I'm sure America is nothing like as violent as it portrays itself through films and TV. But that is how it is constantly presented, so it's not really surprising if people pick up the impression that it must be an appallingly violent country. As Nicole observed when she visited Europe.

And since it is Americans making the films and the programmes, the impression gets across that this must be how people in America like to see their country presented.

What would be worrying is if people in other countries were to treat this version of America, and of violent sub-cultures America, as role models, to be copied. And also if it has that kind of effect in America itself, so you get a feedback process.

It's very easy for this kind of discussion to turn into a squabble, but it's not the best use of this facility we have here.