They Really Do Get It Posted by David Shorr

The latest version of the Public Agenda Foundation's Confidence in US Foreign Policy Index reminds us how receptive Americans are to a change in the direction of our policy. I'll start with my personal favorite. As I've said before, I think that discomfort with America's negative image internationally is the most powerful lever available on the public's attitude. So here's what the Public Agenda survey found: roughly two out of three Americans believe the US is viewed negatively by the rest of the world AND that a positive international image is important for our national security. This survey question is coming up in a number of different polls (by different organizations); in fact, I believe every opinion research outfit should be asking this.

Similar two-thirds majorities believe that the US should use diplomatic and economic methods to combat terrorism (as opposed to military methods), relations with the rest of the world are on the wrong track, the US is doing a fair or poor job in creating a more peaceful and prosperous world, and the world is becoming more dangerous for the United States. Actually that last one is a three-quarters majority. Slight majorities agree that we should withdraw from Iraq even if it leads to increased violence, that it is very important for our foreign policy to take into account the views and interests of other countries, and that we can fight terrorism without ever resorting to torture -- with a bigger majority believing that our safety from terrorism does not depend on our success in Iraq.

Public Agenda is interested in Americans' confidence in our foreign policy, so their research tries to pinpoint what the public believes are the most effective approaches. Study coauthor Scott Bittle, who gave the briefing in which I took part, highlighted the public's interest in strategies whose leverage over threats is relatively straightforward: energy independence tops the list, followed by better intelligence collection, and immigration control. These results seem to cut against my stated belief that the public would back a broad-gauge strategy based on promoting overall increases in peace and prosperity. But wait, in a respectable fourth place among foreign policy strategies (with a narrow majority) was "showing more respect for the needs and views of other countries," which seems to validate my thesis about the perceived importance of getting back in synch with the rest of the world.

While I'm pleading for pollsters to ask my favorite questions, here's another that I've liked ever since the first time I saw it asked by the Program on Internationanl Policy Attitudes:

The United States should look beyond its own self-interest and do what’s best for the world as a whole, because in the long run this will probably help make the kind of world that is best for the US.

I think these kinds of questions touching on global interdependence, often drawing support from overwhelming majorities, show where the entry point is for progressive foreign policy. Now what does this really mean for the progressive message?  Well, here's a line from last night in St. Paul, where the Democratic nominee said it's time to

...rally the world against the common threats of the 21st century -- terrorism and nuclear weapons, climate change and poverty, genocide and disease.

If you're only going to say one thing (aside from Iraq, Afghanistan, energy), this is what it should be, as often as possible.

Comments

[Don Bacon]

it's time to ...rally the world against the common threats of the 21st century -- terrorism and nuclear weapons, climate change and poverty, genocide and disease.

No. It's time to change the US policies that have contributed to terrorism, nuclear weapons, climate change and poverty. The world won't rally to the world's leading miscreant unless it stops warring on other nations, brandishing nuclear weapons, refusing to reduce its world-beating environmental pollution and subsidizing its agricultural exports which ruin people in other countries.

[dotmafia]

The supreme arrogance and ignorance of America is that it erroneously believes it should be the one bringing freedom and democracy to the nations of this world.

I think this natural ignorance comes from inherent ultra-patriotism. This is the belief instilled in every American, from birth to death, that there is no greater citizen, no greater country, and no greater way of life than America.

This criminal Bush "administration" has deviously and immorally used patriotic propaganda, manipulating public perception into supporting its illegal aggressions. Anyone speaking against these policies is labeled unpatriotic. This is textbook historical fascism at work.

You want to end this war? Start by consistently showing the American public the daily effects on the Iraqi people. Without censorship. Show the blown-up bodies. Show the dead and wounded children. Show the grieving families. Anyone criticizing this as blatantly indecent, should question the decency of what America has forced upon Iraq.

If the American public was truly exposed to the realities of what their government subjects the peoples of other nations to, they wouldn't be so quick sending their children off to war, and they'd think twice about the decency of their own "Christian values".

The media is complicit to this unnecessary war. They've anesthetized the public to the horror of Iraq. They've conspired to manipulate U.S. public opinion. The media, the Congress, and the so-called Bush "administration" have failed the innocent citizens of America and Iraq, in whose blood their hands are soaked with.

[herefast123]

acer aspire 5500 battery

[twelve sky Gold]

Welcome to our game world, my friend asks me to buy some 12sky gold . I do not know how to use the twelvesky Gold ; my friend tells me how to use. I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy 12Sky Silver Coins . We all love game, if you want to play it, please buy 12 sky gold and join us. Please do not hesitate to have game.

[conan gold]

When you have aoc gold, you will become strong. With conan gold, you can upgrade and admire by others. You can use age of conan gold to start the journey of the world. So, do not hesitate, let us move to buy cheap aoc gold

[12sky gold]

After separate for one year, I can not leave you, leave twelve sky Gold . Now I buy 12sky gold again, I do not want to leave you, but at that time, I have no idea.

[dd]

I hope i can get Sho Online Mun in low price,
Yesterday i bought Sho Mun for my friend.

[aoc gold]

My friends like to play it and buy aoc gold. If you have money to buy age of conan gold, you will find it is very useful.

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[George Matthews]

The new rejse Als u in liefde willend op uw gehouden van met een speciale gift voor Valentijnskaarten indruk maken maar bent u kon zich het nooit veroorloven.

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[k247br]

e biodegradablechanel bags when you "stoop and scoop."
Dispose of animal waste according to the campground rules or bury it off-road.
Observe fire coguccinditions and always keep a full jug of water nearby.
Remove flammable brush near fire pits and keep campfires small.
Don't burn plastics and metalshermes.
Use non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable cleaning supplies and sanitary additives.
Reduce the need louis vuitton for air-conditioning by parking in natural shade, opening windows, using awnings or portable sun shelters.
Wash air-conditionidesignerng filters when dirty, instead of buying new ones each time.
Reduce the need to turn on heat designer handbagsby parking in a sheltered spot, out of the north and west winds.

[qvod]

很难有发展前途做人体艺术美，看的眼光不同，人也不同
务的受人体艺术是确是很难
做人体艺术这项工作了女so you him
其实有空还不如去看看人体艺术有意思，再不然也可以去浏览下有不错的人体艺术指导，难道看到的古惑仔全集系列要去
short haircutssms jokesshort hairstylessdog groomerswhy

[christian louboutin]

Everything comes to him who waits

[Herve leger]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[christian louboutin]

I just required some information and was searching on Google for it. I visited each page that came on first page and didn’t got any relevant result then I thought to check out the second one and got your blog. This is what I wanted!

[authentic air jordan shoes]

Valentijnskaarten indruk maken maar bent u kon zich het nooit veroorloven.

[Diego]

Really nice entry1
Thansk for sharing it!

[güvercin]

This is surely a subject thats close to me so I am very pleased that you wrote about it. The aricle is quite interesting. You seem to be a very skilled writer. short hair

[ergo baby carrier sale]

The media is complicit to this unnecessary war. They've anesthetized the public to the horror of Iraq. They've conspired to manipulate U.S. public opinion. The media, the Congress, and the so-called Bush "administration" have failed the innocent citizens of America and Iraq, in whose blood their hands are soaked with.

[uggs for kids]

Als u in liefde willend op uw gehouden van met een speciale gift voor Valentijnskaarten indruk maken maar bent u kon zich het nooit veroorloven.

[suprayouth]

Thanks, I'm going to have nightmares tonight.