Whats the atmosphere like in US? I live in UK

[Gold_Disk]

Just wondering what the general atmosphere was like in the US as I live in England. It on TV over here virtually all the time and most people are against it, especially the asians. Lots of protests and what have you.

Just wondered what it was like over there?

[drisley]

Pretty much the same, although most here are not against it. About 30% are and they can be loud. :)

[Tiretool]

Here in the southern US (Georgia) you don't see anyone protesting it. Might have something to do with the fact that I live in an Air Force town. ;) The only protesting I see happening is on TV.

Everyone here is just hopeful that we can accomplish the mission without large loss of life. There's alot of praying going on here, especially since this is part of the Bible Belt.

[Force Flow]

Up in the North East here, there are some protest rallies, but they're pretty small (under 50 people per rally). Most people are hoping that there is a minimal loss of life. Others say we should just nuke Iraq.

So, there are two small percentages of extremests for the war and against the war, while the rest of us are just going with the flow, hoping that it it ends quickly with a minimal loss of life.

[Hot Rod]

In North Central Iowa.....no protests. We're pretty laid back anyway. We have a National Guard unit that was called up and is currently waiting in Wisconsin so there is a lot of troop support here because we know people that may be involved shortly.

[doctorgonzo]

Anti-war protests here are pretty consistent, but that is nothing new. For years there has been a weekly protest on a bridget between Minneapolis and Saint Paul; the only change is that it has grown much larger. There are also fairly large protests at the University of several hundred to a couple thousand students. There was a "support our troops" rally over the weekend with around 16,000-18,000 people, but some participants were bothered when it strayed from a pure "support our troops" rally and people booed a Muslim speaker who supports the war. Then there are the solitary protesters who carry around signs and say things like "We should invade France next" and so on. Pretty standard stuff, I would imagine.

[David_Jones]

Originally posted by doctorgonzo
For years there has been a weekly protest on a bridget between Minneapolis and Saint Paul; the only change is that it has grown much larger.

What is all that about??

[Gold_Disk]

Very interesting, thanks for your replies guys. So what do they Americans think about the british supporting?

[homer15]

it's been pretty much the same, except instead of normal tv shows everyone watches the news now. and the way comes up in people's conversations routinely, but for the most part we are upbeat.

[Paul Victorey]

Ir's pretty much as normal -- some people gung ho about the war, some against, most neutral. It's funny how now suddenly everyone's an expert about Iraq, though, and can regurgitate all the litte factlets they hear on the news.

[Mac Medic]

For the British support we are thankfull, especially since Primeminister Blair had put his neck on the line over this one and not back down, that shows courage. The UK has always been the strongest US ally, and it will not be forgotten i'm sure.

[Hot Rod]

That is funny Paul. :) I know more names of towns in Iraq than I ever that I would or even cared to really. :D

[shazam]

I for one am most thankfull for British troops. Also the aussies that you do not hear to much about.

[doctorgonzo]

People have been protesting the sanctions against Iraq for a long time. It just evolved naturally into protesting the war, when it came to that.

[Tiretool]

Very interesting, thanks for your replies guys. So what do they Americans think about the british supporting?

I think I speak for most Americans when I say that we feel stronger with the Brits than with any of our other allies. Tony Blair has really gone out on a limb to support the coalition, even though many Brits don't feel we should be fighting Iraq. And let me tell you this... when all the smoke clears, Tony Blair will have a hell of a friend in the US. We won't forget his dedication.

[drisley]

I don't agree with Blair's domestic politics, but that guy has proven to be a true leader. He's got a Churchillian set of balls. If the Brits move to oust him from office over this, it will be a shame.

[Mac Medic]

Unfortunately it appears he may meet a churchillian fate.

[raftero]

i don't know anyone who does NOT support the war on terror in my part of the country,and we appreciate your country for standing with us. the protestors are a minority who get the publicity.most of their leaders really are experts (actors,directors,singers etc.)on world affairs and what should be done.

[suitcase]

Then there are the solitary protesters who carry around signs and say things like "We should invade France next" and so on. Pretty standard stuff, I would imagine.

That would only give significance to that INsignifcant country. We wouldn't want to do that.

[Gold_Disk]

Wow a lot of support for the Brits and especially Tony Blair. He has stood his ground and i admire that, he has also one a lot of people over. As for his fate, only time will tell.

[TimPoet]

For those who have no one they know in the war there is either some protest or a lot of questions I've noticed. For those of us who have a loved one in the war there is a special fellowship of concern and a yearning for swift, complete victory as far as I have found. Except for my mother she just worries a lot about her grandson.
EDIT: Re: Tony Blair, I personally am very grateful to see a man who knows the right thing to do and just does it despite all opposition. I will never forget his leadership.

