THE UNITED STATES IS TOO BIG FOR ITS BOOTS
Cameron’s remark will reinforce America's view of itself as the champion of liberty in the World War
By Ann Widdecombe
MY PROBLEM with David Cameron’s muddled statement that we were the junior partners to the United States in 1940 is not the blunder itself, which may well have been a genuine slip of the tongue, but that it feeds into America’s over-bloated view of itself.
That we were very much the junior partner during the Cold War is undeniable and the free world should be eternally grateful to the US for standing up to the Soviet Union and sheltering Western Europe under its super-power umbrella.
It is equally undeniable that we are the junior partner in Afghanistan which is, after all, a Nato exercise. I have also no doubt that if ever there is a serious threat from Iran or its ilk we shall be able to rely on the United States to act swiftly and decisively while the rest of us agonise.
In other words, I have a great deal of admiration for and confidence in the United States. Nevertheless it has a massive blind spot when dealing with the rest of the world, is insular in vision and tends to believe that what doesn’t affect the US doesn’t matter.
David Cameron’s unguarded remark will reinforce America’s view of itself as the champion of liberty in the last World War. The facts are rather different. Country after country was invaded by Hitler and the US remained neutral. British efforts to persuade America to join us in the defence of freedom were unsuccessful.
Jews were taken to concentration camps in their millions and the US remained neutral. It was not a moral imperative but the bombing of their own fleet at Pearl Harbor which finally brought the US into the War. Without Pearl Harbour it is a matter of debate when or even if they would have joined in.
They took a similar view towards terrorism during the period of the IRA atrocities. Men, women and children died in Britain as a result of random terror acts assisted by money from America. It was not of course US government money but nor did any president actively try to stop the passage of funds to the IRA.
That only changed after 9/11 when America itself came face to face with terrible, random terrorism. In short, America has to be hurt before its conscience is moved. Suggesting that America won the Second World War is ludicrous but it is what so many Americans believe.
One only has to look at their news coverage to understand they think the world begins and ends with their own country. Sadly David Cameron will have reinforced the boastful view that America has of itself. I hope that in strict privacy he said some rather different things to President Obama.
SIR_HUGO_DE_BASQUERVILLE
28.07.10, 2:02pm
Sorry it is plain wrong to say that the USA entered the war in Europe after Pearl Harbor.
They went to war against Japan certainly, but it was Hitler who declared war on the USA, not the other way round.
Surprised at you Anne.
• Posted by: Sir_Hugo_de_Basquerville • Report Comment
I AGREE
28.07.10, 5:20am
with all of Miss A.W.'s comments this week.
Pity she was not involved with the current government - she would be a welcome breath of reality!
Also wish her a speedy recovery from her recent operation.
• Posted by: JDL • Report Comment
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