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I received an email from a friend, a friend I hold very dear... BUT the email somehow sparked a burning desire to find the original author, take him along with my friend, tie them up by their toenails and stick spoons in their eyes. (It's dull, you idiot, it will hurt more!)
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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 comprised 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, 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 to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE. |
Now many people I am sure, stood up and said “Hear, Hear”. I was not one of
those people I am NOT sorry to say. I was actually a little offended by this piece for the simple fact that he is belittling everyone’s
thoughts and feelings but his own. “But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping…” if that isn’t such a fine example
of our First Amendment, I don’t know what is. “Sure, have your say, but then shut up!” Isn’t that what he is saying? But before I
get all worked up and start lighting fires to throw idiots into, let me point out what pisses me off.
| “As Americans, we have our own culture… learn the language!” |
So someone explain to me just WHAT is our “culture”? Better yet, look it up online and see what you get. I found not only links to our history, but also links for the Irish-American culture, the German-Americans, the Chinese-Americans and so on. I have always thought that that is what DEFINES us. I have always had pride in being from a “melting pot” country.
And as for the language, I will be the first to admit that those that talk Spanish or German or whichever in order to hide the fact that they are talking about someone nearby is just plain annoying. Or those that pretend to NOT know English in order to receive special treatment to be just a tad offensive. I will agree that that is a bit much. But as far as I am aware, although the most commonly spoken language is English, it has never been made our 1national official one. I have always just thought of it as a “dress code” of words. When you go to work, you wear what is appropriate in order to better yourself. When you come to America, in public and at work you speak English in order to be understood and better yourself here. (Because really, isn’t that the point of moving here in the first place?) But the way he puts it, it’s as if he is saying to give up your native tongue the minute you step foot in our country.
| “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.” |
I don’t think it is so much as God offending people as the fact that THIS person, and others like him, is forcing people to have the same beliefs. Now I know I didn’t do too well in history, but I thought that one of the reason we founded this country was to worship as we saw fit. We wanted to have our own beliefs and not have to hide them because they went against whichever beliefs the current King/Queen had. To tell others now that we HAVE to be Christian and believe in God goes against our founding fathers hope and want for us as a nation.
Now I still believe that everyone STILL has a right to “whine and complain” such as this gentleman did, but I still hold up my belief that others have the right to laugh at him in his face and tell him to “blow it out his …” You can not uphold the founding beliefs of our great country while telling ours that we are not going to accept theirs. Everything about our country is based around our ability to change and grow as a people. It is base on what we believe and VOTE, as a nation is currently good for us. And while it may not always work from time to time, I want to believe and will continue to believe, it is what makes our country the proud, great nation that it is. Whether that nation continues to be “under god” or not… it still remains “for liberty and justice for all.”
1 http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20011107.html