Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 53

Good American (Off topic)

I would like to share this article from a Canadian paper...
(I hope nobody objects to the length, but I feel it's certainly worth reading during this trying time.)

TRIBUTE TO 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! Wear it proudly!!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 217

I got a couple of copies of that in my inbox. He wrote that in 1973 and died in 1984. I only mention this because the above post and the emails I received all called it recent.

__________________
Mike
I'd rather be upside down in my kayak than rightside up at my desk.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

quote:

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Originally posted by Jupe
I got a couple of copies of that in my inbox. He wrote that in 1973 and died in 1984. I only mention this because the above post and the emails I received all called it recent.

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Elkins Park, Pa
Posts: 577

My teacher read us that article in school today. Well written. As an American, I appraciate it. I don't think he was talking to me, but. . .

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-Bernie

"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.
-Dan Quayle

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 209

Inputting a little more accuracy here, to read or listen to the un-edited copy of Sinclair's commentary, go here:

http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/schools/r...ue/am_text.html (and back up a page to http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/schools/r...e/american.html for some historical background)

If anything, please circulate the full copy.

Last edited by ProjectZero on 09-13-2001 at 11:50 PM

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Out of my skull, back in five minutes
Posts: 1435

quote:

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Originally posted by Jupe
He wrote that in 1973 and died in 1984.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by K. Cannon

Yes, I saw that information previously, but still applaud the content of the original message. (As I know we all do)

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As a non-american I can assure you not all like this message.
The eurpeans are portait (how do you spell that?) as thankless bastards, which they are not...

This is not the best way to get support from your allies...

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT
This is not the best way to get support from your allies...

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson

We didn't write it.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Out of my skull, back in five minutes
Posts: 1435

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT
mmm are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure washinton is checking on who's on their side in order to determine how far they can go in retaliation...

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT
No an Canadian did, but americans keep posting it... I've seen this thing is several places allready...

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Nostradamus

I got another mail in my inbox that Nostradamus predicted that the bombing was going to happen. Anyone else saw this chain message and what are your thoughts?

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I think we'd like the support of other nations. I think we deserve the support of other nations (assuming we don't do anything too extreme, which I'm sure we won't).

But we don't need the support of other nations. The U.S. will in the end deal with those who have killed thousands of its innocent civilians in the manner it best sees fit. The U.N. Charter, and international law going back to its inception, gives a State the right to defend itself and its citizens, and to take reprisals against those who attack it.

And we will.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Out of my skull, back in five minutes
Posts: 1435

Re: Nostradamus

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie
Anyone else saw this chain message and what are your thoughts?

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

Re: Nostradamus

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie
I got another mail in my inbox that Nostradamus predicted that the bombing was going to happen. Anyone else saw this chain message and what are your thoughts?

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by VTL
I think we'd like the support of other nations. I think we deserve the support of other nations (assuming we don't do anything too extreme, which I'm sure we won't).

But we don't need the support of other nations. The U.S. will in the end deal with those who have killed thousands of its innocent civilians in the manner it best sees fit. The U.N. Charter, and international law going back to its inception, gives a State the right to defend itself and its citizens, and to take reprisals against those who attack it.

And we will.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson

It's flattering. I appreciate it. It hasn't changed us (or US, as the case may be).

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? what do you mean?

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson
[B]Absolutely.

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I'm not, but I agree that most countries probably 'volunteered' since this action was maddnes...

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson
[B]Which would hardly be considered begging for aide, don't you think?

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I would not call lobying the same as begging... I never said the US begged for help..

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson
[B]As well there should be. Would you rather we just nuke suspected countries wantonly? I can think of a couple of nations that might, given the opportunity.]

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This is my biggest fear... that one country starts doing something silly...

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson
[B]I think you're being paranoid. The discussions will tend toward moderation with time. I'm willing to bet (and, indeed, may be betting already) that the nukes stay safely locked in their bunkers.

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Paranoia has kept me alive the last 28 years...
I agree it might be a bit of worst case scenario, but with Bush in power I'm not sure what can happen...
The man allready killed enough of his own people (texas executions) who knows what he'll do against a foreign power...
But it is a bit paranoid I agree... let us all hope that it will not get that far...

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Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 22

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT

Paranoia has kept me alive the last 28 years...
I agree it might be a bit of worst case scenario, but with Bush in power I'm not sure what can happen...
The man allready killed enough of his own people (texas executions) who knows what he'll do against a foreign power...
But it is a bit paranoid I agree... let us all hope that it will not get that far...

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Last edited by badmojo97 on 09-14-2001 at 01:24 PM

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

You are right but/...

You are right BadMOjo (BTW Your posts are a pleasure to read!)..But..No one is saying that the American government is evil. I strongly believe that America is trying to do good with their actions and policies. However, America needs to realuize that what is good for America is not necessarily a good thing for Uganda and China. They also should make every effort not to look like a bully. America was targetted by these terrorists not because of their leadership position in the world..particularly the west, but because they are seen or perceived as a big bully that wants to dominate and change the world.

quote:

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Originally posted by badmojo97


I have the greatest respect for those from other nations, but I think you have a skewed opinion of why our nation will respond with violence. No offense, but it seems you're depicting President Bush as some sort of warmonger. Truth be told, the current situation is his test as to how "trigger happy" he is. So far, he's shown more temperment than I probably would have had. Yes, we have executions in the United States, and I've traveled around the world enough to know that many countries have certain impressions of our leaders. Yes, I have my own criticisms of some of his actions, but I certainly don't believe he's evil. Despite the mistakes of our leaders or as a people, for the most part we try to do the right thing. We Americans have prided ourselves on our tolerance and acceptance, and unfortunately, we've been taken advantage of. I know I'm not the only one to feel anger, though not necessarily at a particular country or people, but the desire to see justice is overwhelming. Putting the finger on those to blame is difficult, but when the time comes, I personally hope that we can wipe up the remains with a mop. Perhaps you think this is the violent opinion of your everyday white, Anglo-Saxon American, but as an immigrant in a family of Asian immigrants, I've always felt pride as an American for what it stands for and who I count as my fellow citizens. I also serve in my country's military, and despite any stereotypes, we're usually the last people who want war -- but we're the first ones ready, and for this, I'm glad to be ready for the call. No, we Americans are not all violent-minded. However, when innocents are so heinously attacked, we must respond.

Finally, prayers and hopes go to family and friends of those in the WTC, Pentagon, and passengers on the flights. I just wish the blood of the rest of your countrymen could replace the lives of the ones you lost.

"Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged."
�Joseph Joubert

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT
As a non-american I can assure you not all like this message.
The eurpeans are portait (how do you spell that?) as thankless bastards, which they are not...This is not the best way to get support from your allies...

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