Kerry Supporters: Some Consolation

[dcentity2000]

Hey there everyone!

I have a message here for all of you Kerry supporters and although in the gloom you must all be in, this is one gentle shaft of light.

Post election polls in the entire United Kingom show that had the election happened here, Kerry would have won by a factor of five to one: that's over eighty percent! The reason? Bush is seen in Canada, Australia and Europe as being "Un-American"; the qualities of a modern American are seen as incarnate in Kerry and the parody of an American (cowboy) is seen as incarnate in Bush. This doesn't necessarily represent my views; it's the result of a great many polls across Canada, Australia and Eurasia.

On top of this, the Canadian inmigration service has reported a large jump in interest (over 60%) the day after Bush won and the United Kingdom inmigration service has reported rises in associated services; all of this growth originates in the US. Travel agents within many countries have also warned of a decrease in tourism for the US, caused by disolusioned citizens of visiting nations opting to stay out of a Bush led state.

Some consolation, at least; all present indications are that the rest of the world agreed with you.

By the way, since the re-election of Bush, there has been reported a surge in activities associated with various terror cells and in racist attacks in certain countries (Northern Europe in particular).

Edit: I just noticed on various news RSS feeds that many people in the UK, Spain and Russia in particular are refusing to recognise Bush as a legitimate President. Why? 51% of Americans think Bush supports the Kyoto treaty (he left it), 69% believe he is against weapons testing (he isn't) and 74% believe he is in major support of the trade unions in contract negotiations (not really). Source: Program On International Policy Attitudes.



Rich::

 

[Teejay32]

That is a coincidence. I was just going to post that Americans have noticed an increase in anti-cowboy sentiment around the globe. Very distressing.

 

[Jennifer S]

Why is that a consolation? You can't vote over there so it has no bearing.

 

[septbride2002]

Post election polls in the entire United Kingom show that had the election happened here, Kerry would have won by a factor of five to one: that's over eighty percent! The reason? Bush is seen in Canada, Australia and Europe as being "Un-American"; the qualities of a modern American are seen as incarnate in Kerry and the parody of an American (cowboy) is seen as incarnate in Bush. This doesn't necessarily represent my views; it's the result of a great many polls across Canada, Australia and Eurasia.

Interesting. I'm just wondering what about Bush is unAmerican to Canada, Australia, and Europe?

Also as someone who is not American can you tell us how Religion plays a role in your politics?

~Amanda

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks for posting, Rich. I am comforted by the thoughts of friends both here in America and internationally. I won't, however, be applying for citizenship anywhere else. I plan to stay here and work to make my country a better place for me, my family, my neighbors, and the global community.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Geesh, so thats why that British guy from my astronomy website asked if I wanted to marry him!

No seriously, interesting post. Thanks for posting!

 

[dcentity2000]

To answer a question pre-emptively: these figures are based on polls that are simply the attitudes of the nations mentioned. Religion is not mentioned, etc. The un-American view is held because he is seen widely as a parody, someone who would wear a cowboy hat, play a banjo and use a shotgun to swat a fly. The general consensus of Europe (in particular, Poland and Germany) is that America is a forward thinking, modern and compassionate society, based on peace and understanding; the two ideas, to all of these millions of people, mix slightly less than titanium and water.

The views of the rest of the world do, of course, have no influence over the results and so on. However, it does show how the world generally feels and given the wider base of opinion can cast a more accurate assessment, even though non citizens are probably not in as strong a positionof knowledge as a citizen. Whether you choose to ignore this or consider it is, of course, up to you and really has no particular effect on anything.

If you feel comforted by the idea that the world is largely against Bush, that can only be a good thing. If you're livid about the idea of the world having an opinion on the matter, that's your problem. Sorry.

You're outnumbered.

Edit: Note this parody, minniepumpernickel - might strike a bell!



Rich::

 

[LisaZoe]

I see America as so diverse that no one image (cowboy or not) would ever even come close to representing a large percent of the country let alone a majority. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could stop thinking of others first by the nation of origin and start with that other as a person? Look how much more pleasant things would be. For example on the DIS it would no longer be right vs left but dmadman, crazyforgoofy, rokkitsci, kendra, peter pirate, dawn, mosmom, etc. discussing with other individuals and not just a representative of a larger group.

