This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa newspaper He did quite a job; didn't he? Read on, please!
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.
This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan... We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
God is spelled with a capital "G" when your referring to that character in the Bible, because then it's a proper name, along with Yahweh/Jehova. However, I thought "In God We Trust" was supposed to refer to something less specific, less meaningful, the god principle, or at least that's ostensibly why the courts have ruled that the term doesn't violate church/state separation: because it doesn't mean anything anyway. It's just an empty saying, a ritual. Or is it? Are you comfortable with that justification?
Should God be a fiction, then would your behavior between you... and what? Perhaps you acting the imaginary god (note lower case) rather than you playing god's (note lower case) follower? That seems rather closed-minded. Can't your behavior effect me, then? It can certainly effect me more than it can effect God (note the cap here) who is purported to be immortal and of infinite power. Nothing you do is going to have an effect on Him (note the capital H). If it does, it simply angers him, whereas your behavior could actually kill me. Who has more of an interest here? Do you even consider this?
Finally, perish the thought that Republicans aren't welcomed in the hobby. The more money you give to providers, the less that go to your churches and politicians, and your consumer products, and I find that a splendid idea. Frankly, I think providers are more trustworthy with wealth than corporations.
Furthermore, I welcome you here, and I will read curiously all arguments you could make about why you are not being hypocritical. Possessing the Republican belief in the rule of law, and then breaking the law over prostitution. Impeaching Bill Clinton for getting a BBBJTC, while writing reviews about getting a BBBJTC. Praising the family values of monogamous marriage while seeing providers. I'd like to also see how the pursuit of happiness you praise is in any way compatible with an aversion to taking pleasure so prominent in the religions that founded this country.
Then we could get to more specific questions, like how Bush attacking Iraq was ever in the interest of this country, and whether Bush's followers even care how bad he fucks up since they believe it might be bringing us closer to the Apolcolypse.
Strength comes from diversity. The is not only genetically a fact but culturally a fact too. If the south had won the Civil War, the USA would be much less culturally diversified and much less powerful.
The human species gets its strenght from a diverse genome, not a singular one.
So is calling this country's religious traditions "deist".
The human race DOES get its strength from a diverse genome and I did not state that races could not blend here. In fact, racial & cultural blending is exactly what is advocated. What is not advocated is foreigners coming here and expecting the rules to change for them just because they have "arrived".
BTW, if you had have a serious interest in responding with something other than your retoric, you would know which "America" is being referenced, but yet again, that is a typical response form the PC police.
Both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were Deists, as were John Adams, Ben Franklin and George Washington. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, with editing from Adams and Franklin. Madison was the primary author of the Constitution. These men were fundamentally responsible for the Documents which enumerate the principles of our Nation, and Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison were the first 4 Presidents of our nation, who implemented the principles into our lives.
The FACT is, all of these men were very clear on the importance of separation of church and state, and they believed it to be as much of a fundamental bedrock principle as any of the others which guide our nation.
"Strength comes from diversity" No, strength comes from unity. A common goal. The 5 million illegals that purge our country every year do not share the same goals.
"Strength comes from diversity. The is not only genetically a fact but culturally a fact too. If the south had won the Civil War, the USA would be much less culturally diversified and much less powerful.'
Please tell ne how cultural diversity makes America "powerful"?
Well, for one if your forefathers would have extended their breeding grounds outside the family barbecue you might have really been a funtime69 kinda guy (a powerful one too).
there are so many, they can't be said here- but I'll give you one.
The US is certainly stronger for having within its borders people from every potential enemy state. most if not allof them are wanting to be here and often can be used as interpeters or liaisons if we end up confronting their homeland in a war.
You can say a lot of bad things about the Iraqi "freedom fighters", our expat army, but they DID give us arabic speakers on the ground and some really useful intel. Even if their stories about WMD did not pan out, having some semi-locals on the away team was clutch in saving lives and executing missions.
And can we forget the 442nd RCT? Japanese americans whose unit was the most decorated of WWII? My Dad, a WWII vet, still holds them in awe, and I cried when I tried to explain to my kids why I thought they were so brave. sure we would have beaten the axis without them, but with them we were stronger! Ask the Texans who they rescued in Italy- they know the score!
If by tradition you mean freedom of speech, whatever language that may be, then NO I for one do not look down on this great tradition.
I have not heard anyone complaining about what America was founded on (of course, the US is not without its less than honorable times). It appears that you have some issues with freedom of speech and so perhaps you should follow your own advice.
BTW, what do you consider to be a part of American culture ? I suspect there have been contributions from many you consider to be Non-Americans/Immigrants/Foreigners/Newcomers.
I like how frustration over 9/11 is being turned into an opportunity for ideological cleansing. I hate what you're trying to make America. Worshipping a colored rag and a cartoon character, obeying every authority no matter how dubious, pondering the wisdom of discredited scriptures, proud of the past you've never contributed to, unwilling and unable to construct a present you can be proud of, never mind a future. This is not American. This is demented marketing niche that buys "Morning in America" cigarettes. You should have bought nicotine instead. Even heroin would be healthier. You're the "Beavis and Buttheads" of politics.
