I like America. And I like Americans. But, just at the moment, they are being thoroughly annoying to the Brit bit of me. First, there is the palpable ignorance of the NHS and the taking of the wonderful creation of Sir Will1am Beveridge in vain by the US Right. OK, it's probably caused by the fact that they are stupid right wingers, rather than the fact that they are Americans. "This is socialism" they thunder. And your point is? It is a "socialism" supported at its inception by Winston Churchill and currently defended by David Cameron. God, their ignorance and arrogance inflames me!
Then, Hilary Clinton is nipping the Justice Minister's heid to say don't free the guy who was convicted of blowing up the jet at Lockerbie. Fair enough, but it sits ill when the US are going to extradite a British computer hacker to stand trial for mucking about with the Pentagon mainframes in spite of pleas to try and hold him here because he has Aspergers syndrome. The US at a national level have a horrible self-righteousness. Surely a deal can be done over the geek? It's not as if UK law is soft or our prisons a doddle. If the guy has buggered up the US Defence Dept Computers and compromised security, lives and cost a lot of money, then by all means let the law take its course, but with compassion and mercy rather than vengeance as a guiding principle. "The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle dew from heaven". Better still, give the guy a job in improving your computer security!
Then, Hilary Clinton is nipping the Justice Minister's heid to say don't free the guy who was convicted of blowing up the jet at Lockerbie. Fair enough, but it sits ill when the US are going to extradite a British computer hacker to stand trial for mucking about with the Pentagon mainframes in spite of pleas to try and hold him here because he has Aspergers syndrome. The US at a national level have a horrible self-righteousness. Surely a deal can be done over the geek? It's not as if UK law is soft or our prisons a doddle. If the guy has buggered up the US Defence Dept Computers and compromised security, lives and cost a lot of money, then by all means let the law take its course, but with compassion and mercy rather than vengeance as a guiding principle. "The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle dew from heaven". Better still, give the guy a job in improving your computer security!
The US is a wonderful and on the whole good place. Not perfect, no nation is. Read the Bible: Israel was chosen, yes and favoured and beloved, but perfect? No way Jose! But like every nation state (and the British are absolutely no different by the way) prone to self deluded and arrogant behaviour from time to time. So, whilst never saying smite the Great Satan O Lord, perhaps le bon Dieu could help them to get a grip already? So we pray!
