Boston Marathon

[unixken]

Yes. It's over. "Suspect #2" was taken, alive.
To the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies of Boston and the surrounding area, and to the people of Boston, WELL DONE!

[Tim Little]

Best possible ending to a horrible week.

[TheOfficialBren]

Tango down.
Tango detained.

[Phil]

I really do hope that this is not indicative of a general ignorance - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...a-8581341.html . Surely no-one of even modest intelligence could confuse the two countries. At least most people here know of the existence of Scotland but is it really the case that many Americans are so poorly aware of the rest of the world?

[Tim Little]

Goodness, I certainly hope not... but nothing would surprise me.

[TheOfficialBren]

Phil,
I am an American and I live in Southern California (that will be relevant at the end).
To the ear, no. Most Americans would probably not make this mistake. Seeing these two places in written form, however, yes, many Americans would (regretably) make this mistake. I must preface that by saying that, in Southern California at least, there is largely a paradoxical celebration of diversity that goes hand-in-hand with complete ignorance of the roots of that diversity. It's a culture made of veneer.

[SeumasA]

Surely no-one of even modest intelligence could confuse the two countries. At least most people here know of the existence of Scotland but is it really the case that many Americans are so poorly aware of the rest of the world?

I think most people know that they are two different countries, but would have problems pinpointing them on the map; they're "over there" somewhere. To the 'merican ear Czech and Chechen do sound similar and that may be where the confusion comes from, people hearing something on the news and not actually seeing it in print.

[BCAC]

I understand how that could be. Although I would never mistake one for another, I would be at pains to place some of the American states on a map.

[TheOfficialBren]

I understand how that could be. Although I would never mistake one for another, I would be at pains to place some of the American states on a map.

I am ashamed to say it but so would most Americans. I can place all 50.

[McClef]

I cannot only place all 50 but name all 50 state capitals.

Not so good on state flowers or which state is the ..... state.