United Nations and Bush, a chill in the air in New York

In 3 days of interviews with people in New York City, from taxi drivers, to diplomats, from working class people to business executives, the refrain was similar. Bush is perceived as being inept at foreign policy, a friend of the rich at the exclusion of the poor.

At the United Nations the buz was that Bush would get a polite, but cool reception and that is exactly what he got. His presentation, almost in monotone, had little to cheer a crowd. Speakers both before and after Bush expressed concern that Bush policies of unilateralism endangered the United Nations and world peace.

Thus the United States, that under President Wilson was designed to stop nations from taking unwise wars and conflicts around the globe, has been put in a position of being a nation that many members of the U.N. (most formerly friends) fear or resent.

International implications are serious. The United States could find other nations around the world joining hands to control U.S. military adventures. The USA could find itself isolated and fighting the very nations that we have worked so hard to create alliances with. U.S. policy is considered arrogant, unwise, disruptive and threatening in almost every segment of the international community.

It would appear that while the world looks at the United States differently, most Americans are unaware of the implications. Most Americans believe that our nation is loved by the world. Unfortunately that is changing. As George Bush left New York City, the consensus was that the United Nations would do something to help in Iraq...but not much. And the United Nations would have to make fundamental changes to avoid the fiasco that the Bush Administration has brought to that organization.