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Poll confirms US image problem ahead of Obama debut

Maximus Zeebra

Maximus Zeebra

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EUobserver

The United States is viewed favourably by a majority of people in only two of the world's other 21 large economies, an Ipsos/Reuters poll shows, released two days ahead of Barack Obama's inauguration as America's 44th president.

India (72%) and Poland (53%), along with the United States itself (74%), were the only countries where the majority gave America a favourable rating. In Britain and South Korea, the number of US supporters were equal to its critics.
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Ehhm, the US views itself most favorably of all? And only two other above 50%.. Then there is a real big problem..

What did NAZI Germany think about themselves for example? Or what did Soviet and what do Russia think of themselves? Thats quite interesting.. I would think all of them had and have high feelings about themselves, while the rest dislikes them.

No matter, interesting poll. I would imagine the numbers were completely different just 15 years ago.
 
Maximus Zeebra said:
EUobserver



Ehhm, the US views itself most favorably of all? And only two other above 50%.. Then there is a real big problem..

What did NAZI Germany think about themselves for example? Or what did Soviet and what do Russia think of themselves? Thats quite interesting.. I would think all of them had and have high feelings about themselves, while the rest dislikes them.

No matter, interesting poll. I would imagine the numbers were completely different just 15 years ago.
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It's great we had a president that didn't give a hoot about what anybody thought of him or his actions while defending our great nation against foreign enemies. The domestic ones he should have been tougher on.

Why would Americans care what a bunch of ignorant foreigners thought anyway?

It would be nice for America to withdraw for a decade and let the rest of the world deal with the challenges... well... we don't have to do that to see what happens.

We only have to go back to the Clinton years to see all the Bush haters out protesting for America to get involved in a European war... right in their own damn back yard. No... the Euro's couldn't get it done, so they had to call in the Americans into a war we had no national security interest in.

Then we get attacked and we act in self defense, only to find the Euro's doing a 180.

How they ramped up the Bush hate and propaganda was something to behold. I still love to ask the most simple questions to these simpletons, and watch them squirm for answers. It's damn fun sport... and Europe is chock full of these senseless myopic loons.

They lack an understanding of their own recent history... so what chance do they have to understand what is going on now?
 
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Maximus Zeebra said:
EUobserver



Ehhm, the US views itself most favorably of all? And only two other above 50%.. Then there is a real big problem..

What did NAZI Germany think about themselves for example? Or what did Soviet and what do Russia think of themselves? Thats quite interesting.. I would think all of them had and have high feelings about themselves, while the rest dislikes them.

No matter, interesting poll. I would imagine the numbers were completely different just 15 years ago.
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I'd like to know those numbers before Bush got in. I can bet you they were much, much, higher in most countries.
 
zimmer said:
It's great we had a president that didn't give a hoot about what anybody thought of him or his actions while defending our great nation against foreign enemies. The domestic ones he should have been tougher on.

Why would Americans care what a bunch of ignorant foreigners thought anyway?
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So let me get this straight. You support the rampart interventionism of the Bush administration. But don't care about what foreigners think? And you're calling them ignorant?
 
We should not run our country like it is a popularity contest. The important part of all this is not whether foreigners like our country. The real question is whether we are behaving morally and in accordance with our laws. Foreigners love us to death when we hand out money, guns and nuclear fuel. That doesn't necessarily make it morally correct to do so.

Look, we tell people what to do. We are involved in every part of the world. What's worse is that we use force to get people to do what we want. We also bribe people with cash and guns. Regardless of what we may perceive as benefits from these actions. We must ask ourselves. Is it moral and lawful to force people to do what we want? Is it moral and lawful to bribe governments to get what we want? These are the important questions, not whether foreigners like us or not.

By the way, doesn't it stand to reason. That if we behave morally and lawfully. That most reasonable foreigners will view us favorably? Or is the entire world devoid of ethics and sanity. While America stands alone, isolated in its ideals?
 
AndrewC said:
We should not run our country like it is a popularity contest. The important part of all this is not whether foreigners like our country. The real question is whether we are behaving morally and in accordance with our laws. Foreigners love us to death when we hand out money, guns and nuclear fuel. That doesn't necessarily make it morally correct to do so.

