Blind patriotism is a very dangerous thing, it's also relied upon by one American government after another.

The damage the Bush administration has done is unfathomable, the country is bankrupt and hated worldwide, yet many Americans think their economy is doing well and that America is loved around the world.

Blind patriotism, a very very dangerous thing indeed.

Joe, Toronto, Canada

George Bush was NEVER elected. His administration is the fruit of a coup.

In 2000 The vote of 1 person on the Supreme Court put Bush into office. This on top of the theft of millions of votes using electronic voting machines under the control of documented felons and Republican yes-men who own the electronic voting machine companies.

In 2004 the election was also stolen with the help of the national theater put on by the American propaganda machine- aka the "American free/liberal press" and the use of electronic voting machines. Many 2006 race results are suspect.

Until we get rid of those machines and the private corporations that run them we will continue to have stolen elections.

Any country that is instituting the use of such machines better beware. Your future will include the type of tyranny that Americans are being subjected to, because if your government like ours comes under the control of corporatists, you will lose your say-so in your government, like we have in ours.

Patg, San Diego, California

The world and a great number of American citizens hate the spread of American values. They should be asked why they oppose the values of individual freedom, religious tolerance, free markets, human rights, elected governments and the rule of law. If most of these countries were not a mess we would not have to concern ourselves. America is the major force for good on the world.

Joe Berglis, London, Ontario

I think the United States should cut off all forms of foreign aid to the rest of the world and pull our troops out of places like Korea, Japan, Germany, and wherever else we are aren't welcomed and deploy them to wherever they are needed instead of supporting local economies.

Then ,when you Anti-Americans get at each others throats and start warring with each other again, we let you all fight it out and see what happens, instead of bailing you out like we had to in two world wars.

Europeans are living in a dream world if they think that they arent going to be targets of Islamic terrorism and it has nothing to do with whether or not they are allied with us.

Europe and the rest of the world better wake up to what is on their doorstep ready to contrive evil and its not the United States of America 'FRIENDS'.

dave , pallant, USA

I may be one of the few that still supports my country... I do not support our President in ever decision he makes, however America is composed of 300 Million people, not 1 man and his cabinet.

I do support the troops because they are volunteering over there, they were not drafted. My brother is there because he signed up because he wants to fight. No one made him. We were unified when 9/11 happened to go overseas, we just had no clue how far it would go. I support the troops... Not the war. We are in too far to get out now.

These statements of telling Bush to step down and being impeached is crazy. Bush has done nothing wrong by law to be impeached (or someone would have done it already) and I'm sorry America, but we voted him in. If he resigned then Cheney would take over, and is that what we want? Bush is actually a very intelligent man in person and I wish the world could see that side of him.

1 more year til we elect a new President... Hope the world can hang on til then

Jaclyn, Michigan,

Great news! This should solve our immigration problem. If America is so bad, who will want to cross our borders to come here to live or work? Plus if you don't like it here, then move out - it's a big world out there.

Jim, Rochester, NY

Yes, people are just dying to get into China and Russia and South America.

Mikhail from Russia is afraid Bush is a dictator. What a hoot! What is Putin doing to keep all those people trying to flood into Russia out? Is he erecting fences to keep them out?

Having someone from China (Paul from Ningbo) say he wants a world where people can just walk and play freely is also somewhat ironic. China is spending lavishly on building up its military and is exporting arms to Africa, while trying to increase its presence all over the region, and putting armed satellites in space, and threatening to invade Taiwan. How many people died during Mao' s purge? What a wonderful place.

The war in Iraq would end in short order if Iran and al qaida (?) got their noses out. But those fine folks want to keep the pot stirred. Thankfully, the Iraqis are starting to realize this now, and are starting to work together against the common enemy. They want to live in peace also, just like you and me.

Larry, Cinti / OH, USA

Both Bush and Blair have been dabbling in regions of the world that they show very little understanding of, or desire to understand. They behaved like a policeman making an arrest with no legal system to process the accused. The arrestee just stays in the cells for ever. The US in particular tends to be inward-focussed and unfortunately we have had a PM whose international experience was extremely limited and who ignored his officials. The inevitable result of international intervention based on ignorance is annoyance which in those places most affected borders on hatred. I do hope the US and UK politicans have leanred the lesson that international affairs are not as simple as they thought, and that people in developing countries do not take kindly to paternalistic interventions and hopelessly ineffective attempts to 'help'. Intervening to kick out a dictator is fine, but then what?

