"We Don't Get No Respect": #3 Does It Really Matter What Other Countries Think of Us?

That We're Dangerously Stupid

Pew Research Center:

More Americans now say that the United States is less respected in the world than it has been in the past, and a growing proportion views this as a major problem for the country. More than seven-in-ten Americans (71%) say that the United States is less respected by other countries these days, up from 65% in August 2006.

For the first time since Pew began asking this question in 2004, a majority of Americans now sees the loss of international respect for the United States as a major problem. The percentage of Americans saying the loss of international respect is a major problem has risen from 43% in 2005 to 48% in 2006 and 56% currently.

The most recent national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted May 21-25 among 1,505 adults, finds that majorities of Democrats (81%), independents (72%) and Republicans (60%) believe that the United States has lost global respect in recent years.

Since our diplomatic dimwit has destroyed at least 100 years of diplomacy and good will, please do not be surprised with the Japanese tourists who want to see if Manzanar is still standing; or the French tourists who want to taste "freedom fries"; the English tourists who ask directions to the Salem Witchcraft trials or the South African tourists who want to see the "Wild West Show".

But most of all, don't be surprised if they are suspicious and afraid of you.

While I was on a cruise during the 2004 election, I noticed that a lot of Eurpopeans on the ship were all talking about the election. I asked: "Why are you so engrossed in this election?" Their was was short, but direct: "We need to see if you are going to elect a war president or a peace president."

Our image is one that was surmised by the United Nations back in 2001 when they labeled us a "Rogue Nation." The U.N. was canny enough to realize that Bush wanted war even BEFORE he came to office. We were also kicked off the security council.

Religionists (especially Christofasctists) hate the U.N. and don't care about our international image. After all, unless the country is thoroughly Christian, they don't count.

Do they?

Just a thought.