having browsed through a number of Elitetrader threads containing comments on USA/Europe relations i wonder if Americans are fully aware of the economic background of their relations with "Old Europe" as described in this Observer article
http://www.observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,882490,00.html
http://www.observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,882490,00.html