I don't know what words I can share with you that will convey to you the respect that I have for the British as a people, but I thought this would be a good occasion to make an attempt. Time and again, the British have endured incredible difficulty, and have always managed to pick themselves up and come back swinging. The horrors of WWII are only the most recent example. Adolf Hitler was only the most recent pupil to learn that the toughness and resilience of the British people are unsurpassed, and that "bombing London into submission" just wasn't a reasonable proposition--because the British are unreasonably tough and stubborn. We here in America look back with great pride at our own British cultural heritage, and I think it's beyond dispute that America owes a great debt to that heritage. Our geography may be separated by a vast ocean, but we still share the core elements of that common culture.

Despite the fact that our fellow citizens often seem to have completely lost their way, I continue to believe that our common culture will carry both our nations together through these difficult times, just like it did barely 60 years ago. I know the blood of Winston Churchill still courses through British veins. I believe we're now moving into dark and uncertain times, and it's going to get a lot darker and a lot more uncertain in the years to come. When the chips are down, there's not a group on Earth I'd rather have in my corner than the British.

If we keep our collective chins up, we'll end up, as we always have, on top. Only if we lose faith and fall into despair might the enemies of the West have a fighting chance. I'm not at all interested in giving our enemies that chance.

I think the words of the hero Aragorn are appropriate on this day:

A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight!! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!!!

In the interest of keeping those chins up and smiles on your faces even in these dark days, I've included a goodie for ya below the fold:

To any who may be offended by this "informal" display of the British flag, please be assured that this message is offered in the most genuine spirit of friendship, respect and support.

Posted by: Ragnar at 03:45 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
Post contains 484 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Sorry. Screw the UK, it's history of common law and political stability.

Latinos are "in". Even our politicians love to pander to illegal foreigners who can vote. And Mexico is the true mother country.

A good percentage of migrants have less than a 6th grade education, come to this country for the social programs and "free" government health care and many think they can just get around broken laws by paying a fine (bribe), but W must be onto something... they are natural Republicans because the Pope is anti-abortion! Right, Karl Rove?

Who the hell cares how they already vote anyway! Most of the United States is just Aztlan anyway, stolen from Mexico. So let's give recognition to our true mother country...

Mexico!

P.S.... Vicente Fox and his band of merry beans gave W the finger when the time came to stand with the United States on the subject of Iraq.... "Vicente, don't you worry, I won't allow a wall."

Posted by: Darth Vag at July 07, 2006 06:35 AM (+nlyI)

2 I don't like many British publications, and I feel that they have entirely too much institutional socialism to be as dynamic as they could be, but I stand with 'em.

The Brits and Americans go back a long ways (duh). We bled for them and they for us in many past wars. They are still our allies in this war (however tennuous the diplomatic relationship). As such, it is mutually beneficial to maintain strong support of the UK.

Posted by: Good Lt at July 07, 2006 06:50 AM (yT+NK)

3 Agreed. We stand with our cousins, on this day especially.

Posted by: Son Of The Godfather at July 07, 2006 06:59 AM (maXzk)

4 Actually, the Aragorn quote was written by a scriptwriter. Tolkien didn't write it. It was from the Return of the King movie.

Posted by: Robert at July 07, 2006 07:41 AM (pCBxo)

5 Excellent post. We are brothers and the time will come when we'll fight together again. I'm a little disappointed with how they're letting their borders and culture be overrun with the mid east menace. I wish they'd quit trying so hard not to offend their muslim invaders. From this side of the Atlantic, it looks ridiculuous what's going on over there.

Posted by: Richard at July 07, 2006 08:33 AM (7KF8r)

6 Cut ASE some slack. He is still reeling from the flag debate which went down a couple of days ago. Maybe one day he will read a book and then be able to quote accurately. The pic is nice and although not the Flag of America, is taistefully displayed. It was sweet sentiment ASE. A bit overly romantic. I am impressed that with a terrorist coddling socialist mayor, London is actually still standing.

Posted by: Cmunk at July 07, 2006 08:37 AM (7teJ9)

7 I only have one word for the Brits: Londonistan.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at July 07, 2006 09:00 AM (8e/V4)

8 When have the Brits, or anyone else for that matter, bled for us? WWI? No. WWII? No. Korea? Not for us, but for Korea. Vietnam? No. Desert Storm? Not for us, but for Kuwait. Afghanistan and Iraq? Not for us, but for Western civilization. No nation has been asked to join a war that was purely in American self-interest. This is the greatest counry that has ever existed; all others are pale shadows in comparison. We fight to liberate others, but others fight to enrich themselves.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at July 07, 2006 09:16 AM (v3I+x)

9 During the Civil War the Brits were asked to aid the South in breaking the blockade of southern ports. The French were also recruited during this time. In fact the French have aided the US directly and on our own territory more than once. Odd isn't it then that we have such strong bonds with Great Brittain and such poor relations with France. In the end, if it were not for the French we would not have half of the territory we now do, (thank you Naploeon) and we may not have been able to defeat the Brits 230 years ago. There was something about the French and the Indians before the revolution too I believe. France has taken a serious fall over the past two centuries.

