pure bs Going Global Today!

I'm taking a break from U.S. politics in order to give you, my worthy readers a look at some stories that don't seem to be getting any play from our major media outlets(at least not that I have seen).

As we noted last evening, Bush has called for the 'coalition of the willing' to remain together. Honduras, and now the Netherlands are out as of June 30. El Salvador and Guatemala may be the next to go. President Bush has called a meeting of some 60 ambassadors to the White House in order to shore up support. Relink to LA Times story

Additionally, Australian PM John Howard is reportedly facing pressure from two sides. The Aussie voters who think "it's time"(that Howard go) and from popular resistance to the invasion of Iraq. One Aussie journo called it the "khaki election." I think that sums it up. No longer is it merely the economy, as it is in most elections, but a combination of economic feeling amongst the electorate coupled with a sense of fear. Sad, but likely true.

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This Saturday, 20 03 2004 groups around the globe are preparing to protest the one year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Interested in taking part? United for Peace and Justice should give you all the info. you need. Be safe!

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In the results of a global poll released yesterday, opinion of the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level ever. The Pew poll -- cited in the survey -- is but three years old. A similar European poll that has been tracking U.S. sentiment abroad is over two decades old.

Here's a snippet:

The survey, the largest of its kind, found slipping support for the U.S. war on terrorism in Europe and negative views of the United States in all foreign countries polled except Britain. Big majorities said that the United States does not consider other countries' interests and that Europe should develop more diplomatic and military independence.

Majorities in seven of the eight foreign countries said the war in Iraq hurt or had no effect on the war on terrorism, and only in the United States did a majority believe that the ouster of Saddam Hussein will make the Middle East more democratic.

The nonpartisan Pew Research Center, which conducted the survey, said the image of the United States in the world has never polled lower. "This poll says to me the discontent with America is a long-term problem that U.S. leaders have to confront," said poll director Andrew Kohut. "We've never seen ratings as low as this for America."

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That's all for global politics for the moment. I think I'll keep this linked to and add things to it on a regular basis.