"Although I do agree that The Guardian knew this would sell copy, I think they also knew it would fuel the Yank hating that is gaining momentum. And that disappoints me."

I agree wholeheartedly. Having lived in both Europe and the US, I think they anti-American sentiment is much stronger in Europe, that anti-European sentiment is in the US. Much stronger. This sort of thing only reinforces the anti-Americanism that is so prevalent in the UK these days. The French, for some reason, don't seem nearly as anti-American as the Brits. I wonder why?

Like I said, what were they thinking when they did this? Of course the online responses sound like they were written by Neanderthals. Did anyone ever expect otherwise?

And if you were on the receiving end of the email, and went to the Guardian website to check this whole thing out, what would you think?

Just a really, really bad idea, but one that may help them sell a few papers and adverts over the next fortnight, I'm sure.