It’s reached my attention that there are British accounts here who slag off America/Americans. Allow me to balance it out.

Politics is a sticky thing on SW. In the U.K criticising a government is not the same as criticising a country. In the U.K. mocking politicians, even ones you voted for is considered harmless and fair game.

Americans? I have served with Americans on two occasions. It starts off with a wariness where all you know about each is the stereotypes we have for each other. But as you have to do an important job together we got past that and found there was an easy mutual respect. Then we got them drunk, then they took us to Las Vegas and got us drunk. It was memorable to say the least. I made great friends. I’m still in contact with one or two.

The Americans I worked with are good guys who knew their jobs and did them well. And they really made us feel a valuable part of their team - more then our own officers did.

And that’s left an impression on me that no edgy SW post is ever going to change. It hurts to see the US going through some growing pains the last few years. What is more worrying is the political divide - at least amongst the civilians anyway. It’s a probably going to take external common enemy to unite the US. I just hope it’s nothing that costs human life this time.

Anyway that’s my input.

Great people. Bad beer. Awesome music, terrible motor racing, breakfast in a US diner is awesome. That is all.