An excellent essay by ambient artist Brian Eno appears in the European version of Time magazine. In it , he looks at the changes that have occured in the US since he moved back to England, and especially since 9/11.

“Europeans have always looked at America with a mixture of fascination and puzzlement, and now, increasingly, disbelief. How is it that a country that prides itself on its economic success could have so many very poor people? How is it that a country so insistent on the rule of law should seek to exempt itself from international agreements? And how is it that the world’s beacon of democracy can have elections dominated by wealthy special interest groups?”

His conclusion? The US needs to open up to the world.