So I just got off the phone with a Dell technician in Panama... Wow!!!

[MojoXN]

Again, WOW!!! I knew that the rest of the world HATED *, but wow! The guy who I spoke with, Eric (not his real name, I'm sure) was polite, patient, and all business. While he was waiting for a particular piece of info, I turned the conversation to politics... In passing, I mentioned my seething hatred for *. I asked Eric what his opinion of the current American government is, and this is what I got, paraphrased, of course:

"Well, the problem is that the United States used to be a friend to South America, and now they act as our enemy. Bush doesn't want to recognize our sovereignty, and thinks that he can do whatever he wants in our countries. The things he said about Noriega weren't true, back then, Panama was a quiet country, a good place to live, but now, drugs are everywhere, los narcos run the governement, and it's not safe like it once was."

"When Noriega was in charge, anyone who wanted work could find it, and nearly everyone had enough to eat. After, the new government was very corrupt, and they take the money that other countries give to Panama and keep it for themselves. The same thing is happening today with Hugo Chavez. He's trying to do what's best for his people, and the U.S. acts like he's a threat to them, and I think that sooner or later, the same will happen to him as happened to Noriega."

"Venezuela doesn't want to start wars, and doesn't want to mess with America, but no matter what Chavez does, it isn't enough for Bush. Why does the U.S. think that it owns all of North America and South America? When Reagen was President, things were really bad, when Clinton was President, things got better, but now, our government does whatever the U.S. wants them to. Chavez is the only one who stands up for himself. I don't understand why Americans think that Bush is doing good for them..."

Neither do I, Eric, neither do I... :(

MojoXN

[jody]

1. I hope you told Eric about DU and the friendly welcome he would receive.

:hi:

[jbnow]

2. I wouldn't say America thinks

"that it owns all of North America and South America". It thinks that it owns the world.

[bliss_eternal]

3. Whenever I meet people from other countries...

I am quick to mention that I don't like or support *.

Dh and I met a lovely family from Ireland at Disneyland months ago. Such nice people. We had a brief political moment, in which I said, "We hate him and did NOT vote for him or the gov..."

Also met a nice couple from Australia in Las Vegas. They said they were thrilled to just meet Americans. They said they were traveling up and down the west coast and had a hard time meeting Americans, particularly any that they could communicate with, were friendly and that were open to sharing with them. (This made me feel badly--I wondered if maybe they encountered some unfriendly freepers)...

Anyway, I was quick to tell them we don't support *, either--that brought more smiles to their face. They said they've got one of those, too. LOL!

[FreedomAngel82]

5. LOL

Yes, I've heard their president is like a Bush clone. Scary. If they came to my town and wanted to find people to talk to I'm sure they would. :) People for the most part are pretty friendly here. I'm sorry they came across cold people. I love Aussies. I think they're so neat and have always loved their accent. :)

[bliss_eternal]

17. Me too--

they have beautiful accents.

They said they had a hard time finding locals that were as friendly as we were, that were willing to tell them the in's and out's of getting around, stuff to see and do, or just hang out with. In Australia, if you take a taxi, you learn a lot about the city. When they were here, they found most cabbies barely spoke english and weren't very friendly toward them. :(

We felt so bad as we actually were flying out that day--and didn't even have time to hang with them for long. We did share all we could though--hopefully it helped. Very cool people! :hi:

[Sparkly]

8. Husb and I have done the same thing in Europe

especially in Paris. People seem to warm up when they hear it, and it's fun to hear their views. (Although one cab driver said *most* Americans who visit Europe are worldly and not small-minded and thus don't like Chimp, although he described a bunch of businessmen he encountered once who adored him.)

[bliss_eternal]

18. I'll be sure to wear every anti-* tee I own in Europe--

when I go there (hopefully)... I don't want to be thought of as otherwise. LOL!

I'd also go on about how I LOVED Clinton--I heard they liked him alot! LOL!

[indie_voter]

11. YES!! Don't judge me by my accent, I never voted for * n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Aw

So sad. Of course the rightwingers don't care about anyone but themselves and getting what they want. Bush acts like he is god or something which he isn't. I hope we can take down his sorry ass for good and put him in prison for all of his crimes against humanity. The reason why I think Bush doesn't like Chavez (and I do believe him when he says Bush has tried to kill him) is because he has oil and wants it and Chavez didn't give in to him and he stud up for himself and his country. From what I've read it seems as though he's doing a lot of good things for his country which I'm happy for. And from that rally I saw him at people seemed to really like him. I think Chavez is a threat to Bush because he seems to stand up for himself and tell the truth and isn't afraid of Bush like everyone else is.

[leftchick]

6. it ain't just North and South America Eric

bush thinks he owns the whole fucking world!

[Seansky]

7. Mojo, I'm from Panama...went thru the whole Torrijos and Noriega

thing. Both of them were under CIA, and Noriega was a CIA key man until he decided to go on his own and the wave turned...

