One reason why so many Europeans have so little understanding of what is going on in the US is the sheer shabbiness and dishonesty of the coverage by much of their press of what goes on in America. Here’s a prime example (from today’s London Observer):

“Today, by some margin, George W Bush is the most despised figure in America.”

Oh, come on.

Now disapproving of George W Bush is fine (if you are so inclined), and so, obviously, is reporting against him, but comments such as that from a senior writer (Robert McCrum) at a well-respected (if misguided) newspaper do no service to their readers.Telling lies never does.

Actually, the whole of McCrum’s piece, basically a series of brief interviews with discontented literati, is well worth reading by any fans of paranoia, hyperbole and the padded cell. Do have a stiff drink first, however.

If you can’t face the thought of wading through it, here’s a brief extract (from Wallace Shawn, the poor man’s Lewis Lapham):

’Part of the problem presented by Bush and his gang is that they are so crude … When you are confronted with things that are so crudely brutal, the writer’s task of elucidating what lies beneath the surface is redundant. These people believe in cruelty, vengeance and brutality. I think Shakespeare would have done very well with these characters. The American government in my lifetime has never been in the hands of people so unbelievably unqualified to run a large country. These guys are out of touch with reality. The most shocking thing about them is that they have only a contempt for the law. That means that they could – and probably will – do anything. This is the scariest I’ve known it. Part of the problem with these men is that their sensitivities have never been shaped by any civilisation, of East or West – or even the wisdom of primitive cultures.’

Dear oh dear oh dear. Wallace, you poor old fellow, I really think that you need to have a nice lie-down, a glass of warm milk, and good, long soothing nap. That crude Dick Cheney, however, might have other, more uncomfortable, suggestions.