Much is made of the need for Americans to grasp the significance of cultural diversity and its impact on bettering the interaction between peoples of differing origins. Indeed, we are asked to more than merely tolerate but to accept, perhaps even assimilate, these various differences into our own culture.
When Billy "The Willy-Wagger" Clinton chose to commit adultery and use Monica Lewinsky for a variety of purposes, including a cigar humidor, we were advised almost daily that "The world thinks Americans are foolish to concern themselves with such trivial matters."

Well, besides believing in a plethora of such trivial things as ethics, morality, trust, fidelity, confidence, obedience to law, dignity and that a President should represent something more to us than the alleged opinions of the world's body-politique or a character in Beevis and Butthead, Americans are also known for loving animals.

Vietnamese shopper bringing home the dog bones.But, it might surprise many of you to learn, a substantial part of the same "twelve step" population finding adultery appropriate also believes Americans to be over-the-line outrageous in their devotion to household pets, especially dogs. Take the Vietnamese for example, PLEEEEAZE.

Here we see motorcyclist Chu Las Sie, with canine carrion aft, hastening to the Hanoi Chow Restaurant. Once there, he will prepare the evening's epicurean delights. First: an appetizing broccoli , hock of tarsus and bow-wow fondue with an oh-so-light butter sauce and just a hint of white wine. Then? Well, for the entrèe: a sumptuous marinated bar-b-que chu with bean sprouts, green peas, water chestnuts and, of course, a delicate and appropriately chilled Beaujolais or Cabernet Sauvignon of your own choice.

A sign on each table at the Hanoi Chow reads, in Vietnamese, "No Doggie Bags."

Yep, things are going to get so much better in America, when we finally recognize how unsophisticated we are as a nation and a people.

(Photo credit goes to the Agence France-Presse)