LANSING – On June 23, the world will be watching as the citizens of the UK decide whether to remain in the EU. The ramifications of this vote go far beyond Great Britain or Europe. History shows us that American interests and our future security are directly tied to this “special relationship.” Here’s why you should care what happens.
On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill gave a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. With President Harry S. Truman in attendance, Churchill’s famous words surrounding “The Sinews of Peace” included (UK spelling):
“There is however an important question we must ask ourselves. Would a special relationship between the United States and the British Commonwealth be inconsistent with our over-riding loyalties to the World Organisation? I reply that, on the contrary, it is probably the only means by which that organisation will achieve its full stature and strength.”
But what Churchill articulated 70 years ago as a “special relationship,” actually goes back much further. Our intermingled histories (for better and for worse) include the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, the War for Independence, the War of 1812 and World Wars I & II, just to name a few examples. After Churchill’s speech, we continued to work together during Cold War emergencies, Gulf War battles and NATO conflicts.
To read the rest of this column, click on http://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/7-reasons-you-should-care-if-the-united-kingdom-uk-leaves-the-european-union-eu.html
