the outcome of the election

[Armin]

All the opposition to him here is due to the actions taken in Iraq, and maybe, Afgahnistan (which to me was a straight national-security action). [right][snapback]59335[/snapback][/right]

No, I wouldn't oversimplify the perception in Europe and especially here in Germany that much. The illegal preemptive war against Iraq, based on blatant lies and corporate interests, is just the most obvious argument.

That GWB is a blundering fool that can't speak in straight sentences, that he had no idea of the world prior of coming into office, that he's a right-wing religious nutcase and big business puppet who's main agenda is to help the rich get richer play a major role as well. :P

That he rules the contry with an amalgamation of fear, religious zeal and abused patriotism is plain frightening the hell out of me.

Also, people like me may be less alienated by US troops invading Iraq (again) than by the emergency powers, under which the guy who has the final say in deploying the world's largest arsenal of REAL WMDs, now rules (called the US Patriot Act).

I find it way more alarming that civil rights can be put on hold inside the largest military power on earth (after ONE attack by 20 fanatics with carpet knives!), people held indefinitely without trial, neighbors denouncing neighbors and that a nation that calls itself "Home of the free" can run a concentration camp almost unchallenged.

And yes, I'm German and I DARE call Guantanamo Bay a concentration camp, because that's what it is. Go flame me B)