Given these and related realities, how does the world view the U.S. these days? A recent $4 million survey by the Pew Research Center of 38,000 people worldwide revealed a drastic deterioration of the U.S. global image and a diminishment of goodwill toward the U.S. In the last two years virtually all European countries have a worsened impression of the U.S., as do seven of eight Latin American countries polled. There is a growing discontent, worldwide with the U.S. cowboy mentality to solving problems. The Pew survey, titled "What the World Thinks in 2002," is available at http://www.people-press.org

Most Americans are still in denial about the terror with which our nation threatens the world. We have been successfully pacified by privilege and mainstream media propaganda. I feel the need to sound an alarm and raise an alert, "The ugly Americans are coming with their war."

The Republic is at risk. The national press could have a field day, but it remains too timid, apparently lacking the courage to defend an endangered democracy. I crave for our allegedly "free press" to do more serious investigative journalism. Too little has been done by our press, and the hour is now late, as our freedoms and civil liberties recede.

The corporate press is not reporting the whole story. Important information, details, context and analyses are not being offered to the public. Much is being concealed, rather than revealed.