The British people know that, given strong leadership, time and a little bit of hope, the forces of good ultimately rally and triumph over evil. Here among you is the cradle of self-government, the Mother of Parliaments. Here is the enduring greatness of the British contribution to mankind, the great civilized ideas: individual liberty, representative government, and the rule of law under God.
I've often wondered about the shyness of some of us in the West about standing for these ideals that have done so much to ease the plight of man and the hardships of our imperfect world. This reluctance to use those vast resources at our command reminds me of the elderly lady whose home was bombed in the Blitz. As the rescuers moved about, they found a bottle of brandy she'd stored behind the staircase, which was all that was left standing. And since she was barely conscious, one of the workers pulled the cork to give her a taste of it. She came around immediately and said, ``Here now -- there now, put it back. That's for emergencies.''
Well, the emergency is upon us. Let us be shy no longer. Let us go to our strength. Let us offer hope. Let us tell the world that a new age is not only possible but probable.
During the dark days of the Second World War, when this island was incandescent with courage, Winston Churchill exclaimed about Britain's adversaries, ``What kind of a people do they think we are?'' Well, Britain's adversaries found out what extraordinary people the British are. But all the democracies paid a terrible price for allowing the dictators to underestimate us. We dare not make that mistake again. So, let us ask ourselves, ``What kind of people do we think we are?'' And let us answer, ``Free people, worthy of freedom and determined not only to remain so but to help others gain their freedom as well.''
Sir Winston led his people to great victory in war and then lost an election just as the fruits of victory were about to be enjoyed. But he left office honorably, and, as it turned out, temporarily, knowing that the liberty of his people was more important than the fate of any single leader. History recalls his greatness in ways no dictator will ever know. And he left us a message of hope for the future, as timely now as when he first uttered it, as opposition leader in the Commons nearly 27 years ago, when he said, ``When we look back on all the perils through which we have passed and at the mighty foes that we have laid low and all the dark and deadly designs that we have frustrated, why should we fear for our future? We have,'' he said, ``come safely through the worst.''
Well, the task I've set forth will long outlive our own generation. But together, we too have come through the worst. Let us now begin a major effort to secure the best -- a crusade for freedom that will engage the faith and fortitude of the next generation. For the sake of peace and justice, let us move toward a world in which all people are at last free to determine their own destiny.
Thank you.
But all the democracies paid a terrible price for allowing the dictators to underestimate us. We dare not make that mistake again.
Unfortunately we forgot...again. Until 9-11 woke us up.
Good afternoon SAM :-)
Thanks for posting RR's speech before the British Parliment, truly a classic. Did you see MadIvan's anity on RR? The link is
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1148470/posts
in case you missed it.
Your comment about the rain and the Rose Festival reminds me about the Richards-Gebaur(RG) Air shows during the 80s.
At that time RG was an Air Force reserve base and of course all Air Force bases have to have some sort of annual open house or air show. It was a cheap day out for the family, besides where else could you let 4 kids run around without to many worries.
Any how it always seemed to at least sprinkle once during the
festivities. So one year we had just gotten to the show and set up our gear so that we could enjoy the day and here comes the obligatory rain shower, only lasted a few minutes but you could see folks wondering if they should head out or what. Then over the PA comes the show announcer welcoming everybody to the Annual RG rain shower, well it was good for a laugh.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}