I'm sure this has been noted elsewhere, but there was a rather amusing opinion piece in yesterday's L.A. Times. According to Susan Campbell:

The character of the American people resembles that of a friendly chocolate Labrador retriever puppy, eagerly approaching acquaintances and strangers alike, giving from the heart with glee. But the rest of the world seems to hate Americans because they perceive us as being not so warm and cuddly.

To her credit, Campbell acknowledges that "our economy is already being bankrupted by the U.S. government's misuse of funds in a senseless war." But then she goes on to dismiss the hostility of the world toward America as "envy." She concludes:

We lavish love like a Labrador puppy and open our wallets when any region requires assistance. The charitable character of the American people is like the pick of the litter. We enjoy playing, but we will bite when provoked. That's what keeps our nation strong.

Ugh! How do these people get published?

I have no doubt as to the generosity of Americans -- witness the tsunami relief jar in every other place of business -- though as a country, our foreign aid as a percentage of GDP lags behind many other nations. Campbell seems to gloss over the distinction between the people and our government.

And I might add, puppies don't usually bomb sovereign nations in the face of enormous global opposition. At least, most breeds don't.