What do you think of America?

Land of the free, home of junk food, or global policeman: What do you think of America?

The USA's role in the world was discussed in a unique global television debate hosted by the BBC.

The debate revealed the results of a ground-breaking, international survey of attitudes that will capture popular prejudices and convictions about America.

Under discussion was America's relations with other countries post-September 11, the country's cultural legacy and what the future holds for the world's only superpower.

The programme also revealed that News Online readers voted Homer Simpson as the Greatest American in history.

What do you think of America? Who is the greatest American? What is the USA's best, and worst, contribution to the world?

The following comments reflect the balance of opinions we have received:

The American people are a generous people and want to help others less fortunate when they can. Our help during World War II was our best contribution. But the world must understand that is the government that does the stupid things. I am ashamed of our present White House. Americans are sometimes too busy pursuing a living and enjoying their leisure to be fully informed.
Nancy Consolo, USA

The greatest Americans have to be those who drew up the Constitution. Compare the clarity, ambitions and prose of the American Constitution to that drawn up by the EU. I know which I would rather live with.
Michael, Nottingham, UK

I personally think that America is still a great democracy and that we Europeans should never forget what they have done for our freedom in the First and, especially, in the Second World War. Mario Gazzeri, Italy

The USA has become a symbolic lightning rod for modernization and social change. As the strongest capitalist nation it takes the blame for, and the consequences of the estrangement from capitalism in a broader sense. In addition, nationalist Islam was promoted by dictatorial regimes in newly independent countries, with the West becoming their scapegoat. Modernisation will not stop, and I am sure that the hatred of America will not cease until local social and political problems are solved.
Remko de Knikker, The Netherlands/USA

While the US preaches freedom, she continues to support some of the most brutal dictatorial regimes such as Saudi Arabia. The US preaches free trade and yet not only practices protectionism. The US preaches human rights and yet shows a complete lack of regard for international law and the Geneva Conventions as is obvious in its treatment of Taliban and Al-Qaida suspects. The US invades Iraq on the pretext of upholding UN Resolutions and yet has consistently used its veto to undermine the UN's credibility, particularly in relation to Israel which receives in excess of 3 billion a year in order to sustain an illegal occupation. Need we say more?
Paul Tate, UK

I think that American policy promotes democracy.
Babacar Gaye, Senegal

I'm an American who's lived in the UK for 8 years. I adore my country in so many ways, and though I understand and agree with many of the UK's criticisms, I still believe that, overall, Americans are a friendly and warm bunch. I am, however, finding it increasingly difficult to stomach the changes I've observed since 11 September. The overwhelming conservatism and reactionary attack on the arts especially frightens me.

I married into an East European family and know just where this mass hysteria and false media (i.e. the way the US media linked 11 September to Iraq) can lead.
Jenny Siklos, UK/US dual citizen living in UK

If the US government could at least provide free healthcare and jobs for everyone, then it could surpass Stalin's Russia.
Hetty Litjens, Netherlands

I would like to know where are Iraq's weapons of mass destruction? Did the US really want to save Iraq's people or does it have an interest in something else?
Eduardo Bianco Rosada, Brazil

I moved to US in 1996. I must say if there is any country in the world where there is so much opportunities lies then that country is USA. This is also one of the countries where many immigrants come with almost no money and can still make millions. It is true however that USA needs to carefully examine its foreign policy that always tries to serve her personal interests. Especially, the present administration is showing very arrogant attitude towards the rest of the world. However, American people are very nice and overall kind people.
Anish, USA

For those doubting America's commitment to keeping freedom alive, visit the D Day landing beaches of France. Without freedom of the individual we would all be consigned to the dark repression to which so many countries are subjected.
Ray Walster, Guernsey, UK

It would seem that many in the world now regard America in much the way that America's founding fathers regarded Britain in the 18th century.
Stuart Williams, UK

How is America free? The fact is there are laws in the US against free speech and free association just as there are in every country in this world; the ILLUSION that the US is free is what allows Bush to use American might as he does.
Tom, UK (ex-US)

As the popular American flick Spiderman said, "With great power comes great responsibility." If only we as citizens could direct our leaders' focus toward helping instead of hegemony.
Wells Harrell, U.S.A.

When working in a ski resort in Canada I was approached by an American, he noticed that my name badge said Rob, UK. His comment " UK?…That stands for the Ukraine right?" I think for a fair percentage of Americans ignorance is bliss!
Rob, UK

I am not American I am British but if I could not live in Britain I would live in the USA, America is the first and only superpower who can do good and they are. I 100% back the US and Bush, God bless America.
Jonathan, United Kingdom

America used to be a big brother now it seems to want to be the Big Brother (Orwell style). Since G. W. Bush wrestled the reins out of Gore's hands he has managed to insult all America's friends and allies and reverse important world and environment issues in favour of economy. It is a shame that the polite and friendly American people are persecuted for that but, hey, they voted him in (nearly)
Nic Politakis, UK / NL

America itself is not unfriendly. The only problem is it politicians and the Bush administrations. He is the one who created all problems such as, double standards on Middle East, Global Issues, Import Duties and so on. Also, on the run up on the IRAQ war, they were not truthful. Well, what is fair to say that they think they are always right but they are not. That is arrogant! I am sure America will suffer more if Bush is elected in the 2nd terms and proceed with his bullying tactic.
SM Lim, Malaysia

Where would the world be without America????? In poverty, that's where!!
Helen Maunder, UK

The USA believes the sources of the problems of the world have to be found outside the US. They are wrong! Instead of looking at the world start looking at your own back yard!
Michael, Belgium, Flanders

United States are still for me the American dream, a source of hope for humanity. The trouble, now, is the behaviour of its politicians who are abusing its huge power to promote an out of date irrational vision of the nation and of international relations. I just hope that such behaviour is going to end with the mandate of George W. Bush and that the US will participate again in a peaceful way to the building of a better world.
Luc Grasset, France

What other country in the world has such a diverse population? No country is perfect, but we are truly the world's melting pot.
Rick Reddick, American living in Belgium

The reason we are criticized is not due to envy, it is because we represent a dream, a dream the rest of the world admires and that dream is slipping away. We are seen as the child who had huge promise but is too self-absorbed to preserve and nurture the freedom given us by our forefathers.
Ingrid Seel, USA

How would you trust the country like America that could not choose his president legally?
Serhat Aksu, UK

With all the blame that goes toward President Bush it will be interesting to see how everyone treats our next President. This seems to be everyone's main complaint. Can't stand him myself… but I don't think any of these American Empire ideas have any validity.
Duke, US

Having just moved to America, from the UK I have seen how unaware the US is of politics, it's view on the war is frequently based on the 9/11 attack. This is frightening. Bush has brainwashed them.
Martine Harvey, America

I love America – the world would be boring without it.
Dack, Venezuela

Anybody who Bush doesn't like will have links with al-Qaeda overnight.
David, 12, England

It seems obvious that many Europeans feel a kind of inferiority complex towards the US. That is the reason for a lot of criticism coming from Europe against the US policies in the world. Even those from this land of deep north (Finland), the people most critical of US are also those most ignorant about the rest of the world too, for example of the danger of terrorism. To see the US as it is in an unbiased light, one must come to grips with September 11th.
Veijo Sinerva, Finland

