The state of America’s image abroad continues to sharply decline, according to a BBC poll released on the eve of the president’s State of the Union speech. In a survey of foreigners in 25 countries, only 29 percent thought the United States had a generally positive influence in the world — a decline from 36 percent with the same view in 2006 and 40 percent in 2005.
Poll analysts called it a “horrible slide,” and pointed to the Iraq war and global warming as two top issues where America’s influence is seen as negative. A common theme abroad is “hypocrisy” in U.S. policy, a gap between our stated ideals and our practices.
This historic loss of prestige, good will and influence is perhaps President Bush’s most damaging foreign policy legacy.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Registered?
Commenting on WE Blog now requires you to be a Kansas.com member. Use the links above to register, if you haven't already, or to log in.Contact us
Follow us
Daily Archives
-
Recent Comments
- CapnAmerica on Open thread 11/23
- ProudMan on Too many exemptions
- ANTI on Open thread 11/23
- CapnAmerica on Open thread 11/23
- JimJohnson on Open thread 11/23
- ANTI on Open thread 11/23
- JimJohnson on Open thread 11/23
- ANTI on Open thread 11/23
- JimJohnson on Open thread 11/23
- CapnAmerica on Open thread 11/23
43 Comments
As usual, the liberals care more about how we look rather than actual leadership.
What is it with todays society?
People seem to care more about how they look then what it right.
Sorry Randy, I care more about doing what is right and true than what people think.
There is nothing more than anecdotal evidence at it’s best concerning Global warming, yet almost all the restrictions were going to be against America and not some of the worst abusers like China.
But hey, lets worry about what people think about us?
Sigh
LoL I was just thinking about you Nathan! The problem is though, like my dad said “If one person tells you that you stink. They may just not like you! But If an entire class tells you that you stink. It maybe time to take a bath!”.
It is time we take a good look at what we have been doing and is it in the country’s best interest?My friend if I had my way, you would be in Afghanistan where this fight started and should have stayed.By his only words Saddam was more worried about Al-Qaeda then the U.S.
Keep your head down!
Dog, you really brought the point home there.Nathan, hit the showers.Your brand of reality has been voted unanimously STINKY!
And I’ll say it again,this is one great reason to have a president with muslim relatives.Or at least one that’s not a middle-aged white war hawk.
Actually! It’s pretty misleasing. Foriegners (with the exception of radical Muslims) think very positive of Americans and American principles and what we stand for.
The negative perception was brought it by Bush and his foriegn policy. That’s a fact.
The real disaster would be to do the things that would make the countries in this poll happy.
If the entire class calling you stinky stinks more than you do, ignore them.
How much money does America send these ingrate bastards?
Keep one thing in mind. While traveling throughout the world, if you’re asked where you’re from, answer, “Canada.” Do that, and you’ll be fine. ;)
woody, we don’t get REAL respect, loyalty and cooperation with a checkbook or a bomber.You’re right though that we need to review where this money goes,and if we should be giving money at all.It has been standard past practice that we prop up some evil, mean and nasty dictators, send them pantloads of money (for humanitarian purpose) and they promptly use our money to further their own (sometimes) hidden agenda.
How much money does America send these ingrate bastards?How many billions of dollars a day do we borrow from them to keep the war machine rolling? This ain’t 1952 anymore.
GREAT POINT DOT.Why go to war against us whenYOU OWN US?
Fleetwood it is true that there are a lot of countries and people that the U.S. have helped out.And we have been a large target for many who are looking for someone to blame or criticize.Even in the beginning many wished for this country to fail and said that this form of government and these people who had such freedoms could not stand.
But it was a moral code that made them jealous, that the individual had rights that superseded those of the state. Yes quite a bit of the complaining and criticizing came from them thinking we should have done more. But being the leader in the world and have that moral code makes it sound harder when we fail at it.
That is why the invasion of Iraq was wrong, that is why the mistreatment of those that only wish for our destruction was wrong. Being amoral is much easier, there would be no limits no after the fact guilt. Many counties in this world would have thought nothing of the imprisoning of those that were of the same heritage of their enemies. But we are different! The internment of Japanese Americans will always be one of this nation’s blackest eyes. In that period we failed as a nation and her people.
Likewise, the torture of terror suspect to determent their guilt, to see if in deed they knew of some terrorist plot. Will be another black eye for centuries to come. It was un-American and only proved the point and make the lies true that the enemy of our freedom was saying. We can not stand alone in this world, no country is truly that big or powerful. Not even the United States of the Americas, case in point is what is happening in Iraq. How much success do you really think the insurgence would have if the major in Iraq saw us as the true heroes? The real clue should be that they are killing more Iraqis then Americans, yet we are hitting brick walls in trying to track them down. That should tell you how they see this and how they see us!
