Doug,

>Well, there is no doubt that the American system of governance is different that all others, and, I suppose, that as a result many of our 'offshore' friends and colleagues find us both amusing and puzzling at the same time.

Certainly yes, but by no means I am implying that this is a negative issue. I'm merely saying that from our (read: my and as far as I can tell the majority of the europeans) find this interesting and amusing.

>And, yes, we are indeed a relatively young nation. That initself, however, doesn't necessarily mean that we are somehow 'worse' or 'better' as a result; just that we do things after our manner and fashion.

The nation itself might be relative young, but the culture is not. The culture is inherited from europe and developed in a parrallel manner.

>As to the level of your trust in the media to provide you with accurate and fair information I would conclude that you appear to trust them far more than we (or I in this case <g>) do.

There are enough issues where it is justified to trust our own media over those of the US. Our press works in a different way than yours. I've seen the american press blunder much too often when it came to dutch issues (Drug policy, abortion, euthanisie (I don't know the english word from the top of my head). Our press tends to base the information on the same info the american press has, and after that it tries to analize the comments of the american press itself. In the long election program I've seen comprehesive analizes of both the american press, the dutch press and the dutchpress analizing the american press.

You must not forget that we as foreigner are neither democrat nor republican. As an outsider we *might* be able to get a more unbiased view on the issue. I think that I personally can give a more unbiased view on american politics than I can give of our own politics (yes, that means I'm biased as it comes to dutch politics).

Unless you can state that the vast majority of americans is neither republican or democrat and you belong to that group, I think that your opinion is biased.

>You may call that sophisticated whereas I would call it naive. Remember, we are the spoilers of cultures with our
I don't have my dictionary at hand, I don't have clue what you're trying to say here..

>Regardless... Gov. Bush has indeed had more 'real life' accomplishments than Vice President Gore has.

With all respect, this does not say me anything. I've heard otherwise and since I trust this source more than from a single or few persons which might be biased (Sorry Doug, no offense) you can't convince me.

Walter,