London Times: Britons begin to turn away from alliance with America

Britons begin to turn away from alliance with America
By Peter Riddell

THE British public has become increasingly cool towards American policy and critical of its role in the world after the sustained violence in Iraq.

A Populus opinion poll in The Times indicates that fewer than half the public believe that America is a force for good in the world, and nearly two thirds believe that Britain’s future lies more with Europe than with the US.

There is also evidence of a longer-term shift in views about the US. However, while President Bush and his Administration remain unpopular in Britain, Americans as a people remain popular.

The poll was undertaken between last Friday and Sunday, when there were several news reports about a high level of killing in Iraq, and particularly in Basra, the main area of operation for British forces.

There has been a marked fall in the number of voters who say that British troops should stay in Iraq for as long as it takes to make sure that the country is a stable democracy, to 32 per cent, from 38 per cent in February and 49 per cent in October 2004. By contrast, 58 per cent believe that British troops should be “withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible, even if Iraq is not completely stable”. Although this is slightly down from 62 per cent in February, it compares with 42 per cent in October 2004....This shift in opinion on Iraq has also been reflected in views about the US. Fewer than three fifths (58 per cent) believe that it is important for “Britain’s long-term security that we have a close and special relationship with the US”. This compares with 71 per cent as recently as two months ago....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2214325,00.html

their own Poodle drug them (albeit kicking and screaming) into the bloody mess we call the War on Terra.

It's not my fault, it's not the public's fault. And I credit the British public for being able to see that. But then again, they're in the same situation.

...has been like a designated driver who handed over the keys to a drunk, then climbed into the passenger seat of the car.

Don't do it!

Please, reconsider.

Bush will be gone in a few years. Please be patient with us.

Pretty please, don't do it, if not for yourselves, think of what it would do to Canadians. Think of the Canadians.

I sure don't. I don't have a special relationship with America anymore and I live here.

I experienced this very thing last Monday in Belfast, Northern Ireland (part of the UK). I took a daytrip up from Dublin on a bank holiday weekend, and had only 7 hours in the city. I had two goals, a "Black Taxi" tour of the historic battleground neighborhoods and the powerful murals there, and to take a river tour by the shipyards where the Titanic was built. There is only one boat which provides these tours, and the schedule can be erratic. When I got to the dock, the captain told me I had missed the last public tour, and that a private group had booked the entire ship for the remaining tour. He saw how disappointed I was, and I explained that this was my only day in his city. He asked, "So, you're just the one, are you?" to which I replied in the affirmative. He then dragged out a little chair for me to sit in, and said, just wait around for 10 minutes till the group gets here, and I'll ask them if you can join them. So I sat there looking hopeful and a tad pathetic while a group of churchwomen from some small town outside of Belfast trooped down the gangplank and onto the boat - receiving some curious glances. When they were all aboard, the Captain pointed me out as a visitor from America who would have no other opportunity to take the tour. He said, "So, can we ask her aboard?" And they all called out yes. So he waved me over and as I got on the boat, he said, through his loudspeaker, "Here's our visitor from America!" and they all APPLAUDED!

Having just spent a week in Dublin and heard from people of all levels of income and class how Bush was the worst president the US had ever had, and didn't the people in the US realize what an awful man he was, and how he had damaged the country's reputation throughout the world, etc., I was extremely moved by the very kind welcome from these women - wanted to hug every one of them, and I did thank all of them at the beginning and again at the end of the tour. Then I thanked the captain again and tried to pay him the 30 pounds the trip would have cost, and he refused to accept that or even a 10 pound tip, saying the ladies had paid for the whole boat. (The people in Dublin were very kind to individual Americans also.)

That sounds like a wonderful experience. The Irish are my favorite people!

Britain is going to leave STUPID holding the bag.
Britain has professional handling skills dating
back centuries. They have been colonizing forever
and bloodsport it is no longer a socially acceptable 'sport';
hired the U.S. to do their Dirty Work for them!!