U.S. residents unhappy with world status

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=bd51e6abdffa7f48
A new Gallup survey says a majority of U.S. residents are dissatisfied with the United States' position in the world.

Two-thirds believe that President George W. Bush is not respected by his fellow world leaders, although a majority still have at least a fair amount of confidence in the United States' ability to handle international problems.

Before Sept. 11, 2001, most Americans believed the United States was viewed favorably in the eyes of the world. Between February 2002 and February 2003, Americans' perception of how the world sees the United States became much less positive. The percentage saying the United States is viewed favorably dropped from 79 percent to 57 percent over this period.
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Americans are feeling the hatred out there!!!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Wake up Sheeple!!

maybe our standing has dropped because there is a madman at the helm who invades countries, bombs and tortures people. And you did nothing to stop him. Deal with it.

[goforit]

39. You tell them..VLR!!!......Right on!!!

[lostexpectation]

2. ya think there would be sympathy but no

after 9/11 etc, one of the biggest fallacies is that 9/11 was an unprovoked attack, although was talking to people the other day remembering that day I stil don't hink ive digested what happened

[girl gone mad]

41. There was a great deal of international sympathy for us after 9/11.

Bush squandered that sympathy when he invaded Iraq.

Regardless of what our suns against the Middle East may have been, I do not bekieve we provoked the attack. Targeting buildings full fo civilians is completely unjustified under any circumstances.

[lostexpectation]

51. the us does that ever afternoon before tea

you ddin't deserve it but you were asking for it for years

[cliss]

3. I read the most interesting article

about 1 year ago. The article was entitled, "Bush not so good for corporations, after all". People have always felt that Bush has favored corporations at the expense of everyone else. And sure enough, they have prospered. The corporations have had massive profits.

But have they really prospered? The author points out that because our reputation has gone down around the world, people have started boycotting any American-made products. They have deliberately avoided Coke, for example. Worse, people have started bombing American companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken and other companies.

Just 2 weeks ago, someone bombed the KFC in Karachi Pakistan. Give it a few more years of our Beloved Leader, and no one will want to buy our stuff.

[Ben Ceremos]

9. It is already the case...

even here in NL. Many of the people I have known for years, many professions and many levels of education, have changed their opinions of the "Useless A" and not for the better. A very nice and intelligent man in his 60's said to me just last Sunday that despite years of planning for a cross-country tour of your nation, he has chosen to travel to the east instead and worse still, he said that he has made the decision to NEVER go to the Useless A, EVER. This from a man who glorified your nation for most of his life, a man who could not understand my immigration to this little country...now he understands. Add this one incident to the 30 or so similar comments and decisions that I have been privy to, and you realize even old friends of the "Republic" want nothing to do with Boosh and his Fuckyourmama doctrine and the bogus AmeriKKKan Empire. Sorry, but I thought it might help to hear the news from someone who still has concerns for your people.

PS, despite my concerns, I boycott American corporations and American products...at least until you guys punish Booshco.

Peace...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. Boycotting "American" corporations probably does more harm

to India and Indonesia than America. Most are not concerned about America or its citizens, let alone their foreign employees. I boycott them whenever possible myself.

Instead of boycotting all things American, I try to support businesses that care about human rights and environmental issues. For the most part, those are also businesses that are opposed to the current misadministration and its arrogant policies.

[Ben Ceremos]

46. It hurts the stockholder.

The people who I think deserve least.

[reDEMption]

4. Maybe...

However, I often find it more useful to look at what people do, rather than what they say. America remains the choice destination of the world's immigrants and refugees.

Until that changes markedly, our reputation is doing just fine.

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[lostexpectation]

6. god bless the land of special registration!!!

[reDEMption]

7. I'm sorry, I don't understand your point.

'Special registration'? I'm unfamiliar with that phrase...

[leesa]

12. Wow. You REALLY haven't been paying attention, have you!

Have you noticed countries snubbing their noses at Condisleaza when she orders them about? Have you noticed Cheney and Rumsfeld have to boot up more and more cash for services such as allowing our troops to be in a country for their good and protection? Do you read other countries newspapers?

[reDEMption]

19. Perhaps...

However, I often find it more useful to look at what people DO, rather than what they SAY. America remains the choice destination of the world's immigrants and refugees.

Until that changes markedly, our reputation is doing just fine.

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[Tempest]

17. Strawman

Immigration to the U.S. has nothing to do with America's standing in the world.

A common statement heard overseas is that people like America, but hate its policies, and its current administration.

[reDEMption]

20. Thus...

...people really DO like America, then. They might not invite George W. to dinner, but OUR reputation is fine, as I said. Consequently, immigration certainly DOES have to do with standing; NOBODY moves--at considerable risk to their own lives--to a country they hate.

(How many people tried to move INTO Germany throughout WWII? Who's begging Kim il-Jong to grant them sanctuary? Stalin get swamped with applications for possible Russian citizens? Is anyone you know even packing a bag to Havana? That's NOT an accident...)