The Good= USAID The Bad= Politician The Ugly= USA Military Machine
Aseifelnasr, EGYPT

I am completely ashamed to be American. I'm living under an administration that is corrupt, bullies and threatens everybody (i.e. Iraq, Iran, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Belgium, France, Germany, Russia, just to name a few) and sets appalling double standards on the world. I want out! I want to move to a country that WILL respect other countries' sovereignty, international law and public opinion, and where girls will like me for who I am, not what I look like.
Mike, USA (unfortunately)

The USA is overbearing and thinks too much of itself. To many Americans the rest of the world doesn't count, unless money can be made…
Wiebe Goossen, Netherlands

There are some neighbours that mind their own business and carry on with their life and respect the presence of others. And then there is the USA.
Johnny, Canada

In every period there is a super power to reckon with. America is the Roman empire of our time. Good, bad or a bit of both it sets the standards of our time. In the end I'm optimistic about the positive influence of the America on the world culture. Not that I agree with everything it is doing or has done or that it should be left unchallenged.
Mehrdad Sadeghi, Iran

Worldwide there are 100 million words written every day about the faults of the U.S. But how many words are written about countries that are really horrible, i.e., North Korea? Why so silent?
Kevin Long, USA

Truly, the greatest country on earth and the emblem of hope!
Abiye Abebe, Ethiopia

I have nothing much to say about US public except good people with washed brain and their leaders are arrogant and ignorant
Saifudeen, India

In my opinion the mayor problem for America is the deep rift between the official images of the mass media / lobbies and government on one site and the multicultural riches of its population, that generally remain in the shadow. The other big gap is the temptation or the illusion to be the new empire, where the superpower is the only criterion of political decision and moral values. This represents the death of the minorities and the true freedom to be different and to think different.
Flor Maria Rigoni, Mexico

There are two different Americas – the internal one which gives its people prosperity and the external one which has been responsible for great atrocities and injustices around the world. The first America is rightly admired; the second rightly reviled.
Abdul Hamid, Pakistan

I think America's biggest problem is that its people like it to much. Americans are too proud of their country to ask themselves and their government the really tough questions. There is a difference between loving your country and agreeing with its policy.
Lars R., Germany

As a non-American I recently discovered that what I think makes no difference whatsoever.
Annika, Russia

To the citizens of the world: Please do not group all Americans in the same class. Not everyone supports the deleterious rule of George W. Everyone must realize that we Americans are no more homogeneous than, say, the Brits, the French or the Germans. We have many different people who all feel differently about the world and about the conditions under which we live. It is not the "Americans" who pose a threat to the world. Rather it is the American government. Thanks!
Eric Spears, USA

The USA is not perfect, and Americans may tend to be arrogant and hypocritical at times. But nobody is perfect, and considering the options, I think the world is very lucky that America is the big kid on the block. It could be much worse. I believe there is a certain hypocrisy from many that complain about America. Because it is often expected to be the best, America is criticized for its faults much more than any other country would be.
Tom Swick, USA

A superpower that one day will destroy itself like all the superpowers before them.
Adi, Malaysia

As others have noted, the historical American achievements especially their constitution and bill of rights have been icons of inspiration to many dreamers around the world. That was then and this is now… In the same way that the German people can not be held accountable ad infinitum for the crimes of their forefathers, then USA can not be congratulated ad infinitum for the achievements of their forefathers without looking at who currently in power creating tomorrow's reputation for them… Wake up USA, save yourselves and in doing so you will save the rest of us… you were once Great…
AG, France

Recently, anti-Americanism seems to be generated by the US policy makers. If you are not with us, you are against us attitude has created a rift that seems to be getting more press than warranted. The Bush administration is doing a great nation an even bigger disservice. Greatest American – Martin Luther King Jr.
Tim, Canada

There's the America of Benjamin Franklin and Lincoln, and FDR and JFK, of Gene Kelley and Woody Allen, and Richard Geere and, yes, Daffy Duck and the Hardy Boys, and most of all the nice guy from round the corner, helpful, good sportsman and open minded – it is the land of many of my friends. And so much is possible there.

Yet it is also the country which refuses to understand the rest of the world, refuses to understand that not all want to be like them, the country whose politicians have so often failed to observe other people's sensitivities and while purporting to bring freedom just supported the next dictator and outlawed those who exerted the very idea of freedom of opinion against American interests. At some point this powerful nation seemed to spit on values we thought were common ground (environment, global warming, international criminal court – and truth!) And that makes it a difficult friendship – which it still is.
Christian von Baudissin, Germany

Nice people. A little drunk with power, but generally nice.
Simon, Canada

America is a wonderful dream of equality, compassion and brotherhood. The reality however is ego, corruption and violence.
John Toth, Canada

I think the US is extreme; whatever good or bad, it is always extreme. When the culture/society choices is bad, it is badly wrong (eg: weapons policy, foreign policy…hey, don't forget I'm French!). But when something is good, it is pretty good, they appreciate comfort, the whole society just lives in comfort (assuming one has enough financial means…). Anyway, the US is very different, but most of all, is very big (extremely)..and that's why so many people talk about it. I'm waiting for China to rise.
Fay, France

America is our neighbour and great friend but she is unwilling to compromise where her economic interest lies. It doesn't hesitate to embrace the dictators and exercise economic and political muscle to twist even the friends to achieve her national objectives.
Dr.Rajinder Sehgal, Canada

America as a country is vastly different from its foreign policy formulators. If it can keep its greatness to itself and not impose that on others, it will go a long way in buying peace.
Krishnan, India

What do I think of America? I'm going to Canada to ask for political asylum!
Ian Kenney, Missouri, USA

We don't hate Americans. I always love to go over there (at least once a year). It's just this administration. This must be the most arrogant administration we have ever seen in the USA. Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Bush and poor Colin Powel (who cannot express his own views), what a disaster they created in two and a half years. All the credit the Clinton administration got in the world is now completely evaporated (no Kyoto, no international Crime Tribunal, scaring off everybody, insulting 'old' Europe, the list goes on). Hillary, please run for presidency in 2004 and to all my friends in America: vote for another administration, please.
Wim, Belgium

My Lord, could you imagine living your life based on what everyone else thinks about you?
Bruce Abbott, USA

Throughout history, whatever country was on top (Rome, the British Empire) has been disliked by others. Much of the criticism of the US is coloured by this factor. We should try to differentiate between what are simply inferiority complexes and what are legitimate criticisms.
George Yiannakou, Cyprus

What once could be a promising country has now become a burden on the world.
James Ostenburg, from the US, but living abroad

I think America is great. The American attitude "let's get it done" is found in very few places in this world. That makes people envious. They can't do it themselves. So the result is that the Americans are doing it for them – for good and bad. The Americans got rid of Saddam. Good! Now they want to tidy up the country (in the American way) Bad! USA tidied up Europe after WWII. Fine. Our culture is not very different for the American culture. But the Arab culture is. Get out when it is time! Otherwise you (the Americans) will end up with a new VietNam. You are always trying to do something for the rest of the world. That is why we hate you. That is also why we love you.
Gunnar Hovde, Denmark

