Study Finds Europeans Distrustful of U.S. Global Leadership

[UpInArms]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/04/international/europe/04FUND.html?ex=1063252800&en=23383075123f29a7&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 - Europeans are increasingly uncomfortable with the United States' global leadership, with majorities in almost every nation opposing the direction of American foreign policy, a new poll has found.

<snip>

The survey offers a snapshot of changing attitudes since the Bush administration, frustrated by some European resistance to war, led a coalition to battle in Iraq without the authorization of the United Nations Security Council. President Bush said on Tuesday that he would seek United Nations' help to strengthen military forces in Iraq.

The difference between American and European attitudes is widening, the poll found, as longtime allies of the United States increasingly chafe under American leadership.

"The trans-Atlantic split over war in Iraq has undermined America's standing with Europeans," the survey's authors said.

...more...

(kind of a "well duh" moment)

[Maple]

1. It isn't just

Europeans either

[Kemet]

2. We did feel better

with Clinton though.

*just to say that it's not US leadership, but THIS US leadership*

[newyawker99]

14. Hi Kemet!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Pert_UK]

3. Study finds water wet, Liza Minelli irritating.....

Well DUH!

Sorry, just had to......

"You could go on Mastermind, your chosen specialised subject could be the bleedin' obvious" - Basil Fawlty

We weren't so distrustful when the US wasn't doing so much stupid, evil shit all around the world....

P

[Maple]

4. Oh yeah

people liked the US when Clinton was in...whatever his foibles.

Canada was talking about a 'customs union' with the US.

No border at all in practical terms.

Hasn't been mentioned since Bush got in.

[teknomanzer]

5. Damn...

you beat me to it. (duh!) Is this what passes for news these days. Prepare my hibernation chamber... wake me when its over.

[Sick of Bullshit]

6. I was just talking with a German and a Brit on Monday

They both agreed that the Chimpadministration is a disaster and the only one of the bunch who even comes close to gaining respect in Europe is Powell

[Pert_UK]

11. I hope you kept them seated apart.....

You know we British don't take kindly to Johnny Foreigner, especially ze Germans!

:evilgrin:

Just kidding - I love the Germans, especially my good friend Volker.

P.

[ninkasi]

7. They are not alone...

This American citizen is also distrustful of any policy formulated by Whistle Ass and his pillaging goons. They have taken greed to depths I didn't realize existed.

[izzie]

8. We seem to like war and force.

Could it be because we are always killing someone here but we have never had a real war on the home front? We like guns and all that but we have never lived like Fr. or Eng, in the middle of it. All that breast beating on how we won the WW2 is really off the mark when you figure Russia lost 20 million and fought one half the Germany army.Most do not know their own history.

[markses]

9. US global "leadership"?

They're kidding, yes?

The current US government doesn't lead shit, but rather blindly stumbles around a crowded room, swinging wildly. It is an international disgrace, bordering on a criminal cartel. Leadership, indeed...

[femmecahors]

10. That's why I love France ... .

Politically, they're much more intelligent and progressive than the Americans.

[Kellanved]

12. more details here

http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/ap09-03-203150.asp?reg=EUROPE

--snip
The war has made the trans-Atlantic disconnect so significant that large chunks of public opinion in France (70 percent), Germany and Italy (both 50 percent), Portugal (44 percent) now see U.S leadership as undesirable, the poll showed.
...
In concert with Bush's fading stature, 81 percent of Germans — up from 55 percent in 2002 — now say the European Union as more important to their vital interests than America, which kept West Germany safe from the Soviet Union during four Cold War decades.
...
--snap

[indepat]

13. Gee, wonder if the Europeans consider our policies as bankrupt as our

national treasury and mythical social security trust fund?