REINHOLD WAGNLEITNERREINHOLD WAGNLEITNER

PUBLIC OPINION PUBLIC OPINION ON BOTH SIDES ON BOTH SIDES

OF THEOF THE ATLANTICATLANTIC

OVAL OFFICE 21 December 1970OVAL OFFICE 21 December 1970

International Herald TribuneInternational Herald TribuneNovember 4, 2004November 4, 2004

A global A global 'What now?''What now?'

Der Spiegel, online November 4, 2004, online November 4, 2004

America is a America is a

Strange Country, Strange Country,

with its own values.with its own values.

Simon Schama, Simon Schama, The GuardianThe Guardian, , 5 November 20045 November 2004

In the wee small hours of November In the wee small hours of November 3, 2004, a new country appeared on 3, 2004, a new country appeared on the map of the modern world: the the map of the modern world: the DSA, the Divided States of America. DSA, the Divided States of America.

Godly America vs. Worldy AmericaGodly America vs. Worldy America

Retro States vs. Metro StatesRetro States vs. Metro States

The two coasts vs. Middle AmericaThe two coasts vs. Middle America

The Christian right vs. the rest of the The Christian right vs. the rest of the United StatesUnited States

The United States of America against the The United States of America against the rest of the worldrest of the world

America vs. AmericaAmerica vs. America

And finally the word of the year: battle And finally the word of the year: battle statesstates

Timothy Garton Ash, Timothy Garton Ash, The GuardianThe Guardian, , November 4, 2004November 4, 2004

Great Vote, Grisly ResultGreat Vote, Grisly Result

Many Europeans will conclude from Many Europeans will conclude from this result that George Bush is the true this result that George Bush is the true face of America. That would be a huge face of America. That would be a huge mistake. In fact, this election has mistake. In fact, this election has shown that America is more divided shown that America is more divided than ever over essentials of politics than ever over essentials of politics and faith. It's one country, but two and faith. It's one country, but two nations. nations.

A UNILATERAL VOTEA UNILATERAL VOTE

Polls in the Netherlands in 2002 Polls in the Netherlands in 2002 and Great Britain in 2003and Great Britain in 2003

In a Dutch poll of October 2002 US-In a Dutch poll of October 2002 US-Americans were counted as one of the Americans were counted as one of the most unpopular nationalities, besides most unpopular nationalities, besides Moroccans and Turks.Moroccans and Turks.

And in a British poll of February 2003 the And in a British poll of February 2003 the United States were deemed to be the most United States were deemed to be the most dangerous nation on the globe, even dangerous nation on the globe, even ahead of Iraq and North Korea. ahead of Iraq and North Korea.

IMAS-Polls 2003 and 2004 in AustriaIMAS-Polls 2003 and 2004 in Austria

The American way of life, US policies and The American way of life, US policies and economics represent a model for Europe. economics represent a model for Europe. Is that correct or not? Is that correct or not?

Austrians in 2003Austrians in 2003:: 8 percent yes8 percent yes 28 percent partially correct28 percent partially correct 53 percent incorrect53 percent incorrect Austrians in 2004Austrians in 2004:: 4 percent yes4 percent yes 27 percent partially correct27 percent partially correct 57 percent incorrect57 percent incorrect

IMAS-Poll May/June 2004 in IMAS-Poll May/June 2004 in AUSTRIAAUSTRIA

What do you think: did the general attitudes towards What do you think: did the general attitudes towards the United States recently improve, deteriorate or the United States recently improve, deteriorate or remain the same?remain the same?

Improve Deteriorate SameImprove Deteriorate Same

Feb/Mar 1998 13 25 62 Feb/Mar 1998 13 25 62

Oct/Nov 2001 12 32 56Oct/Nov 2001 12 32 56

March 2002 10 36 54March 2002 10 36 54

June 2004 6 73 22 June 2004 6 73 22

1026 persons over 16 polled face to face1026 persons over 16 polled face to face

http://www.imas-international.com/institut_report.htmhttp://www.imas-international.com/institut_report.htm

The downright dramatic growth of criticism The downright dramatic growth of criticism towards the United States since March towards the United States since March 2002 leaves no doubt at all that it is based 2002 leaves no doubt at all that it is based on the US-war against Iraq and the violent on the US-war against Iraq and the violent occupation policies of the Americans.occupation policies of the Americans.