Every big wave of immigrants from a particular country have been met with the same type of emotion displayed by the person that wrote the opinion piece that you posted. Each set of immigrants have tended to cling onto their old culture in their new country, simply because that is what they knew. It would be instructive if the writer of the article dealt with the young school age children of the immigrants. What he will find are people who speak their language (sometimes, have some interesting stories on this issue) in their immigrant enclaves, but will speak flawless english to if spoken to in english. The generations that assimilate into our culture are the second and third generations. So one day, the children of those children of recent immigrants will be barely noticeable from people whose roots run a hundred years in this country. Now for some real life things that I have had happen to me. I was once detoured off an under repair freeway in Rhode Island. Typical of New England detours, the signs that were posted were not very good. To make a long story short, I took a wrong turn, saw a large store and went in to ask directions back to the freeway. I just might as well been asking directions in Athens, Greece because nary a person spoke english and all were very elderly. The counter people were very busy and I was a distance back from them among a crowd, so out of desparation, I spoke directly to the youngest person that I could find, a teen. She gave me the directions in perfect english. I then asked how long some of the people in the store had lived in that town and was told since her grandfather's time. Her mom then came upon the discussion, and she too spoke perfect english. The mom explained that the elderly people were Greek immigrants, most of whom had migrated here as adults after WWII. The mom was the product of such immigrants and her daughter, obviously was her offspring. I have a Russian coworker who is a naturalized citizen but wishes that his US born and raised kids would at least speak the russian language occasionally as adults. He says he speaks to them in russian, but get answered back in english. A similar story is told by a Vietmese born coworker and an Iranian born coworker. To make a long post short, it is too early to pass judgement on the recent immigrant arrivals. Are some here to kill us? Certainly! Will some of the kids of the ones who are not here to kill us turn against this country? Certainly, for various reasons. But on the aggregate, the recent immigrants and their children will fan out across the country and simply blend into it's historical fabric.
BTW: Immigrants from Latin America are pretty much 100% christian, so are many from Russia and Eastern Europe.
"In God We Trust" didn't go on our coins or become our motto till the glorious McCarthy era. I know we're supposed to believe now that McCarthy was really a kind, but misunderstood fellow as well. Go look. That's as far back as the motto goes. E plurbus unum would be closer to a national motto.
If the American ideal is limited by language, then it's time will pass. It's not different than any other nation.
I like how the guy says "Our population is almost [?] entirely made up of the the decendants of immigrants." He means it is entirely made up of the decendants of immigrants. Except the few who have been herded on to reservations. Different subject.
"Uncle Sam" is a cartoon character. The Stars and Stripes is a graphic. Neither of these moved the original colonies to create this country like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," Jefferson's "The Declaration of Independence," and the later creations "The Rights of Man" and then the original states and Federal Constitutions. The flag may move your emotions, but any good flag can. Those documents moved minds. Scary how this guy defends the things that move the emotions and doesn't mention the things that really make the nation.
So, the War on Terror continues it's slow transition into a war of national purity, more in the style of Hitler than Paine or Washington. A remaking of America. I'm not moving for bufoonery like this.
I am really suprised at some of the threads below. Bottom line is if you don't want to take the time or effort to learn a native language, you had best plan on working at menial jobs and not make a lot of money. Basically, you are guaranteeing that I will be able to get my yard done and house cleaned for very little money. So if you don't mind working for peanuts, yes, please do move to a foreign country and don't bother learning the language. I have NO SYMPATHY for someone not willing to put forth at least this amount of effort...
Spoken like a true Republican (que pendejo). While I agree that not speaking the language can seriously limit someones earning potential. However, many immigrants just want to earn a decent living and doing so takes A GREAT AMOUNT OF EFFORT. Even without learning the language many are able to provide for their families - Especially with the strong immigrant communities they are surrounded by their people. Hell, in some parts of NY YOU would be well served to speak Spanish and I'm sure this pisses many off (what a shame !).
My point is, many immigrants don't have the luxury to learn the language but their children will - And that is their goal, building a better life for their family.
So, Snowboy, try to think of creative places to put your sympathy.
Anybody can learn the language if they want to. Maybe you can't afford tutors, so what! You've got plenty of public librarires and other resources.
I actually have respect for individuals who are willing to search for a better life, it just seems a waste that they would go to all that trouble to get here and then not take true advantage of the opportunity.
BTW, there is no part of NY that I would be well served to speak Spanish. Generally the only time I go through those neighborhoods is when I'm driving through in my Lexus, and that is what pisses you off...
Well, I'm sure your Lexus gives you much joy - I'm quite impressed. As far as the success of immigrants goes it depends how you measure it. It appears that for you, Success:=Money. However, for many others the definition is not so simple, more like f(Happiness,Money,...).
And in comparison to either of the cars that I own and drive, ALL Lexus models are slow, ponderous vehicles. Perhaps not compared to general purpose passenger cars, but CERTAINLY, in comparison to any true performance vehicle, Lexus makes slow, ponderous vehicles. In addition to FAR outperforming any Lexus, both of my cars (an Acura NSX and a Mercedes AMG E55) are as luxurious and as well built as any Lexus.
Well- to be un PC about it I think this rant is horse shit. Was that PC enuff for you?
The writer clearly is more threatened by change than they need to be. I am a native born American and I feel insulted by our culture's Christian spin, so for others in might be really annoying. God has a place in our culture, but no place in our dialogue.
And hey, there have always been immigrants who held onto their culture longer, just as there have always been early adopters who become more american than americans. I find the writer's tone whiny to the extreme. I just fail to see any dilution at all of our culture. We live in the blob of cultures co-opting and absorbing any points of interest from other cultures we see along the way. As a nation of cold-nose mutts we ought not to claim ANY high ground. Dilution IS our culture.
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