Sorry, I did not realize it was a sarcastic post, I guess that is sometimes what happens when passion or emotions get in the way, judgement is clouded. And plenty of countries, including the other ones I have lived in: france, china, colombia and guatemala have issues too, no doubt, and I am willing to have an adult, intelligent conversation with anyone who wants to discuss those issues in guatemala or where ever, but absolutely not at all the way that whaler, etc. approached it in such an ignorant fashion because in that case, I can not promise that those emotions will not get in the way a little, that is just human nature IMO.
Any way, if you have to run from one country to escape issues you will be disappointed because every country you run to has them too so I do not believe in that concept mentioned in your quote, running from problems. Honestly, as it currently stands, I would be a little afraid to raise my future kids in the states with all of the school violence and I do not mean that in a mean, disparaging manner or with malice, but it legit scares me, sorry if that angers some. To be fair I would not want to raise them here or Colombia either.
But hey, I made a comment that obviously pissed some people off and I apologize about what I said about american edu. It was meant more out of concern than malice, even if it felt like more of the later, that is my fault if it felt like the later. Could have been worded better, I am too blunt sometimes but also believe the response by one guy in particular was super rude, uncalled for, incorrect and lacking in basic education in regards to how to treat others. But in the end I do want american EDU to improve and sometimes worry about the direction it is headed in, higher edu included. But any comment I made out of defense of guatemala I do not apologize for, unless I missed the sarcasm as I did above. Any way, I think this is a good place to end it for me as I am no longer interested in carrying on the conversation here and anyone who is interested in learning about DC/metro area, SE CT, Maine, NW France, NE China near Beijing, Guatemala or Colombia can feel free to PM as that will be more rewarding for all involved via that avenue.