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It has been brought to my attention that some American WIX members think I am 'anti-American', which was a bit of a surprise. A bit further investigation threw up some interesting views, and for a number of reasons, I thought it best to offer a public explanation. On reason was that I've been advised to hide my 'disdain' for the US better. First, I have no disdain for any country of people, and secondly I say what I think - no hiding.
So straight up - I'm not 'anti-American', and I apologise unreservedly to anyone who gathered that impression.
I've been lucky enough to travel a good deal of the world, and I've had wonderful hospitality from fellow enthusiasts and professionals all over the place, and for the record, I've been shown a wonderful time everywhere I've visited in the US and enjoyed it immensely. Where possible, I've tried to reciprocate
Apparently I'm anti- Mustangs, and ergo anti American. The 'James doesn't like Mustangs' joke actually goes back some way, and may serve as an illustration of why I'm concerned about this myth. A long time ago I worked for the late Paul Coggan, editor of Warbirds Worldwide, as his Assistant Editor. Paul built WW out of 'Mustangs International' and was (and is) regarded as having been an expert on Mustangs in preservation. As a joke, he and I divided he world into Mustangs (for Paul) and 'everything else' for me. Therefore I didn't 'do' Mustangs.
The relevance was that WW existed because it was bankrolled by some very generous Americans, and WW was successful because (among other reasons) unlike most magazines of the time, it was worldwide - we didn't care where the aircraft was, it just needed to be written up. Out of WW, very indirectly, came WIX, thanks to the generosity of Scott, and WW was, in some degree, a model for Warbird Digest, a great asset, I'm sure we'd all agree to warbird operations.
At WW, we also took promoting the idea of a professional warbird industry, working internationally, and (remember, this was mostly pre-internet) the promotion of safe and professional warbird ops, by running reports, highlighting good practice, and first-hand engineering and restoration and crew accounts. Paul was always at pains to point out he was not a pilot (as am I also clear - I'm not either) but we worked hard to enhance the positive and remove the negative in warbirds as far as we could as journalists, anywhere in the world. For that reason, I have demonstrated a commitment to global warbird operations - no one country is enough.
I'm often critical - of stupidity or laziness by intelligent people, or 'wilful' ignorance of other ways of doing things. My language, which is pretty odd (even to my wife!) has got some (justified) criticism, but it comes to the same thing - sometimes we need to hear things we don't like. Bear in mind we are all concerned with 'PC' and 'dumbing down', and my attitude is just against that. I can, of course just be ignored - your life won't lose anything.
On WIX, which I've supported from it's earliest days, there's been little point in me trying to outdo some American posters, such as Jack, but what I can do is add views and knowledge 'frm elsewhere' as a compliment to the forum's North American strength. Often I've fought a corner for those that don't have a voice here - Bill when he was banned the first time, those in PNG, for some unfair remarks, or people who work for museums who, for various reasons, aren't able to or allowed to post here. In those cases I don't necessarily agree with them, but I don't parrot the principles of free speech, I try to live them. I may not agree with what you say, but I'll fight for your right to say it, is the principle.
It appears some may see this as anti-American. If that were the case, I simply wouldn't bother with a predominantly North American forum. We are clear we are behind free speech. If we aren't hearing some stuff we don't expect (or like) then it isn't 'free' speech.
I'm just one of the many people who make up the forum. The only person who is bigger than WIX is Scott. I've got a lot out of WIX, thanks to other, incredibly generous members; so I try and put a lot in - silly photo-quizes, insight, debate, acting as a devil's-advocate, and help, and volunteering to act as a mod. (Anyone who thinks that's a power trip needs to try it - and having run multi-million pound businesses, I don't need power trips on the internet.) Again, if I were anti-American I'd not waste my professional time (often off board) helping various projects in the US.
So I hope that's clarified the point. I don't care where someone's from; a shared interest in vintage aviation and warbirds, good manners and a sense of humour's nice, and all I ask. I've made many friends on WIX (you know who you are) and I have no intent to make any enemies.
That's more than enough; thank you for your indulgence.
Yours,
_________________ James K "Switch on the underwater landing lights" Emilio Largo, Thunderball. www.VintageAeroWriter.com
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