Due to the recent flap over President Obama 'dissing' British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, I'd like to do my part for Anglo - U.S. relations . . . offer up the ol' 'olive branch' (so to speak).

First of all, I'd like to publicly apologize to you, Mr. Prime Minister, as well as the people of Britain. After giving President Obama and the First Lady many thoughtful and expensive gifts, you were presented with a box set of DVDs (many of them Spike Lee flicks). You, as we say here in the States, were 'gypped'.

Please don't be angry with President Obama. He's new. I'm sure there was no slight intended. DVDs or half-off coupons for the local Burger King may not seem appropriate gifts for a man of your stature; but honestly, the guy's had a lot on his mind lately. Give him a pass on this one.

Great Britain is a great country (hence the name). Over the past 200 + years you've given many things to us yanks. Independence, for one thing (well . . . we did have to beat you in a war); The Beatles; The Stones; James Bond; Jack the Ripper; Fish & Chips . . . and a common language which -- if current immigration trends continue --no one in this country will be speaking.

Let me make things right. Just provide me with a mailing address and I'll send you a copy of my book, 'Horse Latitudes,' gratis -- I'll even autograph it if you'd like. Again, no charge. I know this might not sound like much of a peace offering, but, like most Americans, I've fallen on hard times. My latest royalty check was for $9.58 -- enough to buy two lattes at Starbucks, or an office building in downtown Detroit.

God save the Queen!