We invaded another nation, one that the rest of the world did not see as a threat to us. And it would seem did not see as a real threat to them. In doing so WE not Saddam became the bad guys in their eyes, we were violating one of our principals. A principal that had long been one of our greatest strengths, taking us from a nation that deserved to be admired and revered. To one that is to be feared and mistrusted, both feelings make us an enemy to the world.
dog, man…….you oughta take up writing.Clear, concise, and un-spun!
Ideed- well said!
Duh– “indeed”.
Well what is sad is that george bush and his policies are the “face” of America to the rest of the world. And so, the rest of the world sees most Americans as smirking, idiotic buffoons. This is off the mark but sadly not by much.
How other countries view us:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HG18Ak01.html
The Gumps of AugustBy Spengler
Transplant Forrest Gump into Barbara Tuchman’s 1962 history of the outbreak of World War I, The Guns of August, and you have a rough idea of what is afoot in Washington. America’s slow-witted Everyman traipsed oblivious through great events in the eponymous 1994 film, blessed by marvelous good fortune. President George W Bush resembles Forrest Gump, but without the lucky streak.
US policy has turned to dust and ashes. Watching Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on television, it occurred to me that she had borrowed a makeup artist from Night of the Living Dead. On reflection, it is more likely that she has not slept in a week.
Rather than a stable and democratic Iraq, Bush will leave Iraq a killing field. Oil-supply disruption will derail the world economic recovery. Nonetheless Washington must proceed according to the script of the strategy, which will culminate in US bombing of Iran’s nuclear capability – just as I predicted on January 24 (Why the West will attack Iran) and numerous subsequent occasions. As Will Smith said in I, Robot, “Somehow, ‘I told you so’ doesn’t quite say it.”
In fairness to Bush, not only US policy but the policy of all the leading players lies in ruins. Europe’s attempt to conciliate Islamist opinion has ended in embarrassment, and even France avers that the United Nations Security Council must take action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia’s attempt to bestride the divisions in the Arab world has collapsed, and the monarchy has perforce taken sides against Hezbollah.
This is exactly why Hillary should be our next President. The world already LOVED Bill Clinton, she already has established herself abroad as the first lady- now to be President, she can get in there and do good work and get our allies back on the first day rather than having to ease into a new relationship with others.
AND not only that, but she’ll be awesome for this country.
Face it right-wingers, your policies, your ideology, all proven failed now.
This should be fun:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IA23Cb03.html
China seeks new ways to spend $1 trillionBy Zhou Jiangong
SHANGHAI – China has finally decided to diversify disposal of its huge yet steadily growing foreign-exchange reserve by investing in overseas markets, a dramatic departure from its current practice of putting most of its eggs into one basket – US Treasury bonds.
The decision was made at the all-important Central Conference on Financial Affairs, which ended on Saturday.
A state-owned company will be set up to invest the Asiapowerhouse’s US$1 trillion foreign-exchange reserve in overseas markets.
In his keynote speech to the conference, Premier Wen Jiabao said the government “will strengthen the management of foreign-exchange reserves and actively explore, and broaden, channels and manners for making use of the reserves”.
The conference, the third in the past decade and a half, has been proclaimed by Wen as the “turning point” for the country’s financial industry.
Think about it. We’ve alienated our allies. If we should, in the future, need their help, they’ll think twice. And let’s be honest. We wouldn’t be able to go it alone.
I don’t blame them. The majority of them didn’t agree with the idea of attacking and invading Iraq. They questioned the reason for that, as many of us here did. Bush went off with guns blazing, thinking he was Big Bad, basically telling everyone that we didn’t need them. His egotism and stubborness could be our downfall.
My youngest informed me last weekend that she has to write a paper comparing the Roman Empire (and the fall of it) with what is currently happening in the U.S.
She’s pretty much clueless about what’s going on and tunes the rest of us out when we’re “talking politics.” But as I told her, have no fear. Between her sisters and I and their hubbies and fiance, she’ll have plenty of info and will probably be able to write reams.
IOW, take a good look at history and see what happened to Rome, thanks to their need for power and control. Greed doesn’t get you far, in the end.
I frequently kick back and wonder where we, and the world would be if there had never been GWB.
???
Better or worse??
Hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…
My international travel experience isn’t much — I’m retired, so I travel for fun. We were in Ireland right after America reelected Bush in 2004. The people we spoke with were guest house owners, other travelers at breakfast in those guest houses, people in pubs (we were there for FUN) and ALL of them wondered if we Americans had lost it. None could imagine Bush was reelected. In fact, they laughed that we could be that naive (they didn’t want to say “dumb”).
About ready to take off for Miss. Thought I’d leave a parting shot for those who miss laying into me.
