KEY POINTS:
A visit to New Zealand by United States President George W. Bush is being actively considered in Washington.
The visit would follow his attendance at the annual Apec summit in Sydney on September 8 and 9.
Would you like George Bush to visit NZ? Here is a selection
of Your Views:
DW
Why not? If New Zealand was ever invaded who would we look to help from? Also can't be any worse then our own government what kind of government sprays it's own citizens with poison, remember the "The Painted Apple-month scandal" that seems to have been conveniently forgotten.
Simon
The question is, why should he want to visit this dysfunctional little toilet anyway. To learn new child abuse techniques?
S Tang
Dear President Bush, please send Paris Hilton in your stead. She is more popular than you (less than a quarter of US citizens approve of you in the latest polls) and shows more strength of character when she served her full term of jail-time than you did when you commuted the sentence of a perjurer (I. "Scooter" Libby, 2 July 2007).
Barbara India
No! Also I'm glad NZers have the same opinion on this weasel. Bush is a delusional psychopath he hears voices in his head USA needs to keep him in a safe place so he doesn't do any more damage. Put him on the front line in Iraq and he can call up god and have another chat.
Basman (Hamilton)
Hey, I think that would be a great idea. This guy is a legend. He has a neat personality and is human. Welcome to NZ George Bush!
Richard Dunwell
No, we don't want the world's top terrorist here, unless we can arrest him for genocide and crimes against humanity. It would be like welcoming Stalin or Pol Pot.
Thag Andersen-Wellington
I thought perhaps he should not come, but now I think he should. Unfortunately it will cost us. Present him with a copy of "My pet goat". A book he was so keen to finish instead of coming to the aid of desperate people on Sept. 11. I'll be asking Dan for some of his eggs from his bucket for the parade.
T Davis
Why would we want Bush here? He's an idiot, a warmonger and his trip would probably be paid for by us.
Slavik
No, don't have him come here. Our country is doing just fine without him around and the last thing we need is for that crazy stupid nut case to come and attempt to stuff our image up like he did with other countries including his own. He's a war criminal, he is just as bad as Saddam for taking Iraq to the edge of, or already engaged in, a civil war.
Fisch
Although I'm not a fan of George W Bush, I don't deny him his right to enter New Zealand. He's a US citizen, and as far as I know, US citizens can freely enter New Zealand, for short stays. However I would object if his visit impinges on the rights of New Zealanders. I was in Bogotá, Colombia, when he visited that city, and many of the basic rights of normal Colombians were taken away from them before, during and after his visit.
Understated
If we have to host a clueless twit marinated in an overwhelming sense of entitlement and never held accountable for a single thing they ever did....I would prefer Paris Hilton. She is at least, marginally more articulate.
Bill (USA )
Yes, I am a yankee and since it seems we at home here are having little effect on Bush with our disgust with the Iraq war, maybe you Kiwis can straighten him out.
Anonymous
We don't need him here, we don't want him here.
Canadian
Do not let this power-hungry, blood-thirsty (oil-thirsty?), unilaterally-acting, regime-changing ignoramus into NZ - those few hours during his visit would severely drop the national IQ level significantly. And for God's sake, don't let in James Brown's sister (Condi) either - she's as clueless as he is. In the eyes of the civilized world, NZ is held in high esteem because it doesn't let anyone tell it what to do. Allowing George into the country is saying that we accept all the atrocities he's committed. Who's next on the list - Mugabe?
Martin
I don't like the top terrorist in the world to visit a country where people like peace!
GWB - Worlds Greatest Terrorist
And we would want the man who has promoted worldwide terrorism to come to NZ for what? Does he know where New Zealand is? Do we really care? Answer: No!
Johnti (Sydney)
By all means let George W go to New Zealand. Why should Sydney be the only city to have some fun.
Johna
Contrary to some some opinions GWB is not a terrorist, nor did he start conflict in the Middle East. There has been conflict there for centuries. Sure the war in Iraq is not going well, but that's because insurgents keep blowing themselves and others around them to bits. What did you expect? A cake walk? There is no doubt that Bush is unliked, he has dreadful public appeal even in the USA and is vilified throughout the rest of world, his nasal twang and condescending speeches are just painful to endure, however he is not a murderer or enemy of the people as some make him out to be. As the head of a friendly state he should be welcomed to NZ, just keep it short.
