[quote]The thing that starts to bug me is when people start using those issues they have with the government to hate on Americans themselves.[/quote]Agreed. It's really sad that Europeans are actually unable to comprehend this. I really appreciate this thread of yours OP, but there's no point. Talking to Europeans about America is like trying to talk to a stone. They're just too stupid to understand that the US isn't one big hive mind. Like you said, every time someone brings up America, the Europeans go flying off the handlebars and go on these idiotic rage-fests that make themselves look like third graders.