An open letter to America from one European

Charleston Daily Mail ^ | 2/13/03 | James Blaci

[MHGinTN]

Those who are kind and loving seldom speak out on public issues. Those filled with bitterness and hate must speak out or be consumed in their own bile. Thank you, Mister Black, for speaking out from your heart on so rare an occasion. For every one of you, there are ten thousand more of quiet fortitude amongst your countrymen. We Americans know this, that's why we persevere against the bile and bilge spewed forth by the appeaseniks and postponeniks.

[MoGalahad]

Thank you, James. Your sentiments are deeply appreciated. Most of us in America do try to do what is right as best as we can discern it.

[MadIvan]

I think it's been unspoken that you have my unswerving assistance and support as well.

To echo once more the words of the Prime Minister: "With you you at the first, with you to the last."

We will win.

Regards, Ivan

[Bikers4Bush]

Now we just need the other "millions" like him to stand up and say the same thing.

Then we could put that bitch hussein to bed in a nice deep dirt bed for good.

[jigsaw]

I wrote a thank you note to Mr. Black and here is his response:


Dear Friend,

Thank you for your kind words. I must admit I was slightly embarrassed a few
moments after first sending my letter but your reply and the many others I
have received today from all across the USA have made me realise I was right
to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard to be more accurate).

I’m sorry this reply is not more personal. I did start writing individual
thank you’s but my letter seems to have caused somewhat of a stir - and is
being posted on newsgroups and passed along by e-mail, thus meaning I am
receiving just too many letters to reply to straight away.

If you are one of the people who wrote to me to to show support for my words
- thank you - you can be sure that at least one non-American will be right
by your side when times are at their darkest.

If you are one of the people who wrote to let me know that you are passing
my letter to friends or newsgroups - thank you. It does mean my e-mail
address may need a re-think in the future (everyone seems to have been
passing my work address rather than my personal one), but it is worth it. If
you are passing my letter on to your friends - please note my personal
e-mail address is jamesblack@btconnect.com

If you are one of the few people who wrote to me to tell me how naive I am -
thank you - the fact you are allowed to mock, argue, or accuse my ancestry,
proves that America’s actions in the past, like today, have helped maintain
your right to do so - and my right to tell you what I believe - without
fear.

Thank you, once again, for your response.

Regards

James Black
Wychwood Park
Weston
Cheshire, England.
CW2 5GH

jamesblack@btconnect.com

[dfwgator]

The voice of the European silent majority.

[colorado tanker]

I think America also has a debt of gratitude to the English. Had we been settled by one of the divine right monarchies of France or Spain instead of by the English, with their tradition of constitutional, limited government, the American experiment would have turned out differently.

[Burr5]

"May not be the sharpest knife.."

You know what? This bothered me a little too- until I remembered "Grecians and Kosovarians," etc.

It doesn't matter if Dubya ever gets credit for being an intellectual (God, I knew of the GREEKS at age six) only that his wisdom, his courage, and his inate goodness are recognized for what they are. THESE are the things that make a great president.

[desertcry]

One man, one European who remembers.

[BigBobber]

Absolutely right. For confirmation on how things might have turned out, one only needs to look at Central and South America.

England was the origin of our ideas of freedom, and almost all of the Founding Fathers were Englishmen.

[Wolfstar]

My attention caught on that statement, too. I was debating myself as to whether or not to comment on it when I came across your post. President George Walker Bush has a razor-sharp intellect. However, he isn't a snobby Left-wing intellectual, which explains why they tagged him with the "dumb" stereotype.

[Happygal]

Thanks Lin. (He echoes sentiments I've conveyed to you personally)

[Plutarch]

I was deployed to England as part of Desert Storm. The locals could not have been nicer nor more appreciative. When the heard we did not have enough blankets they took up a collection! Doubt things have changed that much in 12 years.

[Fifth Business]

I, James Black, a European passport holder whose parents are Scottish,...

God bless James Black, Johnny Walker Black, and all the rest of his Clan.

[BlessedBeGod]

What a lovely valentine to America!

[RJL]

Johnny Walker Black

LOL...I see the scotch drinkers have arrived, here's to you!

[harpo11]

Saddle up, Amigo!Together, we'll ride the storm to victory.

[Fifth Business]

here's to you!

No thanks, just had one. But you're very kind. I'll remember you later.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

HEY The writer just emailed me back

Mr. Black -

Testimony to how small a world this is in which we live. Naperville is one of the many suburbs around Chicago. My husband somehow got hold of a copy of your letter and shared it with me.

Blessings to you and your folks.

Amy

james black wrote:

Dear Amy,

Thank you for your kind words. I must admit I was slightly embarrassed a few moments after first sending my letter but your reply and the many others I have received today from all across the USA have made me realise I was right to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard to be more accurate).

I haven't the faintest how my letter got to Naperville, I'm assuming my letter is on an internet newsgroup. It started off in a small newspaper in West Virginia!

Regards

James Black Wychwood Park Weston Cheshire, England. CW2 5GH

jamesblack@btconnect.com

---------- From: A Williams To: james.black@dailymail.co.uk Subject: Your Letter Date: Sat, Feb 15, 2003, 1:22 AM

Mr. Black -

Your letter, your thoughts, and your words brought tears to my eyes. As one small American, I thank you! May the peace we all long for and pray for be a reality.

Amy Naperville, IL, USA

[mondonico]

Mr Black has discovered the power of FreeRepublic!
______________

Re: An open letter to America from one European
From james black | 02/14/2003 4:54 PM EST new




Dear friend?,

I have just been directed to this particular newsgroup about my letter. I have read the comments and feel I must reply. Obviously, the first thing for me to say is - yes - I really do exist - even though my comments were ‘too flowery for a European’.

Thank you for your kind words (or otherwise). I must admit I was slightly embarrassed a few moments after first sending my letter but the many hundreds of letters I have received today from all across the USA have made me realise I was right to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard to be more accurate).

I’m sorry this reply is not more personal. I did start writing individual thank you’s (or otherwise) but my letter seems to have caused somewhat of a stir - and is being posted on newsgroups and passed along by e-mail, thus meaning I am receiving just too many letters, or seeing too many comments about my words to reply straight away.

If you are one of the people who wrote to show support for my words - thank you - you can be sure that at least one non-American will be right by your side when times are at their darkest.

If you are one of the people who are passing my letter to friends or newsgroups - thank you. It does mean my e-mail address may need a re-think in the future (everyone seems to have been passing my work address rather than my personal one), but it is worth it. If you are passing my letter on to your friends - please note my personal e-mail address is jamesblack@btconnect.com

If you are one of the people who to suggest how naive I am - thank you - the fact you are allowed to mock, argue, or accuse my ancestry, proves that America’s actions in the past, like today, have helped maintain your right to do so - and my right to tell you what I believe - without fear.

Good or bad I enjoyed reading your comments.

Regards

James Black
Wychwood Park
Weston
Cheshire, England.
CW2 5GH