Posted by: Cmunk at July 07, 2006 09:30 AM (7teJ9)

10 Ah, yes, the "flag debate."

I must confess, Cmunk, that my brain's still hurting from that shindig. Your apparent inability to grasp a very simple concept still baffles me.

But why go peein' in the soup? This is supposed to be a HAPPY OCCASION!!! Can't go 'round BICKERIN' and ARGUIN' about who offended who...

Here you have this young lady to pay attention to and enjoy. No reading, writing or deep thinking required. Just look at 'er! She's beautiful, she's got a sense of heritage, she's got great ... tracts of land...

Posted by: The All-Seeing Eye at July 07, 2006 11:20 AM (fZeeX)

11 But, I don't want land

Posted by: Cmunk at July 07, 2006 02:34 PM (7teJ9)

12 Going against my priciples is not good for my Idiom.

Posted by: Cmunk at July 07, 2006 02:46 PM (7teJ9)

13 I love redheads. We need to stand by the UK/British isles simply because they are the world's prime source for women with red hair. I mean, I'm sure ALL of us guys can agree on that simple truism.

Posted by: Hucbald at July 07, 2006 04:23 PM (iYmDj)

14 I love redheads. We need to stand by the UK/British isles simply because they are the world's prime source for women with red hair. I mean, I'm sure ALL of us guys can agree on that simple truism.

Posted by: Hucbald at July 07, 2006 04:24 PM (iYmDj)

15 Love those Daisy Dukes!

Posted by: Leatherneck at July 07, 2006 04:53 PM (D2g/j)

16 The reason the French attempted to aid the US in our infancy was to weaken England. Prior to the revolution the frogs paid savages to murder American and British women and children. Screw the frogs.
We had to go to that sissy countries aid in WW1, WW2 and Vietnam. Mexico whipped them assholes and Mexico can't even whip itself. The frogs have tried to take over countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. Got their asses whipped every time. Haitian whipped them with sticks. Mexicans whipped them with rocks. Piss on them. I remember the problems the assholes caused us during the start of the Iraq war. Why? Because Saddam owed them money.
Piss on the French.
OUTLAW ISLAM.

Posted by: greyrooster at July 07, 2006 06:11 PM (BjPXu)

17 Good post. I've linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2006/07/re-to-our-brothers-and-sisters-in-uk.html

Posted by: Consul-At-Arms at July 07, 2006 06:29 PM (Ke056)

18 Good post. I've linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2006/07/re-to-our-brothers-and-sisters-in-uk.html

Posted by: Consul-At-Arms at July 07, 2006 06:32 PM (Ke056)

19 The sentiments expressed in both this post and Howie's literally brought tears to my eyes. I am once again humbled by the generosity of the American people.

Honestly, I was surprised that anyone (outside of the Isles) remembered. Fifty people died that day, and it broke my heart - but it was nothing like the three thousand that you guys lost.

Thankyou for caring. Thankyou for remembering.

I'm no poet, but I want to have a stab at.... eh - *something* that represents how the average UK joe sees the States... Forgive me if it's shit, I shall be making it up as I go along.


US/UK

Our child has grown - she's adult now,
no longer to be cowed.
She's come up strong, outstripped our own -
Of this, we should be proud.

She left the fold, went her own way,
But it was no flaw.
She knew her mind, she seized the day -
For this, we love her more.

same blood pumping through our veins,
same thoughts in our head.
same urge to break oppressive chains,
same dreams, when we're in bed.

Through thick and thin, we'll always care
about our long-lost daughter.
Should you need us, we'll be there -
For blood surpasses water.

Though we'll not always agree,
I know we'll never part.
Through it all, we'll always be
Two nations, with one heart.


**

Again, sorry to anyone how actually appreciates poetry and is currently wincing, but hey - bad as it is, it's heart-felt


God bless you all.

Posted by: Mr Nobody at July 07, 2006 08:45 PM (+42OI)

20 Mr. Nobody -

Thank you for the sentiments and the poem. I'm touched. Please let your countrymen know that we'll not be forgetting our UK friends in this lifetime.

Posted by: The All-Seeing Eye at July 07, 2006 10:23 PM (fZeeX)

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