>>Tracy,
>>
>>As the same question in any EU country and I'm sure you'll get a similar impression. It is not that we hate americans... We hate your administration...
>>
>>Most EU citizens are very critical about US foreign politics.
>>
>>Walter,
>>'
>
>And that is, of course, your right.
>
>You do understand, however, that the goal of US foreign policy is to advance the interests of the US and not to please EU citizens, any more than the goal of Dutch foreign policy should be to poll well in Iowa. While I think it is unfortunate when everyone doesn't see the world the way we do ( or more importantly , the way I do <g>), I think it is understandable and as long as we are truly acting in our own best interests ( and that is not to say I think current administration policy is in our own best interests ) then we have done exactly what any nation must do in answering to its own citizens.
>
>The idea that what we are doing is unpopular with another country's citizens (who are also being manipulated by politicians with their own agendas ) is just not a compelling argument. If we are doing the right thing, it is the right thing and if it is the wrong thing it is the wrong thing. Popularity contests aren't really the issue.
>
>Most Americans weren't really fond of Charles deGaulle, but he wasn't trying to win an election here and quite correctly he saw his duty as advancing what he considered the interests of France ( and le Grand Charles <s> )


Agreed that a nation's policy should be guided by what is best for the country, not by what people elsewhere think. But I don't consider that an excuse to shrug off the extreme unpopularity of the U.S. at the moment, particularly over Iraq. I doubt our image abroad has ever been lower than it is now. It would take a lot of determination to simply ignore that. Especially since our perceived arrogance is part of the problem.