Our Apologies, Mr. Brown

The Obama White House and Secretary Clinton’s Department of State must have spent literally tens of minutes considering what gifts to present to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown upon his recent visit to the ‘colonies’.

Mr. Brown presented us with a pen holder carved from the timbers of Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet, sister ship of the Resolute from which a White House Oval Office desk was constructed.  A first edition seven-volume biography of Winston Churchill rounded out the gifts from Her Majesty’s government. 

Mr. Obama presented Mr. Brown with 25 DVDs. Even with Casablanca included, it was a monumental gaff intentional or not; embarrassing the giver not the recipient.

Regardless of the Obama Administrations’s feelings toward the Brown Government, such shabby treatment demeans all of America.

I, for one, was sufficiently embarrassed by my government to feel compelled to apologise to the only ally we have currently.  I sent the following via snail mail to Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Ambassador of the United Kingdom.

Monday, March 09, 2009

 

Your Excellency:

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

 

I wish to extend to citizens of the United Kingdom my deepest apologies for the shabby treatment received by your Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, on his recent visit to the United States.  Such behavior is simply inexcusable.

 

The bond between the peoples of Great Britain and the United States extends beyond common language, culture and legal traditions.  Together, we have shared and overcome the darkest hours humankind has witnessed.  I am confused and ashamed that on the occasion of a State visit such a stalwart ally should be commemorated with a DVD collection.

 

While having no affiliation with the United States Government or the Obama Administration, I feel as a citizen of this country both the right and the duty to offer an apology on behalf of my Government.  

 

Please be assured the vast majority of Americans remember and appreciate the unique friendship between our countries.  I am hopeful our friendship has not been damaged by such a childish gaff.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Mr. John Wysocki

 

If you care to contact the Ambassador, Sir Nigel can be reached at:

His Excellency

Sir Nigel Sheinwald

Ambassador of the United Kingdom

The British Embassy

Washington, D.C.

3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20008-3600