Colin , Shrewsbury,

I always enjoy these sorts of columns; especially reader's comments. If one steps back and looks at them, it can be seen that the comments are usually of three very entertaining types: 1) Non-US citizens who by their comments acknowledge US world dominance and their own country's impotence, demanding the US fit their world view; 2) Disgruntled US citizens who refuse to accept that their side lost the election and continually clutch at straws and conspiracy theories as to why they lost; and 3) US citizens who simply are defiant to the comments of the first two.

What is most significant is that all three of these types represent a fringe. To group 1: Why should the US do what you wish? Do you really believe your nation would do better? I'm sure your history is likely more bloodstained than US. To Group 2: Get over it. The majority of your countrymen think you are a nut. To Group 3: Isolationism and defiance isn't good international policy there ought some mild concern.

D. Smithson, Philadelphia, PA USA

America's response: *Shrug* *Gets back to work.*

Can't wait to pull in the drawbridge and watch you guys sink or swim.

Mack, Washington, DC

Many people in the world don't like us? Tsk, tsk.
Our capitalistic system gives theless affluent the chance to move up to at least middle class status, and for many, the opportunity for real affluence. Many aspects of our system are being ardently emulated by both China and India.

We are not liked because we have made something of our country--in many countries the leadership of centuries has produced little or nothing for most of their people. So, they hate us because of our success. Western Europe?--the masses are lulled by socialist systems and have nothing more to do than listen to anti-American propaganda.

Globalization? Our fault? Globalization has been ongoing at least since the Romans made their conquest of the Western world and the Chinese sent ships overseas and developed the silk road. It is a process of history.

Artur from Brazil: How many hospitals etc. has Brazil built overseas compared to the U.S.?

Don't like us? Most of us don't care.

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, S.C. / USA

It's ironic that the country that least understands the world tries to lead it.

Phil, Hong Kong,

What were the #'s before Bush? I believe he has hurt the country's image, but you can't really quantify it unless you have pre-Bush #'s.

Tom, Boulder, CO

America has in the past justifiably been excused for its tendency towards isolationism. However recent years has shown the disasters that can come about when it involves itself in foreign matters. In fact to find a good example of American involvement worldwide you have got to back 60 years, to the Marshall Plan. Back then however we could rely on the American electorate to produce presidents of ability and stature.

Nowadays that electorate is gullible. It can be manipulated by image makers. Bush walks and talks like a nice guy when in fact he has proved to be quite the opposite.

No, in future, until the American voters learn to distinguish reality from facade I shall welcome that country's periods of isolationism.

Redtower, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute

One of history's greatest mysteries is how Bill Clinton ever got re-elected after being caught lying under oath. He should have been arrested. Let me just say something...at lease George Bush keeps to his convictions. He doesn't change his opinion when it looks like the politics aren't in his favor. The man does what he thinks is right. Unlike politicians who willl tell people whatever they want to hear to get elected. Sure, Bush has done some things that I am not too happy with, but the man has had one of the hardest presidencies in American history. If anyone would like to step up and have to deal with September 11th and Hurricane Katrina, I will gladly give the OK vote to let them try. The world hates us because we steped up and did what no one else would do. We have some casualties and set backs, and suddenly everyone who wanted the war (a lot of people) are ready to up and leave. That's not how it works. Cutting and running will only give encouragement to terrorists.

Ben, Atlanta, GA, USA

The only thing I find regrettable is that Bush is dragging the rest of America down with the ship. I find his policies, ideals, and manners just as repugnant at the rest of the world and I am a Texan.

Matt Flick, Dallas, Texas

I absolutely agree with Kim Righetti. We will be digging out from the Bush disgrace for a full generation.

David Long, Tacoma, WA

Well... what can I say... "I told you guys"

I think just Mr. Blair believed in Mr Bush...

To bad for the British people.. I guess

Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador

"I have invested the heart of my presidency in helping Muslims fight terrorism and claim their liberty" says Mr Bush. The only thing more frightening than the idea that Bush think anyone might believe tis twaddle is the possibility that he is delusional enough to believe it himself!

Brendan, dUBLIN,

It is a great shame that Bush is pulling down America and it's image with the rest of the world. I have been to the states only twice on holiday and while I did not gain the full experience of living there, I loved every minute. The people could not have been more polite and welcoming. It is a pity that Bush has brought down Americas image so badly that people do not see Americas good side. It has many flaws and i'm not going to disagree with them, but the fact that Bush has brought down Americas image so low that people have forgotten the many good things in America, is very bad.

