Global Poll Shows Negative Reaction to Bush Win
 

LONDON (Reuters) - A majority of people surveyed in a global poll think the re-election of George Bush (news - web sites) has made the world more dangerous and many view Americans negatively as well, the BBC said Wednesday.



The survey by the British broadcaster showed that only three countries -- India, the Philippines and Poland -- out of 21 polled thought the world was safer following Bush's election win in November.


Bush will be inaugurated for his second term Thursday.


On average across all countries, 58 percent of the 22,000 surveyed said they believed Bush's re-election made the world more dangerous.


"This is quite a grim picture for the U.S.," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes at America's University of Maryland.


The survey found that 56 percent of Americans thought Bush's win was good for the world with 39 percent disagreeing.


Traditional U.S. allies in western Europe, such as Britain (64 percent), France (75 percent), and Germany (77 percent), were among the most negative about Bush's re-election.


A majority in Italy (54 percent) and Australia (61 percent), which both have troops in Iraq (news - web sites), also thought his win had made the world more dangerous.


Anti-Bush sentiment was strongest in Turkey, with 82 percent thinking his win was bad for peace compared to just 6 percent in support. A large majority in Latin American countries, including 58 percent in close neighbor Mexico, were also negative.


Analysts said the poll had far-reaching implications, suggesting a serious rise in anti-U.S. feeling in general, with 42 percent saying it had made them feel worse about Americans compared to 25 percent who made it think more of them.

for full article..
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...m/bush_poll_dc

I'm not sorry and could care less what the opinion of the world is about our government. I have voted independent, democratic, and republican in our presidential elections, and even if I didn't vote for Bush I wouldn't apologize.

Everybody's government has flaws, some a little more distressing than ours I would say. If you hate Bush, that's alright, but don't go around making apologies. Remember, only about 80 million American's voted, and we got over 300 million in this country. Yea half of them voted for Kerry, but that still leave 220 million Americans who may not feel sorry either :)

I suppose I'm a little more bitter about this apology crap because I was traveling all over Europe during election time and every traveler I met would ask who I voted for. When I said Bush, they looked shocked and appalled, asking how could I make such a bad choice. Lol, well, after realizing most of them only knew our politics from Michael Moore and the media, I stopped explaining myself and ignored the subject.

I just think a lot of people (not all) have a very warped sense of knowledge when it comes to politics. Quick to speak but slow to understand. Enough ramblings, I'm just not sorry but proud. Feel free to attack to my position if you dare :eek:


RUgreek

mathematics also show that half the world is dumber than average

-RC
--voted badnarik

A global poll that had only 22,000 people polled? If you're going to do a truly global poll, that seems like a small number.

This makes me think about the immortal words of Dennis Leary:

...there ain't a G*d damn thing anybody can do about it,
You know why?
'Cause we got the bombs, that's why.
Two words, Nuclear F*cking Weapons OK.
Russia, Germany, Romania,
They can have all the democracy they want.
They can have a big democracy cake,
Walk right through the middle of Tienemen Square,
And it won't make a lick of difference,
Because we got the bombs OK!

Just my $.01359 worth
-Mark

22,000 people...............
yah OK
Now there is a good solid representation of the global population. :rolleyes:

Wait a second, that's not enough for 2 cents. Get out of here you lousy bum. The gall of some people bringing in their fraction currency to GC. Doesn't even round up to 2 cents.... no no no, nothing about this adds up correctly!

:mad:

Hey now, I'm from TN where the cost of living is less. I'd need the full $.02 if I was in NJ like you, but luckily I'm not.

Believe you me... the rest of the world is still doing a dobule take... and if you want a good indication of it, take a look at the policies of the rest of the "Western" world around the time of Gw's re-eletion... a lot of political analyists were left fumblinga round trying to come up with a 2nd term BuSh policy pronto...

Course I wouldn't go so far as the Gaurdian's statement... although it was funny

Sometimes the negative attitudes are always the loudest.

Bush supporters may not have been polled but all that matters is that we went out and voted!
No matter who I vote for I support our country, I did under President Clinton and will do the same now and hope more and more will do the same.
Both my parents are immigrants and moved here for one reason and that was to make a better life and in no other country could that have been possible so I have a lot to be thankful for and hope instead of being in a constant fight(like Dr Rice's confirmation) that the big boys and girls in DC will be able to work together like J.Kerry said they would after the election.

What- we're supposed to fucking keel over dead because the war-mongering religious nut homophobes are in power?

Most of the world hates America anyway, has nothing to do with our president. Just now they have another reason to bitch. So let 'em, we have a responsibility as a world power, help everyone in need and always take the negative criticism.

Don't forget that some of these countries were cheering when the twin towers fell, so I wouldn't get so nostalgic about these negative comments.

You don't have to keel over and die, but you can distribute the blame a little. He's in power because more people like him than hate him. In a sense, the voice of the supporters is stronger I guess.


RUgreek

Who cheered when the Twin Towers fell? The only footage or news that I ever read about people cheering were the extremists. Entire governments? Large populations of Western nations? Let's see proof.

