America: The Good Neighbor
Tragedy brings out the best in a lot of people, and writers are no exception. Here's an article that's making the rounds this week:
|
America: The Good Neighbor. Widespread but only partial news coverage was given "This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped I'd like to see just one of those countries that Why does no other land on earth even consider putting You talk about American technocracy, and you find You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs When the railways of France, Germany and India I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one 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. I would hope that each of you would send this to as many people as you can and emphasize that they should send it to as many of their friends until this letter is sent to every person on the web. I am just a single American that has read this. |
It's a great essay, and for the most part it's true. However, it was written nealy 30 years ago.
The text is from a radio address by Canadian commentator Gordon Sinclair. Although it has gone through a few edits over the years, it's a touching tribute to our great country. The only intentional misinformation in the emails is anything that mentions it was written in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For the For the curious, you can read and listen to the original speech here.