Jim Maine (USA)
He is in my neighbourhood with Putin this weekend and we don't even want him here. I have visited your country and would move there in a heart beat if possible just to get away from the war criminal. What goes around comes around. Don't let him in New Zealand. Remember David and Goliath.
Black or White (Wellsford)
No. I cannot believe the damage that this man and his government have done to the whole universe! Him and his took the war out of the Middle East and right into our backyards. Bring back Bill Clinton. War never solves anything!
Craig Ex-pat Kiwi (USA)
George Bush is a polarizing and arrogant politician bent on protecting the wealthy elite from any form of societal accountability. In my opinion, if ever the US returns to a politically neutral judiciary, and non-handicapped investigations, he will someday do jail time for his many breaches of the US constitution that he swore to uphold. Should he be welcomed to the shores of NZ? Why not? We welcomed the Chinese premiere after all and Tiananmen Square has not been forgotten. You cannot influence people you disagree with without dialog. It's one of those reasons Bush refuses to learn. The difference is, however, that the NZ police should not 'protect' foreign leaders from the legitimate protests of New Zealanders just to save them from embarrassment. That was shameful when the Chinese premiere was here.
We also should make as few concessions as possible to American security requests that disrupt daily life for NZers going about their business. Bush can come but he won't be met with the positive reception Clinton got. I hope the difference reminds ordinary Americans what Bush's legacy has done for US relations with previously US-friendly foreign countries.
Brian (USA)
The only reason Bush should be allowed entry into NZ is to arrest him for war crimes and breaches of the Geneva Convention.
Alec M (Tokerau Beach)
Yes, what a great idea, I would love to see Dubya visit our shores, as long as he is charged with war crimes whilst here.
Kel
Bush comes to NZ, demands ridiculous security, involves NZ in the hype of his war on everyone, then leaves and will expect our support in whoever else he attacks next. Rotten tomatoes are a very good idea, just make sure they don't think they are any sort of weapon or you will get shot by his numerous bodyguards.
Le Fox
Does anyone understand diplomacy, or basic good manners? This man is the President of the United States & should be treated with respect.
I don't like Helens' politics but if she wanted to visit me, she would be treated with respect, unlike Helens' quite rude undiplomatic stance when the Queen turned up, and Helen decided to wear trousers. NZ really needs to learn some manners of good breeding, instead of continually thinking rude backwater, boorish behaviour should be the norm.
Gilly
Bush did not go into Iraq to 'rid Iraq of its evil dictator'. Bush and his thugs went into Iraq for oil! You don't really believe that bush & co cared about the Iraqi people? Bush, Blair and others should be tried for war crimes. If he comes here I will join in with protest marches. Please don't put him in Auckland Zoo with the primates - they have far too much intelligence for Bush.
Jim
God save the king.
Cassio
Having a country like America doing the world's dirty work is a blessing. If not for the moral fortitude of their leader and the citizens' acceptance of inevitable losses for a noble cause, the dangers viewed on TV would soon be evident here without the requirement of television. The beauty of democracy and a system of law deduced from Christian values is that it allows us to express views contrary to the establishment. However, using the liberties afforded by the system to ridicule it reeks of arrogance and ignorance, of which is the greater portion I'm not sure. New Zealand fought alongside the US in a number of wars, even now. The values we once stood for are being quickly washed away, amid a torrent of understanding, acceptance and tolerance. Our desire for peaceful lives needs to be checked against the cost of achieving it. The world is not naturally peaceful. War brings peace.
VB
Let's not forget many USA citizens don't even hold a passport - this is why they come across as insular and (dare I say it) ignorant. The more exposure to other cultures, nations and value-sets Americans can get, the better. And that goes for their President too. So yes, let him come. And by all means let's voice our opinion of his policies (for and against).
Dave
Dan, I've got a bucket that I'm going to start putting eggs in. And I'll be getting a lot of throwing practice in by Sep 9.
Mike
Yankee go home, yankee go home, we should send back all the yankees and American companies in NZ ripping off the New Zealanders and New Zealand. Go home and never come back.
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