Really enjoying this story arc. It has an upbeat reading that I enjoy.
As for your rants, Your story!! 'nuff said! As a South Texan, I to am very proud of our country and am personaly glad to see a little bit of America in the story.
As for names how about these for Matt.
ko-icto (koe ishto), Chickasaw for "cat of god" or klandagi, /Cherokee for "lord of the forest".
Keep it up!