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For What the Thanks

Submitted by john hipkin, Nov 20, 2007 11:40

First, fact. Tony Blair did not abolish the upper house of the UK parliament. His government reformed it though the hereditary principle, which predates the founding of the Republic, has in part been preserved. Another fact, most of us here in the UK celebrate Christmas by joining our families for a good meal, the exchange of presents, and convivial companionship. Many of us re-experience each year its profound spiritual aspect. Some of us get drunk. How's that different from the way you celebrate Thanksgiving? Second, fiction. US hegemony is not guaranteeing that Europeans grow plump and prosperous in a globalised economy. The Chinese economy is doing that for both the US and Europe (though, I suspect, not for very much longer). The impact of US economic hegemony upon the UK is currently higher cost mortgages and a run on banks due to the 'black hole' in the US sub-prime mortgage market. The impact of US political hegemony is Iraq and Afghanistan (both synonymous with military incompetence, political ineptitiude and human suffering on a gigantic scale) and the 100 dollar a barrel oil price. The prospect of an Iranian backlash after Cheney persuades Bush that Iran's nuclear installations must be bombed imperils Tony Blair's peace efforts in Palestine and threatens to reverse such progress as has recently been made in quelling the Iraqi insurgency. (One is reassured to know that that is the view of the US military!) Finally, the fantasy. It is true that the US constitiution (written by French and British libertarians) is one of the finest testimonies to freedom in the civilised world. All the more tragic, therefore, that an over-preoccupation with the 'war on terror' had been the excuse for depriving US citizens of many of their liberties and of propping up corrupt and cruel regimes in many parts of the world. Remember that your president, who is almost universally regarded as a dangerous fool, has enjoyed at times unprecedently high levels of popularity and support at home which the rest of the world found incredible. Your late conversion to the world view of your leader may prove to be too late. Happy Thanksgiving! But be vigilant.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I enjoyed the dry humor, but behind the sarcasm, I think you made some very good points. I think that... [MORE]	Trelaina	Nov 27, 2007 18:09
Good Lord, yes we have plenty to be thankful for in the US. And lots to be disgusted about under... [MORE]	Doug Robertson	Nov 22, 2007 18:57
You and all the peripheral Steyns that will fit in your car are invited to Toronto for next year's festivities.... [MORE]	Doug Lewis	Nov 22, 2007 15:01
Steyn should be made a permanent member of Congress. I take that back. That would be demeaning in today's political... [MORE]	Steve Andrade	Nov 22, 2007 12:35
Thank you, Mark Steyn. Your insight and writings are part of my Thanksgiving. I am proud to be an American... [MORE]	A.C.	Nov 22, 2007 08:24
This was a very good piece of work. Much of the rest of the western world has benefited from the... [MORE]	Joe Nuchastowich	Nov 22, 2007 05:16
I'm thankful for George bloody Bush. Those women who were saved from being turned into embryo factories to provide raw... [MORE]	ic	Nov 22, 2007 03:38
God Bless Us All. We are a grand experiment, aren't we? Thank you, God. [MORE]	Eve Stewart	Nov 21, 2007 19:12
I fully agree with Steyn's sentiments, but he's being a bit remiss about the British our contribution in Afganistan. We're... [MORE]	John Moloney	Nov 21, 2007 18:03
God bless America and Mark Steyn. [MORE]	Zwi Zur	Nov 21, 2007 17:14
Mark, I always appreciate your humor and your sincere appreciation of "the benign hegemony" that is America. You see through... [MORE]	Leif ErikCoburn	Nov 21, 2007 14:05
As usual, Mark is right on in his commentary........ Sometimes we forget just what we have here in the USA.. Beyond the... [MORE]	Bob Melley	Nov 21, 2007 11:30
