But isn't it the case, as Bob suggests, that we can all be extremely myopic when it comes to our own country's shortcomings and also its virtues?

I'm not speaking of any one country here, just all nations... we all know the things that we hate about our own country... but if someone else levels the self-same criticism(s) then we bristle, the hackles are raised, and we feel compelled to defend what we would criticise ordinarily.

Equally, visitors, or commentators from elsewhere can see strengths or virtues of which we are either unaware or unappreciative.

People on the 'Net often ask me "What's Scotland like?".

I have to confess I don't really know - I'm standing way too close to be able to tell you. I can speak from the heart about the things that I like and dislike, but when it comes right down to it.. you don't pick and choose members of your family on the basis that you like or dislike their personal habts or attributes.

Your family is your family, and you might fall out with your brother or your mother from time to time.. but you are still connected to them by something more than choice, more than liking, more than even common interest..

To me, my country is like my family. It may drive me crazy from time to time, but nevertheless it's the only country I'll ever call home.

And just as you would think very carefully before saying to a friend or an acquaintance, "Hey, your mother's a fat, rude old sow isn't she?" , I would be careful about criticising too readily another person's homeland...

Even if I know your brother's an aggressive overbearing bully - I probably wouldn't hassle you personally about it...

So let's all enjoy our national families and try to be nice to other people's, too..

Cheers