“??¦sometimes I think Europeans forget to differentiate ???American People?? from ???American Politicians”.”

You are far too polite…

I do differentiate those two, and I’ve met a lot of nice and reasonable US citizens. however, having said this, I must insist that differentiating “people” and “politicians” is artificial, politicians are people too. And, if someone is very much an advocate of the American democracy (unlike Phil here, who seems to be something of a critic), they should also bear their share of the responsibility. You can’t hve your cake and eat it too. Supporting your countrys system means you are giving at least some kind of authorization to the regime and condoning their actions at least to some extent.

If you say it’s the people who elected a legitimate government, then you are saying the governments actions are legitimate, at least to some extent.

I myself do not recognize the US government as a legitimate authority anywhere else except in the US. They have no business making decision about my life. Or the Iraqis of Afghans or anyone else for that matter. So, the australian premier here is a little off track in his ass-kissing.

You could say that if Americans wanted co-operation, they would elect a government that is willing to co-operate. I wouldn’t say it like this, but that’s the way most people see it. And, unfortunately, they have good grounds to do so. Nevermind how misguided they are in they collective judgement.

“So, the australian premier here is a little off track in his ass-kissing.”

Maybe so, but consider the fact that a significant part of life, even here in angelic Finland, does involve ass-kissing, whether you are talking about politicians/heads of State or Joe-Schmoe member of the public.

Take Tarja Halonen and George W. for example. They are about as opposite as can be in their values and what they represent. Polls frequently published in the HS suggest that most Finns praise Halonen and are critical towards the U.S. And yet, every time Halonen insists that relations between Finland and the U.S. are good. What relations- between the people of the general public, or the governments? How can both be true at the same time? Do you not think that Halonen is a game-player too? I remember before the Iraq war, Halonen was quoted in a HS article as saying that American involvement would be necessary in order to deal with the situation in Iraq, a statement which really surprised me coming from her. Then, she turned around and called the military action “illegal”. In English that’s called hypocrisy.