Just read an article about Pew Global Attiutdes Project poll, which stated that not only has the their been a rise in anti American feelings against our gov'ts policy and leadership, BUT a rise in feelings against Americans in general. Surprisingly or not, the UK and Russia still seem to be the least anti-American. I know a lot of you don't like to discuss these polls and try to dismiss them, but I feel that these polls are more relevant today than ever. I was quite upset after reading this article. I will not curtail my plans to the UK this year. Next year, we will wait and see. Judy

Yes- ia m rather dismissive of such polls. I'm sure there's also been a huge rise in anti-Islamic sentiment in the US as well, and until I hear reports about Americans being killed just for being American while overseas, I'll keep on traveling. We are a bigger target at home than abroad, anyway.

The Pew Poll is disturbing,however, giving into terrorism is not the way to combat it. the train bombs in spain happened prior to the election for a reason. Think what you will of Bush,but the US policy of taking to terrorists is the only way to deal with them.

My impression is that people abroad make a distinction between those doing the governing and those of us being governed. This may change however when, and if, we ratify our government's policies by re-electing this incumbent.

Agree that we must take the fight to the terrorists and not sit back and wait for another 9/11. If pissing off a few people is the price we pay, then so be it. Appeasement is not the answer.

Somebody is always upset with us anyway, no matter what we do.

Despite what we hear in the news, I continue to visit Europe as often as possible, which for me is once or twice a year. As always, people treat me like I treat them. If you smile and use good manners, you will receive the same in return. I have never felt persecuted for being an American. I was in Morocco 2 months ago, which is mostly a Muslim country, and it seemed like they were all going out of thier way to let me know that Americans are still very welcome there. Of course, it's best not to talk politics with people you meet, but I think that rule applies just about everywhere.

So far, thank goodness, this appears to be more on paper than in real life, at least for my family.
We have been hearing this sort of thing for a few years now, and have yet to see evidence of it. Unless you count the lout in a pub in London who wanted to discuss " our President" blah blah .. who went on to want to buy us drinks.
My son is living in Japan and travels all over Asia, without incident.
My daughter has been in Belgium this week, people are as kind and helpful as ever.
We have been in Canada recently, not a problem.
If anyone is feeling anti-American, we have been lucky to have NOT met them.

My friend who is 40 y/old now told me when she was in High School they went to Canada and they were asked not to bring backpacks with American flag on it and not to stick out were they from.
She said that people are crazy to think it is just happened. "They always hated us" she said "and this is what makes us stronger !!!"

Anti-America?

The biggest one has got to be George W. Bush himself.
This redneck has had hundreds of Americans killed through his made-believe security concerns that are blindly encouraged by mindless simpletons.
Why? Just so he can avenge Daddy.

Yawning,

Your interpretation is the most simplistic one yet. Bush avenging his fathers war?

I suppose we should do away with all security measures. Would that make you happy?

yawning--How do security concerns kill hundreds of people?

Make believe? Are you saying the murder and maiming of thousands on 9/11 in New York and this week in Spain didn't happen?

Maybe I'm not understanding what you're trying to say.

Security measures?

How? By bombing countries, making lives miserable for innocent victims, putting in line the lives of your own countryman under the pretext of "imaginary" weapons of mass destruction (so far, Iraq appears to be much worse-off today than 2 years ago), and last but not the least, wanting to avenge daddy.

Spain is smart to elect a non-suck-up who will go after and punish those that are responsible and stay away from Bush and his machine-gun spray method of "pretend" terrorist hunting.

Policies created by a redneck supported by, thank God, very few midless rednecks.

Let's not turn this into a political debate. I waa against the war in Iraq, but I still do not like to here about increased anti-Americanism. The article stated it will take years for the US to find favor once again. That is not all encouraging to me. My husband is a staunch Bush supporter(and I am not), but I fear his reaction(let's not go to Europe) to this article and others like it. That is my biggest concern right now.

Back in the 70's and 80's I found Europeans to be somewhat more likely to blame the casual tourist for American foreign policy than they are today.

Judyrem, I have not seen any Americans post here that they were treated rudely in Europe. Politics aside, that is the real concern. If we start to see evidence of hostility towards American tourists,then we will worry.

And,history will tell if Bush is right or wrong with his war on terror. Lets let that judge him.

If we elect Kerry we will have a european style appeaser. God help us then.

Maitaitom, it's the silly season again.

We join an episode of "Another World on Fodors" as we ask: will Marge, the Republican, and Mary, the Democrat, ever exchange bundt cake recipes again?

Or will the moderators pull the fuse on the oven and make the whole question meaningless...

(cue organ....)

I'll take a well-calculated appeasement over blind aggression anytime.

"pgmargate right"; "Yawning" wrong.

Yawning, think of how many "rednecks" lie in Normandy? The European appeasers of yesteryear set the stage for America's entry in to WW II and cost these "rednecks" their lives.

If the anti-American feelings are so prevalent, remember it is the left-wing press that publicizes and exaggerates them- America should:
- remove the nuclear umbrella from Europe and say fellas you are on your own.
- continue its efforts to root out and exterminate Islamic fanatics.

allovereurope - "I'm sure there's also been a huge rise in anti-Islamic sentiment in the US as well"

Don't be sure - it just isn't true. There have not been any anti-Islamic riots or burning of Mosques. In fact, there has been a significant rise in pro-Muslim and pro-Palestinian activities on many college campuses. America's leaders are swift in denouncing any racist actions, in contrast to some European governments.