Reply #54: This is payback [View All]

[blackhorse]

... for the ill-advised statements our administration made about 'old Europe' prior to the invasion of Iraq.

One particularly wide cultural gap between Europe and the U.S. seems to be the use of insults. In the U.S., it seems we have grown so accustomed to their use that we do not give them much heed anymore.

Europe is very traditional in this respect. Insults aren't issued on a whim, and while the person (or state) receiving them might not show much reaction, one may rest assured the insult will never be forgotten. The statements made prior to the invasion will be an issue for a long time to come.

Burning bridges simply isn't an efficient way to go about business. But then, I'm not sure the administration cares. They seem destructionist in many ways.

BH