I live here and the scariest thing is the total lack of thinking on the part of the public. One third of the population surveyed think that WMD were used in the war and almost half believe that Saddam instigated the 9/11 attacks. The ignorance here in the land of "free information" will bring many more catastrophes.
Mey, USA

I really think of America as the bully of the world who can decide who is peaceful and who isn't. Right now, Iran is the next target for the war-hungry Bush administration. How much peace is there going to be if US just decides to be the only superpower without any opposition whatsoever?
Samuel Goma, Zambia

Global policeman neglecting the public opinion, and a home of junk food, a land of poorly educated people, big gap between poor and rich.
Irena , Russia

Looking back at the US history would be better then to act as a world police – America's native people and those with a slave-history would be most thankful probably.
Charlotte, Indonesia

What the country has achieved in a relatively short time is testament enough to its greatness. Commercially and culturally it is streets ahead of the rest of the world, and its people are allowed to have their own opinions.
P.Richards, UK

America is the bully of the world.
Ekrem Sarac, Turkey

The peoples of the countries that were occupied by Nazi-Germany should be eternally grateful to their liberators. Yes we can disagree, but we should never forget the sacrifices they did for us. Thousands of their young and bright men, full of dreams and hope for the future, lay dead in our fields. Criticism should not turn into hate or ridicule.
Chris Dhondt, Belgium

I'm a patriot American. I see that our country has been taken over at the highest levels of federal government by dictatorial power hungry world rulers and the American people are like sheep. They are too shallow to care much less recognize this fact. Our constitution means nothing to the federal government. We are no different than the communist or 1950`s and 60`s.
Kirk Cramer, USA

No nation has ever killed so many through its policies, or crushed freedom to such an extent. A world without America would be a paradise indeed. All the wars and violence are caused by America's domination. No righteous person can feel anything but blind rage at them.
Khamal Khan, London, England

America! The land of the freely misguided, home of capitalism where the consumer reigns supreme. America! Champion of free-speech and democracy, yet market forces scream louder and dictate their policies. America! the lesser of all evils.
Ibi, London, UK

I have the highest respect possible for the United States and everything they have done and stand for. They are the greatest nation since the Roman Empire. I love Italy and I will ALWAYS be thankful to the US for liberating the country in WW2.
Sid, Italy

I think Americans in general are too self-centred. Everything is about them ignoring that the world is not just about America. Furthermore, most Americans are ignorant of what's happening in other parts of the world but still wants to impose their wants & rights on others. The world is not your playground, America!
Albert, Philippines

Bully.
Akanksha, United Arab Emirates

A wonderfully optimistic country, with basically well-intentioned people. I find idealism here that has been missing for a long time in the UK, especially among young people. There is still the belief here that with hard work you can achieve anything, and that makes the country more alive and vital than some of the older cultures.
Pamela Twycross-Kent, US

I have lived in the US, still work there regularly, and have many American friends. I like the American people but I think that they are brainwashed. They are indoctrinated with the view that 'US is best' from kindergarten onwards, and never even taught the basics of world geography, history or politics so that they have no view of the world beyond their borders and are never encouraged to explore it. Their media exploits the image of the US as perfect people in a perfect place, but in the Developed World I have never seen the kind of poverty that I witnessed in the state of South Carolina. How can the government of such a place feel that they have the right to dictate living conditions in other countries?
Kate R, UK

The US feels from the inside like it is experiencing a troubled adolescence; powerful and yet lacking in the information and experience to act responsibly as a mature entity. Most discouraging is travelling through the middle of the country, where contact with the rest of the world is minimal. People believe without question what they hear from George W., and the media merely repeats his viewpoint, also without critique. Still, we can feel a healthy scepticism returning slowly as the country seems to be moderating its recent trend to the political right. In summary to those around the world: please have patience, we are experiencing political malfunction.
Michael Jacobs, USA

Love it or hate it, America represents the current zenith of mankind's ongoing struggle to live free of the dictates and whims of rulers and despots.
Chris, US

Chris, US: Do you really believe that that is what the US stands for? The US has never meddled so blatantly with the affairs of other nations and its people as it is doing now. What ever happened to self determination? Or is it self determination in accordance to US foreign policy?
Alfred, Spain

The policy of America has changed a lot. Six years ago everyone wanted to see President Clinton when he was in Brussels. The crowd was cheering. Now when President Bush came, no one wanted him. Why? The reason is the changed and wrong messages they send to the world. They let the world feel that everyone is equal, but Americans are still a step higher. Just look to the International Court in the Netherlands. Every international rule that exist has been broken by them. But it is not the people in America who are the problem but the government. Through a bad government the best state in the world can even go down and I think there are a lot of examples of that in the history.
Johan, Belgium

America realizes that it is not perfect and never will be, so don't expect it to be. American does have the resolve, when necessary, to protect itself and other freedom loving peoples around the world. Dictatorships and slave nations still abound and there are strange ideas about how this world should exist. America by necessity must invest in peace through strength. Weakness by any country is only an invitation to be stepped upon by others. Don't expect America to lie down and be a doormat for rogue nations to wipe their feet on. Americans are not going to bury their heads in the sand as some in other nations seem to do. Thank you to England; Australia; Spain; and the many other nations that continue to stand up against oppression around the world. If you are waiting for a perfect nation to arise out of the ashes of this world, you indeed will have a long wait.
Thu Greene, United States of America

I think that the USA need to realise that their way is not the only way.
CB, Ireland

I am very proud to be American, born and raised. I do support our president, but I do feel that the US should be playing a lesser role in keeping the peace around the world. The governments of these countries need to take responsibility for there own actions.
Erik Ruud, USA

In America's naivety to create so called peace and freedom they take us one step closer to a world of fear. In an American universe, the US will be happy. We must however all think about what it is they have actually done, is the world any more safe or peaceful? Are the oppressed societies and third world nations really getting a better deal? There are many statements made by the US that are untrue or never fulfilled. They are far too exclusive in their execution of who and when they liberate, and more importantly why?

If America wants to lead let them use their power to heal and provide. But of course the motive is not really a safer better world for all, it's a better safer world for America, the rest of us just have to hope we don't fall to their intolerance, sense of "Justice" or their economic sanctions. All in all they are just bullies really filled with a bit too much self interest and importance.
Mr Brooks, UK

The USA is the world's great power and full of good people unfortunately until there is a leadership with the good of the world at the centre of decision making rather than a greed mentality supported by neo-conservative/enterprise/Christian fundamentalist think tanks the rest of the world will continue to view the USA with suspicion if not hate
Michael Jennings, France

Home of junk food? Yes. Land of the free? Sorry, no – try saying anything against Iraq-war! The greatest American was President Lincoln. The best contribution of America is "Technology" and the worst is "Misuse of technology"!
Dr. Saroj K. Das, India

For all those who think that they know America and try to compare it with the UK for example, I have lived in both societies and I know! The most vocal critics of America are the British and Dutch as seen in these columns and that's just crazy. America is truly the land of the free and will not follow the UK which had an Empire to create, you are wrong Roy Matthews! I came here for my children and grandchildren who will know true freedom and democracy because of capitalistic ideals and true market forces prevailing and not the other way round, Graham Dobson! Open your eyes you naysayers and look at the America dream as I did, yes it works for a 1/4 billion people, can't be bad!
John, Ex-Brit/USA

