i don't think americans will ever really know freedom. what we know is oppression. we know how to oppress and to be oppressed. mostly the latter. but the oppressed often don't know it or are confused as to who is oppressing them or whom  or whether they are really oppressed at all or just depressed. it gets complicated. the powers like it that way. they like it simple. keep them guessing. it comes down to the haves and have nots and most of us feel they'll get theirs when we get ours.

dogs are rarely oppressors, unless they've been oppressed by humans, which is not rare. humans oppress everybody. not just american humans. dogs are oppressed as a rule by law, but they are remarkably sanguine about it. mister always loathed oppression. the leash made him understandably mad. who wants to be treated like an idiot or a criminal when you're smart, and have done nothing wrong, and should be free.