No Angels

I agree with your sentiments Nat. Some of the stuff Pam Foster says, I can sympathise with, however, the comment "When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured that I don't care." concerns me greatly.

Today, I read in a national newspaper (Daily Telegraph) that two college students were sent to prison for abusing a freshman during this "hazing" in what amounted to torture.

Obviously, I haven't been to an American college, so have no first hand experience of hazing. My view of it is from newspaper reports such as this and from films. Not the best source to base an opinion on I admit. I understand that various forms of "initiation" ceremony happen in some of the best schools in the UK also. I find any "ceremony" which is based on the abuse and humiliation of another human being abhorrent. Surely, this can only breed bullies. Perhaps in the USA to be successful in business it is a fundamental requirement, as it seems to be a fiercely competitive nation. Perhaps this also explains why we don't do so well over here and US corporations are buying us up.

Sadly, I think that Pam Foster's comments sum up what many people think about Americans - members of this community excepted.