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July 07, 2005
From a Reader.
From a reader of this blog, a gentleman who calls himself Farmer Joe.
He’s gone out, after the events of this morning, and bought himself a Union Jack.
There’s a thing going on in US blogs (for which we thank you sirs, run by the Bull Moose) to display a Union Jack on a blog. I am grateful, and I think that I speak for many of my countrymen, when I say thank you.
No, life isn’t perfect under this flag, life has never been perfect anywhere. But it is ours, we live under it, the things that are wrong with it we shall solve.
On this day? Farmer? You’re a gent. I know of no higher praise.
My thanks.
July 7, 2005 in The Blogger Himself | Permalink
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» Final round-up of that bomb thing in London from The Monjo Blog
This will have to be my final article on the bombings in London, otherwise I run the risk of becoming sensationalist or making a big-deal out of nothing. Mountains and mole-hills as we say in Britain. Whilst, as a technicality, those responsible for [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 8, 2005 12:30:02 PM
» Good on ya, Farmer Joe! from Boviosity!
Farmer Joe, an old friend and sometime Boviosity! commenter, is featured in a blog post by Tim Worstall after flying the Union Jack. I don't have much to say politically hereabouts any more - I can't imagine why anyone would... [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 13, 2005 3:55:02 PM
» Good on ya, Farmer Joe! from Boviosity!
Farmer Joe, an old friend and sometime Boviosity! commenter, is featured in a blog post by Tim Worstall after flying the Union Jack. I don't have much to say politically hereabouts any more - I can't imagine why anyone would... [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 13, 2005 3:55:52 PM
Comments
You're very kind, Tim, but when I say that flying your flag is the least I can do, I mean that literally.
I got the flag at a tiny little flag shop just north of Boston. The gentleman who runs the place is an immigrant from Asia (don't know which country - I'd say Korea if I had to guess), and he carries flags from all over the world. When we bought the flag, he mentioned that he'd been waiting for a few minutes of downtime so he'd have time put up one of his own.
I bought my US flag there on 12 Sept. 2001. The place was mobbed. I'm sure they made a lot of money that day but what impressed me the most was the way he dealt with the crush. He and his wife, who was helping out, were efficient and patient, and unfailingly friendly to everyone.
I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here. It means something to me that immigrants can come here, and open businesses, and become as American as anyone else. When I visited London last year, I saw so many different people of different nationalities, and I know that the same sort of open society exists over there. It's something worth fighting for.
Posted by: Farmer Joe | Jul 7, 2005 11:43:31 PM
Just wanted to let you and your countrymen know you're all in our hearts and minds. Take some time to grieve, compose yourselves, and then put your boot in someone's ass. Take the fight to them!!! Your friends "across the pond" have got your backs!!!
Posted by: Mike from Chicago | Jul 8, 2005 12:37:47 AM
I had the pleasure of living in England for four years. The Union Jack will fly on my home as my love for the English flys in my heart.
If the terrorists think they have advanced their cause, I believe they have miscalculated. The men and women I met during my time in your country will most likely respond with quiet determination and resolve.
We stand with you.
Posted by: Airdale | Jul 8, 2005 1:18:28 AM
Heh, I changed the masthead of my blog as well as the blog's description in honour of today too - Union Jack and all.
Posted by: Rajan R | Jul 8, 2005 1:31:38 AM
I love the flag idea. We always had a US flag, but only flew it on national holidays. After 9-11 we have flown it almost every day. I wish I had a UK flag to fly alongside the US flag..because the UK is alongside us in fighting terrorists...and now unfortunately being attacked by these scum of the earth. I think the terrorists are very wrong if they think the British will cave like Spain did. The Brits are made of sterner stuff. The terrorists made some lasting enemies in England today!
Posted by: Rick from Toledo (USA) | Jul 8, 2005 1:39:32 AM
Oh!, this is bad stuff. But then we've all seen such 'bad stuff' before, haven't we. All you blokes, Brits, Englanders, Poms, and etc. have my well ment sympathy.