Look, we tell people what to do. We are involved in every part of the world. What's worse is that we use force to get people to do what we want. We also bribe people with cash and guns. Regardless of what we may perceive as benefits from these actions. We must ask ourselves. Is it moral and lawful to force people to do what we want? Is it moral and lawful to bribe governments to get what we want? These are the important questions, not whether foreigners like us or not.

By the way, doesn't it stand to reason. That if we behave morally and lawfully. That most reasonable foreigners will view us favorably? Or is the entire world devoid of ethics and sanity. While America stands alone, isolated in its ideals?
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I think your first paragraph is good, the second paragraph sucks.

We are involved in many places, but the guns and cash we supply are used to defeat thugs. Terrorists. Idiots.

We haven't gone to war, won and then colonized the losers.

We're the most benevolent Super Power that has ever been.

Don't ever forget it.

Is it moral to wage a war, win that war, have the party sign an agreement to disarm, and then walk away for 8-years while the despot kills hundreds of thousands of his people and corrupts the corrupted UN? Is it moral to watch this threat do like kind after 911? Is it moral to leave America at risk to terror threats that could emanate from this country?

For libs the answer seems to be "yes indeed sir" if you look at the last 6-years.

By the way... European corruption makes the US look like a playground. Blago's just one of the team. If anyone should be disgusted with anyone, Americans should be projectile vomiting all over the EU; especially Old Europe.

They're corrupt and they're a bunch of back stabbers, just like the left in our country. They'll beg you to act in one theater, and then kick you when you need their assistance in another.
 
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zimmer said:
I think your first paragraph is good, the second paragraph sucks.

We are involved in many places, but the guns and cash we supply are used to defeat thugs. Terrorists. Idiots.

We haven't gone to war, won and then colonized the losers.

We're the most benevolent Super Power that has ever been.

Don't ever forget it.

Is it moral to wage a war, win that war, have the party sign an agreement to disarm, and then walk away for 8-years while the despot kills hundreds of thousands of his people and corrupts the corrupted UN? Is it moral to watch this threat do like kind after 911? Is it moral to leave America at risk to terror threats that could emanate from this country?

For libs the answer seems to be "yes indeed sir" if you look at the last 6-years.

By the way... European corruption makes the US look like a playground. Blago's just one of the team. If anyone should be disgusted with anyone, Americans should be projectile vomiting all over the EU; especially Old Europe.

They're corrupt and they're a bunch of back stabbers, just like the left in our country. They'll beg you to act in one theater, and then kick you when you need their assistance in another.
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Well, that is your opinion. I disagree. I see nothing noble about forcing nations to do our bidding. I believe that freedom has a price. That sometimes that means allowing others to decide their destiny even if there is risk involved. We are not all knowing. Despite claims to the contrary.

Anyway, at least we are talking about the real issue. The morality of our actions, not the popularity of our government.
 
Hatuey said:
So let me get this straight. You support the rampart interventionism of the Bush administration. But don't care about what foreigners think? And you're calling them ignorant?
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It seems on the approval rates of Bush that Americans DO CARE.
 
AndrewC said:
We should not run our country like it is a popularity contest. The important part of all this is not whether foreigners like our country. The real question is whether we are behaving morally and in accordance with our laws. Foreigners love us to death when we hand out money, guns and nuclear fuel. That doesn't necessarily make it morally correct to do so.
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The world likes you when you act morally right and are an example for others to follow, that you haven't been at all. When Bush says America is a beacon of hope, he is just completely wrong these days. The US has been a beacon of hope but is no more, Ive heard Europe is a beacon of hope nowadays.
 
zimmer said, quote
(We are involved in many places, but the guns and cash we supply are used to defeat thugs. Terrorists. Idiots.)

Makes quite a change from destabilizing South American Governments and encouraging Dictators within those Countries?
 
Oh well. Most of the world likes Obama, at least for now, so I'm sure it will rise. In the end though, not a huge deal. I mean, hey, least we've still got Poland.
 