[AlwaysUp]

There are times, even though I am a staunch supporter of our President, that he were but a fraction of a millimeter closer to an accomplished orator as Tony Blair is. I am not at all sure that President Bush, as fine a man as I believe him to be; could withstand the hoo-rah-rah that Blair has to contend with in the House of Commons!

[TimPoet]

I honestly think Bush has a speech impediment.

[penetrecion]

I honestly know no one who is for the war... a lot of folks who just want it over and are concerned about the ramifications that it may cause afterwards. I personally feel there is a better to handle the situation... if you want to get rid of a leader, assassination is a whole lot easier on the nation than going in with an army, although it is difficult to infiltrate muslim nations...

[seanc1930]

Yes but their is the minor little detail about assassinating foeign leaders being against the law ( least in the us)

i never really understood that, we can bomb the building where we think (hope?) saadaam is located and kill everyone in that building (honestly tho if they are all willingly in favor of saadaam good riddance) but we cant send someone over with a sniper rifle and cap his stupid @$$?


ohh well just my opinion i think thats a little odd

[piasabird]

There are lots of liberals in the world who think there is never any reason for a war. They would sit on their hands till Sadam nuked isreal or some other country he does not like. Imagine Sadam taking out tel aviv or some other city. (spell spell)

[TimPoet]

Penetrecion (what does your name mean anyway?), you must live in a very isolated part of the country, one that is extremely liberal.
Sean, Bush made it legal to assassinate people like Hussein, if I remember correctly. He rescinded President Ford's executive order.

[jbbrown211]

I think things here are pretty mixed. A lot of the same stuff, the media just beats everything to death though.

[mr krinkle]

Gold_Disk I am from Iowa,Almost everyone supports the troops but many blame the US and Bush for the Failed Diplomacy that has created so much friction among our allies and many here in the states.

[AlwaysUp]

Why do folks blame Bush for failed diplomacy? Didn't you, like me, watch our efforts in the United Nations? Did people honestly believe that inspections were ever going to disarm this dictator? If blame could be leveled, it seems to me that you would have to lay the Lion's share at the feet of those countries, Germany, Russia, and France for having special relationships with Iraq that were in direct opposition to the sanctions that unanimously were voted upon. Read between the lines, folks. I applaud Bush for having the fortitude to publically and diplomatically prove what we always expected the UN to be. A group of self interested parties that have no real world authority.

[Mac Medic]

Diplomacy had failed long before Bush took office. Clinton could have gotten rid of hussein, but didn't have what it takes to be a man. The only time he did anything was after he got caught with an Intern, I wonder why he decided to act then?.And who really would wish Al Gore on our country to try and take care of this dictator.

[mr krinkle]

People easily forget that it was a Majority of the UN not just France Germany and Russia who were for a non bloody way to disarm Iraq.However Bush didnt have the votes to even get a simple majority,Even Mexico was against the war. But at the expense of our Troops Who we all support Bush decided that his political future at home was more important than World Opinion. So We are the Worlds Policeman Now.Is that a Good thing?

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by mr krinkle
1) a. People easily forget that it was a Majority of the UN not just France Germany and Russia who were for a non bloody way to disarm Iraq.
b. However Bush didnt have the votes to even get a simple majority,Even Mexico was against the war.
2) But at the expense of our Troops Who we all support Bush decided that his political future at home was more important than World Opinion.
3) a. So We are the Worlds Policeman Now.
b. Is that a Good thing?
1) a. I forgot nothing of the sort. This double talking group of nations alreadys signed off on Resolution 1441 which stated "serious consequences" would happen if Iraq didn't submit. Iraq didn't submit and now we are prosecuting the consequences in a most serious manner.
b. Bush didn't need another majority and the French made it clear they were going to be duplicitous and act almost like an enemy to America.

2) So Bush did the manly, right thing. He overrode them with the will of the United States people and military. We are not about to let a bunch of lying, possibly evil people get in the way of having our country protected from future September 11 attacks. This did not have to do with his political future but with his duty to the American people to protect them. And we would have done this unilaterally anyway, the hell with World Opinion if they don't see it our way. We are right and those who were about to vote against us were wrong. It's that simple.

3) a. No, we are not. We didn't go into Rwanda to stop the slaying of the million. We should only use our military to overwhelmingly conquer forces that present a threat to our vital national interests.
b. Being the world's cop would be a bad thing. Being the defender of America's vital national interests is a good thing.

If you have any more questions or need more clarity on the way things are feel free to post again.
HTH

[AlwaysUp]

mr krinkle, You yankees really don't get Bush, do you. Listen to even his most ardent opponents and you will hear that he is a man of principal and conviction. I cannot understand why you would think that he isn't fully aware of the risks of war and all that entails. You are wrong wrong wrong that he decided to go to war just for political gain. I am all for going OUTSIDE our borders to keep from having to experience another tragedy like 911. I know I'll get allot of flack, but my opinion is that the world would be better served if more Arabs were converted to Christianity. Arab countries are a mess! Most of the world's terrorists are Arabs. Terrorists are cowards and thus worthless in my book.