Liberty schmiberty. There is a con-artist woven into every thread of the fabric of American society. Banks, the government, employers, and insurance companies pursue everyone's purse from birth to death. No wonder this culture is so hollow and the people so broken. The entities that demand our servitude are crushing us. S.U.V.s, guns, and plastic surgery. Mentally ill indigents living on the sidewalks in their own urine. What is that stench? I reckon it's the smell of greed.
Fred Martich, USA

People who criticise the US and it's people should look to themselves first – they possess many of the vices they project on Americans. For French citizens to lambast the US government as arrogant and overbearing is a delicious irony; and UK citizens seem to dislike Americans because they are apparently obsessed with wealth – yet this country talks about nothing except how much their house has increased in value. If anything Americans are perhaps too honest and a little naive – they don't possess the cynicism that many Europeans have. Is this a vice or a virtue?
Rob, UK

I do not think that Europe has yet really caught up with the concept that the USA under the Neoconservative Bush Administration is no longer the land of the free. Detention without trial, access to counsel or habeas corpus. Ruthless abuse of corporate funding and media manipulation to pervert the electoral and legislative process. The public bamboozled into supporting an unlawful war with false evidence. Europe should distance itself from the USA until there is a change of Administration and a reversal of present policies.
Mourad, UK

American democracy is and shall remain the greatest system of governance in the world. No other system promotes and protects the welfare of peoples everywhere as well, even if we don't always like the way it does this. Those who criticise this system – there are many in Canada – do so from under the umbrella of American prosperity, protection, and freedom from tyranny.
Kristian, Canada

Most of the negative views of the USA are due to envy. If you look at the previous world powers throughout history (UK, France, Spain) you will notice that they too were hated and viewed with envy by the other nations of the time. America's government and foreign policy may not be perfect, but that is no different from every other nation.
Adam Carlo, USA

Heartless social policies, arrogant and corrupt politicians, ignorance of foreign cultures and their own history – it is no wonder people are criticising America more now than only a year ago. Clinton was pleasant and articulate enough to cover up the dirtier sides of American politics abroad, George W is not. The hypocrisy of the war on Iraq, the treatment of foreign soldiers captured and the discrimination occurring against their own Muslim and Arab minorities does not impress the world. Europe is at least a generation ahead in terms of human rights and social democratic policies. A state that puts its own to death, that hands out cruel sentences to minor drug offenders, that bullies the rest of world into waging war on a brutal, friendless regime through untruths is not a state to admire. In Europe we moan and criticise them, though it is done in vain. Greater political activism by the American people will change their image overseas although the two party system and absence of any real organised labour movements handicaps this.
Marco, Espana

Of all the current governments in the world today the US government is the oldest. Our system is not perfect but it is one of the best. I have travelled the world and yes Americans do have a different view then most other people. We believe in taking care of ourselves not relying on the state we are not socialist in nature but individualistic. Compared to most countries our constitution is vague and short. But the US stands by her allies and does not turn her back on her friends. Over half of all food aid and the majority of financial aid comes from the US. As a country yes we have made mistakes but they have not been as bad as many made by other countries. We do not perceive ourselves as better or worse then others just different. Yet millions of people line up to enter our country every day.
Thomas, USA

Who else would you rather rely on when you're in a corner? Where else has generated more technical advances it the last 100 years? Where does the rest of the world vote with its feet to get to (in addition to other Anglosphere countries)? Of course the yanks have their foibles, but then again who hasn't? My vote goes to Thomas Edison as the American most representative of its capabilities: the use of scientific knowledge to invent practical devices for the world, and making a fortune in so doing!
Neil, England

A democracy of diversity and freedom? I find that pill rather hard to swallow from a nation that has covertly removed more fairly elected governments in modern times than any other. A nation that has created, embraced and armed tyrants which later bite the hand that's been feeding them. The US sees itself in it's own rose tinted glow and appears unable to accept criticism from within it's own borders, let alone the from the rest of the World.
Terry , Canada

Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman' tells it all – a fine dream, gone irrevocably sour. No-one could argue with the principles on which the US was founded. If only it had stuck with them, and prevented the corporate military industrial complex from seizing control. Now 'liberty' means freedom to exploit, consume and pollute, the freedom of the rich to look after their own, and sacrifice America's own sons and daughters to that end. America has been sliding since the 50s, it's getting poorer (more Americans on the poverty line than since the 30s) and worse educated. In terms of standards for it's ordinary people, it's just not cutting it anymore – why else would Bruce Springsteen be searching for the ghost of Tom Joad… America is in dire need of a political renaissance that leads Americans to look critically at THEMSELVES for a change.
Luke Rendell, UK living in Canada

I think the United States (I refuse to call it just America because that's the name of a whole continent and not only the name of a country) can be a nice place to visit, or even to live, but definitely its policy has brought good and bad for the world. We cannot deny all the advantages it bring us in technology, media, etc., but it also brings so much devastation to the world. I do not believe they are a paradise or the land of freedom anymore, maybe they were in the past, but now their ambition to conquer and rule the rest of the world has made them blind to see what the world thinks about them.
Fiorella, Peru

I feel sad that the world take such a low view of the United States. Granted we make a fair share of mistakes, but overall I think we are a very generous nation. Whenever there is a natural disaster the US is always there to lend a hand or give money. We are the largest contributor to relief organizations in the world. All this money comes out of the pockets of US citizens. When the world criticizes the US it also criticizes her citizens.
George Chapple, USA

The USA's best contribution to the world is its University system and the knowledge which it produces. There is an amazing amount of research performed in America's public and private universities which yield significant applied benefits (medical and other technologies) and greatly expand our understanding of ourselves and the world.

The USA's worst contribution to the world is rampant consumerism. It is a form of arrogance defined by a mindset which seeks to elevate one's own comfort and social standing with complete disregard for the social and environmental consequences. It is seldom malicious, it is just done in ignorance, driven by the American marketing behemoth and with the complicity of millions who all feed upon each others' perceptions – perceptions that they do not develop and test themselves (in contrast to the environment which America's universities cultivate), but rather which they lazily adopt from the barrage of American marketing. This behaviour is terribly corrosive and destructive, and sadly it is one of America's leading exports.
Doug Poland, USA

The US is the biggest threat to everyones way of life. They are imposing GM Crops on us, they are imposing "justice" on the world by dropping bombs on innocent people. What right to the Americans have to interfere in any country but their own. They have used the Veto more than any other security council member. They pollute more than anyone else. They refuse to ratify Kyoto and refuse to join the ICC. In my opinion the rest of the world should kick the USA out of the UN and leave them on their own.
Dave, UK

I regard America as a land of contradictions. Founded as the 'land of the free' where it is 'held to be self evident that all men are born equal', slavery continued long after the British Empire had abolished it. It trumpets a democracy which is so dominated by money and corporate interest that conservatism is the default state. It is proud of its anti-imperialist ideology yet it faced down the Soviet Union in what was a conflict between Empires in all but name. America is no different than Britain before it; some noble intentions, some real achievements but an imperial power nonetheless.
Roger, UK

