World opinion of US: Don't like US but love Americans

[CaptaiN_JacK]

Following public opinion is not leadership. Leadership is done from the front, convincing others to follow.

It is also leadership to show that you have an open mind, and that you at least consider public opinion. Bush, although an excellent leader, is probably the most arrogant president in American history. Some call it an excellent trait that he will not become unfocused on the war in Iraq, but it has passed into ignorance a long time ago. It would be great for him to be focused, except most of the world is, and always has been, against the war. You could say that we shouldn't care about world opinion, but when it comes to a war that affects everybody in the world, we should definetly take their thoughts into consideration. I found a quote a little bit ago that helped enlighten me as to why most of the US is for the war, while most of the world against it:

"Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." - Herman Goering, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, President of the Reichstag, Prime Minister of Prussia and, as Hitler's designated successor, the second man in the Third Reich.

If I didn't know better, I would say that Bush has gotten some advice from some very good leaders of their time.

[bornl33t]

Doing the right thing is not always popular. I don't want my country to do the popular thing if its not the right thing. I would be willing to risk popularity to know I did not shirk my responsibility...

Now that being said the US's popularity goes up and down all the time. Most people only see the world through their own eyes. And from their own needs and objectives. And overall many countries are jealous of Americans and envy them. And Americans come across to them as arragant in their position. Goes with the territory so I would not really get too upset about it. What I would do if I was you as an American is hold your head high, forget about it and try and present yourself to other countries, when you have the chance, in a good light and polite way. Be immune to the hate. Treat them with respect. Don't be an ugly American. Show them what truely is American. And thats tolerance and respect. You catch more flies with honey they say.

WORD. I grew up in Europe as an American. I know this all to well. They hate us so much but wouldn't turn down the chance to live in America! Proof that with age comes wisdom

[1stdeadeye]

See this is why I am glad I don't give a crap about what the rest of the world thinks.

As Phil said, doing the right thing is not always going to be popular. Sometimes you have to drag the rest of the world into the future behind you. Kind of like how the Allies drug the US into WWI.

[Jack_Dubious]

Kind of like how the Allies drug the US into WWI.

yeah...was that supposed to be a good thing??


JDub

[1stdeadeye]

yeah...was that supposed to be a good thing??


JDub

It was a good thing. We were just a bunch of isolationists at the time! We needed to be engaged. Now it is the rest of the world's turn!

[RevBrown]

How about this..

Before you go to bed think about this

How you have the luxury of posting your own opinion on an internet forum or expressing any opinion anywhere.

How you don't have to worry about a sadistic ruler torturing you for no reason.

How you don't really have to worry about going hungry, and I mean HUNGRY. Not a rumble in the tummy but a gut wrenching pain from not eating ANYTHING FOR DAYS.

How you really have the luxury of not worrying about simply surviving the day.

The list goes on.


Then ask yourself if it really means two pieces of rat dung what other countries think of The United States.

[Jeffy-CanCon]

How about this..

Before you go to bed think about this

How you have the luxury of posting your own opinion on an internet forum or expressing any opinion anywhere.

How you don't have to worry about a sadistic ruler torturing you for no reason.

How you don't really have to worry about going hungry, and I mean HUNGRY. Not a rumble in the tummy but a gut wrenching pain from not eating ANYTHING FOR DAYS.

How you really have the luxury of not worrying about simply surviving the day.

The list goes on.


Then ask yourself if it really means two pieces of rat dung what other countries think of The United States.

Think about this: all those statements apply to the populations at least 8 of the 10 countries in that survey.

[RevBrown]

Think about this: all those statements apply to the populations at least 8 of the 10 countries in that survey.

Except the very last one about it meaning two pieces of rat dung what they think of us. Which I think is the most important statement I made.

[Rooster]

If the Frenchies hate Bush, that means he's doing exactly the right thing.

[Miscue]

If the Frenchies hate Bush, that means he's doing exactly the right thing.

And the English love us for that.

What does the rest of the world know? They don't closely follow what's going on over here - do Americans know what's going on politicially in other countries? I don't - except on a superficial level.

[Destructo6]

I have some American cousins, and many American friends. I like America, and Americans in general. But I'll never forget the USAF guy who came to my workplace (when I was a student) and asked to exchange his greenbacks "... for some of your local monopoly money." If I didn't have other US contacts, that arrogant jerk might have been my whole view of Americans.

I wouldn't necessarily take that as an insult. Until recently, US currency was just green, so going to a foreign country and seeing colorful currency can be a bit shocking. I can recall taking a few thousand yen out of the base ATM and being amazed at the watermarks, colors, and general appearance. It was too pretty, compared to the greenbacks, to be real. That's another take, anyway.

and that you at least consider public opinion

Clinton ran the country by public opinion polls. I would not like to see any US president return to that practice. I realize that's not exactly what you're saying, but to reverse course because the population loses interest or becomes squeamish is poor leadership.