Appreciation from a Brit

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.