That's Mr Smith, to you

Our newspapers are increasingly becoming Americanized, and it's unfortunate to form an opinion about another country based on how it's dragging yours down. The newspapers are merely another mineshaft canary, and not important in and of themselves for this change, but the constant reminder is annoying.

I read the Beeb. The BBC news at BBC.co.uk is informative, mostly timely, and, importantly as well, respectful. Papers in my own country, which is itself a former colony, are losing that respect.

I may be a bastard, I may be an ignoramus, but I'm still a human being, and you will address me as Mr Smith, John Smith or 'Sir' if you're speaking directly to me -- unless and until you and I are friends, when you may additionally use my first name. You rudely call me by my last name outside the military, and you should expect to be treated like the disrespectful urchin you are.

You will not rob me of the last bit of respect I deserve.