God Bless America : TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES
Thursday, September 13, 2001 by a a | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
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!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the
United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the
rest of the world would realize it. We are always blamed for everything, and
never even get a thank you for the things we do.
Maybe each of you can send this to at least one person and they might send
it to one of their friends until this letter is sent to every person on the
web. I am just a single American that has read this,
--- Ken Byrnes
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!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the
United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the
rest of the world would realize it. We are always blamed for everything, and
never even get a thank you for the things we do.
Maybe each of you can send this to at least one person and they might send
it to one of their friends until this letter is sent to every person on the
web. I am just a single American that has read this,
--- Ken Byrnes
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berzerka
Reply #2 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:01 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:01 PM
i repeat:
what the hell is all this arrogance???
this makes me sick
yes, the recent attack is terrible, but u have no right to be slandorous to other countries around the world, that series of statements is basically insulting every1 who isnt american. You may have HELPED, but you ARE NOT the saviours of the world. These comments are extremely insulting to me, and, im sorry to say this, but its statements like these which make people hate americans.
God hasnt been blessing america much lately has he?
what the hell is all this arrogance???
this makes me sick
yes, the recent attack is terrible, but u have no right to be slandorous to other countries around the world, that series of statements is basically insulting every1 who isnt american. You may have HELPED, but you ARE NOT the saviours of the world. These comments are extremely insulting to me, and, im sorry to say this, but its statements like these which make people hate americans.
God hasnt been blessing america much lately has he?
berzerka
Reply #3 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:02 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:02 PM
oh and as for "I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other
people in trouble." - thanks for helping out so quickly in WW1 and WW2, you put off helping for as long as possible, nice one
people in trouble." - thanks for helping out so quickly in WW1 and WW2, you put off helping for as long as possible, nice one
Sugaree
Reply #4 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:20 PM
What you call arrogance, Some call Pride. This Canadian odviously holds America in high reguard. Look's like you don't..and that's ok too.
Peace
Reply #4 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:20 PM
What you call arrogance, Some call Pride. This Canadian odviously holds America in high reguard. Look's like you don't..and that's ok too.Peace
berzerka
Reply #5 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:37 PM
Reply #5 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:37 PM
pride comes before a fall, as they say
dont get me wrong, i am disgusted by all the innocent lives lost....
dont get me wrong, i am disgusted by all the innocent lives lost....
paxx
Reply #6 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:51 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, September 13, 2001 3:51 PM
Well, as was said in the other post, the compliment is nice and the thought is noble, but just about every reasons he gives are untrue.
Sugaree
Reply #7 Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:03 PM
Reply #7 Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:03 PM
"These comments are extremely insulting to me, and, im sorry to say this, but its statements like these which make people hate americans."
This is supposedly written by a Canadian. So Why "Hate" Americans for it?
Am I missing something?
btw.. Does anyone know where this letter origanates from?
This is supposedly written by a Canadian. So Why "Hate" Americans for it?
Am I missing something?
btw.. Does anyone know where this letter origanates from?
hoverboy
Reply #8 Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:19 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:19 PM
berzerka - Get over yourself. God forbid should someone take a little pride in their country. Tell me the last time that America has rubbed their pride in your face prior to this tragedy?
America racing to the aid of others during times of crisis is untrue? Because that is what these statements boil down to. I am recently back from a several counrty visit, and I found *many* Europeans attitudes towards Americans disgusting. Of course, I'm not saying that all of them are like that, but I came across many who were not afraid to show how much pride that they had for their countries. I think that Europeans calling Americans arrogant is the pot calling the kettle black.
So go ahead and hate Americans, because it's obvious to me that you didn't need much of a push to push you over that edge.
Welcome to demoracy: say what you will about us, because over here, at least you can.
America racing to the aid of others during times of crisis is untrue? Because that is what these statements boil down to. I am recently back from a several counrty visit, and I found *many* Europeans attitudes towards Americans disgusting. Of course, I'm not saying that all of them are like that, but I came across many who were not afraid to show how much pride that they had for their countries. I think that Europeans calling Americans arrogant is the pot calling the kettle black.
So go ahead and hate Americans, because it's obvious to me that you didn't need much of a push to push you over that edge.
