Nationalism and UFOs stir up our readers

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Armed with space telescope, planet hunters search for extraterrestrial life - do you believe in extraterrestrial life?

If terrestrial planets exist with the right compounds and temperature and adequate time then why should not life evolve. No, they did not build pyramids. -- William, US

Absolutely, the proof is all around us, as a matter of fact I strongly believe there are some forms of life living in subterranean pockets of water on Mars and there is almost surely life on Europa. -- Jerry, US

There's enough proof both in pictorial, as in ancient paintings, and written accounts, such as the Book of Enoch, Old Testament and New Testament, Gnostic Scriptures, India's Sacred Books, the Sumerian texts, plus countless other verbal stories of the native peoples. Plus, we can see their spaceships regularly gliding in our skies. I myself photographed the ships many times and submitted it to MUFON (Mutual UFO Network). Peace. -- Melani, US

I am sure there is extraterrestrial life. Who, what and where, I have little clue although I am sure it is far, far away from our wee earth and likely the way we shall discover it is via radio! -- Pheret, US

From the USA, the question I ask is: Will we recognize it? I have no doubt that life does exist but in what form? In the late '50s when I was an electronics instructor I was teaching a by-product subject that we may just be part of "something" that is so big we can't recognize it. Then went the other direction stating that there may be "life" but so small as it exists in another form within the volume of sub atomic particles. Yes I do believe. -- Ron, US

My answer to that question is: "Yes until proven otherwise." In fact, there are so many narratives and stories about UFO sightings, contacts, abductions etc., that you have but one single UFO report to make it reasonable. I think people should take this into account because governments in some countries have been looking at it with some attention. It also has do to with the deepest questionings of human life: Who are we? Who did we come from and where we are going? We are so immersed in our daily lives - we're concerned about our jobs, to make a living, to buy the things we "need" and so on, that we forget to think about these questions on human beings and how it may affect our life experience on planet earth and in the universe. That's what I think. Regards from Brazil! -- Jim, Brazil

Immigrant family's giant German flag raises far-left anger

I think it is time that Germans take pride in their flag. This is the flag of a fully democratic nation that is a full partner of a united and progressive Europe. I am proud to be an American and fly my flag. I am also the grandson of German immigrants. Now that the USA is out of the World Cup, I will be flying the German flag. -- Richard, US

I believe this is a great way for showing ones pride for ones country. Germany has, or should, move on from the past, and I do not believe the display of the beautiful German flag of any size should alarm anyone. It is actually a testament of new citizens showing their pride and inclusion into their new country. -- Dan, US

Nothing is ever always a good thing; however I believe that the problem with national pride and sports lies more with the sport and less with the nation. Each sport means something else to each country. I live in Montreal, here, the hockey team the Habs are the only team you are allowed to support (it would be the law if it wasn't against human rights). Here, people riot and burn cop cars when the Habs play, regardless of the outcome of the game. This, in my opinion, is because of the nature of the sport. Hockey is aggressive in nature which allows fan to get equally worked up when they watch. Also, hockey (like American football, another aggressive sport) has a lot of starting and stopping, this allows people to drink more, talk more with each other and thus work each other up more. The results are bad, and in the end it has nothing to do with where the team is from. I was inspired and touched by the German family's display of pride for their new home nation. I grew up in Germany although I am a Canadian citizen, I understand very well the pride one feels for the country that takes you in. Especially after the last World Cup, I feel that national pride is a right to every citizen of every nationality, and it is wonderful and amazing that Germans can shamelessly show their national pride again! -- Nicola, Canada

The Left's thinking is incredibly stupid that flags celebrating Germany in the World Cup have anything to do with the Third Reich. I applaud the family's stand to deny the intimidation tactics of the far left. -- David, Canada

By all means hang the flag in honor of the German national soccer team. -- Jack, Canada

I think that the display of the flag in support of the German team was quite appropriate. Those elements objecting are way off base, objecting to anything at all. -- Fred, Canada

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Andreas Illmer