Saturday, February 04, 2006

So British!

An intresting thing on Sky News last evening: An American who sent a message in a bottle across the Atlantic has been "told off" by a Briton for littering.

Captain Harvey Bennett, of Napeague in Long Island's Hamptons resort, launched five plastic bottles into the ocean last August. Last week, one of them returned in the post with a letter telling him off for throwing rubbish into the sea.

His bottle had been picked up by Henry Biggelsworth, in Bournemouth, Dorset, according to the East Hampton Star newspaper. He said he had found the bottle on the beach at Poole Harbour and was not impressed. "You Americans don't seem to be happy unless you are mucking about somewhere," he wrote. The letter began "Dear 'Captain Bennett'" and continued: "I recently found your bottle while taking a scenic walk on the beach by Poole Harbour. "While you may consider this some profound experiment on the path and speed of oceanic currents, I have another name for it, litter."

Capt Bennett, 55, who owns a tackle shop, said he was somewhat taken aback. He said: "I kind of felt like no good deed goes unpunished." Capt Bennett said he thought the recent hurricanes had helped the bottle on its 3,000-mile transatlantic journey.

Personally I think this is just the sort of thing that could spark an international incident. The question is where would my loyalty lie? With the USMC whom I've sworn allegience, or my British neighbours, whom last year gave me an OBE?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think your true life story's are too intresting Colonel. Stick with the Military, Entertainment or Military Entertainment!

Major General Creedon said...

Does anyone else agree with this man? Am I not the man to bring you thoughts on this weird and wonderful world (outside of Military & Entertainment) did anyone not read the last paragraph of the article?

Anonymous said...

Well, if you want to spark an international incident, maybe you should go for some sort of daily cartoon?

Major General Creedon said...

Indeed. And folk used to think South Park was controversial!

Anonymous said...

I presume you 'respectfully' declined the OBE??

Major General Creedon said...

Of course not! Have you seen how shiny it is? I wanted a CBE but it seems like they only give that to Generals like Colin Powell.
I almost headbutted the Queen though, but the old dear was too quick for me- she's been ready for that tactic ever since Mr.Bean did it :)

Anonymous said...

Gave you an OBE?, I question the use of the word gave here, it implies that the honour was given freely, in recognition of some act of nobility on the Colonel's part..., Does anyone else find this suspicous?.

Tell the truth, Colonel, which member of the royal family did you hve the goods on?

Anonymous said...

My vote is the Duchess of York. He has a weakness for redheads after all.

Major General Creedon said...

No not her (far too old Bill).

Actually it was for as the old dear put it herself "services rendered in defence of the realm", which involved a thrilling Bond-esque adventure last July. Unfortunatly the operation is classified.

Anonymous said...

Hmm I seem to recall reading about a rather strange 'incident' at RAF Uxbridge aroud that time?

Anonymous said...

did it involve blackmail, and leaving men behind?

Major General Creedon said...

I will neither confirm or deny that the operation involved the RAF Station at Uxbridge.

I will deny it involved Blackmail.

I will confirm leaving a man behind.