I can't stand what America stands for. It is arrogant, obnoxious, unthinking and bullying. BUT, I'm married to an American, and a Texan at that, which just goes to show that you should blame the faults of the country on the individuals, as they aren't all that bad.
Ben Christie, UK

I have mixed feelings towards the US. On one hand, they have brought a lot of good to the world from the rebuilding of Europe to bringing us to the Moon. On the other their constant disregard of international opinion, their history of bringing violence abroad and their capitalist ideal that is plundering the Earth's resources make the US far from perfect. I have no problem with the US, but I think the rest of the world should also have a say about where the world is heading. I therefore whole-heartedly encourage European unification, and would like to see other such ventures in the World now that individual countries do not have the weight to speak out when they believe US international policy requires discussion. Their best contribution to the world: their space program. That's where our future lies.
Charles, France

The United States is the only country in the world where someone can arrive at penniless and their children can end up multi-millionaires.
Kevin, USA

As an American, I am understandably proud of my country. I believe that the principles guiding American government are the noblest and most enlightened the world has ever known. At the same time, I am uncomfortable with the current administration. I feel like it has (with the best of intentions, mind you) ridden the wave of public sentiment following the September 11 attacks to put it in a position where it is in danger of abusing its power and actually suppressing freedom. I am particularly opposed to the new policy of Pre-emption, which I believe is fundamentally un-American. For the greatest American, I nominate George Washington. He embodied the new republic and guided the nation through a time when it could have very easily fallen apart. Then, he returned to his farm and refused to be put into a position where he could abuse his power: a new Cincinnatus.
Michael, USA

We hate your diets, but we love McDonalds. We think your greedy and selfish, but we'll take money from the largest aid donor in the world. We don't want you to police the world, we just want to pick and choose where we send your military. We deplore your culture, but we love your movies and are becoming more and more like you everyday. We think you're stupid, but we will continually seek out your universities. We think your arrogant, that's why we plead for your tourism. We hate all that America stands for, because you are the land of the free and have a Democracy and Economy, the likes of which the world has never seen. We secretly want to be you America, that's why we hate you.
Jay, Earth

If America is such a bad place then answer me why people risk their life to make it to our shores. I can sum it up for you. They come here because of "freedom" and "liberty" and the opportunity (not the right) to succeed. We are blessed with many resources and a great expanse of land which allows us to use to our benefit. America has always stood by her allies and stood up against tyranny. We are a capitalistic nation that leans toward conservatism but allows the liberal voice to be heard and debated. The greatest American of all time is Ronald Reagan. He defeated communism with his steadfast principles and unwavering strength. If you want an American icon of what we stand for…. then look no further than John Wayne.
Bart McMurry, USA

Bart McMurry, USA: people from the third world risk their lives to make it to the shores of all the developed nations. It says a lot about the conditions those people are leaving behind, and the only thing it says about the USA or any other rich nations is that we are not doing enough to help the poor. It also proves everything I already thought about Americans that they would smugly transform news about the despair of others into an example of what a great place the USA is.
Antti Kievari, Finland

The difference between America and the rest of the world is rooted in our very foundations and history. From the very beginning of our colonial past, America was both a commercial enterprise and a means of escaping religious persecution. The people who settled (and continue to settle) in this "new" and untamed country were seeking freedom and opportunity, and were industrious, ambitious, and creative risk-takers. In today's terms, you could say, they were willing to "think outside the box."

To many in Europe and, indeed, throughout much of the world, Americans are considered brash, arrogant, and greedy. But to Americans, confidence in our abilities, pride in our accomplishments, and a desire to see what next new challenge we can overcome are the hallmarks of what it is to be American. It is what has enabled us to send a man to the moon; to develop computers and other technological wonders; to produce works of great literature, music, and art; and to encompass a diverse, friendly, and energetic populace.
A. Cohen, United States

The USA is great in terms of resources and productivity, and has contributed much to art as well as technology. However, US policy seems to presume that the powerful are always right (because they have God on their side, apparently) and is often blind to the plight of the weak. This has been consistently seen in US foreign policy and trade agreements, as well as in domestic problems with ghettos, the death sentence, 'Christian' fundamentalism and some forms of racism. What stops the US being truly great is the failure to recognise its weaknesses – this makes all their global policing look like hypocrisy.
Heather, UK

I nominate Noam Chomsky as the greatest American. He is the leading theorist in linguistics and a thoughtful political critic.
Brent Futrell, USA

I admire the trailblazers regardless of their fame, those individuals who see problems and find solutions. Its a can-do spirit that, believe it or not, is quite prevalent in today's American youth, which gives me much hope for our nation's future.
Suzanne W., USA

Like all other countries; an intelligent, compassionate and peaceful minority, overshadowed by an arrogant, power hungry and selfish majority. The only reason they are hated is because they are so powerful that we have to put up with the arrogant sector, not because they are so different.
Matt, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We have achieved more in a little over 200 years than any other country has ever dreamed of. Europe has such a deep beautiful history. It would be much different today if the US did not get involved in World War II. It is true that most of America takes our freedom and all that goes with it for granted. We watch the news around the world in horror sometimes because we can't imagine how a country could get to be such a mess.

We have been accused recently of isolationism and imperialism. I am proud to be an American. Maybe going to Iraq under the guise of WMD was misguided, but somebody had to do it. We didn't ask to police the whole world but we are the first one everyone looks to when there is a crisis anywhere in the world.

As far as the greatest American; it has to be Abraham Lincoln. Just read the Gettysburg Address.
Mr Sandy Clark, United States of America

America stands alone in the world thanks to its unique Aristotelian foundations, of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of one's own Happiness. Contrast this with most of the world's nations who uphold, sacrifice, servitude and obedience as the philosophical ideal by subordinating their citizens to their State, race, class, ethnic group or God.
D S A Murray, England

America appears to be a mass of contradictions. "The land of the free" has some of the most punitive laws against personal liberty in some states yet is surprisingly liberal in others. Americans have been among the most polite and friendly people I have ever met and are constantly amazed at the civil freedoms we enjoy in this country. The fact that they feel obliged to state their opposition to the Bush administration (unprompted) while in conversation shows that many in the US feel a deep unease at the militaristic nature of the government. They all have said how revealing it is to see how the rest of the world's media views their country and that it has helped them get a better global perspective. As for the greatest American, I think Roosevelt was one of their better presidents (as was Clinton!). In other areas, Thomas Edison, Kinsey (for his study of sexual behaviour) and many distinguished figures in the spheres of art and music too numerous to mention!
Karl, UK

US Citizens have more political and economic freedom than virtually any other country. Because of this they are economically and culturally very rich. This causes great envy or anger amongst many citizens of countries that are less successful. The US also has one of the oldest fully functioning democracies in the world – older than many European Countries that imagine themselves to be superior.
Graham Dodgson, UK

The thing that can be said about America is, it is not perfect, but then find me a place that is. I actually bothered to travel there this year and found the people to be warm and friendly and it was a very good place to be.
, UK

Speaking as a Muslim, the Islamic world has no problems with the American people or way of life. On the contrary it is admired and copied as model system. The problem that is "anti-Americanism" is self inflicted by a pro-Zionist and blatant anti Islamic lobby. The Bush administration has polarised the world into a "pro or anti" American. A bit of fairness will go a long way to change attitudes of Muslims towards America.
Callum Savio, Bangladesh