Having spent eleven and half years of my life overseas in various countries, most of you don’t have a clue of what your talking about on this subject. :)
Anyway have fun throwing punches at me, won’t be here to receive them after tomorrow.
Heading to that foreign country of Mississippi and river life. :)
One only has to think back to September 12, 2001 and realize how far we have fallen under George W Bush’ watch. After the terrorist attacks on the US, the world was nearly unnanimous in support for the US.
Today, the US is viewed with fear and loathing (homage, HST) and GWB is the most despised man on the planet.
This all could have been easily avoided. The US wields tremendous power and with that power comes responsibility.
George W Bush has chosen a path of using power regardless of the potential damages.
The current situation reminds me, unfortunately, of Ali – Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman was considered to be all powerful with unlimited potential for destruction. Ringside observers were worried before the fight that Foreman would kill Ali.
We all know what happened – Foreman punched himself out, Ali was unhurt and knocked out Foreman in Round Eight to regain the Heavyweight Championship.
Maybe if we didn’t have so many traitors in the media giving aid and comfort to our enemies we would be better off.
Benny,please cite one instance from the american media.Unless you’re being sarcastic,in which case I rejoice.
Angry Ben you really to take a fresh look at this situation…..
The problem isn’t the Media.
The problem isn’t the Democrats.
The problem isn’t turncoat Republicans.
The problem isn’t Bill or Hillary Clinton.
The problem is George W Bush and his failed policies.
Before the war is ended, the war party assumes the divine right to denounce and silence all opposition to war as unpatriotic and cowardly.~Senator Robert M. La Follette
After every ”victory” you have more enemies.~Jeanette Winterson
I hope….that mankind will at length, as they call themselves responsible creatures, have the reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats…~Benjamin Franklin
Chuck Hagel, VietNam veteran, R-NE, has pointed out quite correctly that Bush’s escalation is a recipe for disaster. Does that make VietNam veteran hagel a leftie coward?
“hypocrisy” in U.S. policy, a gap between our stated ideals and our practices.
This is a complex problem of perception. However, it will never be solved if the naive Bush-bashers think it started with Bush. Jealously of our economy, our constitution, our bill of rights, and of our freedom drives the perception problem more than anything else.
“They hate us for our freedoms” just won’t work, ID.
The issue in the world is our misused power and and irrational support of Israel over the Palestians/Arabs.
ID, I would have to agree with you. People from all over the world have always hated the US. This isn’t a new thing, it just seems to have intensified in the last few years. Bush has made a lot of mistakes, but he most certainly did not start the hate. I think this has all just been an excuse for those other countries to outright say, “we don’t like you.” It’s like Bush is a scapegoat for that pre-existing hate.
Tracy I would but RD has the romantic market cornered and the Political suspense we live out every day. But thanks… Now tell a publisher if you please. They do not want to listen to me!
I have a friend who works at KU. She was telling me that for faculty who have to go overseas the university has been having a workshop on how to deal with problems associated with American-hating foreigners.
The KU folk behind this seem to be convinced the anti-American sentiment is now worse than ever before.
I think it is way past time to lose the idea that it is a good thing that other countries hate us.
Chuck Hagel has always been against the war.
I would vote for him for president. I wonder if the ‘pubs will be smart enough to nominate him? Nah, I didn’t think so, either.
I hope that the majority consensus here is right. I hope that when Bush is out of office the terrorists won’t hate us anymore… But I doubt that will happen since terrorism was alive and well before Bush and will live on after he is gone. Putting our heads in the sand on this issue won’t make others hate us any less it will only make us more vulnerable they will have neutralized their biggest and more powerful adversary.
Many countries are hit by terrorists daily. Is this because they are hated. I don’t think so. I think it is because radical jhadists have an agenda and it is world domination. By knocking off their number one enemy, the USA, they will be much closer to that goal.
They hit Spain, The Phillipines, UK, Ethiopia… This list goes on and on. By not learning from history we are destined to repeat it. Ignoring their attacks didn’t work, look at the attacks that happened on Clinton’s watch.
Like most other Americans I am tired of this war but I don’t feel it is something we started. I think we just took the fight to them.
With the election of demos to run both houses and a look at the White House of the future, I hope I am proved wrong. I will wait to see and sincerely hope that I am wrong in what I believe will happen.
But if the rest of the world is jealous of our economy, bill of rights, constitution and freedom then why are there so many immigrants trying to get to the US to live? We have illegal immigrants (totally different story) who do come for the cash-paying jobs but not because our economy is so great.
I do not feel the rest of the world hates us for our ideals but they resent us for meddling into other countries’ business. And that has been going on for years.
