America: the good neighbor then and now

Since Sept. 11, the No. 1 term plugged into Internet search engines has been Nostradamus. It is understandable that the surfing public would want to know more about the prophet who in 1654 prophesied this: “In the City of York there will be a great collapse. Two twin brothers will be torn apart by Chaos. While the fortress falls, the great leader will succumb. The third big war will begin when the big city is burning.”

The French seer, whose reputation is built on predications sufficiently vague to appear accurate in very dim light, foresaw no such thing – not in 1654, or even at any time before he died in 1566. The first three lines of that quatrain were written by a Canadian college student in the 1990s as an illustrative example of an actual Nostradamus prophecy. The fourth was added last week and posted on the Web by an unknown hoaxster who apparently saw the horrifying deaths of some 6,000 innocent people as a golden opportunity to have a little fun.

The Internet provides a wonderful playground for such idiots. It also, thanks to the ability of search engine companies to track the frequency of search terms, provides one more way to learn what’s on people’s minds.

According to Terra Lycos, the largest global Internet network, places two through six on the frequency list are held by World Trade Center, Osama bin Laden, New York, terrorism and the American flag. Filling out the Top 10, and proving that life goes on, are Dragonball, Big Brother and Whitney Houston. For the first time since such things have been tracked, inquiries about sex failed to make the cut.

But perhaps the most meteoric ascent in the Internet cosmos is that of Gordon Sinclair. The Canadian radio commentator has come from nowhere to 32nd place, based solely on the strength of one editorial titled “America, the Good Neighbor.”

Mr. Sinclair might trail 31 others in the search engine sweepstakes, but his piece has no equal when it comes to faxed, e-mailed and hand-copied mass distribution. It is everywhere – newspapers, magazines and broadcast media are swamped with it. Yet, despite its ubiquity, the demand is insatiable – librarians across the country say requests for it are ceaseless. It is a genuine commentary phenomenon.

And deservedly so. It’s one inspiring and heartfelt little essay. Mr. Sinclair begins by saying he is one Canadian “who thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the Earth.” He continues by listing the numerous times the United States has raced to help other countries through war and natural disaster, the numerous times the United States has suffered its own calamities without any other country even casually strolling in its behalf.

He concludes: “They will come out of this thing with their flag high.”

As seems to be the case with most Internet phenomena, this one comes with a touch of misconception; a bit of urban myth is attached. Most versions of this piece making the rounds include a notation that it was recently broadcast or, alternatively, published in Canadian media and is enjoying something called “widespread but only partial news coverage.”

The truth is that it was first broadcast on June 5, 1973 and that Gordon Sinclair died in 1984. (His son, Gordon Jr., told a Toronto newspaper a few days ago that he spends at least five hours a day answering the deluge of congratulatory e-mail and trying to explain to well-wishers that he is not his father.) Eyewitness to the broadcast say Mr. Sinclair arrived at the radio station, CFRB in Toronto, that day nearly three decades ago fed up with the rampant America-bashing, dashed the piece off in 20 minutes, went on the air and told the world off.

The time lapse is more than a small point. In fact, the historical context gives Mr. Sinclair’s words even more impact. The year 1973 was Vietnam and Watergate; the United States was besieged by relentless criticism from abroad and from within. The commentator, whom his son says loved “ranting and raving,” was relentlessly criticized for this broadcast, he was called upon again and again to retract, but he never gave an inch. His words were read into the Congressional Record at the time and several times since. A hugely popular recording was released (Mr. Sinclair read his words as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” played in the background) with proceeds going to the Red Cross. Upon Gordon Sinclair’s death, President Reagan wrote a personal note to the widow, praising the “wonderful inspiration” the piece provided.

We need not look 28 years in the past to find similar sentiments. During the last 12 days, the outpouring of condolences and the assurances of support from around the world, from heads of state and from ordinary people, have been astonishing and gratifying. Our national anthem has been played in countless foreign capitals. Our flag flies alongside theirs at half-staff. Memorial services have filled village squares and city centers in every place decency is found. Most importantly, the campaign against terrorism is being joined by every nation where civilized society thrives (or, as in the case of brave Pakistan, where it clings to life).

The underlying thesis of Gordon Sinclair’s piece is that one day the rest of the world will realize how much good the United States has done, how many sacrifices it has made, how often it has stepped up when other nations chose to step back, and that one day the world may find itself called on to return the favor. Nostradamus might be the more famous prophet, but Gordon Sinclair has a better record.

Bruce Kyle is the assistant editorial page editor for the Bangor Daily News.