SFGate -- Canary in the mine shaft

Some two decades ago, I served at the American Embassy in Oslo. I traveled extensively through Norway and met hundreds of Norwegians. Positive feelings toward America reigned.

Five years ago, I returned to Norway as a Fulbright scholar. Most Norwegians then still considered America the hope of the world.

Last month, I traveled again to Norway. How things have changed!

The area around the American Embassy in Oslo resembles a war zone, with the streets rolled up to prevent hostile demonstrations.

According to a recent poll published in Aftenposten, Norway's conservative newspaper of record, 75 percent of all Norwegians now hold a negative view of the United States.

Bush has squandered the good will the world had for the United States.