Survey finds that Americans like Canada, England and Israel the best

AP ^ | December 1, 2006

[West Coast Conservative]

Americans have the warmest feelings about England, Canada and Israel, and good feelings have improved about China and India more than any other country since an August poll, according to a survey measuring U.S. attitudes toward foreign countries.

The survey, released Thursday by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, found that Cuba, Iran and North Korea received the coolest ratings when Americans were asked to rank how they felt about foreign countries. Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela were said to be the countries with ratings that fell the most.

Since an August survey, the university found that the ratings for 13 countries had improved. The "Global Thermometer" measured the warmth of U.S. voters' feelings about 16 foreign countries, the United Nations and the Palestinian government.

In order of ranking, they were England, Canada, Israel, Germany, India, Mexico, the United Nations, Russia, France, China, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian government, Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

Peter Brown, the institute's assistant director, said Democrats generally give foreign countries higher ratings than Republicans. "The poll was taken after an election in which Democrats triumphed, so perhaps that is what we are seeing," he said of the improvement in U.S. attitudes.

Democrats wrested control of both houses of the U.S. Congress from Republicans in elections this month.

The survey's results came from interviews conducted Nov. 13-19 with 1,623 registered voters across the country. There is a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

[Piefloater]

....is if they only included countries with a population over 20m....

Australia's population is over 20m. Israel's is 7m and Cuba's 11m.

[lesser_satan]

I'm surprised Germany beat India.

[RightWhale]

America is just fine with me. But, on remembering other places I have been, in the Alp mountains of Yugoslavia (I know, it's a distant memory now), Italy (outside Naples would do), Greece (near Olympia), and France (Marseilles) would also be just fine.

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'Australia's population is over 20m.'

So it is - 20.25m according to the CIA factbook. Last time I looked it was 19m.

[ARE SOLE]

What about Zimbabwe dammit?!


Regards.

[hosepipe]

[ But, on remembering other places I have been, in the Alp mountains of Yugoslavia (I know, it's a distant memory now), Italy (outside Naples would do), Greece (near Olympia), and France (Marseilles) would also be just fine. ]

My experience too as far as beauty is concerned..
Until I came to Alaska.. all the other places then diminished in significance..

[Barnacle]

Survey finds that Americans like Canada, England and Israel the best

That's only because it's harder to meet Australians.

[RightWhale]

There is spectacular scenery in the Anchorage area. But, I was considering the people as well. Most in Anchorage got there relatively recently. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but the society is still in upheaval. I like a society that has had a few centuries or more to settle down.

[jwalsh07]

My vote goes to England, Australia and Poland.

[Churchillspirit]

Of all the countries in the world Venezuela and Cuba make the top eighteen?

LOL!

[cowdog77]

"Had Australia been on the list they'd have been right up there with Canada and England."
____________________________________________
Right on..........and this is why!!!!

"Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.


A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costell o, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he said on National Television.


"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia: one the Australian law and another Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option", Costello said.


Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off", he said.


Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. &n

bsp;I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."


"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the ‘politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."


"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"


"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society... Learn the language!"


"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.&n

bsp; If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."


"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."


"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don’t care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.


"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian

beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."


"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."

[Issaquahking]

Hey! Even a broken clock is right twice a day...France sure fell off the boat in twenteth century. They do have some dear to the free world though ~



In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

[Aetius]

That Mexico is not topping the list is no surprise, but its also true that American attitudes towards Mexicans are much more positive than those of Mexicans towards Americans.

[Cicero]

If you're hinting that it's kind of a dumb survey, I'd tend to agree.

But it does seem to reveal some fairly conservative thinking. Despite all the efforts of the media, the right countries are down on the bottom of the s**t list.

[Torie]

My vote goes to England ...

Oh my. Assimilation is real. Don't tell your dead ancestors when after you exit. :)

[Fred Nerks]

whose idiot idea might it have been to include the United Nations as a country?

[RoyStevens]

Why isn't Finland on the list?

[Fred Nerks]

From November 13 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,623 registered voters nationwide. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points.


The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. More data at www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201


3. (INTRO TO Q3a-3r) I'd like to get your feelings about some countries and governing organizations who have been in the news and what sort of a relationship you feel they have with the United States. I'll read the name of a country or governing organization and I'd like you to rate how much of a friend or foe they are to the U.S. using the feeling thermometer. You can choose any number between 0 and 100. The higher the number, the warmer or more friendly you feel they are to the U.S. The lower the number, the colder or less friendly they are. If we come to a country or governing organization who you haven't heard enough about to form an opinion, you don't need to rate them. Just tell me and we'll move on to the next one. (na = not asked)

TREND: How friendly or unfriendly do you think -- is to the U.S.?


MEAN SCORE....................
Nov 30 Aug 28 Jun 12 Mar 13
2006 2006 2006 2006

Canada 73.4 71.7 71.4 70.9
China 44.2 39.0 41.6 41.5
Cuba 24.1 24.0 24.4 27.2
England 78.9 78.3 76.0 76.4
France 44.6 43.2 44.5 45.0
Germany 58.1 na na na
India 56.6 53.4 54.8 52.1
Iran 15.5 13.9 16.9 16.7
Iraq 25.9 27.7 29.3 27.1
Israel 68.2 65.9 62.9 61.8
Mexico 51.4 51.4 50.1 54.9
North Korea 13.5 15.0 18.4 19.7
Palestinian Gov't. 23.8 22.8 25.0 24.6
Russia 46.2 45.5 44.3 47.1
Saudi Arabia 40.4 38.2 39.5 38.2
Syria 24.3 21.7 na na
United Nations 50.4 49.2 50.1 50.6
Venezuela 30.9 35.9 36.9 na

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=993

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

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[bboop]

Hey, we like Australians too.