Did you hear or see the President's morning press conference from Austria today?  I did, and it sent me searching for the duct tape! I was sure my head would explode when I heard the question from a EU reporter:

"Chancellor Schüssel, the European public is deeply worried by these secret prisoners that the CIA has been transporting, is transporting through Europe. Did you get assurance today from the President that this is not going to happen anymore, that there won't be anymore in the kidnapping of terror suspects in Europe, that this is a thing of the past? [Author's note to the European public, the folks we are "kidnapping" are trying to blow up your little socialistic haven!  They don't like you any better than they like US!]

And to the President, Mr. President, you said this is "absurd," but you might be aware that in Europe the image of America is still falling, and dramatically in some areas. Let me give you some numbers. In Austria, in this country only 14 percent of the people believe that the United States, what they are doing is good for peace; 64 percent think that it is bad. In the United Kingdom, your ally, there are more citizens who believe that the United States policy under your leadership is helping to destabilize the world than Iran. So my question to you is, why do you think that you've failed so badly to convince Europeans, to win their heads and hearts and minds? Thank you. "

Failed to convince Europeans?  Why should our President have to convince you bunch of lazy a$$ socialists anything?  My blood pressure was sky-rocketing at this point!  What is wrong with you people?  Iran is less of a threat than America?  All we've ever done is to save your sorry behinds when you could not,  How DARE you ask such an utterly stupid, totally arrogant question?  I, for one among many, do not care one whit what you nutjobs like or do not like!

President Bush did a patient and masterful job of reminding this mental midget that he does not govern according to polls [unlike his predecessor!], but what really helped me to stop screaming at the TV, and start to cheer and clap was Chancellor Schussel: 

"Let me add — let me add something. I think Austria is really a good example to show that America has something to do with freedom, democracy, prosperity, development. Don't forget I was born in '45. At that time, Vienna and half of Austria laid in ruins. And without the participation of America, what fate would have Europe? Where would be Europe today? Not the peaceful, prosperous Europe like we love it and where we live.

Nothing — I will never forget that America fed us with food, with economic support. The Marshall Plan was an immense aid and incentive to develop industry, agriculture, tourism. And by the way, I said it to the President, the Marshall Fund is still working in Austria. It's now transformed into a kind — in a fund for research and development — still working.

The American people, at that time, the American government invested billions of dollars in Europe to develop the former enemy. And now we are a partner. So I think it's grotesque to say that America is a threat to the peace in the world compared with North Korea, Iran, other countries." [Emphasis mine]

Thank you, Chancellor, for saying what should be obvious to Europeans.  Maybe your schools teach history as abmysmally as our schools?  Thank you, Sir, for setting the record straight!