[Doly]

I'm sure the Americans would get over 9/11 eventually if they had the time. Problem is, 9/11 was just the beginning. America is falling, and my guess is that it's falling hard. I expect some kind of economic meltdown to start still under Bush's mandate.

That's going to be harsh on everybody.

[FairMaiden]

Empires are created and empires fall...maybe its like everything in today's society - it happens bigger and faster but it doesn't last as long and its never as good.

[fossilnut2]

America isn't depressed by 9/11. Americans were on a high. 9/11 gave them a reason to bring out the cheerleaders and wave the flag. Friends (the people of the world) rallied around and sang praises of how we all stand together.

Then like a shakespearean tragedy Americans threw it all away with the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The makers of their own demise. It cumulated with the 'Freedom fries' jokes that just made the rest of the world shake their heads in disbelief...almost pity.

'Rah, Rah, it's off to war we go'. Then the reality check came. It is bad enough to lose a war but even worse to do it in such a manner that the very credibilty of the country is destroyed. Friends don't return your phone calls and whisper in groups as you go by (metaphorically speaking). Americans went from being the high school quarterback to the bully who falls flat on his face in a mud puddle.

Can the USA reform? Regain it's moral imperative? Certainly. Once the debacle in Iraq is put behind then the rebuilding of self esteem will begin. Iraq is like a sore toothache that is always there and won't go away even if not talked about. It's bad Musak in the background of everything.