Ireland doesn't like us?

[cidliz2004]

A scarey thing just happened. A college student came by with my niece and told us that while she was in Dublin that she and her fellow classmates tried to be as invisible as possible. There were street entertainers doing their skits on the streets based on "Anti American" views, the airport had "Anti-American" rhetoric and because our soldiers fly into their airport (at least some of them), they had Graffiti saying the the "Americans are whoring them" by using thier airport for the war. She said the smaller towns were OK. Have any of you heard this before? It really surprised me.

[rucky]

1. Would you like us?

BUSH must go.

[onebigbadwulf]

2. Yeah right...

next thing you're gonna tell me is that the middle east doesn't like us either!

or the WHOLE WORLD!


...:think:

[cidliz2004]

10. Ireland though?

I know that a lot of countries are pissed about our being in Iraq, but I didn't realize that Ireland was that "political". I guess that I just think of England, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and that is about it for most of Europe when it comes to the ramifications of us going into Iraq. I just don't think of Ireland as that involved in this.

Are there any corners in the civilized world that don't hate us for this?

[onebigbadwulf]

15. Nope.

Even the tiny little neutral country of New Zealand (where I am right now) hates America.

Sorry, you can thank Bush for that.

[Hamlette]

16. Ireland not political?

All of Europe is political, far better informed than Americans. In Ireland they followed politics even more closely because of "the troubles".

They adored Clinton, could tell you more about him than any of us know. They followed his career closely. I remember visiting Denmark in 1974, they could name all of Nixon's cabinet members. Shocked me.

And Dublin airport? I thought they'd go through Shannon.

[Andromeda]

21. Not too many

Unfortunately. Word has gotten around that we are the bullies of the world thanks to all Hat and no Cattle!

[Kanary]

3. Most countries "don't like us". Can you blame them?

The Greeks certainly haven't much use for us...... the Olympics should be interesting.

Kanary

[madrchsod]

4. ol`e georgie`s last visit

cost them a million or so for all the soldiers and tanks they had to have to protect him. when big dog was there he stood among thousands of people with no one but the ss guards..

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

5. I believe it

this is the only time in my life I am glad I don't have many resources for world travel.

If I did travel the world right now, I might affect a strange non-American accent when necessary. And try not to dress too American.

How sad is that?

[Tansy_Gold]

9. I can't speak from personal experience, but every report

I've read has indicated that AMERICANS are not hated, but the policies and actions of the current administration are despised.

People around the world are smart enough to know that most Americans don't support the unelected asshole living in the white house.

[murielm99]

12. Correct.

My daughter just came back from South America. She heard plenty of negative comments and questions about *.

But the people liked the Americans there, and they liked her. (It helps that she is fluent in their language, and knows how to cuss him out fluently).

Also, they have their own concerns. The U.S. and * are not on the front pages every day. She was in Bolivia during the big referendum on natural gas. That was what everyone was writing and talking about.

[Tansy_Gold]

6. I believe the Irish are upset that their government has allowed

US military flights through Shannon airport. Ireland is officially neutral and the Irish consider this a violation of their neutral status.

[FreakinDJ]

7. Rescent survey in Europe schools

Bush ranked right along with Adolh Hitler as most evil leaders in the world

Duh....Who Woulda thunk it

[Nite Owl]

8. Reflections of Bush* on us.

If he somehow gets elected it won't be safe anywhere.

[Minstrel Boy]

11. It's lonely being "the bully on the block"

Colin Powell told the House Armed Services Committee that he wanted the US "to be the bully on the block," so the world would know "there is no future in trying to challenge the armed forces of the United States."

How popular are bullies?

[samplegirl]

13. They hate us for our President

Bush just cant understand why everyone just dosent share his diplomacy!!! "Gun Barrel Diplomacy" Boy wont it be great when
we dont have Bush trying to Unite us.

[Djinn]

18. it's bigger than the current President

but it's not about hating Americans, even if Bush is ousted there will still be considerable "anti-american" feeling throughout the qorld - but very few people aren't aware that those who make the decisions to push trade deals that benefit only mega-corps and military intervention throughout the world are not the average American and aren't even supported by the average American.

What's generally called "anti-Americanism" seems to be felt by many Americans as well...looks like you're all "self haters" LOL

[0007]

23. You got it!

[Bridget Burke]

14. Mostly, they don't like George Bush.

For now, most Irish don't hate Americans, just our unelected president. There were some rather large protests during his recent visit--& some discussion here.

[JohnKleeb]

17. That certainly is true

They seem to have liked Clinton and especially their very own Kennedy, and they like Jimmy Carter too. The Irish are good people and I am sure they'll love President Kerry though he sigh isnt really Irish.

[CaTeacher]

19. I was there approximately a year ago--and the

people could not have been nicer. In fact--all throughout the British Isles, I got special attention whenever they found out I was an American.

They may not like the administration--I have no doubt that Bush himself is not that popular, but usually the people themselves are nice and polite and they treat strangers to their land like guests--I felt very at home in Ireland--actually I loved it so much I wished I could stay!!!

I can honestly say that everyone went out of their way to be kind to me--from taxi drivers to hotel clerks! I loved it there!

[the Kelly Gang]

20. when people say 'America' they mean the current administration

..that's what happens here in Australia, but as individuals people are very fond of Yanks..it's unfortunate that Bush & Co wrap themselves in the flag so everyone in the country gets the blame..

don't worry, everyone wil love you again when President Kerry & V.P Edwards are in Washington.

[Fish08]

22. OK I'm Irish

and don't worry you're not hated here (OK I know I'm really generalising but I truly believe this is the case). I mean truly, who could not like the American people? The PEOPLE are not disliked worldwide and you should always remember the distinction between the people and those in power. OK in a diplomatic environment something can be said about your representatives are elected by you and therefore represent your views, but we know its nowhere near that simple. Believe it or not we European's tend to be quite well informed and as such we know it’s not actually your fault that your foreign policy is, currently, in the hands of some misguided hawks. We are not so much annoyed that our Country was used as a hub for the war because it harmed our neutrality status but it was more a case of realising quite early that the reasons for war were a dud and we did not want our names on the books of such a mistake. If any of you choose to visit Ireland I guarantee you will be greeted with open arms as always. Bush would probably not get the same treatment though…

Also what you may see as ‘Anti-American’ in the streets of Dublin are simply frustrations being vented at the policies and actions of your current administration. You have to remember that outside your own Country opinions are not laced with the same patriotic flavour as you might find at home. Not many will shout you down for being ‘Anti-American’ here (although a few Irish citizens watch way too much Fox News and you can tell!) and as such it may come across as being a little strong.

“A college student came by with my niece and told us that while she was in Dublin that she and her fellow classmates tried to be as invisible as possible”. Please tell your friend to stand up and be proud to be American next time, she would be welcomed as a friend. Just make sure Bush is not re-elected, otherwise we might only buy you one pint, instead of two ;)

[dbt]

25. Thank you, Fish08!!!

I needed that. I really, really, really want to go back to Clare someday and re-live the hospitality and warmth that the Irish showed me back in '95.

Failte!

:beer:
dbt

[Bridget Burke]

24. One thing I'm curious about...

Did the college student & her fellow classmates actually talk to any of the Irish about all this? I'm told that most of them speak English & are not shy about talking.

Did they read any newspapers while there? Had they studied up on current events in Ireland before they left?