[meganmonkey]

21. LOL - Yeah, I guess when your comparisons are

Hitler, Kim Jong-il, and Stalin, George Bush's America looks great :rofl:

Thanks for the laugh!

Peace

:patriot:

[reDEMption]

24. Actually, that was YOUR spin on it...

Mentioning Russia, North Korea, Cuba etc. were only the simplest examples I could think of (evidently not simple enough...) of countries generally considered in a negative light. They didn't/don't have throngs of people clamoring to live there, stowing away to live there, spending horrific days floating in shark-ridden waters to live there. Immigration sure DOES have to do with how well-liked a country is.

[meganmonkey]

32. My spin?

All I did was repeat what you said. In fact, before I saw the rest of the thread I thought you were making a joke :shrug:

Peace, man.

[Tempest]

23. There's a major flaw in your immigration belief

The number one reason by far for immigration into the U.S. is economic, PERIOD!

Immigration of those considered desirable from countries other than third world countries, and Mexico, has dropped considerably in the last few years.


BTW, I'd go to Cuba in a New York minute if I could legally. At least there I know I could get medical care even if I didn't have health insurance.

I bet you're unaware Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate than the U.S. As a matter of fact, the U.S. has the highest infant mortality rate of all industrial (and some non-industrial) nations.

[reDEMption]

26. Yes--our economics are part of who we are.

And Cuban literacy and infant mortality rates have long been publicized.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Not for European or Japanese emigres

They prefer Australia or Canada.

The only people who really, really want to come to the U.S. are emigres from the Third World.

[reDEMption]

22. Yes

"The only people who really, really want to come to the U.S. are emigres from the Third World."



Yes, exactly my point.

[Tempest]

25. And the reason is ECONOMIC

It has NOTHING to do with your belief that they "love" America.


You just undermined your own argument and didn't realize it.

[reDEMption]

28. Not at all.

Economics, too, is part of who we are. For it to be included as a prime reason people come here, MAKES my point. It would be VERY hard to believe that a country that offers good economic opportunities to immigrants--opportunities that are good enough for them to risk their lives to get--is hated and despised by those same people.

That makes no sense at all.

[Tempest]

31. You obviously don't talk to the people who come into the country

As a former member of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Department of Homeland Security, I can tell you from experience the majority of the people who come into the country are completely indifferent to the U.S. and only want to work.

Then there's the ones who come into the country to fly planes into U.S. buildings, or plan other attacks inside the U.S.

[reDEMption]

34. ?

"You obviously don't talk to the people who come into the country".


Sure, I do. I guess you and I just come from different places with them...:)

[Tempest]

37. For every one you've talked to, I've talked to hundreds

I can't begin to count the number of immigrants I've interviewed over the years.

It's in the high hundreds, if not in the thousands.

[reDEMption]

38. You have NO idea how many I've talked to.

Please don't assume things; I don't put a lot of my personal business out on the Internet for safety and confidentiality reasons. However, that doesn't make assuming things in the face of that an accurate reflection of my experience.

[Ben Ceremos]

49. Your argument

is, hopefully, based in statistics? Otherwise, I would think your personal experience is the basis of your claim? I demure to the experiences of the immigration and customs worker. You spout America Number 1 a bit much for my tastes. Pull your head out of the sand and you will see that much of the world would rather do without American anything. Quite a change indeed.

[Ben Ceremos]

48. See post # 47.

By the way, what people do includes IEDs and suicide bombers...Not exactly shining examples of America-loving.

[stepnw1f]

29. Put Down that Pipe

before it's too late.

[Ben Ceremos]

47. Wishful thinking.

People generally flee from persecution or poverty and they go to the States because even with diminished civil liberties and economic prospects, life tends to be better than the last place they were. Hardly a glowing review of your nation. :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[BiggJawn]

52. "Choice destination"

Another lie Rush has told you.

Enjoy your (short) stay here.

[Stuckinthebush]

54. Here are the numbers

2002 numbers

Germany - 980,000 migrants
Iran - 1,300,000 migrants
Pakistan - 1,200,000 migrants
China - 300,000 migrants
Tanzania - 690,000 migrants
DR Congo - 330,000 migrants
Sudan - 330,000 migrants
Serbia & Montenegro - 350,000 migrants
United States - 450,000 migrants



I guess we aren't the favorite destination after all.

[lovuian]

5. I think the more people travel and remember when we were loved

during the years of Clinton and now how the countries can't stand us

is a wakeup call!!!

[goforit]

40. This is so true!!

[SoCalDem]

8. This is precisely what happens when the "most powerful" country

in the world, is led by an idiot and his pals...

There is definitely something to be said for hiring/electing intelligent people

[cantstandbush]

10. And world opinion of US was highest under Clinton. n/t

[twaddler01]

16. I really and truely miss that era

:cry:

[Toucano]

11. 2/3 know they are hated.

