Europeans' Reactions Mixed on Bush Speech

By JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press Writer
Mon Dec 19, 7:44 PM ET

PARIS - Europeans reacted Monday to President Bush's weekend defense of his Iraq policy with a mix of criticism and hope that his seemingly humbler tone could signal a break from the hawks in his administration.

Many in Europe saw Bush's prime-time address Sunday as part of a new effort to win over Americans who appear increasingly skeptical about his Iraq campaign.

"What is important for us is the impression that the president feels obligated to justify himself to Americans, which he didn't do until now," said Georges Le Guelte of Paris' Institute of Strategic and International Relations.

"I hope it's the start of a rupture — and a move by the president ... away from (Vice President) Dick Cheney and the most radical neo-conservatives," he added.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051220/ap_on_re_eu/europe_bush_iraq

that stupid speech of bush's with "hope".

Some people must be "ever the optimist" ..even when it comes to sociopaths.

I think these people interviewed have more of a sense of reality..

"But El Pais, considered to be close to the thinking of Spain's ruling Socialist Party, said the speech was designed "to counteract pessimism and criticism over Iraq."

Interviewed on the streets of London, John Caldecott, a structural designer, said Bush simply offered "the same old story of why he couldn't pull the troops out."

"I still think what he did was illegal, going in without U.N. backing," he added, "but you can't argue with a superpower."

Oh Yeah?..That's why we're here..we're arguing with a superpower from inside the belly of the BEAST!