July 4th

[Nippy]

Happy July 4th to our US compatriots. Remember that you continue to stand as a beacon in the free world.

Hold the torch high.

[fable]

@Nippy, that's very kind of you to say. Whatever one may think of Bush or the Vietnam War, the world all too easily tends to forget about the US in WWII, Korea, the Marshall Plan, or the enormous number of refugees and immigrants that have come to these shores, individually and in large groups, to seek a livelihood over the years. -In turn, a rousing cheer to the Brits who gave us great literature, the Magna Carta, parliamentary question-and-answer sessions the way they should occur, and eighteen of the world's finest 20th century composers!

[Enchantress]

Originally posted by fable
@Nippy, that's very kind of you to say.

In turn, a rousing cheer to the Brits who gave us great literature, the Magna Carta, parliamentary question-and-answer sessions the way they should occur, and eighteen of the world's finest 20th century composers!

I'll take that as an apology, then, Fable (*shakes hands pleasantly*)

Merry 4th July to all Americans!

[fable]

Originally posted by Enchantress
I'll take that as an apology, then, Fable (*shakes hands pleasantly*)

(Sigh) @Enchantress, you mistake me, as you did earlier. Let me explain, if you don't mind, what I mean. And please, read the following with an open mind, without prejudice.

I am an Anglophile. I grew up on the Arthurian romances. My religion, Gardnerian Wicca, is centered on the original actions and intent of a parent British coven. My favorite writers are almost without exception British; my favorite composers are split between Britain and Russia. My major source for the news is the BBC, though I read and listen to other sources, national and international, as well. (It interests me. What can I say.)

I think that one of the finest moments of the sorry, splendid, meandering path of humanity was the way the Londoners--and indeed, all of the British area regularly visited by the Luftwaffe--reacted during the Nazi bombardment. Few people can realize what it must be like, today, because we are privileged to live in a world, most of us, where wars happen elsewhere. This wasn't the case for the Brits after Hitler launched his terror tactics. War came to them; and not armies marching in, swift and horrible, as they did to Paris, but in death rained nightly out of the skies from droning planes.

Imagine trying to eat, to sleep, to make love, to play with your children, when the next second a bomb could literally fall on your apartment building or house, killing everyone in the vicinity. It happened repeatedly. It was deliberate, horrific, inhuman, and degrading. It was clearly intended to break the spirit of the British, to drive them, if not into surrender, then out of their cities, their industrial, economic and communications centers.

It failed. The British didn't move en masse. Hard as it is for us to believe, all those people stayed put. More to the point, they flourished. Great musicians like pianist Myra Hess, great actors like Laurence Olivier, gave performances free, on a daily basis; the Brits pulled together. I have recordings from many English friends, made on small wire recorders, of some of those concerts, and you can actually *hear* the bombs falling in the background. It didn't stop the Brits. They went on about their daily business, and lived. No other action could ever have been so eloquent.

And my reference, earlier, to roof rabbits? Simply this: we were discussing cats, dogs, and canaries being consumed in non-Western cultures; and the consumption of cats in London during WWII is the most recent example I know of in which these animals were consumed in the West. (It had happened before. For example, there are diaries of inmates in German interrment camps during WWI where "roof rabbit" was standard fare, because the inmates were starved.) I stated it as a fact, not with any surplus emotional baggage. I've been told this repeatedly by many people of the preceding generation who lived as children in WWII; how mum simply wouldn't agree to the government's ration cards, not with two kids and the baby to look after...!

Now, if you want historical references, I'd have to go to a library and check that out. I've read it repeatedly over the years, but I don't recall any direct sources. But I've read it so often over the years, and been told it by many old friends who played in Thomas Beecham's wonderful orchestras and such, that I never doubted it for a minute. It sounds so...practical. Zany, saddening that it was necessary, and entirely admirable.

If you want my emotional evaluation of this fact, I would say that it showed typical British pluck and resourcefulness in the face of hell; the kind of quiet way in which the British have always gone about their business, doing what is needed to survive, without sacrificing personal dignity and without giving an inch to the Nazi murderers.