I'm not sure if you remember, but the people in the planes and in the buildings were not all natural born American citizens. As much as we'd like to say it was an American tragedy, it affected the entire world.

No...I think what she was saying is that she has the hope that, no matter who is in power, the country will thrive and that things will be ok. However, Lexi can correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think anyone is telling anyone else in here that they should "keel over dead" because they feel that their views aren't being represented.

One of the things that makes this country great is that we are allowed to question the policies of our elected officials. If we STOP questioning the things that we don't believe in, then we give them absolute power to do whatever they want. Someone being elected does not mean that they can now do anything they want with their powers. We have a checks and balances system in place for a reason. We have a vote for a reason. To say "Well, 52% of the people liked him so I have to just accept whatever he wants to do" is ludicrous and directly against Liberty and Freedom. It doesn't matter which party they associate with or who they are. No intelligent person would blindly go along with everything someone else does simply because a majority elected him.

As for Rice, if Kerry had NOT voted against her confirmation, everybody would have jumped on the "see, he's waffling" bandwagon because he has expressed his dislike of her opinions numerous times.


Dee

No, you're supposed to continue to make absurd, overbearing, sweeping generalizations that make you no better than the people you hate.

Congratulations, you set your own party back decades. Someday I hope some people understand this concept; at its heart, I'll argue the election turned on this phenomenon.

Remember when you wanted most of America bombed and its citizens massacred?

Shutup.

-Rudey

Actually one example is from the West Bank and Gaza. Those weren't terrorists in the street dancing and handing out candy. Those were women, children, men, everyone. In fact the government became a partner in it by not only not stopping it but allowing it to occur. While the "celebrations" were occuring, Arafat ordered PA security forces to round up any and all reporters and to make sure no images were captured; of course he couldn't stop everyone. Reporters were outraged and the free press issued an angry response.

-Rudey

I cannot provide a link to any english website that proudly displays that crap, go look for it yourself. I saw the footage on the news of people dancing in the streets, burning our flag right after the tragedy.

Yea the people in the planes were not all Americans, but the people in the towers were. The tragedy had positive and negative effects, but the rest of the world put on a show for a few months to show their sympathy. Most were genuinely sorry, but there were still some arab nations that were happy to see us finally get hit.

Not to mention that even here at home we had foreigners dancing in the streets and burning flags after the disaster. If the police didn't show up to guard those assholes they'd be dead right now.

Another great reason why the man was not fit for the job of President. Just what we need, a guy who is more concerned about public opinion rather than doing the right thing.

Wow... do a little research before you think about stating that all the people in the Towers were Americans... I thought around 2/3rds were, but the others were all foreign nationals...

Yes most of the world was genuinely sorry, it's just to bad that BuSh squandered all of the international sympathy with his arrogant policies and rhetoric... or even failure to acknowledge support of sympathy until it suited his politcal agenda

One man does not dictate everything. Americans voted for him. Many leaders stood behind him from both majority parties and supported our country.

Please take a breather and stop insulting us. It's getting old.

-Rudey

Where's your research to back that up? My proof is that if you are here in this country and working (like in the towers) then you are an American citizen. Show me all the illegal aliens working in the towers on Sept. 11th.

Technically, you can be here in this country and legally working and not be an American citizen. They're legal immigrants. That's why we have the distinction.

I believe at the time I heard that the World Trade Center attacks caused the deaths of the most British citizens at one time since the Blitz (London, WWII).

So, while I understand your claiming of the disaster as an American tragedy, the sorrow and loss was legitimately felt by many other nations' losing their own citizens, too.

ETA: for example, from CNN, 9/13/01
http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2001/f...attack.latest/

# Nations across the globe are reporting dead and missing in the U.S. terror attacks. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Thursday at least 100 British citizens have been confirmed dead in the U.S. terror attacks. Acting Australian Prime Minister John Anderson said three Australians in New York have been confirmed dead and about 75 were still missing. Japan reports that it has 100 nationals still unaccounted for. Twenty-seven South Koreans were listed as missing. One Korean was on the hijacked United Airlines plane from Boston. Notimex, the Mexican news agency, is reporting at least 12 Mexicans cannot be accounted for. There were 100 to 150 Mexicans working at the World Trade Center.

yeah i'm going to have to vote no on that one.

Most polling is a joke
 

The poll's sponsor, the poll's conductors, the weather, the questions, and dozens of other things affect results.

If you conducted a poll like this:

1 - Do you like the supplies and aid that the USA has sent to the Tsunami victims?

2 - Do you like the Jerry Lewis movies that the USA made?

3 - Do you like the USA?

I suspect the results would be 88% or more like the USA.

The two firms that did the Nov. election exit polls said yesterday that the problems were caused by poorly trained pollsters, young pollsters, election officials who kept pollsters away from poll exits, etc. etc.

Another contributor is disgust. A lot of people are tired of polls making news, and deliberately lie to pollsters.

Most polling is a joke.

Look, I'm not going to sit here and argue that everyone in this country is a legal citizen. Don't get so literal. The issue was the nationality of people killed in the world trade center, which of course is another example of a post being diverted off from it's original topic.

