a small, bland city. I made LCA so I could fix things, and somehow I was coaxed into making it available in the libraries.There are many spectacular places to fly in FS.... One of my favorite routes is between Zurich and Milan in Flight1's 421.... But I also like flights in SE Asia, and in Northern India.... Or one of my favorites--hopping over the channel in an ultralight... There's many great places to fly outside of the U.S... I'll never get a chance to enjoy them all :(

"There are many spectacular places to fly in FS...." I hear you there. I dropped the US as soon as FS2000 came out. My greatest thrill is going online with Vatsim and finding ATC in another language. There is nothing more challenging than to work through the accents, subtle differences etc etc and come out of it having leant something.I belong to another (local) FSForum and it is amazing how many of those guys are so narrow minded and fly up and down their local area. They are missing so much.I did not realise it was you that developed LandClass Assistant. Many thanks for a great addition.

"International Forum ..... "And that is precisely what makes it interesting and something to read everyday.I am simply amazed that I can converse with people from everywhere ... and people from everywhere pitch in and try to help other people with their issues ... the internet truly has created a small world ... and to my mind a better world for the most partAnd I virtually fly all over the world ... much more in Europe and SE Asia than I do in the US ... particularly since I've been all over the US in real aircraft on business travel ... but unfortunately have only been to Europe once and never anywhere else except to our wonderful neighbor to the north ... Canada.Lately I have been flying GA aircraft in French Polynesia WISHING I could really be there!!!!!O well .. interesting thread of observations though ... the more the whole world is oriented towards PC or Political Correctness .. the more I want to try interstellar travel and leave here altogether.This is a neat hobby .. everyone should lighten up and enjoy all the great toys we have to use and all there is to is to learn.Cheers and happy landings to all!!!

I think it is safe to say.. that AVSIM and ALL its folks and staff.. are from Planet Earth..Now I happen to be from Mars.. it just is not fair.. you earthlings think you know it all!!:-) ;-)Regards.. TrevVisit "The DC-3 Hangar"http://www.douglasdc3.comhttp://www.douglasdc3.com/1/dc3.jpg

ewwwwwwwwww!You spit shine those beautiful high-heels Heather? I'd assume that takes any foot fetish out of your boyfriend/husbands repertoire. :-lol (ummm... Did I just say that?)I guess what they say is true. You can take the (wo)man out of the Marines, but you can't take the Marine out of the (wo)man!:-)Elrond"A musician without the RIAA, is like a fish without a bicycle."

Ah .... French Polynesia. I am not gloating, but as it so close to my (chosen) home country, I holiday there all the time and NOTHING compares to a real life island hop.Unfortunately over the past 10 years or so, more and more tourists are arriving and the commercialism and greed is setting in. Looks like interstellar travel will be the only option left .... until MacDonalds go and spoil that! LOL

As far as I'm concerned, this is an international forum and nationality really isn't a big deal :).>>I think it is safe to say.. that AVSIM and ALL its folks and staff.. are from Planet Earth..Good point. Who needs nationalities anyway? We're all from Earth :-hah

It's true in Canada we

"Yeah-- give me the Westminster form of Government any time!!!Barry"Mate, the good ol' Westminister system has worked well for the last 400 odd years, why change it?? Thats why i voted no to the republic referendum.