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AMERICANS ABROAD ABUSED
Bush Presidency Resulting in Poor Treatment of Americans Overseas
When I lived overseas in the middle 1980's there were some anti-American feelings I had to deal with.  Europeans and other
travellers would lament the onslaught of "Ugly Americans" who visited their countries.  They were called "Ugly Americans" for a
number of reasons.  Partially, was the dress.  Even then, Americans tended to be more overweight than their European
cousins and much of that was squeezed into the then popular spandex casual wear.  Not a pretty sight.

But "Ugly American" mean much more than that.  It was a term used to describe the loud talking, obnoxious and disrespectful
tourists which would treat European cities as if they were a part of Disney World or a very clear TV show.  American tourists
tend to talk very loudly and criticize things that are different than what they are used to.  "Locals" are ignored by visiting
Americans or treated as if they are paid staff charged with providing directions or answering inane questions.

However, as a long term resident of England, I was able, through getting to know people, overcome any initial hesitancy and
show them that not all Americans are that way.  Overall, I may have had an initial challenge of "selling myself", that was usually
achieved withing a few minutes. Yes, many tourists fit into the "Ugly America" stereotype, but not all Americans were that way.  
Only those who came overseas for vacation.

The election of George W. Bush changed that. From what I have been hearing first hand and reading second hand -
Americans are no longer given the benefit of the doubt abroad.  Since we have the ugliest of all Americans as President,
respect for the American people has all but disappeared.  Now Americans are routinely harassed, assaulted, insulted and
mocked.   

It's unfair but understandable.  With the approval ratings of President Bush at record low levels, more and more Americans
have come to realize what a poor leader he is.  Liberals, progressives and many moderates in the USA have seen this for a
while and people in Europe and other parts of the world have too.  It is the lack of understanding by Red Americans that has
lead us into this problem.  Everyone in the world but them anticipated his disastrous Presidency. But they voted for him twice.

The lack of respect for America worldwide has far broader implications than danger or discomfort for tourists.  It weakened our
security and undoes much of the good the USA did last century.  Yes, we liberated Europe twice in the 1900's but if Americans
thought that bought us eternal goodwill, they were wrong.  It was arrogant to think so.  That arrogance, first by our tourists and
now by our politicians, has destroyed our international image and influence. Typically, those most guilty of this arrogance are
the ones who care the least about what "others" think.  So I'm not optimistic.  The reelection of George W. Bush has tainted all
Americans. To many of them, we're all ugly now.