I have a dream that we live in peace with our neighbors, that the borders of all the countries in the ME, are open allowing unhindered and safe passage throughout Asia, Africa and Europe. I could envision a grand cycling tour of Africa or visiting the Kremlin, traveling along the quaint European villages passing midieval castles - all from the seat of my cycle. Lucky for the migrating birds who use the sky's highways from Siberia to the southern tip of Africa and beyond (https://www.eilat-guide.com/birds.html), stopping off along the way, that they needn't worry about man made borders.

I thought Maine's borders were already pretty safe.

Ours aren't. Sorry but a lot of problems in the world- coming from just a handfull of fanatics. Israel taking the brunt, England getting a side problem so who's next?

Berts...your thoughts are so understandable-- and remarkably open-minded and compassionate at such at time for you and yours. Ultimately, in this real world, Israel must be upheld.

It would be "sweet" (as my son says) were we BF50 types to gather and, as retired/active cyclists, take off together on a year's tour of Europe/ME unhindered by anything but desert and mountains. No politics, no cultural clash, no mistrust.

Only because the USA made them that way.

I find your remark to be offensive to BERTS. Your country has only one border, and that is with a country not afraid to stand up for itself or come to the aid of other nations. If someone crashed a 747 on Bay Street or lobbed a few missles in from Buffalo you probably would be less flippant. Shame on you.

As long as there are people in the world who are utterly convinced that their way is the only way and that one can achieve one's goals through any means necessary, than peace is nothing more than a dream.

SIGN ME UP for such a ride!

Berts, I share your dream, and hope it comes to pass if not in my lifetime, then in my children's.

Berts,
I think it will be just a dream, unfortunatly.
Some of us see horror in an imaginary world of equal values and laws.
As long as we cherish diversity, there will also be competition and that causes envy.
Economic competition can and often will result into military pressures.
Religion is even more non-compatible. Here we are talking what values to teach our children and how to conduct our family life. Of course, our way is the better way.

We all have dreams and must have them. Unfortunatly we must also deal with the reality of what goes on in the ME and England.
Your German friend.

Berts-we've somehow got to get your dream shared by many many others. It's a wonderful vision and one that provides a lot of hope. I for one find it so hard to understand why some people would want to live the way they do when the alternatives are so much better. Best wishes to you and your family.

It's true I was being flippant, but hardly offensive. Of course we all want the ME (middle east, not Maine) to be peaceful.