My Blow For Trans-Atlantic Relations
Apparently there is a group calling for reparations to be paid by the British for the damage done to the world through the British Empire. From what I can pick up about it, it is in response to British anti-Americanism, which has become prominent since 9/11, the news coverage on the BBC being the most blatant example.
I fear these guys (their web site is here) are ill-informed to say the least. I have written the following to them:
As an American living in England, I thought I’d let you know, if you didn’t already, that if this exercise is in answer to British anti-Americanism, then you are targetting the wrong group.
Those people who are most vociferously critical of US foreign policy, and most vociferously anti-American, have not a shred of patriotism for their own country and agree with you that the British Empire was an evil empire, whose throne was only taken up by the US after the Second World War. They think that US foreign policy is a continuation where Britain left off.
Let me put it this way, British anti-American bigots are generally in complete agreement with you. For the past 40 years or so, every single point you bring up has been taught as gospel in the socialist-run British state school system. Many of these people would love for the country to pay reparations; it would make them feel good inside to use other people’s money to assuage their liberal guilt.
If anything, this effort is shooting the cause of fighting the good fight in the foot.
It has been my experience that most patriotic Brits are fiercely pro-American. This sort of attack will make those who don’t know any better wonder why they are so pro-American in the first place, if the people on their own side can display such ignorance.
For a good indication of the intellectual flavour of pro-American Brits, I highly recommend you read A History of the English Speaking Peoples Since 1900 by Andrew Roberts. There are many people here who feel the way he does.
I admit, there is a lot of anti-Americanism over here, enough to make me want to come back home after 10 years, in fact. But this web site is attacking the heritage of those people who find the most common ground with Americans.
What you are contriving to do only plays into the hands of socialistic internationalists, who broadly agree with the premise of your website; you are appealing to the Noam Chomskys of Britain. I can only think this is a poor excuse for a joke, which should have been researched better, unless, of course, you are socialists yourself?
Regards,
James G.
Patriotic American Expatriate
YES, I WOULD LIKE TO SIGN THE PETITION AND GET PAID!
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