I would just like to point out that there is a vast difference between having issues with the American government and the American people.

I'm a wee bit uncomfortable with this conversation, as I have been living in another country for years and have realised that Americans do not corner the market on ignorance, etc. That can be found everywhere. I suppose the difference is that America is the only superpower, and that that ignorance has far greater capability to hurt others than ignorance from other countries.

At any rate, I think generalisations can be useful, but dangerous after a certain point.

If Americans are weak on world geography, consider the fact that Americans are taught (as are Europeans) primarily the land surrounding them. As a result, your average American will know lots about their states, as would a European about the surrounding countries. I think we've had this discussion before at Pettalk.

Also, in regards to aid in Afghanistan, it has not been nearly enough. The country (the U.S.) that took out the Taliban has not been the leader in aid giving.

[URL=http://asia.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/01/20/afghan.donors/]

You would think that the "War on Terrorism" would seek to repair a broken country so that further regimes could not fill the vacuum. The current leader is only hanging on by a thread. Futher instability is not far off.