Whenever I encounter one of those idiots who think it’s hilarious to greet me with Sieg Heil, I pity them and their poor education and try to ignore them. Don’t let those fools ruin your day! You know you live in a country that has many flaws and still is one of the greatest countries in the world. People WANT to love the USA, they have done so for so long and they will do so again. The damage to your international reputation was skillfully done over the past 10 years. It won’t be repaired overnight, but people still want to believe in your country.
As for the fools who see fit to insult you: step around them, just like you would step around dog turds.

What you seem to be saying is, there have been plenty of Americans who have behaved poorly in the past, and who are behaving poorly now, and so I should expect to take responsibility for their actions, and just expect to be treated poorly, and accept it when it happens. I completely disagree with this.

Just because other Americans can be jerks doesn’t mean I’m a jerk, and I don’t deserve to be treated as such. I’m sure there are plenty of folks in your home country that are jerks, too. That doesn’t mean you’re a jerk. This is simple prejudice against Americans.

Again, I’m not sure what “fire” you’re referring to, but if there is some sort of injustice going on, I’m sure I’d like to see an end to it as much as you would. However, I’m limited in my ability to alter the course of human events. I’m not completely powerless, however. For instance, when I visit foreign countries, I can behave in a polite, considerate manner and not insult other peoples’ countries. Doing so would only fan the flames of any fire that might be burning, don’t you think? It’s a small thing, but it’s something that we both, as individuals, can do.

Please forgive us if we have offended you. We (The International Community) have merely been reflecting the attitude given to us by people of your country for so many years. As you American say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And as we etiquette-less say over here: Where there’s a lot of smoke, there’s gotta be a big fire. We are truly sorry that you had to inhale a little bit of that smoke. But the fact remains that the big fire has been created by your countrymen over a long period of time and as much as we would like to put it out and clear the air, we haven’t been able to do so.

That being said, we are issuing an urgent memorandum to all and every single member of our community to behave themselves when in presence of Americans. We shall also punish those who insult your country by forcing them to immigrate to America and become Americans.

We expect this problem to be solved in 120 years. As it took almost that long for it to be created. In the mean time, may we suggest that you limit your travels within your own country as we are sure there are many places you have yet to see in America. Should you choose to travel abroad and visit our humble community, please make sure to wear your insult-proof vest and helmet, it would also be advisable that you study other cultures in advance and memorize a few insults of your own, just in case.

We would like to leave you with a parting thought. this, of course, is not addressed to you but to your country: “You’ve made your bed, now lie in it”

Sincerely,

The International Community

The bristly bits are very convincing and you have a really nice sense of form. You might enjoy lighting it from the side next time with an artificial light, so there is a definite light side and a shadow side… that way you get that 3D “pop”. Also try the Strathmore 400 paper sold in pads with the brown cover (not the recycled with the green cover). It’s good paper for pencil, enough tooth to grab the graphite without having to press hard, and smooth enough that you don’t have to fight the grain.

Looks like fun!!