And as a European, I have known that Bush has brought down Americas image and that quotation about 70% of people still supporting the war is made up.

Sarah, Northern Ireland ,

Kim:
A good comment, but surely a more important point, and one I have never been able to grasp is not why they elected him back in, I think, 2000, but why a clear majority of states and the American people then re-elected him 4 years later after he had given ample proof of the sort of person he was. Of course, in many ways, the real demon is Cheney, but saying that still doesn't solve my problem.

akai ringo, Tokyo, Japan

I don't think most Americans have any clue just how poorly most of their allies view Mr. Bush and his NEOCON comrades. Mr. Bush is viewed as a simpleton who is constantly manipulated by those around him. The "war on terror" excuse was used to invade Iraq even though it had nothing to do with 9/11. That was followed with a bevy of lies that included WMDs and lies about Saddams' links to OBL. The U.S. needs strong leadership..but that leadership must be guided by intelligence and a willingness to listen SERIOUSLY to its' allies...peace to all.

Mark Willmott, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

I agree with the assesment of Kim Righetti apart from the impeachment call. Wouldn't it be nice if just once, the US could elect a man (or woman) who was obviously blessed with the following attributes.

1) Impecable honesty.
2) an unblemished decency.
3) An in depth knowledge and respect for other nations and institutions.
4) An ability to articulate well thought out and sensible policies and finally has not attained the office of president purely because of wealthy backers or personal wealth.

Dreaming? I guess so but shouldn't we allow ourselves to dream and does the world not deserve such a person? There must be people with such values in the US who could be persuaded to seek higher office

Alan White, Perth, Australia

I have to say. It is almost amazing to hear so many people talk negatively about America. The rise of Hitler was the by-product of what happens when Europeans get too caught up in the idealism that thinks we can all just get along and talk things out. Sometimes, force is necessary. And for those who say that the US should not police the world, that's fine with me. Let's go on and move the UN from our borders and stop giving it so much money. The world always wants to criticize the United States, until it needs it. Then, they always come runing back for help. The reason their is so much anti-americanism is because of the massive campaign by the EU and France. Let's face it. We wil all eventually be wishing for the US to be the world power again once China emerges. Neither Europe nor the US will be thesuper power eventually.

And for those who keep criticizing Reagan, you must not have a heart. There has never been a kinder man than Reagan to occupy the presidency.

Ben, Atlanta, United States

George W. Bush is the worst US president in history. (period)

Stanzler, New York, USA

For Edward Gearey: we have known it all a long. The press has just been polite. Untill now.

H. Mathys, Hameenlinna, Finland

I just wish this was reason enough to get refugee status to get to another country. I, for one, do not enjoy living in an imperialistic fascist state. I like the principle of the US, but it's nothing but a know-it-all bully with too many weapons for its own good anymore.

Shannon, Las Vegas, NV, USA

You say support for the phony war on terrorism is still 70%? What are you sniffing? Airplane glue or cleaning solvents? Or is it that you are just another GD lying, phony media source?

Mike Adkison, Visalia , USA/CA

Well what shouldn't be done, Mr Paterson , Is to retaliate against a country that had nothing to do with it .... but ... did have oil .
Some people have very selective memories when it suits them .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Blairs gone next Bush.

stuart, london,

Fernandez, you and all other Bush supporters are part of the problem. Kerry wasn't the ideal candidate, but he had one major advantage over Bush: he wasn't Bush. Anyone would've been better than Bush. Your head is in the sand, I'm afraid.

Shelley, Boston , USA

Hey Phil, you forgot to mention we also pick our noses from time to time. Oh, now I see why you left that out, you ran out of room.

Edmund Bond, greenville, NC USA

America is still the most Powerful nation and a force for good Its just been hijacked by incompetence and a lack of ethics. The next american government needs to restore the worlds confidence . After 9/11 America had the world support but then america squandered it in IRAQ (Ill concieved and based on the wrong premise then badly executed )

steve, london,

Your headline reads:
"World turns its back to America over Bush"

So the world turns it's back on America to do what?
Open it's arms to embrace the mass murdering terrorist?

I believe the liberal media has turned it's back on Bush or whatever Republican happens to be in the white house, remember what they said about Reagan.
Did the media ever go back and apologize for the lies they told about him?
Of course not, when your a feral beast, tearing people to pieces, as Tony Blair recently said you're always right and never held to account......

Rocky Boisvert, Prov, RI

Well I'm really looking forward to Dubya's departure in 2008 - it seems (according to most people in Europe) the world will once again go back to it's perfect pre-Bush state and we can all start loving America again!

