Originally Posted by k71021
Thanks a lot for your eloquent reply Wind and Snow. Simply because you personally do not like sarcasm does not mean I am going to change my sense of humor. I know that topic is a little touchy for some people and perhaps I should not have been quite so smug. But come on, North Americans do have the largest personal automobiles in the world (Canadian included). The U.S. does have more gun violence per capita than any other developed nation, but it is great to see that it is on the decline. Finally, I don’t know about anyone else, but the only “Gated Communities” I have ever seen are in Latin America and the Untied States. After traveling quite a bit, I have never seen one in Europe or Canada. However, that is just personal observation. What was it again that I know nothing about?
k71021, your response is well considered and appreciated. Thank you. I must apologize for missing your sarcasm. You are right, there are some very serious issues in many US cities, much like there are in some of Canada's cities and in London, and Madrid and Paris and Johanasberg and Moscow and and and.
Anywhere there is an ethnically rich, diverse and growing population, you will find segregation, separation and stereotypes. Yes guns are very touchy and many people, not just some Americans, believe they have a natural right to own and use guns. I don't want to get into that debate.
As far as gated communities. You can find them all over the world, although many don't have locked gates and armed guards, they still have walls to keep people out. Most British, American, or Canadian newly built suburbs are like these. I use these examples because I have personal experiences with them.
You will find armed guards and gates all over Mexico, Central and South America, The Carribbean, Russia and South Africa (that I know of).
Regardless, I am charmed by your familiarity of Canadian cities (no irony here). And I now understand and appreciate your irony - although sarcasm is the lowest form of irony.
I'm sorry I don't have the same understanding and appreciation of your part of the world, I'll have to do something about that.
Lets get back to thunder! Did you know that lightning does strike more that once in the same place? I regularly used to watch the CN Tower get struck multiple times from my downtown Toronto apartment (while I heard gunshots in the alley...)