We're Number One!

Although it's not something we should be particularly proud of, the US has managed to be the first among nations considered to be a threat to world stability, according to a poll commissioned by London's Financial Times and published July 1, 2007.

Here's the graph accompanying the article:
















Given the foreign policy of the US under the Bush administration, it's not difficult to understand the findings of the poll. Here is a summary of the findings suggested by the Harris-Financial Times poll:

A survey carried out in June by Harris Research for the Financial Times shows that 32 per cent of respondents in five European countries regard the US as a bigger threat than any other state. ...

The level of European concern about the US has remained broadly consistent over the past year. In 11 previous polls dating back to July 2006 the proportion of respondents considering the US a threat to stability has ranged between 28 per cent and 38 per cent. [Emphasis added]

And the White House wonders why Mr. Bush is greeted with protests in nearly every country in Europe (except, of course, Albania). The next President is going to have spend a lot of time mending fences with the world community. Hopefully we will elect someone who is willing to do that rather than clear brush.