A very good article. Peceptive.

The attitude toward the U.S. out here is definitely negative right now, fuelled in no small part by routine disinformation in the local media and the fruits of our good friend, Michael Moore.

Though not George Bush?????

?

If it were not for George Bush there would not even be a Michael Moore!

There is definitely a sentiment that Osama is winning the 'hearts and minds' of the young arabs. Somethinng that the actions of the Bush administration loses sight of in its actions in the Middle East.

So, your alternative is ?????

Well, although I don't have the luxury of a late night swim I would offer a thought, and whilst I'm afraid I don't offer any alternatives moer importantly I don't believe that the Bush Administration has a plan B either.

I do believe though that the world would be relieved at the disposal of Bush at the ballot box in November, and thus would be will be willing to assist in Iraq, consequently the US, and woullld help restore some credibility to the democratic procedures in there.

With Bush returned to the White House and the extreme regime of his administration it will not be a surprise if there is an increase of terrorist recruitment and an escalation of violence in Iraq and around the world.

The IRA never went away because of the strong British military stance in Northern Ireland. The UDA never went away because of the strengthening of the IRA. Instead these organisations were given the renewed oxygen to fight. The same parallel could be drawn in the Middle East.

I think it is important to point out that many major terrorist attacks and UBL preceded the Bush administration by many years. The 9-11 attacks were planned well before Bush's election. Bush may be responsible for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but he is not responsible for Arab and Muslim hatred of the U.S.

..pleeezz,you folks have the staying power of a ice cube in heat of the day..aint but one plan; all ways has been..you can either be part of it or just another na sayer..chose is yours..sorry if it aint quick and tidy for you..something along the line "WAR IS HELL"..as far as the rest of your concerns about the contempt for the United States..maybe its those folks that need to re-think what they can do to get back into ((OUR)) favor not the other way around ..but there lies the difference.."its always our fought" ..sorry that wont wash...

Symptomless:

Ummm... but a "definitely a sentiment" doesn't rate much. Ranked up there with "sorta maybe" and "definitely probably". A variant of "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda", yet projected on the perception of what others MAY be thinking.

"Dubai is an incredibly fun place with a vibrant ex-pat community and all the opulance and extravagance of Vegas (yes, alcohol, no, gambling)"

Now THAT's the part I'm reading. That'll reassure my wife a bit when I head over there and Oman in a few weeks.

Syptomless,

First of all, Michael Moore isn't just a Bush-hater. Sure, he capitalized off of the anti-Bush sentiment around the world, even though he's really an anti-capitalist. Michael Moore is anti-American, and no, I'm not just saying that because I have a differing viewpoint. I've read (and I'm sure you have, too) several interviews where Moore has acknowledged that he think's we're a bunch of dumb, materialistic, consumers.

Moore exists because of Bush? Post hoc fallacy. Moore has been a strident anti-capitalist for over a decade now. At heart, he's a 60s, socialist, liberal. Bush is the opposite. It's most evident that such ideologies would be at war with one another.

Syptomless, I know this assertion will bother you, but it matters not that the world’s opinion currently leans one way or the other. Come November, 50%-55% of the United States will vote for George Bush, deciding the fate of the long-term goals for the rest of the world. The economic and military juggernaut, becoming so after only 228 years of pure Darwinian evolution, dictates policy. Period. The Europeans now have little right to direct policy, as they have lazily let their economies and militaries fall far behind. The reliance on the U.S. to provide security for world trade, on which Europe and Asia are so reliant, and the disintegration of the U.N. into a mere debating society for wannabes, leaves the U.S. free to do as we please. I know, the arrogance coming from a colonial of all people!

He who signs the checks, runs the show.

There's only one thing that will answer the conspiracy theories and hate-mongering: successful elections in Iraq. In all (? - AFAIK) local elections there, the extremists of every stripe have been consigned to the distant back benches, and I anticipate exactly the same thing in the nationals. The secret ballot is the premiere WED (Weapon of Extremist Destruction).

Gezzz! Micheal moore should be hung for any death he causes due to his anti Bush, anti American B.S. What is wrong with our country that we cannot imprison those who cross the line?