>I am really surprised. I have absolutely no problem now in thinking that from this point on, you can go it alone in the world. I really hope the U.S. does not bail out Netherlands again if your view is the general view of the public there.

Well, of course I can't speak for the whole dutch and european population, but I can say there is less symphaty for the US lately (since GWB took office) in the whole of europe. Most european countries have very little good to say about the image the US has called over themselves.

We (europe) feel belittled and betrayed by the US by ignoring many agreements we had in the past:
- Starting the iraqi war on false grounds
- Ignoring UN resolutions
- Ignoring the geneva convention
- Ignoring human rights
- Secret CIA prisons in eastern europe
- Ignoring the internation court in The Hague ?

And I could add a list of others like ignoring kyoto. And the Netherlands even is one of the most loyal US allies. Don't even ask less supportive nations like France.

Well even if we accept this as trusting the US doing it for a good cause (which is hard to swallow anyways), I get irritated by people up here painting the US as the greatest country of the world.

Yes, it is a great country in some respects. Its open economy. Its healthy condition for research and driving business. But it has a lot of downsides and imoral sides as well. I just play the devils advocate up here to show a mirror and tell you what I think of it from my pov.

My weak point is that I can't stand 'ignorant americans' who think that everything outside of their box is inferiour and can't accept there are superior aspects to find outside of their box.

Sorry, nobody is perfect...... and my name is walter.