 

[jennyanydots]

when are we going to start concerning ourselves with our image abroad? itbefore you know it, the world is going to be a very lonely place for Americans.

 

[Brer_Papa]

I found it an interesting post....

if only to show the challenges President Bush faces in the term coming up...

Will he be up to the task of healing OUR divided Nation....

and can he turn the world sentiment posted here around..in the event we need allies in the days and months ahead in this chaotic world....

I pray he has those qualities....

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by Brer_Papa
I found it an interesting post....

if only to show the challenges President Bush faces in the term coming up...

Will he be up to the task of healing OUR divided Nation....

and can he turn the world sentiment posted here around..in the event we need allies in the days and months ahead in this chaotic world....

I pray he has those qualities....

praying hard! very, very hard!

 

[Missy1961]

While I voted for Kerry, I can't say that this consoles me.

 

[Geoff_M]

Sorry, but when Europe is a continent where a large portion of its population thinks that Yasser Arafat is a "good guy", I'm not too concerned about what they "think" about the US.

The makeshift shrine for ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in front of the Percy Military Teaching hospital in Clamart outside Paris is seen Monday, Nov. 8, 2004. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

BBC Reporter "weeps" for Arafat: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3966139.stm

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
when are we going to start concerning ourselves with our image abroad? itbefore you know it, the world is going to be a very lonely place for Americans.

Maybe so. But, they'll still want our help, and our money.

 

[LisaZoe]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
Sorry, but when Europe is a continent where a large portion of its population thinks that Yasser Arafat is a "good guy"

Where may I find the source on which you base the above comment?

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by Brer_Papa
I found it an interesting post....

if only to show the challenges President Bush faces in the term coming up...

Will he be up to the task of healing OUR divided Nation....

and can he turn the world sentiment posted here around..in the event we need allies in the days and months ahead in this chaotic world....

I pray he has those qualities....

We already have the UK as an ally. The only ones we don't have are the ones that were being bribed by Saddam. So, frankly, I'm not sure I want them as allies.

Why wasn't anyone asking Clinton to heal a divided nation when LESS THAN HALF the people voted for him both times he got elected.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by dmadman43
Maybe so. But, they'll still want our help, and our money.

Hmmmmmmm, I'm thinkin that's what the Blue states are beginning to think about the Red ones.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
Hmmmmmmm, I'm thinkin that's what the Blue states are beginning to think about the Red ones.

Nonsequitur, much?

 

[dcentity2000]

Two points: Arafat is still seen as an evil man, but this is mediated by the view that Sharon is an evil man. Sympathy for the man comes out of compassion: no matter how nasty a person may be, many here will still care for them when in suffering.

Most of the world's money still resides in Europe and Asia; Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, they all have huge economies. And many are set to explode in growth, such as Russia and China.

That being said, money and power really holds zero sway when it comes to people's opinion at this scale. Qatar has a small economy and is seen as a wonderful country; Zimbabwe has a small economy and is seen as an abused nation. At the very least, this is the view that the EU is aspiring to, as is the UN.

[Edit] Third point: nations being bribed? That was touted as a major occurence, but, whilst some claims came to substance, the overwhelming majority did not.

The UK is your ally, yes. We're here to back you up, as you are us, even when either of us is seen as wrong. But that doesn't mean you can take us for granted, or we you.



Rich::

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by dcentity2000
Two points: Arafat is still seen as an evil man, but this is mediated by the view that Sharon is an evil man. Sympathy for the man comes out of compassion: no matter how nasty a person may be, many here will still care for them when in suffering.

Most of the world's money still resides in Europe and Asia; Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, they all have huge economies. And many are set to explode in growth, such as Russia and China.

That being said, money and power really holds zero sway when it comes to people's opinion at this scale. Qatar has a small economy and is seen as a wonderful country; Zimbabwe has a small economy and is seen as an abused nation. At the very least, this is the view that the EU is aspiring to, as is the UN.



Rich::

So, if there is a future Bosnia situaation you guys will be able to handle it all on your own? Good to know

Where was Arafat's compassion for the people he murdered? I have absolutely no compassion for the man. He can't die soon enough.