The US has done a very good job so far and should be proud of its achievements. Of course they could have done better. But the main point for me is that if history had been different, other countries might have been the superpower instead. For example, Nazi Germany and Japan could have won the Second World War or communist Russia and China could have won the cold war. If any of these countries were in the superpower position of America today I truly do not believe our lives would be free or that the BBC could have this important and frank debate.
Keith, UK

It is inevitable that the most powerful nation on earth should close itself in protection. Perhaps we should be thankful that they are generally a force for good. They must, however, be prepared to learn about the world in which they operate – too often, it is the case that patriotism is misinterpreted by the rest of the world for aggression. It is therefore necessary that the USA understands how they are viewed, why they are viewed negatively in many parts of the world and how they can maintain an unblinkered view of the world. They will never, and this is something the rest of the world needs to learn, be popular with everyone…
Angus, London, UK

I think that America really was once the one land of freedom, but I think most Americans don't realize that the a lot of the rest of the world has caught up, and in many ways surpassed the original…And really, what kind of a democracy is a two party system?
Eric P, London, UK

I love the USA. What other country enshrines the pursuit of happiness for its citizens in its constitution? If we had such a right maybe these message boards wouldn't be so full of such miserable, jealous, nay-saying folk. Get over it, people! Be grateful that USA is the world's policeman and not red China.
Alfred, UK

Some of the nicest people I have met are Americans, but I must say that I harbour great antipathy towards "America" as it seems to breed ignorance and arrogance in equal measure. Those brave Americans who actually live elsewhere seem to quickly learn that the world does not stop at their borders, that culture has a meaning beyond burgers and fries, and that USA hegemony is not appreciated by the majority of the world. God willing, as a country they will learn more about the world before their unelected "president" destroys it.
Brian, Hong Kong

I think America has had a huge amount of unwarranted bad press over the years. Yes, they can be irksome, and yes, they produce a huge amount of atrocious television material. But for a superpower, they are incredibly benign. The other superpower of the 20th century, USSR, was the opposite – a power determined to rule over as much of the world as it could conquer, and held in check primarily by the USA (without whom most of Europe might have become part of the USSR long ago). America may not be perfect, but it is not a threat to us or any other democracy (except for their language!). So why the fuss?
Ron Levy, UK

I do worry that American culture brain washes children at an early age to consider America superior in all respects to other countries. Can you see English children clasping their hand to their heart and swearing 'God Bless Britain'? I think this attitude is at the very core the way American people and American politics interact with the world. I also think that history has taught us that no matter how strong a nation or empire becomes, eventually it collapses.
Roy Matthews, UK

I think that America's nose has grown too long and they insist on sticking it into place where it doesn't belong. Did they bother to ask the Iraqi people if they wanted 'liberating' ? Of course not – President Bush firmly believes that his opinion is the only one that has any validity and that America should rule the world. The real problem is that they are too much more powerful than anyone else and no-one is strong enough to say no.
Steve, U.K.

I think the USA conducts itself on the international stage in much the same way as Britain did 100 years ago.
Roy Matthews, UK

Election uncertainty hits Indian exchanges

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | India confident over F1 hopes

Ecclestone has indicated he wants to see an Indian Grand PrixIndia hope Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone will give them the green light to stage a grand prix in 2006 when he visits Hyderabad next month.

Indian government officials had an hour-long meeting with Ecclestone at Monza on Saturday to advance their claims.

"He's coming in October. If he gives clearance, then we can go for 2006," said Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of India's Andhra Pradesh state, which includes Hyderabad.

"I'm confident it will happen. Now after China, India is the biggest market.

"The viewing public for Formula One is already 100 million people, it's the second most popular sport back home after cricket."

India has been encouraged by the inclusion of Shanghai on the F1 calendar for 2004, which will become the third Asian venue along with Japan and Malaysia to host a grand prix.

Bahrain will become the Middle East debutant in 2004.

The southern city of Hyderabad, an emerging technology centre, is India's front-runner to stage a race.

"Through Formula One, I can create 100,000 jobs directly and indirectly, then foreign investment will come, hotels, tourism spin-offs. It's a win-win situation," said Naidu.

"If we get the clearance, there is infrastructure – it's only the Formula One track we have to build and that's not a big issue.

"The government is fully supporting building a track and there are already some private donors showing interest."

India "in line for F1"

Ecclestone said earlier this summer that he believed there would be a Grand Prix in India and this was the third round of talks between state officials and F1 representatives.

Circuit designer Hermann Tilke, who was responsible for the new Grand Prix tracks in Bahrain, Malaysia and Shanghai, recently visited India.

BBC – Bruce Parry’s Amazon – Blog

Three Days on a Boat

Posted from: On the way to Wijint
I never want to see a boat again in my life. We've been on this bloody boat for three days now and still haven't got there. The river is low and strewn with fallen trees. And we damaged the propeller on the first day so progress is painfully slow.

Gerson, the boatman, is a man of incredible stamina – he drives from before dawn till well into the night every day, relieving his boredom periodically by shouting obscenities at David, the little kid at the front whose job it is to spot submerged trees before we hit them. I think it must be his first time out, because he's really crap at it and we hit pretty much every tree in the river and Gerson explodes with indignation. I can't see them staying together.

Gerson also gets pretty cross with us as we move about on the narrow boat trying to find cameras and kit and film the journey. I think he just likes shouting.

The team sail down the river Rio Ene

It feels like we are going somewhere extraordinary. We've been travelling up smaller and smaller rivers, heading north into the heart of this great forest. This is one of the most bio-diverse places in the world and one of the least developed parts of the Amazon rainforest and it feels like a very special place. There are birds everywhere, and massive electric blue butterflies along the banks of the river. I saw three pink river dolphins today too, something I've always wanted to see.

We're living on frankfurters and tinned peaches. Not great, but morale is good anyway. And we're all sleeping for about 20 hours a day. Especially Matt and Zubin, who are travelling in Business Class in the middle of the boat – extra leg room, space to stretch out and sleep. I'm back in Economy and my back is killing me. Almu is travelling like the Queen of Sheba, perched on a luxurious nest of duffel bags on the second boat.

The river Rio Ene

We're staying in little tiny Indian villages along the way, slinging hammocks wherever we can and having a nip or two of whisky to put us to sleep of a night. The stars here are incredible, the night sky is deep black with no ambient light for hundreds of miles, so you can see everything. I saw two shooting stars last night.

We get to Wijint tomorrow, stay the night, then move on again.

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After partition: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

In 1947, the jewel of the British Empire, India, was granted independence, divided along religious lines and two nations were born – India and Pakistan.

Partition left 10 million people uprooted and more than half a million Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus dead in riots and massacres.

Sixty years on, the status of Kashmir remains unresolved despite a tenuous peace process between India and Pakistan, following three wars. Communal unrest continues to surface from time to time in both countries. The good news is that the economies are growing, especially in India.

Find out more about how India, Pakistan and, since 1971 Bangladesh, have developed since partition.

ECONOMY AND WELFARE

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have come a long way since the British left them. Of the three nations, India has seen by far the most dramatic growth.