Take what Eric told you with a grain of salt because people were dissapearing under both dictators and tons of government money and properties were giving to Noriega supporters that should have never been done.

Also, if Eric supports Noriega, he would be the equivalent of a RW...just that RW in Panama are a bit different than here with regards to how they manipulate the poor.

So, as I said, just take what he told you with a grain of salt...

[Flubadubya]

14. Well, Eric works for Dell doesn't he?

:shrug:

[MojoXN]

15. I appreciate the insight...

I used to live in Miami, and had the opportunity to speak with many Latin Americans from all over the hemisphere. I never ran across any Panamanians, though.

In any case, perhaps my synopsis gave you the wrong idea... Eric seemed to be trying to say that life under Noriega wasn't as oppressive, for him, as life in Panama is now. At least that's what I took from his words.

MojoXN

[catmother]

9. does anyone remember the bumper stickers after watergate?

they said "don't blame me i voted for McGovern". think we can get one saying "don't blame me i voted for kerry"?

[Ian David]

19. Stickers like that are out there. Do a google search

"don't blame me, I voted for kerry"

Web:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=%22don't+blame+me%2C+I+voted+for+kerry%22

Images:
http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=%22don't%20blame%20me%2C%20I%20voted%20for%20kerry%22&sa=N&tab=wi

[newscott]

10. Sovereignty? Didn't Teddy Roosevelt help create Panama?

[never cry wolf]

12. I do the same thing

I play tournament backgammon online and meet many from other countries. I usually make a point to apologize for my country's foreign policy and the response, while not 100%, have been overwhelming. No one hates America, they hate senor bunnypants and our policies.

I have made alot of friends.

[Algorem]

13. too bad we can't make Noriega pres. of Panama and put Bush and his fa-

ther into his cell.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Noriega

The prosecution presented a case that has been criticized by numerous observers. The prosecution's case was completely reworked several times, as problems developed with the witnesses, whose stories contradicted one another. The U.S. Attorney negotiated deals with 26 different drug felons, including Carlos Lehder, who were given leniency, cash payments, and allowed to keep their drug earnings, in return for testimony against Noriega. Several of these witnesses had been arrested by Noriega for drug trafficking in Panama. Some witnesses later recanted their testimony, and agents of the CIA, DEA, DIA, and the Israeli Mossad who were knowledgeable about Central American drug trafficking have publicly charged that the trial was trumped up. Noriega was found guilty and sentenced on September 16, 1992, to 40 years in prison for drug and racketeering violations. His sentence was reduced to 30 years in 1999, making Noriega eligible for parole in 2029.

[froshty1960]

16. Peru Doesn't Like * Either

I've been working with at team of Peruvian developers for two years now. They were thrilled when they got me to confess that I hate * and I'm a Democrat. They loathe him and they're happy that their troubled president Toledo is distancing himself from Bush (although it's too late for Toledo... he's out). Of course, they also always ask, "Why did he win? We don't know anyone who likes him." I tell them that he didn't win-he was appointed by the Supreme Court in 2000 and he stole the presidency in 2004. LOL

The other thing I learned about Peru is that elections are mandatory and you're fined if you don't vote. The only people that can't vote are the police and the military. Can you imagine what the U.S. would be like if voting were mandatory and the police and military couldn't vote? I can.

[Ian David]

20. Anyone remember www.SorryEverybody.com ?

Some of us — hopefully most of us — are trying to understand and appreciate the effect our recent election will have on you, the citizens of the rest of the world. As our so-called leaders redouble their efforts to screw you over, please remember that some of us — hopefully most of us — are truly, truly sorry. And we'll say we're sorry, even on the behalf of the ones who aren't.
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=41826422&originStoreFront=143441


UPDATE: The Sorry Everybody CD Compilation is available in the iTunes Music Store. (You do need iTunes to access it, I'm afraid.) Check it out; it consists of a bunch of independent artists doing swell protest songs.

Thanks to everyone who submitted pictures for the Sorry Everybody book. The book is available in stores and from Hylas Publishing. Orders already placed ship immediately, thank you for your patience.

A future book-Apology Accepted-featuring people around the world accepting the apology is in the works. If you live outside the U.S. and would like to submit your photo for this book, head over to our submission page and be sure to check the box giving us permission to publish your image.

I'd like to use this sentence to thank Andrew, Andy, Aristotle, Charles, Graham, Jon, Jose, Juliana, Micah, and Mikkel for their invaluable help in running the site. Thanks also to everyone who has offered us assistance, everyone who has sent us kudos or words of encouragement, and especially those of you who have brightened our arduous night with scads of uproarious hate mail. We won't be publishing any of it, but thanks for asking. Keep it up, everybody.

If you are a representative of the media and wish to contact us, you may do so at [e-mail].

More:
http://www.sorryeverybody.com/

They also have a CafePress store:
http://www.cafepress.com/sorryeverybody/426563