[mr krinkle]

TimPoet If I need a ounce of clarity you would be the last one to ask.<p>AlwaysUp ,because you are from Texas perhaps you are scared to speak some truth about your fearless draft dodger.,,And Christianity? Are you kidding me? That religion is responsible for more wars than most others are.

[mr krinkle]

And Most of the world's terrorists are Arabs. <p>Not sure about that one,But what just happened in Iraq will likely make the world a more dangerous place and the USA will be even more hated.

[AlwaysUp]

Me thinks your alarmist and pessimistic views are in the minority.

[AlwaysUp]

Have YOU served in our armed forces? I have. I support your right to not enlist. Personally I would not want to be on a battlefield with an ostrich who thinks by doing nothing is somehow more safe that taking action. I could give a flip about how Arabs somehow might now be more apt to commit terroristic acts against us. They have always hated Americans. Up to this point we have taken our lumps with minor responses as is in the case of Clinton's enemic responce to an attempt on The senior Bush's life. BTW what branch did Clinton serve in?

[mr krinkle]

AlwaysUp I have served but slavery aint my game anymore,I see no need to pursue my or your military record. After every war we won the USA proclaims that it is the War to end all wars and the world is safer now..Sadly history is not on your side.<p>Who cares about Clinton or Bush?Both Scum..Our country is losing respect, losing our wealth, losing our moxie, Negative forces are attacking our country as we attack Iraq in our name, the name of America.

[AlwaysUp]

After every war we won the USA proclaims that it is the War to end all wars
Have heard this as a "quote"; not in my memory has this claim been made to any war since the First World War. Where do you get this garbage? Who are you quoting? Give us a source.

Who cares about Clinton or Bush?Both Scum..
You are half right.

Our country is losing respect, losing our wealth, losing our moxie
Respect...don't remember when we had more respect from within...look at the polls. I don't know about you but what WE think about us is more important than what the Russians, Germans, French, Koreans, you name it....think about us.

Wealth...nowhere are you blessed with the opportunities to build your personal wealth than here. At this time, look around the world and name a place where the economy is good. Thus are the times and cyclic trends....not anything ANY president has all that much control over.

Our country is losing respect, losing our wealth, losing our moxie

Moxie...Moxie, is a M1-A1 Abrams rolling up to the doorstep of a dictator's palace, politely knocking and deciding to check out the fridge.

Negative forces are attacking our country I won't even touch that for fear of being inflamatory.

[AlwaysUp]

I find your listed occupation in your profile very informative.

[mr krinkle]

AlwaysUp you made my day and its still early,,thanks for the Big laugh!:)

[mr krinkle]

TimPoet,, please accept my humble apology.

[Jackblack]

The invasion of Iraq has nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction and everything to do with Global Conquest. Syria and Iran are possibly next in line as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld threatened last week. The Neocons must be seen for what they truly are: lunatic hawks who are wrecking America's democratic and peaceful ideals.

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by mr krinkle
TimPoet,, please accept my humble apology. Uhm, what apology?

[Joeberg]

Here in NYC there were some large protests, although the protests fell more or less on deaf ears....Nothing much has really changed except the looks people give me when they find out I'm Palastinian...:(

[Braveheart]

I live in Scotland, and I have to say that the level of protests have all but ended. When the war first started there were many protests, but now that there are many scottish squadrons out there as part of the UK's portion of the coalition, protests have died and the country has rallied behind the scottish, and english contingients of the forces that our prime minister, Tony Blair, sent out to Iraq.

i think he has done a great job and it was the right thing to do.

the only regret i have is that our forces were not more involved in the liberation of baghdad, and had to act as a "mop up" team.

[whr2206]

Originally posted by oem_guy_2002
For the British support we are thankfull, especially since Primeminister Blair had put his neck on the line over this one and not back down, that shows courage. The UK has always been the strongest US ally, and it will not be forgotten i'm sure.

yeah, that took courage for Blair to support us...although im thankful he did.

I live in Virginia... umm the atmosphere here is pretty much the same. We've had a few support the troops rallies around here. ALso, our history class now basically debates whats going on in Iraq. Most people are in support of it here, but after different ideas about postwar iraq and how to go about setting up the government. Overall its positive... plenty have their flags out here... no major protests....

[NSS]

No one so far has posted from Seattle, so I'll share what it's like. I, as well as almost everyone I know is against the war. The day after war was declared, I as well as almost evertbody else in my highschool walked out and took part in the protests. About 10% of the schools students stayed. Most of them were undecided on the war.