[This is long- sorry]
This is my first diary entry, from a student who lives in the UK, and studies politics. I come on here all the time. I don't have any links to the US (except a few friends in Virginia, and a recent trip to New York), and my uni course isn't on American politics. However, and I don't know why, but there is something I find totally absorbing about American politics. I know it will sound weird, but I get just as excited as you all do when, say, Tester storms the Montana Primary, or Jim Webb squeaks a win in Virginia. I follow every facet of US political trivia- the blogs, the fundraising data etc. I was the only one of my 10 or so friends who, when in New York, get excited when I saw an ad from New York's next Governor, Eliot Spitzer, on the hotel TV!
I have just read the poll linked to by Kos. From it, you could come to two conclusions. The first (the generally European view) is that the US and the US public just 'don't get it'. The 2nd view, often put forward by the US right, is that 'those bloody Europeans don't get us'. Let me give you a European point of view on a few issues which, in my view, would change the view of the US worldwide...
- Guantanamo Bay: At first it seemed a good an fair thing, but now you have the entire Islamic world...no....the entire world, condemning it. Even the UK Government said it is unacceptable. We have seen innocent men held for years, and others held without basic human rights. I assure you that the amazing PR from closing that camp will save many, many lives. It will also make the US not look like hypocrites- preaching freedom and rule of law, while ignoring pressure, and ignoring simple law by holding people without charge.
-International agreements. At least pretend you care. When you pulled out of Kyoto, you could have tried to build bridges. Instead, you looked arrogant and energy obsessed. Don't just say the rest of the world is wrong, try and find common ground. Also, join the International Criminal Court. If our soldiers are fighting to protect US lives, why should we face international law, and you not? Play fair, and get the respect back. Don't always be made out as the bad guys.
-Get some decent PR. Positive press will make you safer than any gun. Spread a little wealth- instead of arming African nations, send peacekeepers. Help in Darfur. Secure Somalia. Fund a cure for AIDS, and provide cheap drugs. Negotiate in the DR Congo. Or if you already are, make it high-profile. Show off for god sake! The US looks remote and seems no have a lopsided view of the world. I hate to bring it up, as I believe in Israel strongly, but why can't country x break the odd UN resolution when the number broken by Israel runs into the dozens?
Iraq of course plays a part, but that is a lost cause, and Tony Blair has paid as much as anyone for that. He is weak, Bush is weak. Both are lame ducks, not running again, and both are a drag on their respective parties
This wasn't a rant. These are things which frustrate me. The crude and uninformed anti-Americanism I see every day annoys me, and makes me despair, when I know all of you despair at much at your Government too. These are small things which will make a huge difference. It all comes down to- show you care, and practice what you preach. We will notice.
You know, when Bill Clinton came here as President, we loved him. We still do. He lectures here, does interviews on the BBC. When Bush arrived for his official visit, we had the largest weekday demonstration EVER in London. In such a short time you have lost our faith. We like you as people, but can't see past the undignified acts of your Government, or the loons who seem to shill for them worldwide. When we see how oil men run the White House, we are amazed that they can be so closely linked to making energy policy. It scares us!
Oh, a 4th thing, and most importantly....In 2008, please, for the sake of Europe and world, help elect a new, progressive leader of the free world (and a progressive congress in 2006 would help too). I can't help, but I will always be willing you on from the sidelines!