Buhleeve me, you don't have to read Verhoeven's mind to know what he's thinking about. He's one of the most exuberantly open people I've met, warm, likeable and very funny. Since we've known Jon Davison for years, he invited us to an early screening of about 20 minutes of STARSHIP TROOPERS before it was all edited and effectsed and stuff. This included the scene in which the TV reporter is gobbled up by one of the Bugs. Beverly burst into laughter, and I shushed her. Afterward, Verhoeven rushed up to her, hugged her, and exclaimed "Someone got the joke!" This guy doesn't hate Americans. He LOVES Americans. He doesn't like some stuff about American society, but isn't that true for you, too?