tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post111520434034602395..comments2024-03-29T07:15:11.234+00:00Comments on Grumpy Old Bookman: Clive Ponting: 1940 -- myth and realityMichael Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338398159818400930noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-35573219853110870272020-04-01T14:08:59.950+01:002020-04-01T14:08:59.950+01:00Thoroughly well written, informative, honest and r...Thoroughly well written, informative, honest and reflective summation of a period of contentious History.<br /><br />Although there were issues I felt needed further elaboration, like the true nature of relationship between the 'special friends'. Who really won the 1812-15 War of Independence and whether the UK ever relinquished control of the levers of power over the institutions it had powers over and who were the real puppet masters pulling the strings of both nations? <br /><br />Thank you for your excellent work. .CintelMedianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-24412143153038583592015-11-08T12:46:40.417+00:002015-11-08T12:46:40.417+00:00Churchill will be remembered differently by differ...Churchill will be remembered differently by different people.<br />Those with little knowledge of history call him "The Greatest Briton."<br />I look at him as a man supported by the "Focus Group" as a bought and paid for puppet.<br />A monstrous one.<br />Not only did he cause the starvation of millions of people in Pakistan.<br />Once Hitler stopped the Poles killing Germans that the Versailles treaty pretty much ensured would happen, Hitler offered to pull his troops out, reclaim Danzig and the corridor, and resort to peace.<br />We didn't want peace. We wanted war, a war that we could never have won alone.<br />Churchill caused 5 years of war to continue. <br />How many deaths was that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678227079295503944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-19300351864634988912007-10-22T10:27:00.000+01:002007-10-22T10:27:00.000+01:00Harold Wilson kept Britain out of Vietnam.Blair co...Harold Wilson kept Britain out of Vietnam.<BR/>Blair could if he wished have kept Britain out of Iraq. He chose to become involved and should not be let off the hook for that.<BR/>As you say Churchill wrote the history and this has been accepted as a true version of events. I think the Iraqi and the Irish views of Churchill would be quite different.bfreesunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12646877513867689555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1165820069605071852006-12-11T06:54:00.000+00:002006-12-11T06:54:00.000+00:00I agree with those who say that there is no 'speci...I agree with those who say that there is no 'special relationship', but rather a coincidence of interests. And I think it is idiocy to expect a country's own national interests to be anything but its first consideration in taking any action. But one can recognize that actions are taken for reasons other than giving help and nevertheless feel gratitude for the actions themselves. And, at some level, we are all men before we are countrymen.<BR/><BR/>With these things understood, I know I am not alone in saying how profoundly grateful I am as an American for Tony Blair. I don't know what his reasons are for refusing the Medal of Freedom that the US Congress has bestowed on him; perhaps he is wary of another round of accusations of 'poodling'. But he has certainly earned the highest civilian award our nation has to offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1115227945349656892005-05-04T18:32:00.000+01:002005-05-04T18:32:00.000+01:00Some truly fascinating reflections. I would beg t...Some truly fascinating reflections. I would beg to suggest that our baby boom generation in the US has at least some appreciation of that period. Any younger than that, however, and you'll find Evel Knievel is remembered, not Winston Churchill. I fear too many people here still believe the Queen runs Britain. There's definitely some culture confusion, based on what we are exposed to.<BR/><BR/>For myself, I see the bond developed between Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Thatcher as far more reflective of how we see the relationship of the two nations--and what it should be. I fully recognize the difficult spot in which Mr. Blair has been placed by Mr Bush, but have felt he responded out of much of that same kind of loyalty--not merely financial/political realities. The political fallout on him has been truly unfortunate and, amazingly, has been escaped by our president. Mr. Blair's loyalty was, simply put, taken advantage of. But, that being said and for all our liabilities, I'm convinced Britain is an ally we need, far more than the reverse, if for no other reason than to keep us out of trouble. Which has been hard to do, lately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com