Kristin

The following article first appeared in a Canadian newspaper sometime during the 1970s.

America: The Good Neighbor

Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchent remarks as printed in the Congressional Record:

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1958, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the errosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC 10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the international lines except Russia fly American Planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.

You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but serveral times - and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuit them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the NY Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Candian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."

Stand proud, America.

Hanna

Kristen, the words in that article mean so much to me at this terrible time in our country. I am proud to be an American and while we are the first to race to another country's aid, we, ourselves, are a proud nation -- asking for no help but that which is offered. Let us hope that the rest of the NATO alliance stands firm in their resolve to aid us to bring retribution to our common enemy -- whomever they might be.

Thanks again for supporting words and may God bless one and all. No matter which god one worships.

Smith

This may be decades old, but sure hits the spot. Beautifully said.

Joby

Unfortunately, Mr. Sinclair was about the only Canadian who felt that way then. Though almost all Canadians feel great sorrow for those who have died due to the Terror attacks Tuesday, very few would agree with Mr. Sinclair now.

Antoinette

Thank you, Mr. SInclair for words I believe every American appreciates. We are truly grieving as a nation and hope that our allies will stand with- not hiding behind us- in the War Against Terrorism. Americans are proud and often find it difficult, if not impossible to ask for help. Yet, we are also a generous nation and give assistance to our allies freely.

Canadian

We have all taken America for granted at times, and they've probably taken themselves for granted...but its not until they are in danger, and one tries to imagine a world without the America that has shaped our world, that you realize how much it is a part of your life, and how much you appreciate all the Americans you've met...They are a special people.
Thanks America & God Bless

Texas

Thank you neighbor. May your blessings be many, your sorrows be few.

liz

I just returned from a weekend in Toronto and was moved by the kindness of the Canadian people. From the time we crossed the border, we saw cars with American flags and "God bless America" signs. When we got out of our car at the zoo, a man raced over to us and told us how sorry he was for what happened, with much emotion in his voice. I have never hugged a total stranger but this seemed like a good time to start. I think this tragedy has brought out the best in all of us.

dan woodlief

You know something, Canadian, what you said is true for all of us. We all tend to overlook things around us until they are threatened. Americans are known, in general, to only look to their own country until some disaster somewhere makes them look outward. Heck, many Americans don't even normally care much about New York. Now everyone sees that New Yorkers are human like the rest of us. Maybe we should all learn that we all do need each other, and the world is a lot smaller place than we think. If we could think like that everyday, we could solve more problems.

Joanne

Those of you interested in the background story, or the life of Mr. Sinclair (and a fabulous photo of him) should check out:

http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/schools/rt.../sincla_g.html

http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/schools/rt.../american.html

Kate

Dan, you said: "many Americans don't even normally care much about New York."

Same can be said of many New Yorkers not normally caring much about anything but New York.

Unfortunately it sometimes takes a tragedy to remind us to rejoice in our one-ness instead of griping about our differences.

Thank you Canada. I read so many snide remarks about Americans from Canadians on the discussion boards (some no doubt deserved) that it's heartening to know that Canadians can overcome the preoccupation with our country's differences, just as we are, for the moment at least, gratefully overcoming our differences among ourselves.

Geoffrey

Yesterday the Vancouver Canucks held a training camp game where they split the team into two and played against each other. They charged $10 entrance fee. Normally, this would draw a very small crowd. However, they announced that all funds raised would go to support the victims of the WTC and their families. Instead of a couple thousand people, 13,000 people showed up, raising over $130,000 to go to the relief efforts.

Canadians loudly sang the American national anthem, with a large and extended cheer at the end.

Antoinette

Dan; What planet are you living on? Americans don't care about anything outside of America? Since when? This is a total insult to the thousands of Americans who contributed to the famine relief fund in Africa; a slp in the face of Americans who donate food, clothing and money toward earthquake victims all over the world; an insult to New Yorkers (myself included)who work tirelessly raising money for UNICEF- a relief agency based in the United Nations, which incidentially is located in New York. Our government is the first to send disaster relief to nations that need it. The United States gives money to poor countries all over the world. Epxerts from our nation have built roads, sewer lines and buildings for countries that needed our assistance. And what have we received in return- a tepid response of support from our NATO allies and even less from the United Nations Secretary General! But we're Americans and we will continue to keep doing right by others because it simply the American way.

Duncan in Uk

As a UK citizen, I would like to second the messages here. Despite what you may have heard or read, most British people are right behind America, and share your grief. I attended the service at St Paul's Cathedral ( I don't know if your television news covered it; I know CNN did but that may be only their world programmes). This service was very moving, with British and Americans standing together. In this crisis, you can rely on the United Kingdom giving you support.

kathryn

Well said Duncan,I am English & returned home from the US yesterday,we arrived in Chicago the day before the tradgedy.What happened was so awful it didn't really sink in until today,when I walked into my home village and saw a memorial with the stars & stripes,union jack & flowers outside the local fire station & US flags in cars.Then I cried.