Europeans upset by Bush election (cry me a river)

BBC News Online ^ | January 19 2005 | Chris Morris

[knighthawk]

Most Europeans surveyed in a BBC World Service poll were not encouraged by the re-election of George W Bush.

In the major countries of western Europe - Germany, France and the UK - clear majorities say his re-election is negative for global security.

Smaller majorities say their overall view of US influence in the world is mainly negative as well.

The Italians are split, mainly negative about Mr Bush, mainly positive about US influence in general.

The only European country to buck the trend completely is Poland, one of the new members of the European Union, where both Mr Bush and the US get positive marks.

Turks unhappy

The main factor behind the generally negative assessment is almost certainly the war in Iraq.

It has always been deeply unpopular with European public opinion, adding to the perception of Mr Bush in Europe as a unilateralist who refuses to listen to his allies.

More bad news for the president comes from Turkey - a traditional ally of the United States and the only Muslim member of Nato.

Eighty two percent of Turks questioned said they were negative about Mr Bush's re-election, the highest number in any country involved in the survey.

It was with such feelings in mind that the Turkish parliament refused to allow American troops to open a second front from Turkish territory during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

It was an unexpected snub, from which US-Turkish relations have yet to recover in full.

[Atlantic Friend]

No, you asked the evil, imperialistic French Army to evacuate a few thousands US citizens from Abidjan 2 or 3 years ago, something that earned my horrible nasty evil terrorist country official thanks.

Apparently these US citizens were in danger of being surrounded by nice, Christian, law-abiding machete mobs appointed by the Ivoirian government... And I'm sure there was no looting and raping from these nice mobs either, no way, they are swell guys, every one of them !

So wake up and smell the coffee, Teddy - or the chocolate, if you prefer.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Would those mobs have existed if france had not insisted on supporting the Islamic terrorists? Who, I am sure are such nice guys. Or were they a reaction to france, as usual, supporting the side of evil?

I have lived in Africa, france treats everybody there like dirt. Your reputation for brutality and creation of hellholes is only surpassed by Belgium.

You wake up and smell the coffee. france is not and never has been an ally and I refuse to act as if you are.

[Atlantic Friend]

"Would those mobs have existed if france had not insisted on supporting the Islamic terrorists?"

Well, yes. I'll give you a little hint : these mobs were appointed by the Ivoirian President to do a little voters intimidation. After years of rigged elections, suddenly there was a Presidential hopeful named Wattara, who was from the northern part of the country (which is indeed predominantly muslim). Wattara was popular and could win the next elections, so President Gbagbo did what tinpot dictators usually do : he passd a new law saying Wattara was "not Ivoirian enough" to be a presidential candidate, because his mother was born abroad, even though Wattara had Ivoirian citizenship.

Because of colonial borders and of post-colonial policies, African politics are, usually, clanic in nature, and whether the clans have the same religion is largely irrelevant. Hey, you don't have to take my word for it : read articles about the situation in the Ivory Coast in the last 5 years, for example, about what kind of regime there is over there, and about what Gbagbo really stands for.

[processing please hold]

We're on the 'do not call' list, but every now and then one sneaks through and I tell them they may have to pay a huge fine for calling my number. They apologize and hang up quickly.

We use a .22 for small varmints. We save the more powerful shot for.......

[Atlantic Friend]

What you refuse to do or see or say is none of my business, Ma'am. You want to indulge in prejudice, feel free to do it. You want to take the blinders off, you don't need me.

[Grzegorz 246]

"Thus, according to the American soldier i.e. my dad, they were so incredibly stupid it would take 10 of them to change a light bulb, one to hold the bulb and 9 to turn the ladder"

Well, in my opinion Americans are just jealous that we are more intelligent.

[Hi Heels]

And thus have all the money?

[Grzegorz 246]

Which money ?

[Hi Heels]

I rest my case.