One of the saddest parts about Mccain's new sleaze strategy-John Aravosis

[kpete]

Sunday, August 03, 2008
One of the saddest parts about Mccain's new sleaze strategy
John Aravosis (DC) · 8/03/2008 12:45:00 PM ET


I travel a lot for an American. Have for 30 years. Learned 4 foreign languages in the process. Have worked in Europe and Africa and Asia. I love things international, and have devoted a good part of my life to it. I can say what most everyone already knows with a good deal of confidence. Much of the world hates our guts. They don't want to. They actually want to like us, a lot. But right now, they loathe us.

That's what was so phenomenal about Obama getting 200,000 people (or more) to show up in Berlin. It was the first time since September 11 that foreigners actually likes us again. And what's more, they were waving American flags. That doesn't happen in the best of times - it only happened on September 11. Now, why does it matter? Well, we're in a pretty big interconnected world at this point, and I think it doesn't help our country to have much of the world hate us. Doesn't help us on the terror front. But it also doesn't help if you believe, as I do, that the image of America, the very notion of America, can be an inspiration to the world.

.............................

One thing that constantly amazes me is how much the French actually LIKE America and Americans. It's a rare Frenchman who doesn't dream of going to New York City. Even the Parisians, when you get to actually talk to them (helps if you know French), actually love Americans (at least far more do than you'd ever expect). And it is simply shocking how often you hear from foreigners that America was supposed to be the shining example for the world. That the reason they get so angry at America is because they expect corruption, and lies, and failure from their own governments. But America they thought was better. America was the future they wish they could have for their own country. And now they feel that America has let them, and their future, down.

When you hear someone describe your country as a dream, a vision of the possible future of the world, you quickly lose any desire to mock them for having that dream, or for showing up in droves, waving the flag, and cheering to the heavens when an American politician lands in Europe.

more at:
http://www.americablog.com/2008/08/one-of-saddest-parts-about-mccains-new.html

[Frustratedlady]

1. Bush has hit the United States with his own 9/11. He has ruined our economy...

our military, our infrastructure and our political process. He is a dolt, a clown, a goofball who ruins everything he touches.

People from other countries see this happening because they are outside the forest, looking in. Just follow The Guardian. I am continually amazed at how they read our country's dilemma better than we do.

The world feels sorry for us...we, the peons of America. I still say that if Obama is elected, there will be a worldwide cheer that will rock this planet.

[asjr]

2. And most horrible--he has been allowed

to ruin us. Congress means nothing anymore, if ever.

[FlaDem83]

3. Great points...

My husband was really surprised by all the people who showed up at the Berlin event. I told him, most people across the world WANT to like America - we've just made it really hard these last few years. Sad. Hopefully, that will all change in 01/09!!!

[JDPriestly]

4. I lived with the people (not the diplomatic community) in

several European countries for a good number of years. Everyone loved America and Americans. They ridiculed and criticized our funny ways, but then we ridicule and criticize theirs. But beneath it all they really love us. They do not like Bush. They really, really do not like him. Generally, based on what I hear from friends and family who have traveled there recently, Europeans dislike for GWB is even stronger than ours here on DU.