Nothing That a Little Frosting Won't Fix

World opinion of the United States is tanking.
From a New York Times story today:

Favorable views of the United States dropped sharply over the past year in Spain, where only 23 percent now say they have a positive opinion, down from 41 percent in 2005, according to the survey, which was carried out in 15 nations this spring by the Pew Research Center.

In Britain, Washington's closest ally in the Iraq war, positive views of America have remained in the mid-50's in the past two years, down sharply from 75 percent in 2002.

Other countries where positive views dropped significantly include India (56 percent, down from 71 percent since 2005); Russia (43 percent, down from 52 percent); and Indonesia (30 percent, down from 38 percent). In Turkey, a NATO ally of the United States, only 12 percent said they held a favorable opinion, down from 23 percent last year.

Well, duh.
We're all seen as Ugly Americans abroad, no matter what our personal views might be here at home.
I got a comment from a blogger in New Zealand several months ago expressing surprise at my "unusual" political views. As if we all marched in lockstep here, duct tape over our mouths, little red copies of "Misunderestimations of Chairman W" in our back pockets.
No, some us are pretty unhappy about the way we look to others.
Anyway, if we're that skanky, haul out the Cool Whip and strawberries, 'cause this baby's in need of some serious cosmetics.
Oh yeah. Much better. Mm-hm.
Lipstick on a pig.