Interesting point, Jim. I'm not sure if I agree 100% with the idea of Americans "selling out" their country for a glimmer of favor abroad, but I really do think that's a fascinating take on things, and there's likely a bit of truth in it in some, if not all, cases. For my part, I can honestly say that I'm completely ashamed of the current administration and government of my country right now, and I don't say this to curry any favor with non-Americans. Bush and his cronies are a complete embarassment, and their lamentable comments and actions have likely made it more dangerous for Americans living or traveling abroad, and I feel no compunction whatsoever in distancing myself from our current government's shockingly bad foreign policy and utter lack of diplomacy.
However, as you mentioned, this wouldn't be the leading comment I made in a forum or to an individual. I'm of the mindset that I'm neither proud nor ashamed to be an American. I was simply born here... it's nothing I accomplished, so it's nothing I can really take "pride" in. That, to me, would be akin to being proud of being born male. As such, I don't really engage in nationalistic or political discussion unless prompted (or unless I'm writing on my blog). I do, however, like to remind people outside of the U.S. that 49% of the population here didn't vote for Bush, and of the 51% that did, about a third of those now apparently regret it, if polls are to be believed.
While I certainly think that Bush is the worst president the U.S. has seen in my lifetime, it's not really a conversation starter for me when I travel abroad. Curiously enough, though, when I have gotten to the point where I discuss this with Indonesians, none I've met have said anything favorable about the current U.S. president.
UluwatuWaves, I seriously doubt Washington, D.C. has had 20 murders in two weeks' time. You said "so far this month" and I'm presuming you meant "so far this year." Regardless, I would definitely feel much, MUCH safer and more comfortable walking around at night anywhere in Bali than in some parts of D.C. On my most recent visit to Bali a few weeks ago, I was for the first time offered drugs and/or women while walking along the streets in Kuta at night. That was certainly a bit dodgy (and even somewhat surprising), but again -- I never felt unsafe at all.