They don't hate us, they hate our President

[JCMach1]

Coming back from the Dubai Shopping Festval last night, once again I was struck by how it is an almost universal feeling in the ME that they like Americans, but despise Bush. We had a Pakistani driver and he used the same language to talk about both Bush and Saddam... words like bad, evil, and criminal.

This has pretty much been the pattern I have seen since I have lived here...

The ME loves America and hates the thief who stole it.

*You know you are in the Twilight Zone when your Pakistani cab driver knows more about American politics than the average American... :wtf:

[Gadave]

1. In France I heard the same thing

The French don't hate Americans. They always said they just didn't like Bush. One of the people I stayed with was a protester against the war (before it began). His sign said Ce n'est pas une guerre, C'est un boucherie. That means it is not a war, it is a butcherie, pronounced BUSHerie in French. (My spelling of French is not 100 percent accurate).

[area51]

4. Welcome

Welcome to DU, Gadave.

[Gadave]

7. Thanks

I have been reading this board for forever, and finally bother to register. I feel like a dam has burst and can't stop talking. But that's how I am in real life!!

[JCMach1]

5. Yes, welcome

:bounce:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. GaDave welcome to DU! every continental friend i have says the same thing

:hi: :hi: :hi:

moscow
switzerland
canada
ireland
england
france
and
venezuela

"we hate bush not americans"

they are aware that he stole the last election, but, if bush wins this one (whether by BBV or not) i'm not so sure they will be as gracious towards us. we also need to be held "accountable" to some extent.

[salinen]

2. Yeah, but does that Pakistani

cab driver even know that Michael Jackson dangled a baby? Ha, I thought not.

[Manix]

3. ..yes...I believe the so-called anti-Americanism around the world

..is mostly anti-Bush.

[ComerPerro]

6. Some of it is anti-Americanism

Many people hate America as a whole. Its a reptuation we have worked hard to earn.

But many coutries (especially our former allies) either hate Bush or are scared to death of him.

[camero]

8. I have alot of friends from the ME

It's our foriegn policy that turns them off. Not us.

[pink_poodle]

9. Yeah, what you guys need is a regime change! Maybe then, the .......

rest of us out here in the world can have some peace again?

[tom_paine]

11. Sadly, eventually they will come to hate us too...

If the Imperial Family is not stopped. Whether or not we are enslaved by Tyrants, eventually they will come to hate us. Or they'll feel about us the way we (most Americans, I think) used to feel abotu the Soviets.

A mixture of anger, fear, and tongue-clucking pity.

But take note of the first two primary emotions.

[truthspeaker]

12. It's deliberate misdirection on the admin's part

Anytime someone criticizes American foreign policy they get accused of being "anti-American" or "blaming America". That's why Pat Robertson was advocating blowing up the State Department (btw, isn't making terroristic threats illegal?). Because there are people there who acknowledge that not everything the US does is absolutely the best possible thing ever, they are "anti-American".

[NewJeffCT]

13. I agree, but it is changing

Many people around the world hate Bush, but like Americans. I have in-laws in China that think he is stupid, but they love America and many things American, and I still have nieces there that want to come to college here in a year or two or three.

But, I get the impression that because of Bush, many are questioning Americans themselves - as in, how could they pick a leader so <fill in the blank with: 'arrogant' ; 'stupid' ; 'deceitful' ; etc>

[DinahMoeHum]

14. I've heard similar sentiments from friends overseas. . .

and they tell me they can forgive us for Election 2000, they realize that it was a stolen election.

But if G*d forbid, * is elected in 2004, the gloves are off.

They'll forgive us once, but not twice.


:kick:

[KayLaw]

15. Yikes!

With those computerized voting machines, who knows what will happen?
I've felt hostility toward my fellow Americans more than once or twice lately, but you have to give us credit. With all the big media worshiping Bush, covering for him, forcing him down our throats, pimping for him 24/7, slamming his opponents or anyone who dare speak against him, the majority of Americans still don't want to see him win in 2004.