How disappointed they will be - with no Blair/Bush who can we blame for problems post 2008?

Michael, London,

Support for Bush and the neocons is support for the mechanism of Nazi power. Why do you think so many Germans supported Hitler in the 30's? Wake up...

Bill, San Francisco, California

As always, it's interesting to see how many Americans care so little of what the rest of the world thinks of them (rat's ass, rat's "patootie" etc) that they take great care to write about how little they care on a British website.......

Ian, London, England

I have to agree with patricia on that ridiculous survey figure, unless the poll was taken at an all white baptist church in rural virginia. perhaps some provenance on that data would have been helpful because i am not buying it.

michael, ex pat in san diego, ca.

I think Kyda Sylvester of Auburn California needs to take a closer look at what this means. He seems to indicate that we as americans should not care what the rest of the world thinks of us. What utter trash.

It is exactly that attitude that drives this anti-US sentiment. Does he not remember the fall of rome.

We may be a powerful nation now, but if we continue to alienate every other country on earth, we will find that power dwindling - as it is now, we have less influence that we use to have.

Think before you write Kyda!!

Bill Gregg, Houston, USA

I'm not sure who actually supports this war any longer. We do support our troops in that they are only doing what is ordered, and who knows what lies are being feed to them daily.
President Bush only has a slightly higher approval rating than the congress in the US which should tell the world that Americans don't like American policy or politics. I vote for whomever I believe lied the least during the campainging and hope for the best. I would love to have someone that does not come for old money, has experience running a large corporation and is actually willing to work with people of all political backgrounds and enact a policy of fixing America before trying to fix the world!

Dawn, Zionsville, IN, USA

A sad situation. Bush's basic problem is that he chose fight an essentially ideological conflict with force of arms, rather than leading by example employing the highest and best of the values he believes he is fighting to preserve. As a result, he has compromised and destroyed the very values he is fighting for.

Ben Hoff, NJ, USA

We all live on this small planet. Everyone is equally valuable. No one is superior than other. If America begins trating everyone as equal citizens of the Earth, then I believe that anti-American can decline and this world would be a much more peaceful place.

Biggest danger to humanity is when one strong nation appoints itself the policeman of the world. I think only the UN should police the world.

Z Hussain, Rochdale, UK

It is of no concern to us what the rest of the world thinks of America. Rather, the rest of the world should worry about America thinks of it. We are the driving force in the world.

William Worsley, Arlington, Virginia

The question that begs to be asked "Is American style democracy
for everyone?"
I think it is time we in America addressed that question.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

Get a life. The attack occured 5 years ago - its time to move. People like you give power to the terrorist by giving in to fear. Its called cowardace and I say its time to move on. Not in ignorance, but with vigilence, but move on!!!!

Paul, Houston, TX - USA

...and yet, we have an immigration problem.

Allen J. Smith, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.A.

To erick Blair LA

Ronald Reagan was still wrong , and the soviet Union was no Threat . the CIA agents on The power of Nightmare (1 , 2 , 3 ) say so , they said THEY inflated the Fear and exagerated the threat . US propaganda was good.

America has lost it with the Neocon and Bush , including breaking everything America stood for , about time to claim America back if they want to have any credibility in the Future.

Yasmin , Oran , Algeria

I can't wait to turn my own back on a world full of such spoiled ingrates. Thankfully, my country's coming to the same conclusion.

John, Washington, DC

72% of Americans do not support George W. Bush and his immoral and illegal Iraq war. At last poll his rating was 28%. Phil from Hong Kong said it all and so right-on.
Bush and his neo-"cons" have turned our democracy into a demon-cracy, and I don't blame the world for hating us because if I were from the Middle East or the Latin Americas I would hate us too.

Bill Maher put it so well: "They hate us because we don't know why they hate us."

Olivia, San Diego, CA, USA

The question that begs to be asked "Is American style
democracy for everyone?"
It is time America addresses that question.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

How apposite for the contributor Erick Blair to share the same name as George Orwell. Yes, of course Reagan was right. Have you forgotten the Iran-Contra scandal.Ah yes, Gorge, Ignorance is Strength, War is Peace and Reagan was God...

Tim Swain, Cardiff, Wales

He got into power because of the absence of any vote-worth opposition. If I was an American I would have been obliged to vote for him, too.

Our press has always loved knocking America and slagging-off every successive US president. Doesn't seem to stop us lapping up their "culture" year after year.