In terms of economic resources, India did much better than Pakistan out of partition. It inherited 90% of the subcontinent's industry and the thriving cities of Delhi, Bombay (now Mumbai) and Calcutta.

It is now one of the world's fastest developing economies with average growth rates of 8% over the past three years. It is also emerging as a serious global player in information technology, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.

By contrast, Pakistan's economy which was based on agriculture and controlled by feudal elites, was left with 17.5% of the British colonial government's financial reserves after partition.

Nevertheless, it has seen sustained growth since the early 1950s despite internal strife, conflict with India, US sanctions, global recession and, more recently, the 2005 earthquake.

The economy really took off in 2000 after reforms that saw public sector enterprises privatised, relaxation of regulations on external trade and reform of the banking sector.

Thanks to economic growth and foreign investment, all three states have seen expansion and improvement of health and education services. Life expectancy has increased, infant and maternal death rates have dropped, and literacy rates risen.

But poverty is still widespread in all three nations, which feature in the top 10 most populous in the world. Almost half the population in Bangladesh lives on less than $1 a day and Pakistan's social indicators still lag behind countries with comparable per capita incomes.

A substantial number of people living in India's villages remain illiterate and impoverished, raising concerns about the inclusivity of the economic boom.

Powerful regional and caste-based parties have empowered many poor people whose progress was hampered by the ancient Hindu caste system, but that system still impedes widespread social progress.

SOCIETY

After independence, India and Pakistan had to devise new
ways of running their countries and creating nation states.

Pakistan has been led largely by military rulers over the last 60 years. Bangladesh fell under military rule a few years after independence, democracy being restored in 1990, but the political scene there is unpredictable.

While Pakistan was created as a Muslim state after Jinnah's insistence that Muslims of the former colony needed a separate country of their own, Hindu-majority India was, and formally remains, secular, and also the world's largest democracy.

The violence between Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus in 1947 was never repeated on such a horrific scale, but the struggle to keep the peace between communal and religious groups is ongoing in both India and Pakistan.

After the death of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1964 and the rise to power of his daughter Indira Gandhi, tensions grew between the Hindu majority and Sikhs. In 1984, Gandhi was killed by her Sikh bodyguards after ordering troops to flush out Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. And in 1992, widespread Hindu-Muslim violence erupted after Hindu extremists demolished the Babri mosque at Ayodhya.

More recently, there have been several bombings, such as the attack on Mumbai's train network in July 2006 which police blamed on Pakistani militants and a banned Indian group. Pakistan, whose citizens are mostly Muslim, has seen Sunni and Shia factions killing each other in their thousands in three of the four Pakistani regions since the 1980s.

After 9/11, Pakistan's government became an ally of Washington by dropping its support for the Taleban regime in Afghanistan.

It took a tougher stance towards Islamic extremists, as highlighted in the bloody siege and suicide bombing at Islamabad's Red Mosque in July.

Bangladesh has also been affected by internal strife.

The country has suffered from bomb attacks on secular and cultural organisations and events for more than a decade.

The near simultaneous bombings across Bangladesh in 2005 were a dramatic pointer to religious extremism and two fringe Islamic organisations have been banned.

MILITARY

The military balance between India and Pakistan is difficult to establish as it depends on many factors, such as quality of command, training, discipline and morale.

Most Indian-Pakistani conflicts have ended in stalemate except the Bangladesh War in 1971, when Pakistan's defeat was complete.

India backed, sheltered and trained Bangladeshi guerrillas which contributed to Pakistan's defeat.

Kashmir has been the main flashpoint ever since Partition.

The two neighbours, now nuclear powers, have twice waged war over the disputed region – in 1947-48 and 1965.

The region is now divided in two by a Line of Control and often breached by separatist militants.

In 1999, fighting between Indian and Pakistani-backed forces in Indian Kashmir led to a new conflict, known as the Kargil conflict, but not full-scale war.

In Depth: Read more about the Kashmir conflict

In their last confrontation in 2002, India deployed 700,000 troops; Pakistan, 300,000 – three-fourths of their regular forces – either side of the Line of Control in Kashmir and the internationally recognised India-Pakistan border.

Both readied their armoured, air and naval forces for war. India prepared for offensive operations to destroy militant camps.

Pakistan's objective was to defend key points against attack.

Intense Western diplomacy and, perhaps more significantly, mutual nuclear deterrence eventually defused tensions, but it was a close run thing.

BBC NEWS | Programmes | World at One | Euro faces reality check

Wednesday, 2 January, 2002, 12:09 GMT Euro faces reality check
There is a choice of paying in euros or local currency
How will consumers and the financial markets react to the euro on the first full day of business after its launch?

Some 300 million people across 12 European Union nations got their new currency yesterday.

Today the markets are open. There is a new reality in the financial world. We report from Frankfurt, the home of the European Central Bank, and of the biggest stock market in Euroland.

Here, the argument, over how long Britain can stay outside, is being stoked by those, such as the Europe Minister Peter Hain, who suggest that it is inevitable that we will join.

Last year Toyota, the Japanese car maker, said Britain must join the euro soon or risk losing Toyota's business. Brian Jackson, senior director at Toyota UK, told us he was encouraged by the current debate.

From the other side of the debate, Dominic Cummings, the director of the NO campaign, said he believed Mr Hain's comments represented further evidence of a euro split between the prime minister and the chancellor.

Also on the programme, as Tony Blair resumes his globetrotting diplomacy with a tour of the Indian subcontinent, we spoke to the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, and Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesman Menzies Campbell about what Mr Blair is likely to achieve.

To listen to the interviews and reports, click on the links above.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Al Gore: A matter of convenience

Al Gore's climate film may not change what Americans think on climate change; but that doesn't matter, argues Philip Clapp in the Green Room, because Americans are already concerned – and politicians are following the public's lead.

Al Gore's new global warming movie has been a blockbuster in the United States. At this point, it stands third in box office history among documentaries.

Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, has even beat out Madonna's Truth or Dare; an estimated 2.3 million Americans have seen it.

Unfortunately, that is still less than 1% of the US population.

Many of these movie-goers are probably already in Gore's camp. A significant number undoubtedly bought their tickets more to scratch six years of Bush-induced liberal political itch than to learn anything about global warming.

With audience numbers like these, the former vice president's gripping and beautifully produced video lecture isn't going to cause a tidal shift in American public opinion on global warming in the short run.

In reality, it doesn't need to.

Desperation grows

A fog of misinformation is still being generated in the US by an increasingly desperate network of industry-funded think-tanks (a category that includes the Bush White House) and a handful of right-wing ideologues.

Despite the efforts of this shrinking band, the average American already believes pretty much what the rest of the world does about global warming: human-produced pollution is causing it, the potential consequences look more and more devastating, and our governments should act – and act now.

US polls have registered this solidifying consensus for at least five years. The remaining doubts of many Americans were wiped out, along with New Orleans, by Hurricane Katrina.

Even if his impact on the general public is slim, Gore is having an impact where it counts much more – in the media and among politicians, many of whom have been well behind the public on global warming.

He has helped put the issue on the front pages of America's newspapers once again.

Equally important, he has made global warming an inescapable part of the political debate as America prepares to choose new leadership and a new agenda for the post-Bush era.

