[Alex]
Greetings, people. And a big thank you to Andrew for entrusting part of his blog to me for the next couple of weeks. Brave of him. Still, it should be fun and I’m looking forward to seeing what Clive and Danny will be writing.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we find ourselves pondering the history and future of the transatlantic relationship, plus America’s problematic public diplomacy efforts. Most Britons I know consider this a problem – a sense that is compounded by the lack of importance this administration seems to attach to the issue. What do you think? What can be done to improve matters?
I’ll also be considering the future of the United Kingdom itself (portentous drum roll please!) as the prospect and appeal of Scottish independence and hence the break-up of Britain seems strangely and suddenly possible.
Now, in a shameless rip-off of Danny’s list of things he likes about America, let me give you Today’s Top Ten Things I Love About This Crazy, Mixed-Up, Marvellous Country:
Breakfast at a diner in small town America
College football (Go Blue!)
Proper old-time country music (bluegrass too)
Nightime champagne with a pretty girl on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
Motels off the interstate
Bagels
Raymond Chandler
Central Park
The West and its exhilerating sense of freedom, possibility and romance
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – that still rocks, folks
The Dish 