Ellen Morris, Leeds,

I certainly do not agree with the current president, but in all fairness to our military -- you might be surprised by the successes -in both Iraq and Afghanistan -- from schools to micro-businesses - and in Iraq last week - a group of US soldiers rescued mentally and physically disabled children in Iraq and got them to a facility where they could be treated -- this sort of story doesn't always make the news ...

and course we should care what others think about us ... we may not like it, but we should care.

Marlene Koenig, Alexandria, VA/USA

The new Pew report is hardly surprising. It reflects continued American ignorance, arrogance and incompetence. We have not yet fully plumbed the depths, but fear not - the Simpleton-In-Chief is leading the way.

Michael, Encino, California

Mike of Saratoga, Ca, most assuredly is not a student of history. While i half way agree with his assement of Bush, he is totally wrong about the intellectual content of Reagan. Reagan has written more than any other President and certainly has read more. He actively engaged the Soviet Union and won. If Carter had been elected instead of Reagan there would most certainly still be a USSR.

Roger, Baton Rouge, USA, Louisiana

Contrary to Mr. Erick Blair's rather hallucinatory view of the world, history is not going to absolve George W. Bush. He will undoubtedly go down in history as America's worst President -- Richard Nixon included.

The reason for is this: that at a time when insightful leadership was needed, when America was in real danger of being eclipsed economically and militarily by other powers such as China, "W" launched out on the inexcusable Iraq fool's errand. So many lives, so much money, so much good will -- all squandered. This man is a contemptible simpleton and a dangerous fool. His boss, Mr. Cheney, is simply calculating, opportunistic and sinister.

It is obvious, to everyone other than Americans apparently, that America is in irrevocable decline as a world power. That is tragic, because the best of America represents the finest acheivements of the human spirit. "W" has buried the last remnants of the America of FDR, Eisenhower and Kennedy. We will not see its like again.

Brian Collinson, Oakville, Canada

This is for Tom Baldwin:
Perhaps you need to check your statistics. You say that 70 percent of Americans are still behind the so-called "War on Terror". The real facts are as follows: according to the new CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll, only about 30 percent of Americans support this "War."

Vic Roman, Chicago,

In 80's we were frightened by Soviet propaganda with "evil american imperialists". But in early 90's America became our ideal as country of freedom and pure democracy. So, what do we see now? We see Administration with huge military power, totally disregarding not only UN opinion but also opinions of its own allies. Administration that forced its State Secretary to lie right before UN Security Council with fake evidence of developing weapon of mass destruction in Saddam's Iraq. Thousands of innocent people and american soldiers have already died in Iraq for Bush's stupidity...I hope this madness will over with Mr.Bush's presidency and Americans will elect new sensible president for the country.

Sergey, Tomsk, Russia

There is no way 70% of americans support ""the wars" of the Bush administration.

Mr Cheney is the head of our administration. There is a movement for his impeachment. I want the world to know the united state's citizens are held in contempt by this administration as well as contempt for the rest of the world. This administration has stacked our Supreme Court with thier puppets.

I know this sounds radical. I am simply telling all what we are living. It will take years to undo the damage caused by this group in power now. The time for war profiteering is long past. Money is all they want. Peace is all the world needs. It is time to build a new world.

Pray for deliverance.

Lynn Russ, Phoenix, usa/AZ

I fell for Bush's "Compassionate Conservatism" in his first election. How nearly 50% of Americans voted for him in the second election is stunning. He has caused more harm to the world than any indiviual in nearly 60 years. And how is it that he stays in power despite the fraud, corruption, illegality and immorality of his administration? By any measure this man and his administration are a nightmare.

AJ Natale, Dallas, Texas

My unscientific sample of expatriates living in Asia would indicate support for Bush in the low single digits - at best. Asians, who bother about these things, share a general quiet contempt whilst the rest go about expanding their businesses.

Whomsoever comes to the office in 2009 is going to have a mountain to climb to restore integrity to the US government and get its overseas prestige off the floor.

oldasiahand, Hong Kong,

My advice to the majority of sensible Americans is to Impeach Mr Bush and Mr Cheney a.s.a.p. Your once great country has been hijacked my neoconservatives who's main agenda is Imperialism. Take back your country NOW!

(Thanks for this great article)

Joe, London, UK

This is fine with me. If this prevents the US foreign policy establishment from idiotic interventions overseas like the Balkans and the Middle East so much the better. Most people in that part of the world would much rather be little Saddam Husseins themselves than have to take into account other people's opinions. What the world really should be worrying about regarding America is the trend in the US to convert food cropland to fuel production.

