Global Views of the US

[Matt W]

As per the BBC website:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4185205.stm

Only 3 countries out of 21 say that Bush has made the world a safer place. A pretty damning indictment, overall, but the reports' originater makes it abundantly clear that this does not mean people are against mending fences with the US.

So, what do you think? Where do you live? And how would you suggest the fences are mended? Please, no anti-Bush rants - we've been down that road several times! :eek: Purely considered discussion.

Anyone?

[tinybear]

Well, the world isn't a safer place and travel to and within the US has become very inconvenient. That said, there have been no major terrorist activity within the US since 2001. I don't know if that can count as an achievement?

OK, the world hates us. It's a fact. It'll be up to the next President to mend the fences.

[Pooeypants]

No, I doubt the next President will be popular with the rest of the world. Considering how the re-election was pretty clear, the majority of Americans (voting) don't care what the President's image is in the real outside world.

[Spartacus]

I agree with Pooeypants in that most Americans could not care less about how the world sees us. Write it off to arrogance or just being ugly Americans, it, nevertheless, is there. We mend fences by doing the things we have always done: respond in a crisis and help someone that no one else can help in the way we can. If we stop doing the things that makes the world angry at us (like invading countries that have not declared war on us or who we just don't like) the fences will mend in time. It's the trust that will be harder to fix. Given our recent foreign policy debacles, I don't hold out a lot of hope for trust to be mended anytime soon.

[rcne]

The world got into its present shape by worrying about opinions of others, while the cancer spread. Then the wake-up call for us happened - we know longer care about the world opinion factor.

Its a Wissling type of thing. (Its an England non aggression appeasing of Hitler - short lived of course).

Given time the diplomats will mend the fences. Basically - its they need us more than we need them.
We feed them, we support them, we protect them. Its all like a spoiled child.

I would favor pulling all troops and aid out of old Europe. They don't need us there and our continued presence is just a suckling at Americas teat.

As far as the rest of the world is concerned - if they want aid - let them ask and pledge allegiance as an ally.

Its Machiavellian I know, but trying to be loved only weakens you. I'd rather deal from a position of strength.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: rcne The world got into its present shape by worrying about opinions of others, while the cancer spread. Then the wake-up call for us happened - we know longer care about the world opinion factor. Its a Wissling type of thing. (Its an England non aggression appeasing of Hitler - short lived of course). Given time the diplomats will mend the fences. Basically - its they need us more than we need them. We feed them, we support them, we protect them. Its all like a spoiled child. I would favor pulling all troops and aid out of old Europe. They don't need us there and our continued presence is just a suckling at Americas teat. As far as the rest of the world is concerned - if they want aid - let them ask and pledge allegiance as an ally. Its Machiavellian I know, but trying to be loved only weakens you. I'd rather deal from a position of strength.

What the hell is this aid to old Europe thing? Are you typing this post from 1950's, Marshall plan europe or 2005 like the rest of us?

Your leaving would be greatly welcomed by a vast number of us. You stay here for YOUR benefits, not ours. You want bases in all regions of the world, ours included. That is why you stay.

[bishop]

The world got into its present shape by worrying about opinions of others, while the cancer spread. Then the wake-up call for us happened - we know longer care about the world opinion factor.

no.. it got into its present shape because of the aftermath of the cold war and blowback from OUR policies. the cold war created a power vaccuum.. our policies gave saddam wmd's, and assisted and enabled much of what he did. our policies have earned us great disdain by incessant support for israel no matter what it does. our policies have supported various tyrannies so that we can get our oil. the notion that the world is the way it is because we cared about the opinions of others is intellectually bankrupt.

we also won't pull out of europe, because by doing that, we'd lose our foothold there. we are playing the role of global hegemon, and a hostile europe should be held in check (from the point of view of the pro-hegemon crowd that is).


by thumbing our nose at the rest of the world, the only thing we're doing is isolating ourselves. sure, countries may choose to deal with us, but only on terms that are favorable to them. they aren't going to do us any favors - a point that's missed on the bushistas. i doubt they'll even help us now if we were in need.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Matt W http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4185205.stm So, what do you think?

I followed the link and read that article.

People have the rights to express themselves. According to that poll statistics, neither U.S. - as a state, nor an American - as a person, are being seen as positives.
More over, both U.S. and Americans are doing "very bad things" to the rest of the world, according to that article.

My answer :
- care factor equal "zero" , or close to it.
Here, it is why.

We - as Mankind, have entered a completely brand-new era for technology and science. Countries - in order to compete, need to re-arrange their technological, scientific, social grounds, fields, ect.
It requires :
- energy (to be provided in order to use a new technology supported by science)
- investments
- aggressive marketting

That energy supplies is the source for that whole enterprise.
Sooner or later, more countries - in order to catch up with leading ones - would need more energy to modernize their infrastructure, economy, marketting, ect. Today's main source for energy is : oil.

U.S. went a little ahead of times that may appear to become a problem for the whole Mankind representatives, and want to protect its interests for years to come in that matter.
Some people seem to suddenly waken up and drastically oppose U.S.'s decisions and actions, and under variety of emblems, banners, ect. try to manifest their disagreement to U.S.'s actions.
Those people do not understand, that sooner or later their children may face much greater dilema with concern to business or work, which provide them with income.

U.S. is not going to wait for other countries' approval for its actions, but U.S. is going to protect its state and residents for years to come that may appear less suitable. The other countries' governing bodies are fully aware of that upcoming situation. They seem to think that time will change it for better. Nobel for them all.

The only thing that can change current or upcoming situation could be : new source for energy. U.S. has ambitious plans to explore the nearest Moon. If successful, U.S. will become the dominant energy provider for the planet Earth. That is why many countries signed agreements to co-operate with U.S. in space exploration, because they know what is coming to all of us.

The worst part is going to be :
- what oil-rich today countries can offer the rest of us tomorrow ? after Moon exploration begins ?
Analyzing the world today, I do not see those countries can offer mcuh if anything at all. They barely exist on this suraface today, on its own, creating not much except for poverty and misery. That is why U.S. needs to re-shape those countries political fundaments today, in order to protect U.S. and its citizens against events that may take place tomorrow.

Are we going to get some profits, meanwhile ?
You bet on it. That is a part of politics, as politics is all about nothing but : money.

[rcne]

Quote by: G. Adams What the hell is this aid to old Europe thing? Are you typing this post from 1950's, Marshall plan europe or 2005 like the rest of us? Your leaving would be greatly welcomed by a vast number of us. You stay here for YOUR benefits, not ours. You want bases in all regions of the world, ours included. That is why you stay.

Actually I prefer to remove bases and aid ( read money in your pocket) from all nations.

If you need help just ask. We shouldn't be the police of the world, the more we are the weaker you become.

Believe it or not - my counties leaving would be greatly welcomed by a vast number of us here also.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: rcne Believe it or not - my counties leaving would be greatly welcomed by a vast number of us here also.

Well in that case please please write to your senators to have your european bases vacated. I can't do anything about the UK ones, as they are leased indefinately to you. Oh and while your at it please ask to have the SDI project ejected from the UK, I don't appreciate becoming a target for a system that doesn't benefit us.

[marco_funk]

To help mend fences?
Cut military budget in half and help develop the third world.