Maximus Zeebra said:
The world likes you when you act morally right and are an example for others to follow, that you haven't been at all. When Bush says America is a beacon of hope, he is just completely wrong these days. The US has been a beacon of hope but is no more, Ive heard Europe is a beacon of hope nowadays.
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This is laughable. Europe a beacon of hope? C'mon, you're not serious.

As for your theory about liking the "morally right"...

...We just have to go back to Clinton. LOL. This guy is low on the Totem Pole of morality, but he was loved by the Europeans. Why? He embodied and exhibited their low moral standing.

Clinton behaved like a European. Was weak like a European. They love weakness, and they aren't too keen on morality.

The Euros hated Reagan. Why?

Let's face it, Europeans hate republicans... especially conservatives. But they cannot explain this psychosis. It's fun to ask them why they hate Bush, or hated Reagan. They just can't muster a coherent answer.

America is the beacon of hope. That's why people line up in droves to get here, and why Europe is a pool of stagnation.

If morality equals love, Europe is awash in self loathing...And they are for the most part.
 
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Now remember children, we are not popular abroad because of GWB! In those tiny little 'regions' like oh say........ China? India? Indochina? Yeah them tiny populations! You see according to DP polls and posters, the Iraq war and not the free trade policies of Bush, have made him and us OH SO UNPOPULAR!

Right:confused:
 
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zimmer said:
Clinton behaved like a European. Was weak like a European. They love weakness, and they aren't too keen on morality.

The Euros hated Reagan. Why?

Let's face it, Europeans hate republicans... especially conservatives. But they cannot explain this psychosis. It's fun to ask them why they hate Bush, or hated Reagan. They just can't muster a coherent answer.
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I to think in general Europeans do not like American conservatives, and generally find much more in common with American liberals.
 
Maximus Zeebra said:
EUobserver

Ehhm, the US views itself most favorably of all? And only two other above 50%.. Then there is a real big problem..

What did NAZI Germany think about themselves for example? Or what did Soviet and what do Russia think of themselves? Thats quite interesting.. I would think all of them had and have high feelings about themselves, while the rest dislikes them.
Click to expand...

Meanwhile, back on Planet Reality, the US ain't bent on global imperialism nor is it murdering tens of millions of power while being ruled by leftwing dictators.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming:

No matter, interesting poll. I would imagine the numbers were completely different just 15 years ago.
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Doubtful.

But even if they were...so what? What is the lefty fetish with these popularity polls?
 
So is our image good now? Do I hear the sound of Cum ba yah?
 
Maximus Zeebra said:
The world likes you when you act morally right and are an example for others to follow, that you haven't been at all. When Bush says America is a beacon of hope, he is just completely wrong these days. The US has been a beacon of hope but is no more, Ive heard Europe is a beacon of hope nowadays.
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The US is not a beacon of hope? Yet, millions and millions, and millions more around the world flood US embassies and consulates seeking to emigrate to the US.

And where have you heard that Europe has become a beacon of hope? Native Euros certainly don't feel that way? Ask the Irish or the Spanish who are watching their ecnomies sink because they're tied to the Euro. Ask the citizens of those nations who explicitly voted "No" to the EU Constitution but see that instrument being slammed down their throats via the treaty process. Meanwhile, those Africans and Middle Eastern people emigrating to the Continent are bathing in the luxury of poverty, joblessness, and racism (see France, for example). Meanwhile, we see Euro art depicting eastern Euro nations as toilets being raised at EU HQ. And, Euro national economies being crushed under massive debt loads.

How nice it must have been to live under the American taxpayer's defensive umbrella for fifty years while all the while carping about how bad America is. :roll:

That's some beacon of hope.
 
American said:
So is our image good now? Do I hear the sound of Cum ba yah?
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Not really... It will take decades to undo the damage the uber-neo-conservatives have done to your country if it can ever be corrected.

People in Europe loved the US before.. And believe me, compared to most people in Europe I am not anti-American in the slightest sense, not even close.
In reality I am not anti-American neither, but I could in some senses come close to being one, because my rather intensive negative stands on US politics, governance, the way elections are done, media(+politics) and the way capitalism over there is.
 
JMak said:
The US is not a beacon of hope? Yet, millions and millions, and millions more around the world flood US embassies and consulates seeking to emigrate to the US.

