Do Brits hate George Bush

[one_cat]

My sister and I just finished a discussion where she was trying to convince me that 80% of British hate - she used the word hate - our president. I disagreed with her. While I know that support for the Iraqi war and our president is less around the world than here in the states I don't believe it's at the level that she thinks it is. So who better to ask than you guys who are living in the UK.

Is it true that there is an overwhelming hatred for our president in the UK?

 

[Loftus]

The majority of British people are pro-American and, whilst many people may disagree with President Bush's policies, I would say it would be a small minority who would say they hate him.

The attached link is an opinion poll quoted in The Guardian - a left of centre newspaper. I think it gives a pretty good reflection of the state of play.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12956,1087545,00.html

 

[signtalker]

I have to agree with the above,I certainly as a brit dont hate him!!

My husband was in the forces,and british television showed Bush surprising the troops on thanksgiving in Iraq, just shows that he does have a heart,glad hes on our side LOL!

Jules

 

[BONZO]

I think that there's a healthy mistrust of politicians in general over here.

 

[steve_rob]

Personally I didn't like the man LONG before the Iraq war came up - I'm just completely opposed to a great number of his policies and think he's the ultimate case of style over substance (and we think Blair's bad for spin!) and what's happened in the last two years has only reinforced this in my mind. I don't like the way he's dragged America down with him (and let's face it he has - world opinion of the US is at an all time low and mainly due to the policies of his administration), because I love that country and it's inhabitants and its ideals so much.

But HATE him? Severe dislike and mistrust, yes. But I can't say he makes my blood boil enough to call it anywhere near hatred.

At the same time, people do. And I wouldn't write them off as all being wierdo-lefty-loonies or anything. They come from all walks of life and all classes of this country. Though I think for many of them, they are more angry with Blair than Bush and one of the easiest ways to make that point is to show their opposition to his best mate.

My guess is that if you were to ask everyone in this country about Bush, you would get far more negative comments about him than positive, but I don't think you'd get that many who would actually come out and say they hate him.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

steve_rob - I couldn't have put it better myself!!! I'm afriad the word HATE is very emotive and I can honestly say I don't HATE anyone. That doesn't mean I'm some sort of goody-goody or wahtever, but I would save THAT level of emothion for someone who did something VERY serious to a loved one!!!

However, I don't like Mr Bush one bit - I don't TRUST him and I certainly don't like many of his poilicies. I think he lives in 'Bush-world' where he's right and anyone who disagrees with him is automatically WRONG!!! This is a very dangerous way to view the world and contriburtes, IMHO, to the fact that there are crtain areas of the world where people would blow themselves and others up to prove their 'hatred' of this man, his policies and ultimately the USA. Thi is a shame, because I love visiting America - the people and the scenery etc is great. however, I do think many Americans live in 'Bush-world' as well - probably because the country is so vast and insular!!!

Just my humble opinion!!!!!

 

[one_cat]

Thank you everyone for your comments. It's a good thing to once-in-a-while view the world through someone else's eyes.

 

[jersey shark]

I found this thread very interesting as well...although somewhat ironic if indeed most British people did NOT view Bush favorably as I think most Americans are very impressed by PM Blair and feel tremendous affection to the gov't/people of the UK for being such a strong ally and taking action on the world stage.

 

[kazzie]

I hate George Bush AND Tony Blair

 

[edie w]

I don't hate George Bush. I don't know the man. However I'm appalled at most things he has done since he was "elected".

He seems to think that being president of such a large and powerful country gives him a mandate to impose his view on the world. I don't doubt that the Iraquis and some of the Afghans are pleased to be free of their despotic rulers. I also don't doubt that there are some seriously misguided people out there who would happily kill in the furtherance of their cause.... but how is that so different from what George Bush is doing?

It's not black and white - but he seems to think it is. His "evidence" has been shown to be very much in question. I'm afraid that his gung-ho attitude could precipitate a world war.

But more than this, he has become a figure worthy of derision ("Dubya") in the UK - because of his strange turn of phrase, because of his blinkered attitude, because of is ignorance of the rest of the world, and because of the way he siezed power under such dubious circumstances.

As for Tony Blair - I'm disappointed, I had higher hopes, and am unlikely to vote Labour again. I'll choose a real left-wing party.

And as for America itself, and the American people - I love it and can't wait to visit again.

 

[juliebro]

Edie - I absolutely agree with your views. I too don't 'hate' George Bush - but he worries me (a lot). I believe he is personally responsible for fact that US popularity is at an all time low. I am very suspicious of his motives and I don't think he has the necessary intellect to be president - Clinton was definitely smarter!

As for Mr Blair - I too am very very disappointed that the Labour government that I voted for has not lived up to my expectations. I can't see the difference between them and the Tories.

Julie

 

[floridalol]

Originally posted by juliebro
Clinton was definitely smarter!

I can think of a lot of words that describe a man who doesn't know if he has had sex with a woman or not - smarter is not one of them!

I like George Bush - like all good politicians he doesn't care if he wins the "popular" vote, it's the votes of the silent majority that count and that will win him a second term of office.

FloridaLol