Norm has a guest post by one Alan Johnson, responding to the Economist poll that found the US at the bottom of most country's popularity lists and listing in his turn the many things he loves about America.
As lists go I have no significant problems with it - some of the things on it are indeed wonderful, starting with the greatest composer of the 20th century (Duke Ellington - as if you didn't know).
But...
I love the crunch of shingle underfoot on Brighton beach. I love the ridiculous pomposity of the Brighton Pavilion.
I love the robust splendour of Durham Cathedral, the glorious elegance of York and the drama of Salisbury Cathedral spire.
I love the resiny smell of pine while walking in the remnant of the Great Caledonian forest and the rich honey scented smell as the heather blooms across the North Yorkshire Moors.
I love the glorious treacly voice of Cleo Lain as she swoops her way through Shakespeare with husband John Dankworth.
I love the misty obscurity of Turner
I love the way the sea fret rolls inland and the way it can be 70 in Newcastle and only 50 on the coast 12 miles away
I love watching the clouds roiling around across the Northumberland Moors as the rain drives towards me.
I love the hundreds of market towns across the country - each one unique, each one with a rich history stretching back long before Europeans ever heard of North America and some even before Vinland.
I love Doctor Who - every single one of them, from the ridiculous monsters and creaky effects of William Hartnell to the brilliant performances, writing and CGI effects of the latest series.
I love the English seaside, its vulgarity and cheerful hedonism.
I love the intensity of Glencoe, the bleakness of the Fens, the lush green of Shropshire and the Marches.
I love the memory of Jimmy Greaves scoring five beautiful goals (unfortunately against Newcastle). I love the way in which the memory of Jacky Milburn lived on, so that the streets of Newcastle were lined for his funeral, some 30 years after he last played there.
I love Thomas Hardy and the endless inventiveness of his poetry, each one with a format perfectly matching the content.
I love the exuberance of Dickens, especially Great Expectations and David Copperfield.
I love the wonderful subtlety of the Ealing comedies, their delicate but affectionate skewering of the establishment. I love the wonderful and very unsubtle Carry On films.
...I could go on to produce a list as long as Mr Johnson's, but that is not the point. The production of his list, as if no other country in the world has such treasures but America, could not be a clearer demonstration of why the USA has found itself at the bottom of other peoples party invitations!
And while we are at it what about the British soldiers who guarded voting stations in Iraq - and the Poles and all the others?
So whatever anyone says, this world of ours is not the USA, its people or its government and so long as I can I will look outward, not to the narrow confines of a single society, but to the endless variety and ingenuity of humankind across the globe.
