Stephen Fry hates Brits' anti-Americanism

I'm already a big fan of Stephen Fry but after reading this article, Stephen Fry attacks sneering anti-Americanism, I absolutely adore him! (link via telegraph.co.uk) Thanks, Stephen! This American appreciates your kind words.

British columnist critical of American parenting style

An article in The Times today by the columnist Janice Turner, is guaranteed to provoke lots of attention and response. Granted she is writing it with a deliberate slant and a title designed to grab attention but her focus on American parenting style is so negative and filled with hate that it makes my blood boil. How American motherhood ruined my life We've been set impossibly high standards when it comes to raising children. What's wrong with benign British neglect? I have news for Janice Turner. Despite what she may think, not all American parents are emulating Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow! We don't want to be like them, nor do we expect everyone else to. Their (rich) lifestyle certainly does not represent the parenting style of all American parents! We are not all movie stars, or wealthy or obsessed with 'supercharged motherhood' and I take offense with her very anti-American view that, 'Of all the nationalities in London, none provokes such domestic irritation.' Charming! (not) And I think she is really going too far with this view: Visiting children can't eat what I've cooked because they're “'lergic”. Maybe we've bred a generation of lactose-intolerant ninnies or maybe we've fallen for an American tendency to hyper- medicalise the slightest ailment. There are a lot of children (of all nationalities) with genuine allergies and food sensitivities which are real health issues, and not to be sneered at. Anyway, the British are not such perfect parents. The serious problem with binge drinking and anti-social behavior from teenagers and even younger children has to be seen to be believed. Where are their parents? Oh yeah, that's what she means by 'benign British neglect' - which isn't actually so benign is it? My (English) husband read the article and he was disgusted too. We both think the columnist had to come up with an article and she obviously thought ranting about the American parenting style was a good topic. It's controversial enough to stir things up and get attention but "safe" because it's easier to pick on the Americans rather than other nationalities. I am so sick of this ranting against Americans, especially in the British press. Enough, already! Oh, and before someone suggests it was probably meant to be funny with tongue-in-cheek British humour, I don't buy it. That's just a convenient excuse to get away with mocking Americans. Are you an American parent in Britain? What are your thoughts about the article?

British anti-Americanism

British anti-Americanism 'based on misconceptions' British attitudes towards the United States are governed by ignorance of the facts on key issues such as crime, health care and foreign policy, according to a new survey. The article from The Telegraph goes on to say: A poll of nearly 2,000 Britons by YouGov/PHI found that 70 per cent of respondents incorrectly said it was true that the US had done a worse job than the European Union in reducing carbon emissions since 2000. More than 50 per cent presumed that polygamy was legal in the US, when it is illegal in all 50 states. The poll was commissioned by America In The World , an independent pressure group that launches on Monday and aims to improve understanding and appreciation of the US in Britain and around the world. Tim Montgomerie, its director, said factual inaccuracies and mistaken assumptions have contributed to Britons and Europeans taking a hostile stance towards their most powerful ally, which often acted against national interests. Please follow the link to read the rest of the article. I am so pleased that at last there is an article in the British media about the US that provides a clear and balanced view. It's very difficult to listen to so many Brits disparage the USA and say things that just aren't true. As stated in the article: Apart from US-bashing being a favourite topic around European dinner tables, it has serious affects on national policy. I am really excited to learn about the new pressure group, called America in the World: America isn't a perfect nation but it's not had a fair press in recent times. AmericaInTheWorld.com is an attempt by a few London-based friends of America to make the case that the USA is a fundamentally good nation. We believe that a world without America would be considerably poorer, less healthy and more dangerous and we consequently reject American isolationism as much as we reject anti-Americanism. What are your thoughts about the USA? If you have mostly negative views, what have you based your views on? If you have visited the USA, did the visit change your views either way - bad to good or vice versa?