I spent much of yesterday in a state of high dudgeon over news coverage from the USA in which falsehoods, distortions and sheer ignorance were published over our British NHS.
The NHS is very dear to us Brits, close to being an integral part of our belief system. It has its detractors here, and we are entitled. But there are very few British people who have not benefited under the system, who do not have friends and relatives who have had life-saving medical care from it, and who do not, in their heart of hearts, feel safe and secure in the knowledge that, if needed, they will be looked after.
It’s ill-mannered in the extreme to attack another’s belief system, in whole or in part. Until that lesson is learned by us all, and acted upon, there’s little hope for true peace and understanding in the world.
A few days after the atrocities of 9/11 I heard a tearful American woman say: ”Why does the world hate us so?” I think that, today, I have moved a little closer to understanding the answer to that question.
Hey ho. I’m over it now. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
