In Training: I Want to Love the British

I really do!** Heck, I even want to love the Europeans. I want to support them without thinking they don't deserve it. But then someone, somewhere in Britain writes something like this.

"Shortly after the September 11 tragedy George Pataki, the Governor of New York State, contacted Gordon England, the Secretary of the United States Navy, with the request that the name of his state be given to a surface warship, engaged in the War on Terror.
....
On August 28, 2002, Mr Pataki’s wish was granted with the result that 24 tons of steel from the stricken buildings was taken to New Orleans and put to use by Northrop Grumman Systems in the construction of an amphibious assault ship that should be ready next year. In this way, the 2,800 souls that perished as an indirect result of an interventionist foreign policy that achieved the exact opposite of its stated aims can be honoured by a vessel built to ensure that this flawed cycle of violence continues. The USS New York will carry 360 soldiers and 700 combat-ready Marines. It puts to sea with the motto: “Never forget.” Except they do. They always do."

Mr. Samuel, go jump in a lake. I know, I know, I shouldn't be upset over this, he's just another one of those peace-loving-everybody-hug-and-the-bad-will-all-go-away guys. I know this. Really I do. But he continues:

".... In essence what is being commemorated here is failure; the failure of American foreign policy to protect fully the interests of its citizens or make their world a safer place. America came under attack because the actions of successive governments have made it the enemy to large swaths of humanity. Anti-Americanism is growing alarmingly because, since September 11, the world’s most powerful nation has continued to alienate and divide even its allies. While not excusing wicked acts committed by terrorists, it would be foolish to view the behaviour of terrorists as motiveless. If we regard terrorism as the work of madmen and unrelated to our relationship with their world, we learn nothing from history."

Mr. Samuel, screw you. Dang, there I go again. Yeah, it would be foolish, but hey guess what!? They DO have a motive. It's called "kill the infidels." It's called, they won't play our way, so let's torture and murder them. Oh and if America would just curl up like a fetus, then nobody would ever get hurt. Because that's worked for, like, everyone thus far.

".... Since the September 11 attacks, the familiar argument is that the West did not start this war, but is determined to finish it. Yet the USS New York with its 700 combat-ready Marines was already on the drawing board before the World Trade Centre was hit, in all but name. Had the towers not fallen, there would still be a deadly billion-dollar vessel under construction in Louisiana. It would just be called the Saucy Sue and might not be built from the habitats of dead people and imbued with such heavy symbolism that workers in the shipyard are said to have treated its components with religious reverence."

Oh you bastard. Earlier you were moaning about us not making our world a safer place, and now you say this. We are ready and willing to protect ourselves, and that's why we were attacked. Like a chick has a nice behind and a big chest and she's begging to be raped. Like I carry a handgun, so I'm chomping at the bit to have someone come after me.

WE were all attacked on September 11th by a cowardly, pathetic, disgusting group of people determined to destroy us. Do Americans want revenge? HELL YEAH. If that bothers you, then DON'T piss us off. And by piss us off, I mean murder 2,800 of our citizens. By piss us off, I mean murder just one of our own. By piss off, I mean murder one British citizen! There are fights you walk away from, I know this. September 11th was not one of them.

You would think that Britain, out of all the countries in the world, would understand this. Would feel the same way. Would mourn our loss and stand by us until the end. Fighting mad. After all, we would do that for them, because it's the right thing to do.

** There are many many British that I do love and can speak to without threat of violence on either part :o) I do realize that this guy does not speak for Britain, I just hear this kind of attitude from so many over there...

via lgf

Couple of great comments from lgf readers:

And perhaps the Brits (or this one anyway) don't understand poetic justice?

No, Martin. Irony is when a British-born Pakistani decides that what he's going to do, first thing he gets off the public dole, is blow himself up on the London Underground.

Note to self: When the time comes to save Europe (again), do so without the use of evil Imperialist Warships.

Besides, he's wrong. State names have been used for surface ships, specifically battleships. The USS Alabama is a fine example of that. (So I happen to be from the state. Go figure.)

Wow, the USS Missouri was a submarine?

That would be a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat ready Marines. Soldiers don't man ships, and that sentence is about as prescient as the rest of his column.

Were those "killing machines" that were helping victims of the tsunami?

Shortly after the September 11 tragedy
It wasn't a tragedy. It was a deliberate act of war. Bit of a difference.

OK, Martin, let's make a deal. We won't use steel from the WTC to construct warships. We'll use them for cages at secret prisons.