In many ways, that era has already begun, even though the president has more than two years left in office. This is particularly true on global warming.

Republicans turning

Members of the Republican Party in Congress, recognising that international and domestic action is inevitable, are already quietly abandoning the President. They are authoring and supporting legislation to set limits on US emissions.

In June 2005, the Republican-controlled Senate passed a resolution calling for precisely the kind of mandatory global warming emissions reduction law the President so adamantly opposes.

Congress has also repeatedly passed resolutions calling on the Bush administration to return to the international negotiating table.

The pressure is now so intense that the White House appears to be planning to make renewable energy development and global warming a centerpiece of its agenda in the president's final two years. Significant new proposals are likely to be unveiled in a major presidential address to Congress in January.

Administration insiders are calling the developing proposals Bush's "Nixon goes to China" moment, after Nixon's startling 1972 reversal of the longtime US refusal to deal with Mao.

Whatever Bush puts forward will probably be weak, but that it is immaterial; the substance of what the president proposes on global warming is likely to have little credibility, given his history on the issue.

But the very fact that Bush would finally reverse his position and call for action will liberate many Republicans to vote for meaningful pollution cuts.

Race to succeed

Equally important, looking forward to the race to succeed Bush in 2008, every serious potential Republican nominee has already abandoned the president's intransigent position.

The most prominent of them, Senator John McCain from Arizona, is actually the Senate's leading crusader on the need for the US to adopt a domestic emissions reduction system. McCain introduced the first such bill several years ago, and has forced Senate votes on it repeatedly, achieving near-majorities.

Al Gore's biggest contribution may be that his movie forces key parts of his own Democratic Party, including some reluctant potential presidential candidates, finally to give more than lip service to the issue.

In Congress, a handful of Democrats from coal and auto-producing states, responding to pressure from those industries' labour unions, has been one of the principal roadblocks to action.

Virtually all of these Democrats – sitting senators and potential presidents – know in their heads and hearts that strong action on global warming is urgent. They are the ones for whom global warming is truly an inconvenient truth – politically inconvenient.

Gore's own handlers in his 2000 presidential bid found it inconvenient, too, as they sought to shore up labour support in the same states. The issue never surfaced seriously in the then-vice president's campaign against George W Bush.

Gore has assured that it cannot be avoided by anyone in 2008, convenient or not.

Philip Clapp is President of the National Environmental Trust in Washington DC

The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental issues running weekly on the BBC News website

Gunrunners planned to offload in east India

BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | The team behind the team

By Martin Gough

Fletcher and Flintoff have a big team behind themEngland's Ashes success in 2005 was widely credited to the preparation put in by coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Michael Vaughan off the field.

But they were backed up by a team of analysts, managers and assistant coaches each playing a key role.

From massages and ice baths to tailored menus and video analysis, they covered every base.

As England set off for Australia, BBC Sport looks at the support staff whose performance is vital if the team are to be at their best.

Phil Neale
Team manager

Former team scorer and baggage manager Malcolm Ashton once described Neale as "Mr Spreadsheet".

Ashton wrote: "I've seen him sit on a bus in the middle of winter, turn to Duncan and say: 'Edgbaston, June 14. When do you want to practise, morning or afternoon?"

A former Worcestershire batsman, Neale is responsible for all aspects of tour planning, setting up hotels and practice grounds well in advance.

On tour, he takes care of transport arrangements and liaises with local hosts over tiny details such as net bowlers, attendance at official functions and provision of kit.

As a former professional footballer with Lincoln City, he is also highly in demand when the players start their training sessions with a kick-about to warm up.

Matthew Maynard
Assistant coach

Glamorgan's captain when they won the County Championship under Fletcher in 1997, Maynard brings the experience of 21 first-class seasons to the team.

Maynard, 40, played just four Tests for England but his ability as a batting coach is widely recognised and he gives one-on-one coaching to batsmen when required.

He helps to run training and warm-up sessions and can often be seen wearing a baseball glove as he leads fielding drills.

During play, Maynard will watch batting from the dressing room, and feed back his observations either to Fletcher or individual players.

Kevin Shine
Fast-bowling coach

Troy Cooley's role as fast-bowling coach was seen as vital during the 2005 Ashes and his successor could be just as important.

Former Somerset coach Shine will certainly not be remodelling the actions of England's pacemen during the Test series but he will be on hand to offer tweaks here and there.

During an English summer, he divides his time between international matches and a programme that brings pace-bowling talent from age-group teams to the England fringes.

Mark Garaway
Team analyst / Assistant coach

Another former Somerset coach, Garaway will undertake the job carried out by Tim Boon during the last Ashes series, with plenty of work to do before and during each match.

He is responsible for collecting as much footage as possible of each opponent and gives a video presentation of his findings before every international match.

During a game, he uses a laptop to digitally file video of every ball into a database according to the type of delivery and the batsman's response.

Rather than having letters, his laptop keyboard has symbols for every event in an attempt to make an intensive job a little easier.

If a batsman is dismissed he can return to the pavilion and, when he has calmed down, study every ball of his innings to find out what he did well and what went wrong.

Kirk Russell
Physiotherapist

Helping players overcome injuries and niggles is only part of the job for New Zealand-raised Russell, who is with England around every Test series.

Russell liaises with local hospitals and doctors when scans are required and also plays a role in injury prevention.

In particular he has done extensive research into orthotics – the supports players wear inside their boots – in an attempt to cut the number of foot injuries.

Nigel Stockhill
Physiologist and sports science manager

In his sixth year with the side, Stockhill is responsible for formulating and managing fitness programmes for the whole squad, especially the work they do in the gym.

He runs the pre-match warm-up and the post-play warm-down, and was responsible for introducing ice baths to the England dressing-room.

It is Stockhill who deals with hotels and ground authorities to make sure food is grilled, not fried, and served with pasta or rice.

Squad members not in the starting XI are often put through their paces by Stockhill during the lunch or tea break.

Mark Saxby
Massage therapist

With a background in athletics, swimming, hockey, triathlon and gymnastics through the English Institute of Sport, Saxby describes his main task as "general maintenance".

Working closely with the medical team he helps players recover from injury and also helps prevent problems by spotting niggles early.

Bowlers are the most regular visitors to his table, often during intervals and at the end of each day's play.

Andrew Walpole
Media relations manager

On tour in India in 2002, Walpole received a call in his hotel room from a local journalist who wanted to know exactly what the players had eaten for dinner and whether they preferred pizza or curry.

During the Ashes, he expects to be issuing plenty of press releases, but no menus.

Walpole, who shares the job with James Avery, will travel with the team throughout the Ashes, dealing with day-to-day media issues.

That means organising player interviews, news conferences around matches and fielding specific requests from journalists.

With over 500 requests for media accreditation for this series, Walpole is ready to deal with a huge level of interest as England aim to retain the Ashes.

Peter Gregory
Chief medical officer

Dr Peter Gregory, who became England's first chief medical officer in 2002, announced recently that he would step down from the role before the Ashes.

A long-term replacement has not yet been chosen but until a new man is nominated, England will have a team doctor with them in Australia.

The job of medical officer requires a longer-term view of player fitness, co-ordinating with specialists on specific injuries and making decisions on rehabilitation programmes.

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