Now that they have gone and we are left with the Penguin News, will they be missed?
Certainly by the hotels and guest houses, which were fully booked over the referendum period. Perhaps by those who will miss their 15 minutes of fame (pace Andy Wharhol). Life has returned somewhat to normal. The flags have been taken down from lampposts, but still adorn vehicles all over town. The posters and stickers are beginning to look careworn and to peel at the edges. No doubt, in time, the strong UV light down here (the same latitude south as London is north – though without the Gulf Stream) will bleach the strong colours to a pale pink.
There will be a minor flurry of interest over the next few days with the publication of Mrs Thatcher’s papers from 1982. She does shine bright with moral courage and with firm conviction as to the right thing to do. Contrast this with weak people and ‘fellow travellers’ who just wanted to cave in and give up. A lot of ‘wringing of hands’ was evident and talk of buying off people and ‘the bottom line’ was rife.
The price of freedom is constant vigilance and the need from time to time to accept loss.
A previous ruler of Great Britain was well aware of this:
“I need not dwell upon the fatal effects of the success of such a plan. The object is too important, the spirit of the British nation too high, the resources with which God hath blessed her too numerous, to give up so many colonies which she has planted with great industry, nursed with great tenderness, encouraged with many commercial advantages, and protected and defended at much expense of blood and treasure.”
– George III October 26 1775 in Excerpt From: McCullough, David. “1776.” Simon & Schuster
These thoughts were shared also by the other side:
“I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
– John Adams in JOHN ADAMS, letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776.Adams Family Correspondence, ed. L. H. Butterfield, vol. 2, p. 31
It is a continuing cause of disappointment that the present US administration will not support the clear will of the Falkland Islanders. Have they forgotten the absolute principles of the founding fathers?