On SYM, we've had threads where all of us have laid into the negative national traits associated with one another, but always in a spirit of fun. I've teased Brits about the wonderful weather and the excellent food; quoting one of the Asterix comics, "I love water--it makes such a wonderful gravy." Similarly, we've all laid into the French in threads devoted just to that fact, pointing out their obsession with culture, their language, and the marvelous attitude they display to tourists. And Americans...? Why, we're such a spiritual group, as a whole! Completely unconcerned about material goods, don't you know!

But I defy you or anybody to point out a single remark I've made where the spirit of fun wasn't present, and where I attacked the British in a serious fashion.

So if you want to see my remarks above as an apology to the British, then I'm afraid you're wrong. But similarly, you're wrong if you see me as some kind of a Brit hater. Our teasing of national traits on SYM is so silly, that it should never be taken for serious--Buck would never stand for it, and neither would I.

And if you ever want anybody to write a panegyric to the British for all there civilization has done (and not just the English, either), then you've come to the right place.

Sorry for the blast. But I've wanted to clear the air between us for some time, and not in anger, either; and I know that at least one other person here shares your views. Hopefully, you won't take my comments as a further insult or a cynical explanation. I wouldn't disrespect anybody sufficiently to try that.

[Enchantress]

Hey - it was a joke!

No need to explain yourself - let's just forget about it. As I said, let's just shake hands now.

OK?

[fable]

Agreed. But I think we both know this was deeper than a simple joke, above. There's been anger between us since that thread I referred to, above. I'm not interested in apportioning blame, but I you gave me the opportunity, here, to (hopefully) let in a little air, and make things right on that level.

But on that same note, if you ever have a problem with anything I post, and I mean this: PM me. I can't guarantee you will like the results, but you can always go to Buck if that's the case. Don't let something like this fester, again. If you think I've said something that goes beyond the rules, contact me, and let's clear it up, right away.

EDIT: I've rewritten this post a few times. I don't want to offend you--it's easy to do that, when two people are trying to put things correct; it's a little like resetting a bone. You have to be careful afterwards not to immediately jar it.

And on that homely little analogy, I bid you adieu.

[Enchantress]

OK, but it was truly a joke, if a cheeky one. It was a joke to break the ice, maybe, which it has done.

Yes, hopefully people will start PMing each other when things get heated now. That's a good idea.

I hope this incident and other recent ones will mean people learn from their mistakes. I don't know whether or not that will ultimately happen, but I hope so.

[Zelgadis]

Happy fourth of july, everyone. And be careful with those fireworks

[der Moench]

Happy Fourth, one and all! Now, everybody go out and support my monastary with a purchase of some fine Paulaner Weissbier! It's just what one needs on a sultry summer day. Don't forget the Zitroen!

Peace!!!

[Chanak]

@DM: I have chartered an 18-wheeler to pick up my order from your esteemed Monastery. The truck with an empty 54' long trailer, ready to receive, should arrive shortly.

@Nippy: Thanks for the sentiments, old man. Greatly appreciated here.

[Scayde]

Happy 4th of July !!!

Thanks for the sentiment Nippy, and hats off to Dear old Mum, Great Brittian !!!

Three Cheers

Taps the Keg and sets off fireworks !!!

http://www.sannet.gov/city-clerk/graphics/fireworks.jpg

Gotta run, parties to attend

[Maharlika]

Maligayang Bati sa inyong Kaarawan ng Kasarinlan!

(Warmest Greetings as you celebrate your Independence Day. )

[dragon wench]

*cough* Hey, "Canada Day" was July 1. What are we? Chopped liver? j/k

Hope all of you across the border had a wonderful holiday and did absolutely nothing work-related

With many hugs

[Scayde]

Originally posted by dragon wench
*cough* Hey, "Canada Day" was July 1. What are we? Chopped liver? j/k

Hope all of you across the border had a wonderful holiday and did absolutely nothing work-related

With many hugs

LOL...Sorry fom my lack of knowledge on things Canadian Sis....Happy Belated Holiday *HUG*

[Chanak]

Sorry I missed that, @DW. Just between you and me, I am terrible about remembering holidays to begin with, and didn't even realize that yesterday was July 4th until the day was half-gone. It suddenly dawned on me.