On an international board for exchange of information and opinion there's a propensity for Americans to tell others off. From my observations---and I'm no arbiter---non-Americans agree and disagree without rudeness and obscenities exhibited here. Face-to-face, Americans are generous and engaging people.

I don't think we can expect any improvement. The US is a violent country compared to other developed countries. It seems to like to punish, and punish severely i.e. with five per cent of the world's population the US has 25 per cent of its prisoners. One in nine of the 50 states' employees is a penitentiary guard.

Any change will have to wait until Americans start a conversation about why they do what they do. As for Larry, I value his contributions.