Letter To The ICBR: Re: A few Comments on brittish reparations
03/07/2007
From: Ashley Crowson
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 10:25:13 +0000
Subject: A few Comments on brittish reparations
Mr Grasse
I am currently studying history (in England) and i happened to be introduced by your website by a friend who at first glance thought that it was a joke. I read the entire contense of you site and came to the same conclusion.
The main thing that makes me think that your cause will never be taken seriously is the immense hypocrisy involved. I am not suggesting that the history of the British Empire is untarnished, but the history of The USA is far from squeaky clean. I fail to see how you could blame the British for the almost total decimation of Native American Society, and i do not see how a few casinos and moderate reparations is adequate repayment for the suffering they endured. If America believes that Britain's Imperialistic actions were so wrong, why does it continue to replicate these actions? Since WWII The USA has had an informal empire throughout the world, starting with Marshall aid, allowing America to assert its dominance in the post war Western Europe, moving on to invading oil-rich Middle Eastern nations, just to keep the cost of oil to less than 100 Dollars a barrel under the disguise of fighting for peace and freedom.
Another point is some of the warped reasoning behind your argument, especially in the 'inventions' section, in which you claim that among other things, the British 'invented' bad hygiene and the plague. I am sure that The USA has also contributed its fair share of 'bad inventions' such as napalm and the nuclear war head, and not to be forgotten the 'invention' of obesity.
Another thing that concerns me about your organisation is the way it is marketed, especially as the incentive to sign your petition is sign up and 'get paid'. this leads me to believe that people will sign your petition, not because they believe in your politics, but because of the prospect of a cash payout.
I am not proposing that Britain bares no responsibility for some of the conflicts around the world today, however i do resent the accusation that the USA is 'cleaning up our mess', it is clear to me that the USA is not cleaning up our mess but carrying on our work.
I hope that you will reply to my email.
Yours Sincerely
Ashley Crowson
Mr Grasse
I am currently studying history (in England) and i happened to be introduced by your website by a friend who at first glance thought that it was a joke. I read the entire contense of you site and came to the same conclusion.
The main thing that makes me think that your cause will never be taken seriously is the immense hypocrisy involved. I am not suggesting that the history of the British Empire is untarnished, but the history of The USA is far from squeaky clean. I fail to see how you could blame the British for the almost total decimation of Native American Society, and i do not see how a few casinos and moderate reparations is adequate repayment for the suffering they endured. If America believes that Britain's Imperialistic actions were so wrong, why does it continue to replicate these actions? Since WWII The USA has had an informal empire throughout the world, starting with Marshall aid, allowing America to assert its dominance in the post war Western Europe, moving on to invading oil-rich Middle Eastern nations, just to keep the cost of oil to less than 100 Dollars a barrel under the disguise of fighting for peace and freedom.
Another point is some of the warped reasoning behind your argument, especially in the 'inventions' section, in which you claim that among other things, the British 'invented' bad hygiene and the plague. I am sure that The USA has also contributed its fair share of 'bad inventions' such as napalm and the nuclear war head, and not to be forgotten the 'invention' of obesity.
Another thing that concerns me about your organisation is the way it is marketed, especially as the incentive to sign your petition is sign up and 'get paid'. this leads me to believe that people will sign your petition, not because they believe in your politics, but because of the prospect of a cash payout.
I am not proposing that Britain bares no responsibility for some of the conflicts around the world today, however i do resent the accusation that the USA is 'cleaning up our mess', it is clear to me that the USA is not cleaning up our mess but carrying on our work.
I hope that you will reply to my email.
Yours Sincerely
Ashley Crowson