Jim Connors, Durham, NC

Is it any surprise when the leftist controlled media in most countries endlessly bang the anti-American drum? The propaganda fed by most would put the Third Reich to shame. The world is becomming caught up in a wave of mis-information and hate while the real despots go unchallenged.

Viv, London, England

what is the un doing?

ponnuswami selvaraj, coimbatire, tamil nadu,india

On the night Bush was first elected I turned to an American friend and proffered the opinion that the American public would be down on bended knees begging Clinton to get back into the White House after a year. American why are you so bloody slow?

Stephen Thomas, London,

Not much use changing puppets if the same corporate oligarchs are still pulling the strings.

Adam, Lancaster, UK

Yawn. Bush's presidency has merely lent stridency to the usual anti-Americanism found in Europe, fueled by jealousy as much as anything else.

The shopping trips to New York and Boston, the vacations in Florida go on and on. If Euroweeners feel so strongly, then stop crowding onto budget flights to the USA, stay home.

Hypocrites.

John Clark, Clifden, Eire

571 days 12 hr. 17 min. and George Bush is history!! HORRAY!! Bad history is what he represents. He should have been Impeached; but, the spineless federal politicians are more concerned about Mexicans. Hopefully, there will be a great leader we can elect.

Ethan, Caldwell, Ohio, USA

In Texas when George Bush was govemor the people used to say 'he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer" it is a pity that the rest of the world had to pay a high price because most americans did not know of his lack of intellect or ignored it.
However, I think even most americans have now discovered it and discovered that this has cost them a great price. Maybe they will think a little more a the next election and not just listen to the hype and promotional material about those seeking the presidency. If not God help us all!

alan, vincent, australia

Erick Blair, LA, California. Did you carry out a survey when you lived in London for 2 years?

The article is merely reported the results of a recent survey.

Even his own party now realises that Bush is a liability to the world.

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 America had the whole world on it's side. Bush somehow managed to turn this into Anti-American sentiment. What a missed opportunity!

Jite, London,

to ms. cumminham: the article says 70 percent of americans support the war on terror, not the war in iraq.
the war on terror is being run by the same people who brought us the war on drugs and we all know how well that's going.

russell leisenheimer, cuyahoga falls, oh

I appreciate that an American president cannot seek a third term but surely he does not have to complete two terms. He should leave now and save America and the world from further damage.

Vinay Mehra, Purley, Surrey

Correction. Bush was never elected...he stole the election(s), and with that he has (clearly) ruined everything. However, what is more frustrating is the fact that Americans as a whole have rolled over and let Bush run the show. He is one person. Why are we letting him stay in power? We need to finally do something about this and change America for the better. We need to send Bush on his way and take charge. Otherwise, it's like we are all voting for him every day he is in that office. And that is just sick.

Sophie, Missoula, MT

What we need is an American that can say no. I for one am thoroughly sick of the pompous idiocy of anti-Americanism. The fact is, the invention of the internet alone has added 20% to the global GDP. The U.S. should return to what Geo. Washington urged and eschew "foreign entanglements" allowing the rest of you to do what you do best, killing each other and whining.

W.H. langeman, Tucson, USA, AZ

My father told me when i was about 12 that the saddest words in any language are "TOO LATE"

The planet will remain in danger until this man and his lot are removed from power .He and his pals put us all in mortal danger and "now" people wake up to this fact.Except Blair natch... he still insist he is a good peace making guy.!!

M McGregor, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

It is not correct to call dislike of what the U.S. is doing in the world, 'anti-Americanism.'
The War on Terror has always been a brutal joke.
How can you have a war on a method or belief?
Bush's own actions show how meaningless the term is. The last nation in the world, except for possibly the old Soviet Union, to be involved in 'terror' was Hussein's Iraq.
It is precisely in brutal dictatorships like Hussein's that terror is virtually unknown.
Bush used his own bumper-sticker slogan, war on terror, to cover his invasion of Iraq, done for entirely different reasons.
The only legitimate connection between Iraq and terror is Bush's creation of chaos that has become the world's biggest training school for terror methods.
It's not anti anything, except anti-brutal stupidity, to criticize what America has inflicted on Iraq.
Of course, along the way, we've heard endless lies and nonsense, not exactly the kind of communication to make people like you.

