marko, i think many americans like to think that they do affect the rest of the world. the fact is many countries and people couldn't care less about the usa and what the do or don't do.
Doc, I can hardly believe my eyes, reading this from you. You have to be joking! To not consider the far reaching consequences upon the whole world that the undertakings of the American government has, is to live with blinders on, or to be quagmired in naivety or denial.
The fact is, in Bali, as well as all of Asia and SE Asia, more expatriate Americans have registered to vote than ever before, and most of them have already voted against Bush for just that reason…i.e. the very negative effects the Bush war on terror, and the manner in which it is being fought, has had upon this whole region, not to mention other foreign policy debacles.
The bombing in Jakarta against the Australian Embassy was in direct retaliation to the Aussies being part of the Bush coalition in Iraq.
Don’t kid yourself into thinking many countries and people could care less about the USA or what they do or don’t do. Just show up at Nuri’s Saturday AM at 8 and see how many Germans, Dutch, Australians, English and Americans will be there to watch the second Bush/Kerry debate. I’d love for you to tell them that, just to see the look on your face from their reactions.