This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tucson, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.Can you imagine David Cameron saying, in similar circumstances:
This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Britons were shot in ... ?No, thought not.
Whatever their race, creed, colour, religion, or whatever, you will always find that Americans are proud to be American. We lost that, some time in the 60s, and it's a pity.
And yet, for every statement that rings true, there's one that jars:
ReplyDelete"Jeff Rogers, chairman of the local Democratic Party, said Ms Giffords was ‘a rising star’ and described her as a ‘wonderful congresswoman and a wonderful person’.
He added: ‘We just can’t continue to have this kind of carnage against public officials.’"
Personally, I was thinking we couldn't have this carnage against anyone, not just the favoured political class....
Agreed, although there is a sense in which some people represent more than just a single individual. In a way, an attack on an elected official is an attack on everyone. In a similar way, I can remember a time when the murders of policemen being treated much more seriously than 'ordinary' murder, and quite right too. (Not these days, of course.) But I take your point. It almost sounded as if he would go on to say ... "although ordinary carnage is quite acceptable."
ReplyDelete*were treated* - poor editing!
ReplyDeleteOf course Camermong isn't going to mention Britain - he's doing his level best to sell us out. Aren't we now (technically) EU "Manche Region", "Atlantic Region" or "North Sea Region" depending on where you live?
ReplyDeleteAs to having some national pride - I remember seeing "Made In England" on things when I was younger, but I don't recall the word "Proudly" being associated.
And even the Americans can fall foul of globalisation:
http://politicalirony.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/p1012141-600x450.jpg
'Made In England' used to be an assurance of quality, and 'Made In Japan' meant cheap rubbish. Used to be - like 1958.
ReplyDeleteAnd in evidence, M'Lud, I would bring before the court exhibits A and B: an Austin Allegro and a Honda Accord.
The Austin Allegro was even worse when assembled in Belgium......
ReplyDelete