Do Americans realise that most British people were against the Iraq War?

Question

I know a lot (if not most) Americans don't actually like us Brits, but the ones that do like us seem to say so because the UK was the only main ally during the Iraq War. But the thing is, do you realise that most British people are actually against the war, and that in the days before the war millions protested on the streets of the UK?

I'm not trying to make any political comment on the validity of the war, I'm just interested in Americans' knowledge of the situation. So please, no political rants or tirades.

Steelers1: Did I say anything about why you should care? I'm not saying you should care. I'm just interested in what Americans know.

Why such hostile answers? Would more of you be willing to actually answer my question if I'd hidden the fact that I myself am British?

To the person who said 'Then how did Tony get it past parliament?' He got it past parliament because at the time his part had a huge majority in the House of Commons. What kind of agenda could I possibly have? I'm just innocently trying to understand how Americans look at the world for f*cks sake.

thomasrobinsonantonio:

Here's your proof - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2751471.stm

Answer 1

There's close to 300 mil of us. Most don't know what's going on in the next town. Do you think they really care about Britain? It's not out of malice or anything. It's just that a sizeable portion of our population is apathetic. The percentage of Americans willing to investigate and issue before forming an opinion is very low.

Does the rest of the world realize this when they talk about Americans?

Answer 2

The truth of the matter is that a lot of Americans are against it too. I think that people have the false assumption that if the U.S. government chooses to do one thing, the American people are in agreeance with their decision. In my personal case, and many people that I know, that couldn't be any further from the truth. The problem with the U.S. is that we possess a certain amount of arrogance when it comes to foreign affairs. Our government makes decisions with the "our sh!t don't stink" attitude and I fear that it's starting to catch up with us. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I am thankful every day that I'm an American. Don't let the actions of one person, our president, make you think that Americans are ignorant about situations abroad. Albeit, I would have the same questions if I were an outsider looking in. For the 50% of Americans that voted against Bush, we knew that he wasn't worthy of the position to begin with and hopefully those that did vote for him, realize the err of their ways.

At any rate, I like the Brits and I've never really heard anyone say that they didn't. And Thank You to those that chose to speak up about their positions regarding the war. I have friends that will never make it home and I've had other friends spend years away from their families. It has gone on long enough...

Answer 3

Honestly I don't really care if most Brits were against the war.
I think that you are wrong that MOST Americans do not like the British. I have never heard anyone say that they do not like the British I think that if a survey were done in 1999 the vast majority of Americans would say that they liked the British. I do not believe that the Iraq war has caused a major opinion shift.
Please understand that I really do not care what any other country thinks about us being in Iraq. The truth is that we have a right to defend ourselves. And if you say that there was nothing to defend ourselves from you are either misinformed or you are lying.
There are literally hundreds of documents confirming WMD. The main line American news has even confirmed it.
So to answer you question: If a man has a gun to my head and I kill him to defend myself I don't care if you then have a negative opinion about me.

Answer 4

Yeah, well, somebody has to make decisions. All I know is that there was something too oppressive about Saddam Hussein's government (what dictatorship isn't?) and the powers in charge that was going to crush or stifle the next generation of leadership over there. I hope to see some amazing young people come out of Iraq in the next 15 years. It's good if everyone is ideologically against war, since it is a rotten, scary, and tragic means to any end, but unfortunately, until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, I believe we are going to have more conflict for a while.

Answer 5

Your information is false and based on un-informed polling (probably from BBC or the Daily Mirror). Most Americans don't have an opinion of the Brits (i.e. don't like or dislike), and thus don't have any idea what the average Brit on the streets think about the war.

Most Americans are busy with their life and don't spend much time taking the pulse of citizens in the other ~180 countries, the UK not withstanding.

Why does the rest of the world obsess about the the US? We are 300,000,000 out of 600,000,000,000 people. Take charge and eliminate us.

Answer 6

Do you know that most americans were against the Iraq War too?

Do you know that most americans don´t like George Bush, and that he won election by fraud in Florida, and that second time election he won again because many people didn´t vote as a silent protest against politics and the war.

Do you know that the majority in the world don´t support the war in Irak, but did you know also that Irakian people are extremely grateful for the support against Saddam and his tirany regime. That now they are are free to flee the country if they will, but before they couldn´t ; and problably they would have died anyway for saying to your kids that the presiden (Hussein) is a bad person.

Did you know that the Irakian people are scared that the US will leave and then they won´t have no allied army to deffend them against all the rebels groups forming in that country?

Answer 7

Nope. Americans don't care about the British. We only know you drive on the wrong side of the road. It's flippant, but actually quite true.

Oh, do the British realize that most Americans are still against the Iraq War?

Answer 8

I don't think most americans dislike Brits. It's not common knowledge over here of Brit's veiwpoints on situations, unless they toon into BBC news broadcasts on PBS, which is a shame. As for the protesting don't worry, there was quite a few large protests here. Americans aren't just a pack of blood thirsty yahoos, just waiting for the next war.

Answer 9

Actually, I respect and like the Brits. I am greatful for Blair's courage and convictions. And I hope we stay allies. Despite our political differences, we need each other. I am not surprised that many Brits are against the war. Public opinion on this is split everywhere around the world. Cherio, ole chap!

Answer 10

I Love the English.

The truth is that the majority of both Americans and Brits don't support the war in Iraq - unfortunately both our President and your Prime Minister - for whatever various reasons - as well as their corresponding political parties are in favor of it.

It's actually up to around 80% of Americans that do not support the war or President Bush.

And I apologize in advance for the majority of ignorant American comments you have and are sure to receive on the this question. I for one am opposed. Cheers.