It seems my rationale for disliking the Americans breaks down when it comes to television and films. Each time I watch the West Wing, I find it harder and harder to condemn them all as stupid, for I maintain that programme to be the most intelligent drama on TV today. How can they all be stupid when they can make such programmes? Then I remember that only half of them are stupid.

Seriously, though: I do not hate America: I have spent four happy holidays there; one of my favourite authors was born just outside Chicago; Americans have pioneered many sciences. Yet the yanks just seem so arrogant – to them, they single-headedly won the second world war; they claim every cool invention as their own, including the internet; they also think that democracy was their invention. It also really peeves me to see how unwilling they are to see things from other point’s of view. For example, I get angry when I see this guy slagging off Islam.

I must remember, however, that it isn’t just the Americans. There are bad eggs in every batch; think BNP, think Le Penn. The moment I condemn the whole of America for the actions of their government and the ratings on a few blogs, I become ass bad as them. I think everyone must keep things in perspective, and try to look at things from every side, which is, I think, what the people I get so angry with refuse to do.

Paradoxically, this is why I think blogs like Grouchy old Cripple are good, for, although I hate most of their content, their point of view is as valid as anyone else’s. objectivity, I have realised, is a myth, as there is always more than two ways of looking at things. There is no truth, only debate. Even scientists ever conclude things absolutely, but always leave room for more evidence.

I’m afraid this entry has developed into a chain of thought. It started off as a piece on the west wing, but just as last night’s programme went into the debate over abortion, it showed us how complex everything is. It reminded me of the simple truth that nothing is ever simple. Great TV should always have the power to make you think.