John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada

To Mr Eric Blair,

I have wondered for many years about the canonisation of Ronald Reagan..seems he has become a poster boy for US Republicans in the wake of Bush's performance. Both men were populistically elected officials...no sign of intellect or thought anywhere...but...seems to me that the "Gipper" got his luck by being manfully steadfast as the old USSR imploded, no action of his, merely gravity, while he was busy santioning arms sales to other nations "terriorists" by buying and selling drugs for arms..and his presidency expired with his Altzheimers progression..However, "No luck " Bush decided that "good old boy" aggression, however illegal, would sort things out...and we know where that has led..I remember him as a callow politician, during the election theft being interviewed about the whole issue of voter fraud, etc...he seemed then, as now ,to be totally bemused about what was unfolding. Both men, criminally incompetent..Two leaders (?), one lucky, one not.

Mike, Saratoga, Ca USA

The Bushes, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice et al : The inmates took over the asylum years ago so what does the world expect ?

Jack Tar, Vancouver, British Columbia

All the impressions taken by the survey are typical of a wearing image after long time in power. To evaluate all the aspects involved at Bush’s administrations we get in first place understand that his journey was the most difficult since the end of second war. But even accepting these facts is pretty visible several mistakes Mr. Bush have committed since he became president of USA. His external policy was exaggerated in favor of Americans own interesting. And at the same way he tried to put his fingers at others affairs without a clear intention raising suspicions over his acts. About the environment issue he showed to the world a selfish point of view being totally aside from the others big economies.
Is time to change, Britain has changed, France has change and USA must change fast.

Andre Araujo de Oliveira, Vitoria, Brazil

The poll said 70% support the "war on terror". That's a very different concept than the war in Iraq. Bush sold the Iraq War as being a part of the war on terror. American opinion shifted as more and more don't buy that connection.

James, Swindon, Wiltshire

Paul from China- firts you say you don't like US soldiers "imposing their wills"in the middle east; next you want Bush to "create a harmonious world" for you. These are directly opposed to each other.

What are you doing to help create a harmonious world? What do you suggest should be done when people hijack airliners and crash them into buildings in Beijing?

Norman Paterson, St Andrews, Scotland

to Erick Blair, you might not have noticed the minor difficulties experienced by, say, a whole host of Central American countries during Reagan's presidency. Hardly America's finest hour. Whilst Reagan may have had strengths, exporting democracy was not one of them. Period.

Adam Connolly, London,

He wasn't elected. Vote fraud has been documented in many of the essential states that went Bush's way, and the security on Diebold voting machines, featured in many of those elections, has been proven laughable at best.

Sean, SA, TX, USA

I see the problem be in the fact that many countries recognise a leader they don't elect. Should the US President care of his image in other countries if they reconisehis primacy anyway? He is a kind of the world dictator.

Mikhail Kononov, St. Petersburg, Russia

Yeah, America sucks. Big time. That's why no one wants to come here. Ever.

Hey, Artur, would you like to compare the number of "houses, hospitals and many other constructive things" that Americans, in particular American GIs, have built as compared to...well, any other place or people in the world?
Well, would ya?

You know what probably pisses you all off the most? That the vast majority of us don't give a rat's patootie about your opinion of us.

Kyda Sylvester, California, USA

Yep I think now bush will be thinking they all hate me and then he will do everything the rest of the world wants. Get real !!He won 2 elections, the second with a strong mandate,deal with it. Polls are just the medias gap filler most are wrong anyway and to be honest who gives hoot if they hate you, must be doing something right.

tom, London, u.k

Fear not!

Submission is approaching, and Bush (and his poodle) will soon be a bad memory.

David Williamson, Tucson, USA/AZ

I think it's time that Mr Bush called it a day and allowed another face of the world's most powerful country to redeem the image of America. It lies in the hands of the American people to get rid and start with a clean slate.

Nilesh Lad, Bradford, United Kingdom

This little opinion piece is beyond laughable. It's a joke. Period. i lived in London for 2 years in the early 80's. The conventional wisdom then was that America was in many ways worse than the Soviet Union and that Ronald Reagan was a circus clown menance. An actor, nothing more. When it turned out that he was largely right and all of his critics were largely wrong what did his critics do? They changed the subject.

Erick Blair, LA, California

It is amazing to me that you people are just finding out what the world has knowing for many years,that this man is useless unless you want dumb things to happen!!!! Catch up with the rest of the world!!!! Ed.

