I posted a comment earlier in the week on Steve Borriss' Future of News site debating the reasons why American readers are looking more and more to UK papers for their news.One of the reasons discussed was the lack of debate and opinion on the other side of the pond.

This has been particually prevelent over Iraq where in the face of mounting casualties,few US newspapers have actually made the call for a withdrawal of troops,despite a groundswell of public opinion and the majority of Congress being in agreement.

However as the country was celebrating its independence,one paper located near to a military base,the Olympian in Washington state came out with a call for the withdrawal of troops.


Its editorial reports

"Hearts are heavy this Fourth of July as the United
States continues to wage an unwinnable war in Iraq. Public support for President
Bush and his war has steadily declined as the number of war dead continues to
climb.
On a day when Americans are supposed to celebrate the freedom and
liberty won by the blood of our forefathers, most Americans instead find
themselves disgusted with the trillion dollar war being waged in their name with
their tax dollars.
On a day when Americans are supposed to wave the flag
with honor and respect, many Americans are disheartened and embarrassed. They
are fed up with an arrogant president and an ineffective Congress and their
inability to extract this nation from the ill-conceived war that has alienated
U.S. allies and unnecessarily sullied the reputation of this great
nation.
This year, our day of national pride feels more like a day of
national shame.

'