Welcome to demoracy: say what you will about us, because over here, at least you can.
berzerka
Reply #9 Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:33 PM
Reply #9 Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:33 PM
ok, i take the point that it was a canadian saying that...
i dont hate americans, i just hate the way whenever im talking in chat rooms and sensitive topics such as wars come up, the americans in teh room instantly go on about how they saved everyone. i find it deeply offending...
i dont hate americans, i just hate the way whenever im talking in chat rooms and sensitive topics such as wars come up, the americans in teh room instantly go on about how they saved everyone. i find it deeply offending...
craeonics
Reply #10 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:12 PM
Reply #10 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:12 PM
I love it how people take pride in something they have no control over whatsoever, like the country you are from.
Hold up, my PR man says my reputation will go to hell by saying this. Jafomeister, if you could be so kind?
Hold up, my PR man says my reputation will go to hell by saying this. Jafomeister, if you could be so kind?
hoverboy
Reply #11 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:17 PM
Reply #11 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:17 PM
fu*k you...
ban me...
I don't give a sh*t anymore... letting comments like this go at a time like this make me sick.
ban me...
I don't give a sh*t anymore... letting comments like this go at a time like this make me sick.
Frogboy
Reply #12 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:19 PM
Reply #12 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:19 PM
Well I hate to be the one to break it to you but the US DID save everyone.
In the 20th century, no country gave as much to the world in aid as the United States. No one was even close.
In World War II, the United States took the harder road and made Europe its top priority. It didn't have to. It could have made Japan the top priority -- the country that attacked us. The United States lost more troops in WW2 than France did -- Germany's neighbor. And we had to cross an ocean to do it. So you will forgive us if we take pride in our country's generosity.
Many of the things said in the article are inaccurate. Blame the Canadians for that, they wrote it. But the basis of the article is true - the United States has been a very generous country and very under appreciated as this very discussion is demonstrating.
We were just suddenly and brutally attacked by agents of evil for no apparent reason. And you seem to begrudge that someone in Canada has written a piece that shows some appreciation for what the United States has done.
I can tell you this, if it was your country that this had happened, there would be thousands of American volunteers heading there as we speak to help. But all you can do when roles are reversed is complain how "arrogant" we are for listening to a pep talk given by a Canadian.
In the 20th century, no country gave as much to the world in aid as the United States. No one was even close.
In World War II, the United States took the harder road and made Europe its top priority. It didn't have to. It could have made Japan the top priority -- the country that attacked us. The United States lost more troops in WW2 than France did -- Germany's neighbor. And we had to cross an ocean to do it. So you will forgive us if we take pride in our country's generosity.
Many of the things said in the article are inaccurate. Blame the Canadians for that, they wrote it. But the basis of the article is true - the United States has been a very generous country and very under appreciated as this very discussion is demonstrating.
We were just suddenly and brutally attacked by agents of evil for no apparent reason. And you seem to begrudge that someone in Canada has written a piece that shows some appreciation for what the United States has done.
I can tell you this, if it was your country that this had happened, there would be thousands of American volunteers heading there as we speak to help. But all you can do when roles are reversed is complain how "arrogant" we are for listening to a pep talk given by a Canadian.
Frogboy
Reply #13 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:58 PM
Reply #13 Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:58 PM
BTW, perhaps another way of looking at this will help:
Imagine if your wife or husband were brutally murdered. Friends and family would want to speak of his or her's great deeds and generous nature.
Is it arrogant to do so? Do you see why someone might get a bit ticked off if some neighbor said "Well sure she was nice but other neighbors are nice too.." Fine, they're nice too, but they weren't just murdered.
Imagine if your wife or husband were brutally murdered. Friends and family would want to speak of his or her's great deeds and generous nature.
Is it arrogant to do so? Do you see why someone might get a bit ticked off if some neighbor said "Well sure she was nice but other neighbors are nice too.." Fine, they're nice too, but they weren't just murdered.
Chris
Reply #14 Thursday, September 13, 2001 8:51 PM
Reply #14 Thursday, September 13, 2001 8:51 PM
A friend relayed me this about Gordon Sinclair, the author of the America: The Good Neighbor.
"Gordon Sinclair was a Canadian radio personality during the 60s through the
80s. He died in '84.
He was writing in response to America's pull-out of Vietnam. At the time,
we retreated (what else can you call it?), the US was entering a hard
recession and the dollar was falling like a house of cards. Everyone and
every nation was vocally critical of the US and Gordon Sinclair decided to
say something about it. This text is a modified piece of that full script,
but I think the sentiment is still valid. Iirc, it was written in 1975."
