Does every story in a Brit newspaper have to take a shot at America?Although my usual reply would be "yes, because there are merely bottom-feeding Socialist trash", in this case I would suggest that a gentler response may be in order. In the Sun article, the only reference to the USA is this:
| "Crack squirrels are a recognised problem in America. They are common in parks used by addicts in New York and Washington DC. They have been known to attack park visitors in their search for a fix." |
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If it is indeed true that this is occurring in the USA, then I would suggest that the statement could be looked at not as a "shot at the USA" but merely a statement of fact, provided as an effort to lend credence to an otherwise wild-sounding story. Sun readers might otherwise think that this is a completely made-up bunch of malarkey, but if it can be shown that there is a precedent for this in other major US cities it bolsters the credibility of the story. I am willing to cut the Sun some slack more readily than others because they have been a consistent and sincere booster for the War on Terror, and they have printed some kind words about our President that I have not seen elsewhere. Here is an example: (Reporting on kind words for President Bush) Brown hails Bush's war (Great Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers glowing endorsement) (Reporting on an effort to erase part of Great Britain's cultural and military tradition) Great Britain Navy bans St.George flags (Flag said to upset Turks; reminder of Crusades) |
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(Reporting in a very supportive way on the War on Terror)
Great Britain Our Boys take on warlords (Force of 2,500 to conduct assault in Afghanistan)
(More support for the War on Terror)
Iraq is just another job (Inspirational, complimentary article on the legendary Black Watch troops)
(Supporting Tony Blair's tough stand on immigration)
Make Britain great ...and you'll get in (PM Blair proposes tough immigration standards)
(Supporting Santa Claus)
Santa gets heave ho-ho (Few British stores hiring Saint Nick anymore)
I have no doubt that there has been an occasional unkind word from the Sun regarding the USA, but taken on balance I would only wish to suggest that overall, the Sun has been supporting many issues that Conservatives in the USA also support. It may be prudent to pause before lumping the Sun in with the likes of the Guardian and the Independent.