Hey, I hate the press as much as the next guy, though I don't think the Economist is that stodgy. :-)

I completely agree with you that the FATHER of this girl acting totally irresponsibly in putting his girl's words into print. He should have known better and clearly should have known how these types of comments contribute to the negative view of Americans abroad.

However, I just tend to give people the benefit of the doubt within a week of a major traumatic event. Perhaps I just know a lot more people who've been touched by these types of events (or maybe you just know much better people than I do), but, invariably, things are said that are not intended.

The girl was traumatized. Perhaps a better word is "injured". I just don't expect people who are impaired to necessarily show the best judgement. (Though I know you would. :-) )

BTW, the London connection may play out to show that there's at least some other involved. He did become "Robert Reid" somehow.