I’m a Canadian in my late 20’s. Nirvana rocked my life as a teenager, 9/11 rocked my life as an adult.

I watched those planes hit and those towers fall, with a heavy heart and a troubled mind.

I’ve known about America’s flawed foreign policy for many years, as I’ve traveled around the world and was always told it was better to be a Canadian, abroad. I didn’t fully understand, but it was my seed of curiosity, leading me to consider foreign policy at a fairly young age.

I later learned that the United States was a country that felt it was the World Police, imposing their beliefs on cultures that have been in existence centuries longer than the US had been a mere idea on a map.

I watched as George W. Bush made the case for what would be called Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he claimed the right to strike as a defense of the United States itself. If it was a good enough reason to strike and to petition your people’s support, why give the false impression that it would enable freedom in Iraq? This operation continues to this very day.

When will the Iraqis be free? When will the United States be safe?

Oh, there was also this thing in Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom. That one isn’t finished yet either…

…but it hasn’t been all bad, right?

The United States is a place for high hopes and big dreams. It has enabled Hollywood, big business and rock stars to gain incredible wealth and power, and to use that wealth and power to contribute back to the world, at a level that most cannot even comprehend.

In the same lifetime that some have experienced slavery and persecution, they’ve witnessed the election of a young, intelligent Black man to the position of President.

After enduring 8 years of the Bush Administration, I can’t imagine Obama doing a worse job in less than 4.

The United States is ‘the land of opportunity’. There have been so many people who’ve gained success in the USA, versus their home country, that I think it’s safe to say there is something special about it…at least that’s how it makes me feel.

Still, there isn’t a lot of high regard for the USA these days, both inside and outside its borders. Not a lot of faith in the government, not a lot of faith in each other, in ourselves even.

Many don’t have a lot of optimism left to support what the USA is doing overseas, regardless if it is helping to create a better world or not.

It’s been cool to hate the United States for a long time.

War-mongering, profiteering destroyers of the planet, some might say.

Please allow Michael Jackson to interject.

We are the world, we are the children.~ Michael Jackson

As crazy as MJ may have been, he was right.

We are one large family of humans and we inhabit the same planet called Earth.

That is all there is and all there ever was.

Right now, we’re gaining a world perspective unlike anyone in any other time period, ever. Given the incredible growth of knowledge-based technology and The Internet, it’s not surprising that this is the case.

We’re starting to see that it isn’t one country versus another; it is only us and our ability to sustain this planet we’re living on.

Does it make sense to want a country to fail more than you want your world to succeed?

We need a strong United States in the world family. One with people more enlightened than ever before, with a great leader making decisions that will benefit everyone on Earth.

The United States is a world superpower.

We need less POWER, more SUPER.

Jason Henderson, of Big Marketing Online, is holding one of the biggest contests I’ve seen (and he claims it is THE biggest blogging contest ever).

It’s fairly easy to enter and has way too many prizes to mention. There are some really f-ing good ones though!

Enter Jason’s contest here.

While we’re on the topic of blog contests…

John Chow has always been a good sport and regularly holds contests like this one, held in conjunction with the dudes from Bic Pens. It should also be noted that my dad won a Bic-branded windsurfer back in the 80′s!

I once won a signed copy of The 4-hour Workweek from John, so I’m happy to spread the word, even if I don’t get one of those sweet Flip video things.

The contest is being sponsored by Elite Baseball Instruction dot Com which gives baseball training videos in hitting, pitching, infield defense, and outfield playing.

He is also giving away a Free 4-Hour Workweek Book to enter early and the winner will be updated on the same blog post to drive traffic to their own site. Click here for more details the 24 inch LCD giveaway.

Businesses take note: sponsor a contest to get a lot of backlinks, promotion and traffic!

Elitist bastards pride themselves in discovering these great things, and love to brag about how they know about stuff that most people don’t know about.

An elitist bastard often has self-esteem issues that prevent them from feeling good about themselves without belittling others.

Please punch yourself in the face if you find yourself gravitating towards any of these characteristics.

I would say some do, yes.

(Photo by Jonathan Denney)

John Chow is giving away a 24″ wide screen LCD monitor.

LCD monitors are much easier on your eyes when compared to CRT monitors. As well, the larger screen size means you don’t have to lean in so close to read!

My eyes aren’t so good as it is, so winning this monitor would greatly improve my chances at retaining what vision I have left. I’m guessing it would help you out too, but I think it makes more sense that I have this monitor.

But who is John Chow?

In case you don’t know who John Chow is, I’ll tell you.

He runs John Chow dot Com, a blog that helps you make money. John practices what he preaches, so you can learn a lot. And not only from what he tells you, but also by what he actually does.

How can you enter?

If you’d like to enter, you just have to write about it on your blog. This is my entry.

The contest is sponsored by BlueFur, who are currently hosting Canada and the rest of the world on their super fast web servers!

PS – The deadline is tomorrow

Who are these anomalies in life, these people who exceedingly surpass all typical human beliefs while moving our entire world forward? What was it that allowed them to break the typical barriers of thought?

My name is Joshua and this is what I’m going to tell you about:

• Human behavior and incentives, and how they relate to your personal and business success.
• Powerful metaphors you can use today, and the clichés they rode in on.
• Creating value for others to guarantee your success.
• The moving target that is your audience.
• What makes you think they’ll even click on this?
• Look (from the outside in), think (from the inside out), and do (it): The series?

Stay tuned!