"Gordon Sinclair was a Canadian radio personality during the 60s through the
80s. He died in '84.
He was writing in response to America's pull-out of Vietnam. At the time,
we retreated (what else can you call it?), the US was entering a hard
recession and the dollar was falling like a house of cards. Everyone and
every nation was vocally critical of the US and Gordon Sinclair decided to
say something about it. This text is a modified piece of that full script,
but I think the sentiment is still valid. Iirc, it was written in 1975."
paxx
Reply #15 Thursday, September 13, 2001 9:38 PM
Reply #15 Thursday, September 13, 2001 9:38 PM
I just found out this text was written in 1973!!
Pheew! I'm relieved. For a few hours I really was scared about the future of intelligent and well informed journalism here, in Canada.
Pheew! I'm relieved. For a few hours I really was scared about the future of intelligent and well informed journalism here, in Canada.
paxx
Reply #16 Thursday, September 13, 2001 9:47 PM
Reply #16 Thursday, September 13, 2001 9:47 PM
I just read Brad's last posts...
Man, man, man... I really don't want to argue about US international policies at this moment. It's greatly unappropriate.
We'll discuss in in a few months, ok? I have opinions about this, and I'd like to share them, but not now.
Man, man, man... I really don't want to argue about US international policies at this moment. It's greatly unappropriate.
We'll discuss in in a few months, ok? I have opinions about this, and I'd like to share them, but not now.
TheSkinsFactory
Reply #17 Friday, September 14, 2001 3:36 AM
Reply #17 Friday, September 14, 2001 3:36 AM
Bezerka: Read up on history before you spout off your inane little comments. America lost 405,399 Americans during World War II. Sorry we took so long to bail your country out. An dyou better believe if we didnt help the british out during WWII you and a lot of other european countries would be speaking German right now.
Craeonics: Your damn straight I have a right to be proud in my country. And i DO have control over it. I vote. I pay taxes. I participate in my government every time i punch a ballot. Its where born and have my roots, its where i will raise my family, its where i see strangers helping one another, its where i see men and women give their lives for other people. I am proud that my country pulls together in times of need and sends our men and women to fight injustice in far away places. I will be the first one to admit our history isnt flawless and we have made some mistakes and bad judgments. But the good America does far outweighs the bad.I am proud to be an american for what this country stands for. Freedom. Democracy. It doesnt take a tragedy for me to feel like this. I feel like this 365 days a year.
What are you proud of in the grand scheme of things?
Jeff
(F**king Proud as hell to be an American)
Craeonics: Your damn straight I have a right to be proud in my country. And i DO have control over it. I vote. I pay taxes. I participate in my government every time i punch a ballot. Its where born and have my roots, its where i will raise my family, its where i see strangers helping one another, its where i see men and women give their lives for other people. I am proud that my country pulls together in times of need and sends our men and women to fight injustice in far away places. I will be the first one to admit our history isnt flawless and we have made some mistakes and bad judgments. But the good America does far outweighs the bad.I am proud to be an american for what this country stands for. Freedom. Democracy. It doesnt take a tragedy for me to feel like this. I feel like this 365 days a year.
What are you proud of in the grand scheme of things?
Jeff
(F**king Proud as hell to be an American)
TheSkinsFactory
Reply #18 Friday, September 14, 2001 3:47 AM
Reply #18 Friday, September 14, 2001 3:47 AM
Oh and Bezerka your statement of "God hasnt been blessing america much lately has he?" really makes me wish you could say that in person instead of over the internet.
Frogboy
Reply #19 Friday, September 14, 2001 5:33 PM
Reply #19 Friday, September 14, 2001 5:33 PM
I think people forget the impact the United States has had on the world (both good and bad but overall overwhelmingly good).
BTW, The Netherlands had a moment of silence today in appreciation of the liberation of the southern part of the country by the United States today in 1944.
BTW, The Netherlands had a moment of silence today in appreciation of the liberation of the southern part of the country by the United States today in 1944.
craeonics
Reply #20 Friday, September 14, 2001 6:29 PM
Reply #20 Friday, September 14, 2001 6:29 PM
Umm, actually it were three minutes of silence to remember the thousands that died in the WTC disaster. Just like in the other EU countries.
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Reply #1 Thursday, September 13, 2001 2:36 PM