Agreed. Other business lounges globally blow away the facilities of US carriers. Further, the claim of "generic" lounges with unempowered (in the event of IRROPS) staff is preposterous in all but the most remote outstations. My flying is based chiefly out of major cities, and the lounges are either alliance or carrier owned.

As for amenities, I have noticed (in business lounges):

~Superior SELF-SERVE beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, coffee/tea.
~Bathrooms of a superior hygienic and aesthetic standard (granite/marble vs high school locker-room tile)
~Showers are ubiquitous
~Real food (fruit, veg, higher end cookies/bakery, hot items). Not hydrolized, hydrogenated, over-processed "snack" food.
~Various overpriced Mac computers in the working areas (does it provide a marginal value over PCs? No. Does it give a great appearance? Oh yes.)