Yes, we have illegal aliens working in this country, but in the towers that morning at 9a.m. we have a high percentage of legal workers.

As for the make up of the victims, I never said that 100% of them were Americans. Yes, I know we had chinese, british, asian and whatever nationals working in the towers. The majority of victims were Americans and no I'm not trying to downplay the non-American victims.

Just stick to the point I was trying to make. Other countries were happy to see the towers fall and America suffer. Therefore if other countries want to react negatively to the re-election of our President, then I personal don't give a hoot.

He did the right thing in voting against her confirmation. He has publicly stated that he doesn't think she's done a good job overall, so why would he confirm her for yet another position? My point is that people would be complaining no matter what he did, because they don't like him. And, they have that right to do so.

If he didn't confirm her because his party affiliation or some reason outside of his mind, I think we agree that would be wrong. As long as he's doing the right thing, I'll never attack or complain about him.

IowaStatePhiPsi: Are your comments for real? That attitude is the direct reason democrats turn many off. Dr. Rice is qualified, much more than anyone here on these boards and I would hope that peolpe question what they deem important but what Sen. Kerry and Sen. Boxer did was not questioning they were only after making themselves look good for 2008, I can promise you that! Dr. Rice will be comfirmed, this was a venue to have your questions on the record not to make a national scandal to make yourself as a represenative of your area waste more money on extending something that will pass no matter what Sen. Boxer and Sen. Kerry have to do with it. They just look like the sad unpopular kids at PE that didn't get picked first.

KSigKid: Thank you that is what I meant! Sometimes I forget that we all do not think on the same rational wave length and I should go more in depth.

Blanket statement. Your attitude could also turn "some" people off, notice I didn't say many, that's a huge exaggeration.

Parties in general tend to trun certain people off for one reason or another. I don't think we can really pinpoint one thing that "turns many off." We all think differently on so many things; so many views, so many beliefs, yet so few parties.

Based on her studies and research- she's qualified if we were in a cold-war against Russia- but we're not in the 80s anymore. Someone who has studied the Middle East would be a better choice for Secretary of State since it appears the US will be fucking them over for the next 20-50 years.

Next you're going to say it was "wrong" and "sad" that Gonzalez was questioned in regards to the memo on tactics that led to prisoner abuse by our military.

Both of you this is that attitude I'm talking about.
First: The arrogant M.Moore attitude is what motivated so many peolpe to vote Rep this year b/c it is always a Lib that will try to scare someone with in-your- face responses. Your name calling doesn't scare me and will not shut me up.

Second:If you would read what I wrote it isn't sad that peolpe have questions, what Boxer and Kerry did was not question they attacked her, other respectful Sen from both sides disagreed and agreed respectfully. We can agree to disagree to be productive but constant attacks will get no where fast. Just because you can say and do anything doesn't mean you should.

Third:I'm a reg. Independent, poll work and business owner it is in my personal interest to know who and what will help my life and I am of the opinion that President Bush was the best of our 2 choices and respect peolpe's opinon's as well, but expect respect from them. And I have never had a discussion with and Lib b/c they tend to become a little to crazed for my liking and I feel like we all need to remove ourselves from the political situation and realize that none of us are on capital hill and if we could run for office would any of us get elected? Since we are not in the top key positions and would not know what it is like to hold that kind of responsibility I think we need to all have some undestanding.

What the heck are you talking about? I didn't give you an attitude, I was commenting on how you approached your previous post by stating "many this and many that." It was a huge exaggeration. I made a comment on it because mentioning something about turning people off came off as arrogant to me, almost Michael Moore arrogant if you will.

You do not represent the many. You also have no clue as to the way I view politics or what party I'm registered to (if any)

Also, for being a "registered indie" you seem to bash along one party line an awful lot.

Lastly, I didn't call you a name, didn't speak about you in a bad way and I didn't notice anyone else doing so. If I missed it I am wrong but I have no idea where your "name calling doesn't scare me and won't shut me up" line came from. That is unless political discussion that doesn't align with your views is name calling?

I was refering to both and you and were not the one throwing the F-bomb around maybe I should have been more specific, sorry.

I do not bash, you cannot bash with facts of what I have witnessed. Just b/c I voted for President GWB and am not scared to say who and what I vote for doesn't mean I agree only with the right. I respect many sides of many stories but agree that this past election showed a very ugly side of the left and countiunes to with the situations thus far and pray for a change.

Most importantly, I would love to contiune but I have to sleep and go to work early so I can be a good citizen and earn my keep and pay my taxes! Which taxes would be a great topic to start chatting about, if it hasn't been around already!

I don't totally disgree with you here. But I think we saw the ugly sides of both parties and not just the left. You should be proud of who you voted for, though I may not agree, I accept it. It's damn good to be an American.

And this is a point that not enough people understand...

No - next I'm going to say it's "wrong" and "sad" that we've become such hypocrites with regard to war (and that involves both the performing, and condemning, of the acts).

After that, I'm going to say that calling it the area we're "screwing over for the next 20-50 years" is patently absurd, considering how they've done for the last 20 years. Tell you what, lay out a better plan for the region, and don't include "bringing more into the coalition" at all.