A crushing majority of nearly 80 percent of A crushing majority of nearly 80 percent of Austrians followed the torture of Iraqi Austrians followed the torture of Iraqi POWs. More than 50 percent of the adult POWs. More than 50 percent of the adult population discussed these events with population discussed these events with friends or relatives. friends or relatives.

These discussions were especially intensive These discussions were especially intensive among the better educated groups with among the better educated groups with high school diploma and academics as well high school diploma and academics as well as top managers and civil servants.as top managers and civil servants.

Canadian Youth Poll June 2004: Canadian Youth Poll June 2004: http://www.torontofreepress.com/2004/weinreb063004.htmhttp://www.torontofreepress.com/2004/weinreb063004.htm

over 40% of Canadian teens over 40% of Canadian teens think America is "evil„think America is "evil„

that number rose to 64 per cent that number rose to 64 per cent for French Canadian youthfor French Canadian youth

WHY?WHY? U.S. IS SEEN AS LOSING U.S. IS SEEN AS LOSING ITS MORAL AUTHORITYITS MORAL AUTHORITY

International Herald TribuneInternational Herald Tribune, 5 July 2004, 5 July 2004

Austrians, 12-13 years oldAustrians, 12-13 years old

stupid politicians who have no cluestupid politicians who have no clue President George W. Bush – a blithering President George W. Bush – a blithering

idiotidiot Bush is a dumb presidentBush is a dumb president September 11, World Trade CenterSeptember 11, World Trade Center addicted to waraddicted to war budget deficitbudget deficit election fraudelection fraud

Austrians, 12-13 years oldAustrians, 12-13 years old world power, biggest companies, biggest world power, biggest companies, biggest

crimescrimes

many dangerous weaponsmany dangerous weapons

death penalty, lethal injections, electric chairdeath penalty, lethal injections, electric chair

ghettoes, racism, ghettoes, racism, street gangs, KKKstreet gangs, KKK

know-it-allsknow-it-alls

Austrians, 12-13 years oldAustrians, 12-13 years old

full of fearfull of fear life in the fast lanelife in the fast lane violence, drugs, poor peopleviolence, drugs, poor people bad Englishbad English fast food, bad food, fat food, fat fast food, bad food, fat food, fat

peoplepeople

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students,

age 19 – 63)age 19 – 63)

What are the first associations What are the first associations coming to your mind when thinking coming to your mind when thinking about the United States of America?about the United States of America?

Four years ago, I would have Four years ago, I would have answered answered MOBILITYMOBILITY..

Now the answer is Now the answer is HYPOCRISYHYPOCRISY..

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students,

age 19 – 63)age 19 – 63)

The Iraq war and George W. BushThe Iraq war and George W. Bush

Wars for oil, post-democratic situationWars for oil, post-democratic situation

Militarization of society, armament, largest Militarization of society, armament, largest debtsdebts

TortureTorture

Death PenaltyDeath Penalty

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

The most influential state in our timeThe most influential state in our time

Supervisor of the worldSupervisor of the world

World power Number One, democracy, World power Number One, democracy, ignores friendsignores friends

Divide and rule – we and themDivide and rule – we and them

Divides world into good and evilDivides world into good and evil

Distorts reality in its own favorDistorts reality in its own favor

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

From dishwasher to millionaireFrom dishwasher to millionaire football, hot dog, statue of libertyfootball, hot dog, statue of liberty September 11September 11 Fast food, terrorism, warFast food, terrorism, war Music, country, jazz, rockMusic, country, jazz, rock Pearl Jam, Pearl HarborPearl Jam, Pearl Harbor Vietnam, AfghanistanVietnam, Afghanistan Ku Klux Klan, Hip-Hop, BluesKu Klux Klan, Hip-Hop, Blues

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

Did your attitudes towards the Did your attitudes towards the United States of America change United States of America change during the last years?during the last years?

74 yes, 4 no74 yes, 4 no

Why?Why? I´m on the road from friend I´m on the road from friend

to opponent.to opponent.