You should know that at near 70, I've never met a fellow Yank that really disliked the British - or even some random government or other, it just never happened in my world (rather wide). I loved my stay in Aldeburg, Suffolk (Sp?)at the Railway Hotel, on the N. Sea. Looong ago, and later visits.
Anyway, no matter how inevitable there (or here) these attacks may come, we are forever on your side, thick and thin. Except perhaps the subscribers to the "Independent". Ok, perhaps them, not to split hairs.
Just remember please, England is NOT Europe, it's closer to N. America, as are the ANZACS and the Canadians. The Aussies took a hit like yours (and ours) in Bali.
God bless England, a beacon of civilization.
Gerry
Posted by: gerry | Jul 8, 2005 4:41:01 AM
let's hope that what happened yesterday does not give the governemnt an excuse to circumscribe our freedom.
Proud to be a Brit, proud to be an adopted Londoner
Posted by: christine | Jul 8, 2005 6:28:15 AM
Other people have already echoed my thoughts, but here is yet another note of support from across the Pond. Believe me that the vast majority of the American people stand fully behind the British people right now and not a few of us are spitting mad about this. Plenty of Americans, remembering how our nation sprang from England and keeping in mind our long and fruitful friendship, consider the British as our "cousins" -- and you know how it is when someone attacks your family.
I've been most impressed with reports that the Brits are carrying on as usual, stoically determined not to let the terrorists interrupt their usual routine. The typical American response tends to be full-throated anger, but both responses are useful: they convey contempt (quiet or not) for the sort of vicious animals who blow the legs off unsuspecting children and grannies, be it in buses or in buildings.
Posted by: Matt | Jul 8, 2005 7:18:39 AM
Oh dear god no. Americans going out and waving their flags after "9/11" demonstrated enough pansy-arsed jingoism of the lowest moral order. But displaying a flag of a country that is not yours, that stinks.
Take down our flag, this is not a royal wedding or VE Day - flag-waving is not an approproate response to a minor terrorist incident.
If you want to do Britain a favour, how about writing about how wrong the US was to BANKRUPT Britain over WWII. We just single-handedly kept the world free from tyranny for two years before the Nazis attacked Russia. And only when there was a threat of global Soviestism did the US step into the fold.
How about you Americans write about the US Gvt bankrupting Britain again by making our currency JUNK STATUS after Suez?
How about you write that despite our involvement in Iraq almost NO lucrative Iraqi rebuilding projects go to British firms?
How about the US apologise for not doing anything to prevent the IRA fund-raising in Irish-American cities during the 1980s and 1990s?
It is a shame it took for 11 Sept 2001 for the US to realise there's a whole world outside her own borders and that terrorism can affect anyone. But the flag-waving, the jingoism, the self-pity.. this is just completely the wrong response.
Posted by: Monjo | Jul 8, 2005 10:15:20 AM
Monjo, it's called "showing support." From the tone of your comment, I can only infer that the concept is foreign to you.
Posted by: Farmer Joe | Jul 8, 2005 3:06:21 PM
Firstly, I'd like to say what a brilliant bunch of people you are. Cousins? Brothers.
Farmer Joe, you made my evening. I live in London, and like all of us here, was made desperately sad the other morning. It was a bad day. But next morning, Londoners were going into work as usual. I was reading a post by a London guy just now, and he had arranged a ' moon party ' for the evening, when he and his mates were going to drop their pants and show an indescribable part of their anatomies to those who bombed London, and all those who wish us harm. I believe this happened, aided by quite a few pints.
I guess it's the modern day equivalent of the ' Dunkirk Spirit ', and I hooted when I read it. It does sum up what Londoners think of those who shattered lives on the 7th, though.
Believe me, when you had your dreadful day a few years back, this country felt its brother getting hurt. Thankyou all for your support now we've had a kick
God Bless America, God Bless the UK and God Bless London.
And if this offends the political sensibilities of any miserable fool, then he can go hang himself.
Posted by: john guyatt | Jul 9, 2005 4:57:13 AM
