At least we have J-Lo's butt

It's funny the cultural touchstones that people from other countries have about the U.S.

Because while George W. has managed to ruin our image and reputation around the world, folks in other countries are still fascinated by us - mostly because of our pop cultural output, that Hollywood/NY media scene that the right-wingers, ironically, constantly decry as somehow un-American.

But that pop culture does more to enchant foreigners than Bush and his cronies could ever do.

I was on the phone with H-P today (I bought TWO new computers lately - oy, I don't even want to see my credit card bill next month) and was talking to a customer service rep who was clearly in India or Pakistan.

Although they make them use Anglicized names, it's easy to tell, so I was talking to "Grace" and, as she was taking my information and heard I was in New York, she said, "Oh, I love New York."

Me: "Well, it does have its moments."

Grace: "I saw a fabulous movie about New York."

Me: "Ahh, there are a lot of movies set here."

So I'm thinking she probably saw a real New York type of movie, maybe "The Devil Wears Prada" or "When Harry Met Sally" or "Tootsie," or just about any Woody Allen or, hell, "The Godfather."

Grace: "It was "Maid in Manhattan."

Me - (Pause.) "Oh, I never saw it."

Grace: "It was wonderful."

Oy.

Jennifer Lopez's butt is more popular than George Bush.

Then again, why shouldn't it be.