Debate:Restoring the USA image in the world, just a fancy phrase that means zilch?

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Restoring USA image in the world, a common liberal talking point. They have determined that America, with it unilateral approach on Iraq has damaged our image. False. The image has been damaged for some time now. First, is was a coalition of the willing, not the USA alone. Second, now that the Europeans have chimed into the Iraq debate as America wrong, liberals see it as the whole world hates America now. Before 9/11, extremists plotted to kill Americans. Why? We are the richest nation on Earth, do you think others hate us for that? Many nations are appalled at our pornagraphic industry that we export to them, can that be a part of it? Our support of Israel? We give women equal rights and a voice, many women in the world can't even leave their house alone or without a veil or go to school. My belief, and I am always correct, that liberals have found a hammer to hit conservatives with because the Europeans dislike our capitalism, and we are against socialism.--jp 18:20, 6 May 2007 (EDT)

Update, Europe heading toward pro-American leaders. Victory in Germany by Merkel replacing anti-American Schroeder. Now victory in France replacing Chirac. Coupled with victory by Harper in Canada, it now seems we have support of major nations that took a direct stand against the USA foreign policy. Restoring the USA image in the world has worked itself out without the Democrats help.--jp 10:16, 8 May 2007 (EDT)

On the other hand, Guantanamo Bay still hasn't been shut down, and those pesky Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction remain unfound. --Gulik2 14:33, 10 May 2007 (EDT)

Just having "pro-American leaders" isn't enough to restore the image, I'm afraid:

In a recent poll of international travellers, commissioned by Discover America Partnership, a coalition of US tourist organisations, 70 per cent of respondents said they feared US officials more than terrorists or criminals. Another 66 per cent worried they would be detained for some minor blunder, such as wrongly filling out an official form or being mistaken for a terrorist, while 55 per cent say officials are "rude."

Comes from this recent news article. Check here for details. Some things that might be worth a look on that page:

• March 22, 2007 -- New Figures From Dept. of Commerce Show Continued Decline in Overseas Travel to U.S.
• January 23, 2007 -- Decline in U.S. Share of Global Travelers Since 9/11 Cost Nation $93 Billion; $15 Billion in Lost Taxes
• November 20, 2006 - Study: Perceived Treatment of Foreign Travelers Driving Away Visitors, Damaging America’s Image Abroad

I'm most likely not going to engage in a lengthy debate about this since my online time is limited, so I'd rather spend it on working on articles. I just wanted to add this as food for thought. There's more to the US image than the opinion of some leading politicians. --JLindon 14:55, 10 May 2007 (EDT)