[NZerFromHK]

Well for starters, Britain is not Europe - I have been taught over and over again here in New Zealand.

But still, Americans should not care much of what British think because they have ZERO understanding of federalism as a concept. Some British know it though - I saw one comment at the just-wrecked Silent Running blog a Briton that "It is astonishing that my fellow Brits and *spit* Europeans* fail to appreciate that Bush could not do anything until after the Louisiana governor has given request.".

[NZerFromHK]

The Poms don't get it ping!

[GoLightly]

How'd you get so smart about it?

[Archon of the East]

But still, Americans should not care much of what British think because they have ZERO understanding of federalism as a concept.

It is truly amazing at how much power and liberty "the people" keep demanding the federal government take, which of course they do. Every time I hear its all Bush's fault I hear a weak, cowardice voice that is begging for a tyrannical all powerful central government. They act and talk like the President of the United States of America is and should be a dictator ignoring the rights, duties and responsibilities of local and state government.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

"...they have ZERO understanding of federalism as a concept."

I think you've nailed it. Canada, the US, and Mexico are all federal states. We North Americans should know all about the division of powers in a federation -- while it remains an alien concept to anyone living in a unitary state.

Unfortunately, despite living in a federal state a large number of Americans, Canadians and Mexicans are making the same mistake as the British -- holding the President accountable for everything that transpires. The MSM is largely responsible for this -- they've chosen to feed the public anti-Bush propaganda, rather than anything approaching an objective assessment.

Of course, the British do live in a federal state -- the European Union. I wonder what the survey results would have been if the respondents were asked something like:"Should the President of the European Union have the power to take command of the British Armed forces during a major disaster?". Then ask whether it is the President or the Governor who is responsible for the problems.

[okie01]

But still, Americans should not care much of what British think because they have ZERO understanding of federalism as a concept.

True. I'm not much for "world opinion".

But there is a danger here. The so-called worldwide mainstream media is courting disaster by creating a serious misconception as to a.) the President's powers and b.) his broadspread (still) domestic support.

By their depiction of Bush as a bumbling fool without any political support, they are inviting some ill-informed despot (or mullah) to try his luck.

Thus, their biased, inaccurate, irresponsible and wholly hysterical reporting is inviting yet another geopolitical crisis.

[tophat9000]

Americans should not care much of what British think because they have ZERO understanding of federalism as a concept

I have talked to some Brits and other European in some other online forms on Katrina and federalism and basically tell them

The best analog for a European to understand given the way the EU is headed in a few years.... If the UK had something that devastated Britain, would Brussels be able to order in a Federal European Army even if not asked and in fact be responsible to take control from the git go?

The light does seem to go on at that point and they start to get it...Quite frankly they better start to get it because they are now facing the same question as they form the EU as the US has for the last 200+ years or so

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

You live in Auckland? I totally envy you. Auckland is a beautiful city with lots of sailboats and natural parks.