Edward Gearey, Abbotsford,B.C., Canada

From my point of view, I am not happy with the way that many American soldiers are operating in the Middle-East because they would like to impose their wills to these countries to meet theri own needs,which as a result ,so many innocent people has to pay the bill.For the world as a whole it is a huge pity ,isn't it ?So I was wondering if president BUSH can take this matter into consideration to creat a harmonious world where people can talk,walk ,play freely and safely.Thanks!

Paul, Ningbo , China

As an American, I want to say that I am deeply ashamed of my President. Let me also point out that I also didn't vote for him twice and never approved of this Iraq debacle. I think America needs to be humbled from time to time. I think we need to take a step back from this and get off our high horse. I think all people and countries who have been drunk on power need to learn a hard lesson. Provided enough rope, politicians will hang themselves and that goes for everywhere--not just for America, and not just for the UK.

In my own country, that exact sentiment would be decried as anti-American. But it isn't Anti-American. I love my country and nothing describes the feeling of depression that crept over me when George the First was elected for a second time. I saw this coming. I just want your readership to know that a sizeable chunk of America has always disapproved of our President. Let's just hope we don't repeat the same mistakes and we find someone better in 2008.

Kevin, Birmingham, AL, USA

You're still under the assumption that the US presidency is a leader function. But it has been reduced to a figure-head status.

Rene, amsterdam, nl

Kim Righetti - I voted for Bush and couldn't give a rat's *ss what the world thinks. If I have any regrets, it's over this horrible immigration bill. Kerry was NOT a viable alternative.

Fernandez, San Francisco, California

Americans have no one to blame but themselves for their current predicament. When we elected these vile criminals to a second term of office in 2004 we handed them a mandate for their stated agenda - war and murder and torture wherever and whenever they see fit to conduct it. The US will have much to answer for long after the likes of Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld have passed from the political scene.

Carl Turner, Durham, NC, USA

If the americans built houses, hospitals and many other constructive things instead of throwing bombs and money for destroying hospitals and other important structures, they would be a very well seen country and people but...

Artur, Brasília DF, Brazil/DF

George W. Bush is the WORST foreign policy president in American history. He succeeded in destroying over 60 years of diplomacy starting from World War II
U.S. Congress has behaved much like the Bundestag of 1933 in how it has handled Bush and our proxy president, Dick Chenney.
The new president is going to face almost unprecidented challanges in rebuilding U.S. foreign policy. It is only through the disciplined rule of law that the West will successfully deal with terrrorism. Reason backed by credible military assets as needed must be the future of U.S. foreign policy.

Peter Roach, MANASSAS, U.S.A.

No wonder people strongly dislike America.

Abroad - warmongering, invasion, arrogance, shock and awe, 650,000 dead in Iraq, lies, torture, detention without trial, murder of families, rape, bombing of civilians, multuple friendly fire incidents, disregard of the democratic choice of Palestinians, blind support for Israel. Leitmotiv - hypocrisy!

At home - endemic gun violence, 14,000 Americans shot dead by Americans each year, 10 M below poverty line, no proper health care system, 40% with no health insurance, patients dumped on skid row., hard-sell religious mania, unscientific and irrational creationist nonsense, generally very low levels of public intelligence/education. Nightmare America!

Hopefully the world will be able to distinguish between the government from the people and recognise that not all Americans are bad. Not easy but we must try!

Phil, Hong Kong,

No wonder people strongly dislike America.

Abroad - warmongering, invasion, arrogance, shock and awe, 650,000 dead in Iraq, lies, torture, detention without trial, murder of families, rape, bombing of civilians, multuple friendly fire incidents, disregard of the democratic choice of Palestinians, blind support for Israel. Leitmotiv - hypocrisy!

At home - endemic gun violence, 14,000 Americans shot dead by Americans each year, 10 M below poverty line, no proper health care system, 40% with no health insurance, patients dumped on skid row., hard-sell religious mania, unscientific and irrational creationist nonsense. Nightmare America!

Hopefully the world will be able to distinguish between the government from the people and recognise that not all Americans are bad. Not easy but we must try!

Phil, Hong Kong,

You say 70% of Americans still support the war? HUH?

Dubya's war has never had 70% approval. Where have you been?

Is that 70% of the 51% that originally supported the war because otherwise this statement is ridiculous.

Patricia Cunningham, Ferndale, WA

How America ever elected George Bush as president will go down as one of history's greatest mysteries. The man is a disgrace. He should be impeached immediately. It is going to take 25 years to repair the damage he has done to our country's reputation and the relationship with our allies.

Kim Righetti, Upland, California USA

Europe has its head in the sand.

Fernandez, San Francisco, California