Adrian Osborne, in his Aug. 8 column, says, "Believe me when I tell you that Europe looks upon us with disdain." In other words, they are scornful of us and look down on us.

I guess they look the other way when we offer financial aid and assistance in times of crises. Did they look upon us with disdain during World War I and World War II? Don't they sleep better knowing the United States maintains the military might that rescued them twice and is doing it again in the battle against Islamic terrorism?

Osborne claims we have kidnapped citizens off the streets of Europe and placed them in secret prisons. If true, that should be headline news. But it sounds like something John Murtha would throw out, with no tangible evidence.

Osborne marvels at Obama's ability to draw 200,000 Germans into the streets. Adolph Hitler was able to attract large crowds, and look where he took them.

Osborne implies that if you are white and don't like Obama, then you must be racist, living in the past with prejudices and stereotypes. The majority of blacks voted for Obama. Does that make them racist?

Obama was an impressive candidate after making several well-crafted speeches. I could have voted for him. But then we learned about his ideas, philosophy, and long-term associations with anti-American radicals. He has become the least desirable option.

Because Osborne has experienced different world cultures he feels qualified to look disdainfully on those who have lived in Mokena, Ill. Many of us old codgers have traveled abroad and have not discovered another country we would rather live in. Apparently, neither has Osborne. Does he hold his nose as he looks down at the rest of us old white codgers?

D.A. Demarco, Pinehurst