UNBAFFLED :

Thank You, America (Jan Nowak, July 3, 2002, Washington Post)

This July 4, many Americans may feel baffled and disappointed by the waves of anti-Americanism sweeping through countries that, not too long ago, were either saved or helped by the United States. Allies such as France and Great Britain and former enemies such as Germany and Japan benefited greatly from America's generosity and support in their time of need, as did Belgium, Holland, Italy, Russia, Poland, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and others. Without the United States, some of these countries might no longer exist.

Those of us who remember and remain grateful should no longer remain silent. For people like me--and there are millions of us--this Fourth of July is a good opportunity to say, "Thank you, America." [...]

In the spring of 1998, I watched from the public gallery of the U.S. Senate as it ratified the admission into NATO of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. For the first time in its history, my old country was not only free but also secure.

Thank you, America.

Of course these countries hate us; their best citizens, like Mr. Nowak, came here--it was mostly the detritus that was left behind. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 3, 2002 3:12 PM