Mike,

>I am not wee -- although I'm working on it with a new home gym! -- nor do I resemble a terrier. (More like a slightly overweight beagle). But I do want to apologize to you, Jos, Jean L., Walter (grudgingly in Walter's case), and Dragan for the combativeness of my remarks the other day. I do not appreciate reflexive anti-Americanism or what comes across as a sense of European superiority, and for those feelings I do not apologize. But I do apologize for my tone. A very wise woman told me a long time ago that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. I will try to abide by that, even if it means I occasionally have to perform the unfamiliar act of biting my tongue. In general I will try to keep a humorous and curious attitude, which IMO is the only real reason to be here. Peace.


I Appreciate the appology. I just want to say that I don't think europe as a whole is superiour to the US, however my stance is a counterweight to those who think of europe as an old out of date institute. Europe in many respects is different from the US. Both have positive and negative sides. The US has a lot to be proud of and the (sometimes too naive) optimism is admirable and the opposite of our pessimism. The culture is quite different as well, again with possitive and negative sides.

Lets leave it at that, that you cannot make a global comparison between europe and north america. The differences are to great to make a valid one.

My participation in those thread is aimed towards those who make very blunt, unnuanced and uninformed statements about europe, by only looking in the context of the US. I find that very annoying, and anyone doing that could expect a sharp reply from me.

Walter,