I'm sorry, Ozzy, but if you think things like the Martin incident are rare, and that we keep things in the open in this country, you are deluding yourself. The rest of your post is on much more solid ground. But look on the bright side: we're all equally douchebaggy!
1. How do you know it isn't international news? YOU JUST WATCHED A BBC REPORT ON IT. Maybe you should be saying "it's not news in the US because nobody here cares about soccer hooligans in another continent". Maybe it's only idiots in the US who have decided it's the norm in Europe. 2. The US is an actual country, so claiming something reflects badly on the US is far less absurd. 3. People who oppose gay marriage are basically fascists. I think Ben has even claimed that recognition of marriage is supposed to serve the interests of the state. Yes, there are backward parts of Europe like Poland where even abortions are restricted. 4. American racists don't generally put everything out in the open.