The Rude Pundit gives us some Francis Parkinson in observation of the day.

What he wrote about what independence means when it comes to positions on other nations could be rejiggered just a little to be used on those who would exploit stupidity and xenophobia to maintain power.

Oh those. We know those.

Hit it, Frank.

Whilst we were dependent upon Great Britain, we had no trouble in studying the characters, customs, and manners of foreign nations; the English were so kind as to furnish us with all their ideas on these subjects. They told us, that the French are a trifling and contemptible nation; that the Spaniards are proud, sullen, and revengeful; the Germans, ostentatious; the Hollanders, boors; the