And where have you heard that Europe has become a beacon of hope? Native Euros certainly don't feel that way? Ask the Irish or the Spanish who are watching their ecnomies sink because they're tied to the Euro. Ask the citizens of those nations who explicitly voted "No" to the EU Constitution but see that instrument being slammed down their throats via the treaty process. Meanwhile, those Africans and Middle Eastern people emigrating to the Continent are bathing in the luxury of poverty, joblessness, and racism (see France, for example). Meanwhile, we see Euro art depicting eastern Euro nations as toilets being raised at EU HQ. And, Euro national economies being crushed under massive debt loads.

How nice it must have been to live under the American taxpayer's defensive umbrella for fifty years while all the while carping about how bad America is. :roll:

That's some beacon of hope.
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You live in a fantasy world man.. The US is the second worst economy now after the UK... People are predicting your bankruptcy and collapse. The "American dream" and all it stood for is a thing of the past, and you models as idea is rather something to shy now when looking at the reality of it.

The European ways are now what people are seeking, European ideals of human rights and all for one and one for all, rather than all for themselves and as much as possible to the detriment of others, like in America...


I suggest you read a nice book from Jeremy Rifkin, it explains the differences between American and European visions on things, I believe it could be quite interesting to you..

Amazon.com: The European Dream: Kindle Store: JEREMY RIFKIN

dammit.. Can get the amazone link to work..
The European Dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
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You can get a significant portion of the planet loving the USA if it simply gasses its Jews.

So how about it..want to be loved by killing Jews?

No?

..then who cares what the "world" thinks.



Its not a HS popularity contest.
No matter how much children like Obama wish it was.
 
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Triad said:
You can get a significant portion of the planet loving the USA if it simpyl gasses its Jews.

So how about it..want to be loved by killing Jews?

No?

..then who cares what the "world" thinks.



Its not a HS popularity contest.
No matter how much children like Obama wish it was.
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What the hell are you talking about.. What you are saying is just racism.. Its certainly not proving any points, and certainly not in favor of your stand, which is unclear in your post..
 
Maximus Zeebra said:
The world likes you when you act morally right and are an example for others to follow, that you haven't been at all. When Bush says America is a beacon of hope, he is just completely wrong these days. The US has been a beacon of hope but is no more, Ive heard Europe is a beacon of hope nowadays.
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Hahahahaha, Europe never was a beacon of hope, and never will be. What kind of koolaid are you drinking. :rofl
 
American said:
Hahahahaha, Europe never was a beacon of hope, and never will be. What kind of koolaid are you drinking. :rofl
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What do you really know about anything else than American politics? Thats the question stuck in my mind.. Do you know anything about Europe at all, except the world war 2 stuff which Americans keep going on about?
Do you have any idea what Europe anno 2009 is? Do you have any idea what America anno 2009 is compared to what it was in the past and you all seem to cling onto in some desperate dream of what "America has been"?
 
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Maximus Zeebra said:
What the hell are you talking about.. What you are saying is just racism.. Its certainly not proving any points, and certainly not in favor of your stand, which is unclear in your post..
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Nothing racist in my post. In fact HOW you pulled racism out of that is beyond me.

Before you start flinging labels like that around I suggest you have a basis for it or at the very least an understanding of what the person said..which you clearly do not.

anyhow...

If person A hates you and person B hating you as well will gain them the benefit of being liked by C is it worth it?

Is destroying a key part of say YOUR nations foundations worth it to placate your neighbors views of you?

IS placating the various aspirations of numerous parts of the planet simply to have a "good image" in the minds of some worth it?

Or at the very base level lets say hanging you will make the poll numbers 10% better....

The answer is a simple NO...in fact the very idea is not only ridiculously simple its the hallmark of the idealistic naivety of a fool.

Nation states cannot form policies nor can people survive as a peoples in the realities of this world by placating the aspirations of others. Its as simple as that and more then adequatly proven throughout human history.

Lets say there is a poll showing most Americans think your nation is dorky..but you could change that by kissing our butts..In effect what this dumb poll is doing.
You going to pucker up?..of course not..and neither will ANYONE else on this planet.

Its why we have Wars....
 
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