Take your freedom fries and stick them where the sun don't shine

In spite of my .mac email application tagging this email as 'junk mail', which gave me a giggle, I was so touched at the American ambassador to Finland being concerned for the welfare of yankees in the hinterland. I registered with the embassy here as one should when living as an expat in a foreign country so that in times of death or other unusual circumstances your body can be shipped 'home' for burial. I feel far more free in Finland than I ever felt in the US, especially now, so I don't need or want protection from the US, thanks. If the US showed up on Finland's shores as they have on Iraq's I'd take a gun and join the Finnish snipers. At the rate the US is going, maybe that's not completely out of the question.

I resent the blatant jingoism and the outright non-secular tone. I feel like writing him back informing him that I'm self-exiled and '...you and the horse you rode in on', but I don't want to get on Ashcroft's list, have my passport yanked and be shipped to Guantanamo Bay for questioning. For the eschelon folks who may be reading this; bite me.

Message for the American Community in Finland from the Ambassador of the United States

As President Bush has said, "This is a difficult and defining moment" in our history as Americans. In his address to the nation last night, he told us: "Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly--yet, our purpose is sure... The dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others, and we will prevail."

American history has seen many difficult and frightening moments in the past, and we have always come through them stronger than before and with a clearer awareness of the values we hold dear. In President Bush?s words, "Now and in the future, Americans will live as free people, not in fear."

Our prayers are with our men and women in uniform, that they may perform their mission speedily and return home safely and soon to their loved ones. Our prayers are also with the innocent people of Iraq, that they may soon be free of Saddam Hussein's decades of tyranny as well as the terror that he has brought upon them.

While it is important to be vigilant during the present days, it is equally important to continue to maintain your quality of life and to be hopeful and optimistic that peace and security will soon be won. Our country and our fellow Americans have prevailed against great odds in the past, and so will we now.

In my role as the United States Ambassador to Finland, I want to assure you that the well-being and safety of all Americans in this country is our first priority and our most important responsibility. We will do our very best to keep you informed and to respond to your concerns and needs at this time. May God bless you and may God bless America.

26 Mar 2003 at 6:40, Helsinki