Well, maybe that's a start.

If only they could learn WHY! Hint: It ain't for your freedom, people!

[screembloodymurder]

13. Are the majority of Americans crazy?

What has Bush done to deserve our trust? He's allowed the 911 disaster, he's promoted fear, he's encouraged hatred, he's lied us into a war (now a civil war), he's exhausted our treasury, he's robbed from the poor. My head is exploding agghhh....boom!

[bunkerbuster1]

27. The question doesn't mention Bush by name

rather, it asks about "confidence in the federal government when it comes to handling international problems."

Perhaps that confidence is misplaced, given that the Goopers control three branches of the federal government, but I suspect a lot of people translate "handling international problems" a lot of different ways.

That said, I wouldn't be among the majority if I were asked.

[Kailassa]

14. Until Americans lose their conceit.

and stop thinking they're so bloody special because they were born in the biggest, greediest, most bullying country in the world, then people of other countries, who know more about the history of America than is ever taught in American schools, will continue to regard the average American as an annoying, egocentric adolescent.

Instead of caring about American status - as if status is something America and Americans have some sort of divine right to, - perhaps people should do some research into the terrible things that America has done both openly and surrepticiously to countries all over the world.

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

43. Yes I agree?

We, the ignorant, greedy and bullying Americans should research the terrible things that America has done all around the world???

I do not question whether America has done bad things around the world, name a country that doesn't have its skeletons. Australia's got plenty for the limited time its been around as well (stolen generation=genocide). We don't judge you.

It's rather convenient and easy to sit on the sidelines and take shots at America's imperfections.

But since you insist, instead of pressing the scientific frontiers on all directions, always being the 1st people to show up with aid in the event of a disaster, leading the world on human rights, education yes, fighting with our brothers and sisters (from Australia) to help save the world from Tyranny (WWII - You write in English not in Japanese), maybe I should bow to your finger wagging and tired lecture, but I won't because I'm an American.

For every mistake, there are 1000 good deeds. We look to a better future. Without this administration. With a broader view of foreign policy.

Back off judging, categorizing and chastizing all Americans the way you do, and challenge the history professor who spews the anti-American rhetoric at you to tell you the whole story about America.....and Australia.

[Kailassa]

44. This is too funny for words.

You are giving the perfect example of why so many in the world don't take America, or the average American, seriously. All this back-patting twaddle, Mr. Mojo, is, sadly, bullshit. But it's the bullshit that has been fed to kids in American schools for over a century, so people like you accept it as fact.

- American education figures ... HAH ! Just take a look at U.N. statistics on educational levels in countries all around the world.

- America on human rights ... HUH? Who was it again, running Guantanamo bay? And how many other such facilities does America run throughout the world. And in which country was a man locked up for life last week for kissing a woman? And how many mentally handicapped people has America executed now? And if you were a poor Black in New Orleans late last year, the only "human right" accorded you was the right to be laughed at on public media while you are left to drown. And don't forget the depleted uranium left in Iraq, giving Iraqi babies the right to be born with frightful mutations for centuries.

- America on science ... Look at the way scientists have been bullied into following the government's line on global warming, and those that have not have been censored. But America does lead the world in research into biological weapons.

- America in WWII ... do you remember Pearl Harbour? England begged America for ages to help them, but America was not only refusing to get involved, it was continuing to supply Hitler with materials for the war! And now Americans use the fact that they were forced to fight to save their own skins instead of happily helping Hitler to take over, as a reason others in the world should be grateful to them.

- America in disasters ... Do you remember the pathetically small help America was giving the world after the tsunami? There was less help offered from America than from many tiny countries who contributed. And American aid is notorious for the strings attached. What you see on your media, Mr. Mojo, is not at all reflective of what America actually does around the world, your media caters to Americans' love of America, and gives a very biased perspective.

And as for the evils of Australia, I could probably tell you far more about that than you know, too. The difference is, I don't expect Australia to be respected; I don't care what anyone thinks of my country. What I care about is working on improving it, so it will one day become worthy of respect. And I dont ask to be respected or treated as "special" because I'm an Ausralian.

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

53. What countries do you respect/admire?

Any?

Self-loathing, quit drinking the cool-aid they are serving you.

Australia is a terrific country and the people are good. Just as America.

[Ben Ceremos]

50. Kick!!!

History has much to teach Americans about their "noble, caring ways"...

[twaddler01]

15. It will only get worse with time, don't worry!

:eyes:

[pinniped]

30. They have a funny way of showing their dissatisfaction.

.

[Arugula Latte]

33. D'oh!

Shouldna' voted for him for preznit, then, eh?

[maxrandb]

36. Hey!!!

When you give the keys to the Mercedes to the drunk, spoiled teenager, don't be surprised when you find it wrapped around a tree!!!

[twaddler01]

42. Where are all the protests at?

:shrug:

[cliss]

45. ...no comment,

just wanted to look at my new Avatar.