I am taken by the novogenerian from Guadalupe and her enduring love of country, as expressed in her recent letter.

I am an octogenerian — 88 in September — and respectfully disagree with her presentation of the American reality.

A registered Republican and a long-time friend asked me, a registered Democrat, in what year was I born. He couldn’t believe my age, as I have a much younger look and outlook on life. When I told him I was born in 1920, he was amazed at the presumed, but truthful sense that I have lived through so many good and bad times in America.

I remarked that the Great Depression of the 1930s and the World War II were the worst of times, except for the now, and so add another bad one in my life. I said, too, that it seemed we were at war all the time and that except for the war for our Independence and World War II, I thought all the others, including our present, war were unneeded and wasteful.

I would characterize our nation as a warring nation. Our greatness is and was built on the defeat of other nations for negligible benefit to ourselves. Even the Civil War was preventable.

Yes, I am happy to be living in America, and always strive to make it better. But you must remember, we are still a young nation — some 220 years old, and still making mistakes.

Harry Wald

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Santa Maria

July 24, 2008