Just an Observation

[Sunriser13]

Some of you may feel this is a strange interjection here, but am I the only one that sees an odd irony in the UK being our most vocal, if not closest, ally in recent years?

We the USA are, after all, a country only because we rebelled against this same nation a coupla hundred years or so ago...

[halldor]

"Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organization will be gained without what I have called the fraternal association of the English-speaking peoples. This means a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States. This is no time for generalities, and I will venture to be precise. Fraternal association requires not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship between our military advisers, leading to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets at technical colleges. It should carry with it the continuance of the present facilities for mutual security by the joint use of all Naval and Air Force bases in the possession of either country all over the world. This would perhaps double the mobility of the American Navy and Air Force. It would greatly expand that of the British Empire Forces and it might well lead, if and as the world calms down, to important financial savings. Already we use together a large number of islands; more may well be entrusted to our joint care in the near future."

Winston Churchill, THE SINEWS OF PEACE, March 5, 1946
Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri

[Stiofán]

The fact that many of our societal pillars and values are based on English Common Law, allows us to gravitate to those sharing these same things. As we are a nation of many races and backgrounds, it is the values we hold and not our ansestry, which defines us as close to our cousins across the Atlantic. There are parts of the world where human life is not so valued as it is in our countries, and as a response, we are horrified in kind by the butchery that takes place there. It is only natural that these same values would draw us together.

[Sunriser13]

First of all, thank you both for these responses.

Secondly - WHOA!! I sincerely hope nobody took my words as criticism, nor thought them to be the uneducated words of one who does not know of our alliances in the past. However, today the UK is one of a very few who are with us, whereas in other conflicts we have had far greater world support.

[Fiona]

OMG!!!! I was just saying that this morning.... of course the irony made me smile.... COOL!

[halldor]

Originally posted by Sunriser13
However, today the UK is one of a very few who are with us, whereas in other conflicts we have had far greater world support.

I think that a lot of the irony is connected with the fact that Europe is now split and divided by a conflict that lies beyond Europe. And that the world is similarly split and divided.

IMHO it's instructive and sobering to read Churchill's words from the same 1946 speech I quoted earlier:

"The safety of the world requires a new unity in Europe, from which no nation should be permanently outcast. It is from the quarrels of the strong parent races in Europe that the world wars we have witnessed, or which occurred in former times, have sprung. Twice in our own lifetime we have seen the United States, against their wishes and their traditions, against arguments, the force of which it is impossible not to comprehend, drawn by irresistible forces, into these wars in time to secure the victory of the good cause, but only after frightful slaughter and devastation had occurred. Twice the United States has had to send several millions of its young men across the Atlantic to find the war; but now war can find any nation, wherever it may dwell between dusk and dawn. Surely we should work with conscious purpose for a grand pacification of Europe, within the structure of the United Nations and in accordance with its Charter. That I feel is an open cause of policy of very great importance."

[Sunriser13]

Ah, Churchill. One of the greatest speakers in history!

David, I am quite familiar with his 1946 speech, and damn near all of his words could apply even today with the notable exception of these words quoted: "<i>... within the structure of the United Nations and in accordance with its Charter...</i> The UN has lost much of its significance (in many peoples' opinions) since these words were spoken.

I am humbly glad that we are friends in this turbulent world. We need each other, and are highly likely to need each other far more in days to come. Friends, true friends, are hard to come by, whether speaking globally or personally. We are exceptionally lucky to develop them.

[ethics]

Originally posted by halldor
"

Winston Churchill, THE SINEWS OF PEACE, March 5, 1946
Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri

Most excellent! Thank you for that historic quote, David.

[ethics]

You know something though. If a person like myself gets goosebumps to see British soldiers, sitting in the desert, with their tired, yet determined faces, and who vows friendship on the highest level, what does this do to an average American?

I've actually asked around my company today and some waved it off as if it's expected, but when pressed on, they grew somber, and yet again the talk shifted not on what Americans were doing, but how the Brits were helping us in this sole war, a very unpopular war that only the Iraqis understand.

I will never forget the British, the Aussies and their sacrifices. I take this moment to thank them all, and to those members who are English and Australian, and who have criticised, and constantly told us what and how we should do things. A resounding THANK YOU. You came through for us, the world, and the Iraqis, at the time when you were needed most and have devoted your most valuable asset, your men and women.

[Sunriser13]

Thank <i>you</i>, ethics, for remembering to say something I did not. The Australians are in this too, in a big way, and a bit of irony goes to that relationship as well. The "prison colony" of the past has become quite a fine nation, too.

[Robert Harris]

While we asre noticing who is there with us, we ought to take note of the Poles.

Polish forces criticised for flag photos
By Jan Repa
BBC News Online

The Polish presence should be low key, leaders say
Poland's defence minister has criticised a special operations commando unit for posing for photographs with American soldiers after fighting in southern Iraq.

The minister, Jerzy Szmajdzinski, said members of the elite Grom unit should have remained under cover.

Polish newspapers have been full of photos of "our boys" - handing over Iraqi prisoners to the Americans, defacing a portrait of Saddam Hussein and smiling to camera under an American flag.

Mr Szmajdzinski says they should have kept themselves out of the limelight - or at the very least have used a Polish flag.

Note: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2886759.stm

I like his last comment there. :)

[halldor]

And it's perhaps also worth remembering the valuable contribution of Polish forces to the British war effort in World War 2. See, for example:


ORDERS OF BATTLE:
THE POLISH ARMY IN SCOTLAND

Introduction
The Orders of Battle (OBs) contained in tables 1 to 7 reflect the growth and development of the Polish Forces in Scotland during the War. Whilst the bulk of the Polish Army in Great Britain during the war was located in Scotland (in Scottish Command's area), Polish GHQ and the Polish Ministry of National Defence was located in London. For a period am advanced Field HQ of the Commander-in-Chief existed in Scotland.
The OBs reveal the proliferation of the many specialist units and establishments which were deemed necessary to support an Army, both for combat and rear supporting services. They are presented in a simple format showing units grouped under its higher unit/formation. Readers should see these Orders of Battle in the context of the sections on the:- 'Polish Army' and 'Development of the Polish Army in Scotland'.

Read about it at

http://www.ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk/OB.html

[Pyrion]

Yup. There was something on the History Channel not too long ago about Polish contributions to the second World War and how they were screwed on just about every front from the very beginning.

[Steve]

Well, they did have horse cavalry facing the mechanized forces of the Blitzkreig. In all fairness, there's not much a guy with a sword and pistol on a stallion can do against a Panzer.

[halldor]

Originally posted by Pyrion
Yup. There was something on the History Channel not too long ago about Polish contributions to the second World War and how they were screwed on just about every front from the very beginning.

The Free Polish Army was different, though, as it was based on U.K. soil, in Scotland, and worked in close conjunction with British forces.