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

Mostly because of the current president and Mostly because of the current president and books and films of Michael Moorebooks and films of Michael Moore

Because of the acting of the U.S. governmentBecause of the acting of the U.S. government Because of the strange politics of George W. BushBecause of the strange politics of George W. Bush Because of falsification of reasons to start warBecause of falsification of reasons to start war Certainly because of the Bush administration and Certainly because of the Bush administration and

the war in Iraq and because of president Bush´s the war in Iraq and because of president Bush´s point of view concerning gun laws, homosexuals, point of view concerning gun laws, homosexuals, death penalty etc.death penalty etc.

They changed because of the Bush administration They changed because of the Bush administration and all the changes that it caused (war,…). And I and all the changes that it caused (war,…). And I want to emphasize that my attitudes didn´t want to emphasize that my attitudes didn´t become better but worse!become better but worse!

My opinion concerning the USA changed a lot My opinion concerning the USA changed a lot since the government of George Bush because I since the government of George Bush because I think that the wars that he led were not think that the wars that he led were not necessary, but even a criminal act.necessary, but even a criminal act.

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

Too patriotic, manipulative (we are the best), Too patriotic, manipulative (we are the best), Bush!Bush!

Iraq War, treatment of prisoners and torture Iraq War, treatment of prisoners and torture (especially Guantánamo Bay)(especially Guantánamo Bay)

Doubtful foreign policy, doubtful president, Doubtful foreign policy, doubtful president, cabinet and advisors, doubtful domestic and cabinet and advisors, doubtful domestic and social policies, enormous patriotism, does not social policies, enormous patriotism, does not accept criticism.accept criticism.

The rise of political and military aggression, the The rise of political and military aggression, the rise of conservatives in US-society, economy rise of conservatives in US-society, economy without respect for ecology.without respect for ecology.

Doubtful way of decision making especially Doubtful way of decision making especially concerning the Iraq War.concerning the Iraq War.

Distancing from values of US-constitution, for Distancing from values of US-constitution, for which the United States had stood before.which the United States had stood before.

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

The US have become less “friendly” towards other The US have become less “friendly” towards other countries, started apparently to perceive countries, started apparently to perceive themselves as totally self-reliant, independent, not themselves as totally self-reliant, independent, not having to take other countries and organizations having to take other countries and organizations into account into account

I can´t understand the politics of George W. Bush I can´t understand the politics of George W. Bush in the last years. For me Americans are strange in the last years. For me Americans are strange people, because they always act very conservative people, because they always act very conservative but in reality they have the biggest porno-industry but in reality they have the biggest porno-industry and they allow their kids to carry pistols.and they allow their kids to carry pistols.

It changed from an unreflected admiration to a It changed from an unreflected admiration to a more critical view on some aspects of American more critical view on some aspects of American policies (fight against terrorism, attitude to rule policies (fight against terrorism, attitude to rule the world, “we are Gods own country”)the world, “we are Gods own country”)

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

I am one of few Europeans who think I am one of few Europeans who think that President Bush did absolutely that President Bush did absolutely right in case of Afghanistan and Iraq. right in case of Afghanistan and Iraq. U.S. changed but not so extreme as U.S. changed but not so extreme as most Europeans think. Inside the U.S. most Europeans think. Inside the U.S. it is normal as usual; photos and it is normal as usual; photos and fingerprints are not as evil as seen by fingerprints are not as evil as seen by European media.European media.

Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since Reinhold Wagnleitner: Survey in Lecture History of the US since World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)World War II (Salzburg, 13 October 2004, 38 students, age 19 – 63)

My attitude did not change, because My attitude did not change, because it does not depend on who is the it does not depend on who is the president. I think that Europe and the president. I think that Europe and the USA have still a lot in common.USA have still a lot in common.

Sebastian Münster. “[Die Nüw Welt] Tavola dell’ isole nuove.” Sebastian Münster. “[Die Nüw Welt] Tavola dell’ isole nuove.”

From Cosmographia Universale. Cologne, 1575From Cosmographia Universale. Cologne, 1575

America always has meant more America always has meant more

to the rest of the world to the rest of the world

than the rest of the world than the rest of the world

has meant to America has meant to America