I'd also like to say the our first amendment and the sensationalist news America broadcasts is one of the main feeders of anti-american sentiment. I know people in germany during the whole east coast-west coast rap deal that thought it was a bloody civil war. Some others i've talked to in sweden thought that all americans were like the (scripted) ones they saw on jerry springer.
and again, having an open mind is hard, because it means that you can be wrong... that doesn't sit well with most. matty, you seem to be a bit on the defensive, just know that i'm not aiming anything at you, just airing my thoughts and seeing where they go