I was delighted to read the comment from fellow Cantabrian, John Hipkin, one-time Mayor of the city. The U.S. prides... [MORE]	Marie-louise Holland	Nov 21, 2007 05:34
Don't worry John Hipkin ( is your nick name Jack) we're all right! Mark Steyn is a genius, don't you... [MORE]	John Aams	Nov 21, 2007 00:14
I am often amazed he sees so many positives in The Most Powerful Nation In History (although less powerful seemingly... [MORE]	David Wells	Nov 20, 2007 16:48
Mark's hyperbole is nothing compared to the anti-american sentiment and propaganda that is systematically cultivated everyday, everywhere on earth. As... [MORE]	Dean Stergides	Nov 21, 2007 08:43
This article is Great. Thanks [MORE]	Dan T	Nov 20, 2007 11:52
First, fact. Tony Blair did not abolish the upper house of the UK parliament. His government reformed it though the...	john hipkin	Nov 20, 2007 11:40
. . . and happy Thanksgiving. I'll extend Thanksgiving wishes to our friend N. Sarkozy as well, a breath of... [MORE]	Robert l. Labbe	Nov 20, 2007 21:17
You know many things about your adopted country that I wish many of our native born people would learn. I... [MORE]	Robert H. Boyer	Nov 21, 2007 15:21
hipkin: The only reason the Brits are affected by the sub-prime mortgage black hole is greed. I don't think the... [MORE]	ic	Nov 22, 2007 04:51
I find Mark Steyn to be insightful and humorous, both points, apparently, being totally lost upon you. Why do you even... [MORE]	Pete Janssen	Nov 22, 2007 09:46
Thanks for pointing out the Blair detail. While I respect your right to your opinion, the rest of your comment,... [MORE]	Ted Lienesch	Nov 22, 2007 09:58
Ted, Your heady rhetoric has led you to the accusation that Osama Bin Laden is my hero! In case any... [MORE]	john hipkin	Nov 23, 2007 05:00
Thank you for your wonderful article. It was perfect for Thanksgiving day -- I made copies of it for my... [MORE]	Jane Sacco	Nov 24, 2007 20:17
Very informative article as we Americans often look to Europe for the idea of stability based on longevity. I have... [MORE]	Doris K. Roane	Nov 20, 2007 10:40
It is a tough thing to leave familiar surroundings and the history of your family and friends to move to... [MORE]	Woodrow Miller	Nov 22, 2007 11:43
Happy Thanksgiving Mark! Godspeed and God Bless in all your endeavors. [MORE]	Stephen Miller	Nov 20, 2007 02:09
Happy Thanksgiving Mark! Godspeed and God Bless in all your endeavors. [MORE]	Stephen Miller	Nov 20, 2007 02:08
Great article. Thanks for writing it. Few people in the media state the obvious these days. It's refreshing. [MORE]	Martin	Nov 19, 2007 18:21
I don't see what there is to be thankful for. The world owes NOTHING to America. The world would be... [MORE]	Jane Higgins	Nov 19, 2007 18:01
Excellent piece! Hopefully the message is spread far and wide. Alas however, I fear that the elites prefer fine whine... [MORE]	neal hunt	Nov 19, 2007 12:17
You wrote "Aside from Britain and France, the Europeans cannot project power in any meaningful way anywhere. When they sign... [MORE]	John Fonteine	Nov 19, 2007 12:09
Hey Debi ~ got this great email from Luis (Damian's brother). Although I'm not THAT politically astute, this really hit... [MORE]	Debra Meidinger	Nov 19, 2007 12:06
Thanks, Mark. I needed that. -Carol Stanley San Diego, CA [MORE]	Carol Stanley	Nov 19, 2007 11:44
Thank you for writing this essay. I'll make sure my kids read it this afternoon when they get home from... [MORE]	jm	Nov 19, 2007 11:15
Thank God for Steyn and the voice he gives to the 'silent majority.' [MORE]	Ken Mallett	Nov 19, 2007 11:03
Great column, I agree completely. When I was a boy, my dad told me that American democracy was a great... [MORE]	Chaim Caron	Nov 19, 2007 10:38
enjoy this piece by Mark Steyn [MORE]	jim stonehill	Nov 19, 2007 09:38
Thank you Mark Steyn for another example of the insight you have into our country. It is sad that so... [MORE]	bill kesler	Nov 19, 2007 09:26
I loved your article about Thanksgiving and U.S. exceptionalism. As an immigrant, I too am very thankful to this country... [MORE]	Barry Schechter	Nov 19, 2007 08:12

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