Not just an American tragedy

“Interesting factoid:

The world trade center bombing was - according to news reports - the worst peace time act of violence in British history - several hundred Britons are missing/dead.

Australians, Germans, South Koreans and other foreign nationals were also killed. I'll even bet that there were a few Middle Easterners there, too.

So, throw up the British and Australian flags too. Peter Jennings is crying for a reason.”

“RL - So true. We need to remember that we are all Americans, no matter what color our skin is. There are bad apples in every bunch (should we string up all rednecks just because of McVeigh?). Let's pull together and not let racism gain a stronghold!”

“You know, I did hear the statement in my original post on the TV, but it should probably read modern or recent British history. I'll bet there was some massacre in the last couple hundred years that tops it.

The original sentiment, however, remains.”

“Interesting article that a friend of mine sent to me:


THE UNITED STATES

This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing.

America: The Good Neighbor.

Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is
the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record:

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59
American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars! into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.

You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon -! not once, but several times -and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they
are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."
Stand proud, America!”

“I hate to open another can of worms here fellas, but if we want to eradicate all forms of terrorism, we have to look at our allies as well - (Britian). The British and Irish are just as guilty of terrorism as Mr. Bin Laden.”

“Wow, that's it you Limey B@stards, We're nuking you too!

According to BB, now anyone of British or Irish descent is now about to be deported as a suspected terrorist. LOL! Looks like a dream come true for native Americans.”

“Looks like gear slut still doesn't have an original thought or idea. I always wonder how people like you go through life, just criticizing others and contributing nothing to society except mindless drivel.”

“Wow, you're on a role now! You're words just get wiser and wiser! LOL”

“Buddha Bear, if you want to take it that far, what about the IRA sympathizers among Irish descendants in America. America has traditionally been an important funding source for groups like IRA/Sinn Fein. Some weapons even ship there from here.

Funny, though, how the WTO/IMF protesters look positively quaint after this. Ah, the good old days of window breaking.”

“On a role
Playing a role
Acting the fool

Watching the TV coverage of NYC with all the people looking for their kin I see people of many colors.........just like America.
Well, the part of America I live in!”