One difference between the USA and the UK, is that regards for Britons by people in the USA are nearly all positive, while far too many Britons dislike Americans and regard us negatively. There are almost no anti-British statements in US media, while the British media very often spew dishonesty and hardly-veiled hatred against the USA.The only Americans I hate are the ones that are being dishonest about Britain. Let's take this stage by stage -
The polls you posted show a majority against leaving "now". Still, let's also consider how questions are phrased - if people in the United States were asked if they would prefer that their boys are home or fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan, how would they answer? No one sane wants their lads to be in danger. It's a question if they understand why they're there and want to see it through.
Secondly, as The Englishman quite rightly showed, you're helping to spread a tabloid myth. Sir Richard was quoted out of context - congratulations, you're the waterboy for the media. You're doing their dirty work.
You're also doing Osama's dirty work by trying to undermine the image of Britain (and other countries) in the eyes of Americans and thus divide the alliance. I have to say if America wants to turn its back on Britain, fine, it's their choice. But before they respond to your cheap propaganda, perhaps they ought to consider the fine young people who have been killed fighting alongside America before they consider anything you have to say.
Ivan
Foreign relations problems need to be solved--not covered up. The following shows attitudes of Britons toward the USA. People in the USA do not have such attitudes toward Britons.
June 26-28, 2006
[Excerpts:]
Also taking everything into account, would you say your overallopinion of the US has...? %
Gone up a lot in recent years 3
Gone up a little in recent years 17
Gone down a little in recent years 47
Gone down a lot in recent years 22
Don't know 11
How much confidence do you have in the ability of the United
States to deal wisely with present world problems?
Very great confidence 1 Considerable confidence 11
Little confidence 39
Very Little confidence 28
None at all 16
Don't know 6
How would you rate George W. Bush as a world leader?
He is a great leader 1
He is reasonably satisfactory
15
He is a pretty poor leader 34
He is a terrible leader 43
Don't know 7
Do you think the American forces are doing a good job or a bad
job of helping to bring democracy to Iraq?
Yes, they are doing a good job of helping to bring democracy to 24
No, they are not doing a good job of helping to bring democracy 54
Don't know 23
Some people claim that the United States is essentially an
imperial power, one that wants to dominate the world by one
means or another. Do you think it is, or is not, fair to describe %
American as an imperial power?
Yes, it is fair to describe America in that way 58
No, it is not fair to describe America in that way 28
Don't know 14
Here is a list of paired words and phrase.
Which word or phrase in each pair do you think more accurately
describes the United States today? %
Caring 19
Uncaring 60
Don't know 21
Divided by class 63
Relatively classless 26
Don't know 12
Vulgar 65
Sophisticated 9
Don't know 26
Well led 10
Badly led 75
Don't know 14
Cultured 23
Uncultured 56
Don't know 22
Religious 61
Irreligious 14
Don't know 25