[maica]

Americans for the first time in my memory seem not to care a whit what Europeans think — to the great consternation of our elites on the East Coast. Heartland Americans think the French are ridiculous, and seem almost to welcome Gallic disdain.

Here is another consequence of the election of 2000 - and the leadership of George W Bush. The heartland does not feel powerless against the effete elite of the East - and Europe (further East ) is totallly irrelevant in their socialism to the strength of America.

Consider the 'peace and quiet' in Pakistan and India at present. They have decided that allying with a Strong USA is better than stirring the religious pot between themselves right now.

[Travis McGee]

There's a major paradigm shift going on, for sure!