If the Bush supporters do not think anything is wrong with that, then so be it. But I think the time has come that America needs to take care of their own. I do agree with Fleetwood that we need to take a look at the foreign aid we send out to ungrateful countries and maybe not send them that next big chunk of money.
But I do think that George W. Bush has made this US image perception problem a personal thing. Bush has used the ‘bring it on’ and ‘if you’re not with us, you’re against us’ attitude with everyone. Then we have Pat Robertson, who is an Evangelical Christian leader on George W. Bush’s call list, advocating for our CIA to murder foreign leaders he deems unacceptable. It is that type of rhetoric that make for resentment and downright hatred.
I don’t think Bush started this US hate movement but he has added fuel to the fire. And it’s sad really, if he really is a uniter and not a divider, then he has gone about it the wrong way.
Nathan,
“There is nothing more than anecdotal evidence at it’s best concerning Global warming, ”
So Nathan believes that the TOP FIVE WARMEST years worldwide since the *1890’s* occuring in 2005, 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2004 is “nothing more than anecdotal evidence”?
And the general agreement of climate scientists worldwide that humans are causing most of the warming is just “anecdotal evidence”?
And the greater warming of the Northern latitudes, as predicted by climate change models, is anecdotal evidence? (see graphs)
‘2005 Warmest Year in Over a Century’http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/2005_warmest.html
More graphs, info at “Related Link: at bottom,”Record warmth in 2005 is notable, because global temperature has not received any boost from a tropical El Niño this year.”
The huge irony re Iraq’s vast oil reserves is that global warming will force a drop in oil consumption.
On the original topic, at least somewhat related some opinions:
1) Terrorists, at least of the Islamic type and kind, will continue to be a problem so long as the Israeli-Palestinian issue is allowed to fester; depending upon how much longer this goes on, even resolution thereof will not reduce or eliminate this;
2) America’s image, and that of Americans, has been an issue for a long time with the rest of the world. Anyone else here recall the book “The Ugly American”, written as I recall in the late 1950s or early 1960s, which as I recall from reading it many years ago, addresses this issue to some degree.
3) If the U.S. wishes for democracy to “flourish” in the Middle East, then the results of a popular election must be accepted, even if “our guy” doesn’t win. See, e.g., the Palestinian election which, IIRC, was not found to be too irregular.
Dog, I would love to write.There’s this fleeting thing called time………..Speaking of which, I’m outa here.
I hate those men who would send into war youth to fight and die for them; the pride and cowardice of those old men, making their wars that boys must die.~Mary Roberts RinehartGuard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.~George WashingtonThe de facto role of the US armed forces will be to keep the world safe for our economy and open to our cultural assault.~Major Ralph Peters, US Military—–
More details about the poll, graphs, and #’s in each country (PDF’s at bottom) at,http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/306.php?nid=&id=&pnt=306&lb=hmpg1
Immigrants are coming to the U.S. for exactly the reasons I mentioned; Economy, freedom, constitution, bill of rights. Islamic population is growing because, as one of my Islamic female friends claims, of equal rights for men and women (and economy).
The Israeli-Palestine problem was a problem way before even the first Bush, so don’t count on it going away in 2008 even if (especially if) Hillary is elected.
I don’t know if I would go as far to say that there could never be a political solution after being Ireland when the IRA agreed to one. But it did take several years and the weight of united world opinion to come down on the IRA. So, if we can find a way to be united against terrorism as we were against the IRA and apartheid, then there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. Can Hillary offer that hope, eventhough her husband botched a few notable military offenses? Can Obama offer that hope, even though he is a rookie with a silver tongue?
Cosmos,
“So Nathan believes that the TOP FIVE WARMEST years worldwide since the *1890’s* occuring in 2005, 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2004 is “nothing more than anecdotal evidence”?”
Well, actually yes. That by it’s very nature is indeed anecdotal evidence.
There is no causal link explained by saying X year is hotter so it must be Y…
“And the general agreement of climate scientists worldwide that humans are causing most of the warming is just “anecdotal evidence”?”
It would depend on what they are basing their conclusions on.
Saying the earth is warming is one thing.
Blaming it on humans is another.
Too many people simply equate the two with no reason.
Nathan,
“Saying the earth is warming is one thing.
Blaming it on humans is another.”
Okay, tell us WHAT IS causing this warming trend since the 1880’s, http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/2005/2005cal_fig1.gif
IF it’s NOT CO2, as Arrhenius first suggested long ago in 1896, http://www.aip.org/history/climate/timeline.htm
and methane (animal farms, landfills, etc) and human-manufactured GHG’s, such as CFC’s and SF6.
Scientists say that changes in solar have caused only a SMALL part of the warming.
Anthropogenic and natural forcing of the climate for the year 2000, relative to 1750′http://www.ipcc.ch/present/graphics/2001syr/large/06.01.jpg