I've only been writing here for just over a year. From day one I have been made to feel very welcome, and I want to thank everyone here and all of my readers for that. Of course, Hank gets the biggest and bestest thank you.
But I want to go further. Science 2.0 gives me an intellectual freedom which can only exist where freedom of speech is cherished.
I was born just after WW2 had ended. I grew up knowing what a great debt I owed to the brave men and women of all nations who fought a tyranny under which I might never have learned the meaning of freedom.
Many nations fought that tyranny and I thank them all. But today is a very special day for Americans everywhere, and so I pay tribute in my own small way to America. We Brits and Americans do not always see eye to eye. Take the dispute over the Capitol color scheme. You wanted white, we wanted gunsmoke grey. We finally agreed to differ, as true friends must.
I am British and proud of it. But I am happy to proclaim:
"America: you have much to be proud of. Be proud this day!"
Here's a few words I just penned:
I remember the ruins
of old bombed-out houses
the tales told by bold men
come home from the war;
I grew up in peace
a free soul in a free land -
can anyone honestly say
they need more?
So here's to Old Glory -
The Star-Spangled Banner
long may she fly
in the land of the free
And here's my brief tribute
in poetic manner
a hand stretched in friendship
across the broad sea.
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