A Grateful Briton: A lone Englishman pledges allegiance to The States.

By London Daily Mail via FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | Friday, March 15, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

A Grateful Briton
By London Daily Mail
London Daily Mail | March 14, 2003

Dear America, you quirky mix of 280 million misfits that have somehow blended into the strongest nation in the world, I write to offer you four apologies and two vows.

I, James Black, a European passport holder whose parents are Scottish, whose wife is English, and whose four children are free to be whatever they may want to be (directly because of the sacrifice of your nation), am ashamed for pointing out to a colleague while visiting your country a few days ago that Winston Churchill was wrong when he said the biggest difference between Britain and the United States was the fact we both spoke the same language -- and instead, telling him that the real difference between our peoples was actually about 100 pounds per person.

I, who work as a journalist with the Daily Mail, one of Britain's national newspapers, and (directly because of the sacrifice of your nation) is able to say exactly what he wants whenever he wants without fear of death or imprisonment, also apologize for saying to the same colleague that many of the Americans I met were far less sophisticated and worldly than Europeans.

I, James Black, a man born free of social or physical shackles and chains, who is able to travel around the world and visit other countries and who (directly because of the sacrifice of your nation) is able to converse, discuss, even argue with people from other nations, would like to apologize for mocking your president and your political system.

Your president may not be the sharpest knife in the cutlery set, but I now understand he and the good people of the United States operate not just from a high intellectual stance, but also from the heart -- a heart that knows the difference between good and evil. And importantly, your president was smart enough to have picked the best to sit with him at the world table.

I, whose friends, family and colleagues are allowed to set up home, take a job, even run for politician, in any part of the European Union (directly because of the sacrifice of your nation) without being rounded up because of their religion or shot on the spot for their place of birth would finally like to apologize for the biggest mistake the people of my continent have ever made -- their total lack of respect for the greatest friend they will ever have -- the United States of America.

My anger at some of my fellow Europeans is more than palpable. I hear the self-centered, cowardly, and just plain annoying words thrown out by old-minded -- old world -- so-called leaders of the Free World.

I may have made fun of America and Americans, but deep down I know this is only friendly banter between the greatest of friends -- and friends who should give their all to each other when called upon to do so.

So I, whose grandfather fought in both World Wars and had the good humor to suggest the Americans were late for both events, but the sense to point out they ensured victory when they finally did show up, make my first vow:

I will never forget or dishonor the amazing and courageous sacrifice of the people of the United States in coming to the aid of the world over the past ten decades. The men and women who left peace and prosperity in a land of plenty to face bullet and shrapnel on the beaches of Normandy and around the World.

I will honor the debt my small island nation owes for your unswerving devotion to aiding our continued freedom. Your help when we stood small and alone against the plague of Nazi aggression. Your assistance in making us strong when the battle was finished and the peace began, and your protection from a colder enemy in the decades that followed.

I have stood, and I will stand again, with my own family,  in places such as the cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, an eternal resting place for over 10,000 teen and twenty-something Americans who gave over ALL their future so that I and my children could have a future today, and I will again pledge my eternal gratitude.

I, James Black, a man who simply wants his children to live in a future where all good and constructive things are possible, a future where we can discover, invent, enjoy, without fear of fanatics or madmen or the weapons and pain they may wreak, pledge my assistance to the United States in its fight against evil.

This is not brainwashed verse, but based on the honorable history and proven friendship the United States has with Europe.

Further, it is based on the fact that the people and leaders of the United States have the foresight to see the world, even life itself, is futile without someone to love, things to build and create, and things to look forward to -- and none of these things are possible in a world awash with nuclear, chemical and biological arms controlled by those who despise the life we lead.

I am one person, but there are millions like me who thank the USA and wish your nation and your people all the best over the next few months -- and will be there by your side when the times get tough.

Yours with all my gratitude,
James Black
Wychwood Park, Cheshire, England

P.S.: It is said that today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. You should be proud as a nation that you have something to do with the fact it didn't turn out so badly after all -- nor should it again.

[JohnHuang2]

Friday, March 15, 2003

Quote of the Day by Iron Eagle

[MetalHeadConservative35]

wow...god bless him

[SpeakLittle_ThinkMuch]

A British bump.........

[Travis McGee]

Cheers to real friends through thick and thin.

[Selous]

I, too, am one of James Black's millions.

Add my name to the list. If there is the remotest possibility that Britain were to wobble and back off from this conflict (and I don't mean only with regard to Iraq ), my British passport goes straight in the trash can and I'll be lining up at the door of the American Embassy.

[truth_seeker]

Telling it like it is. If the US had not helped Europe in WWII, German would probably be a required language for many former countries.

We must not get into Europe bashing. Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Denmark and all the smaller former soviet slave states have joined with the US and Britain.

With respect to the former soviet slave states: They KNOW they are FREE because the US held FIRM, for their eventual FREEDOM.

France, Germany and Belgium (and probably Russia) have made a mistaken choice, and will learn to regret it.

To the victors go the spoils.

Bombs will be carefully aimed, to minimize civilian casualties. Iraqis will thank the US for freeing them, like the French did.

Pomme Frite, is French for fried potatoes, and potatoes came from the New World.

In the New Europe, the majority of countries will understand the source of their freedom. The ungrateful minority will wish they had once had wiser leaders, back in'03.

Let the games begin.

[Steven W.]

Right, it's not EUROPE bashing. It's French Bashing. 101.

[EternalVigilance]

Here's to all peace-loving men and women of good-will no matter what country they reside in, or how stupid their leaders are!

*clink*

[JohnHuang2]

Quite welcome

[The Real Eddie01]

Sent this off to O'Reilly, Hannity and Limbaugh

BTTT

Eddie01 "Finally, someone, somewhere..."

[Capriole]

I've been hunting around online for James Black's email address at the Mail and can't find one. Does anyone have one?

[Madame Dufarge]

Bump for two honorable men, and thanks.