Category: News and Views
Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-----YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!
Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came
to live in America because it is the Country of Choice??????
Think about it!
All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?
I celebrate Christmas...........but because it isn't celebrated by everyone..............we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's
Greetings.
It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday?
We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with that.
This says it all!
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, righ t 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.
It is Time for America to Speak up
AMEN
I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends
(and enemies) it will also, sooner or later
get back to the complainers, lets all try,
Verry, verry good!
I wonder if any of the Brits are going to stop by and read this. While they are all rational enough to frown upon the BNP, it seems their brotherhood in the US is fermenting their hatred and racism right here on the zone...
Hmm, interesting there. SO what about a lot of us Americans who *don't agree? While America does have it's culture, if you'll look throughout history, culture and cultural values change. For example, I'm certainly not christian, and don't believe in God (no I'm not going to debate that here, it's not really the point.) The constitution provides for freedom of religion. Also, last time I checked the people who lived here before the Europeans and others moved here certainly didn't believe in god. But to get back to the cultural point: culture evolves. One of the only constants in life is that one word: change. DO I encourage others to, for instance learn english? certainly. It'll make their and our lives a hell of a lot easier if they wish to live here. However, just to say they should be exactly like us is contrast to the very idea of America. America has always been a mixing pot, and that is precisely what has made our culture. I will however agree that people in their indvidual dealings feel forced to say things like "happy holidays" but if they wish, to say such or not, is their right, something that is freedom of speech either way. I think I've said enough on this topic for now, but you're I may respond. :)welcome to respond, and
I agree with Nehemiah on this. Although It's hard to say we have an "American" culture. I mean some things are probably different than other places, but we can't force people to "conform" to everyone else. It would be easier for them if they did, but it's not fair to force it on them. For instance, we have all this political correctness going around nowadays, and it's hard to just say anything, without offending someone. Why can't people be free to say "Merry Christmas" for example, and the other person just respond with "thank you, happy holidays" or "Thank you, merry Christmas", or something that reflects their belief of that time period? Also, we used to have Mexicans and Native Americans forced to speak English at schools at the risk of being punished. So it's kind of hard to say about an "American culture" I think, because it was actually always made up of so many different ethnicities and beliefs who, the Constitution says, all have a right to express themselves. It's kind of confusing.
Sounds vey much like the attitude of France which was recently rocked by serious and violent riots involving imigrant young men from the poor areas. Does america really want to go this road? also this rant smacks of facisim which is unacceptable in any form. I do however agree that the muslim factions who would like nothing better than to turn america into a muslim state, must be under clos surveillence this kind of dictatorial all or nothing will only cause resentment and anger amongst the very people whom america fears most.
hmmm, i'm not gonna say much, simply because it's not my country, but i do agree with Nehemiah and Alex, cultures change, and countries should try at least to move with the tide, not against it. We australians faught for our culture too, but in different ways, on a political battle field, rather than one stained with blood.
however, as a country settled by the brittish, i will say this,
1. Australia and new zealand have a better track record for their treatment of their native citizens.
2. our prison ratios are much less than that of the US.
3. finally, the US is the only country in the western developed world that's still killing people.
Why is it that the rest of the world sees these facts as relevent and the US ignores it?
not to mention that the US blatently ignores the UN, you people haven't even rattified the Universal Rights of the Child!
that's something other countries don't even question.
Whilest i agree that these imigrants need to make an effort to learn the language and accept the norms of society of the country they now reside in, it highlights that there's a lot of things about your country that need fixing before you will be able to be able to accept the norms of the culture of the world.
like it or not, in some respects your country is no better than some of the islamic countries George Bush so readily condemns.
Agreed Loui, of course I also agree with some of the issues raised in the first post. I think the political correctness has gone too far, gosh, people are afraid to ask if I"m blind but ask if I am visually challenged (this has happened on at least one or two occasions), tell it like it is, if you take a day off for Christmas then you should acknowledge Crhistmas, whether you believe in it or not. But my problem with American patriotism has always been the need to imply being patriotic is to say America is the greatest country in the world, just say it's your country and be proud of it, it doesn't have to be better, it doesn't have to be perfect, by claiming its perfectness, in fact, you are undermining the country itself, especially in the eyes of the world. And, the greatest thing about American culture is exactly the fact that you can go to an Indian, Chinese or Mexican restaurant and get a taste of foods from around the world, see different cultures, art, shows, talk to people of different religions and backgrounds, from all around the world, all in one city. That's something I think European people haven't quite gotten yet and even if they believe they have multi cultural society it's nothing compared to what's on offer in the U.S. and this cultural richness was brought by the immigrants. So whilst I agree those who do not respect the country enough to even bother learning its language or paying taxes into its society given the choice of doing so should not be here, those who try to should be because they bring a new aspect, new culture, new ideas, into the society, which very much needs them.
The reputation of the Mexican people, e.g. in Texas, is that they are the most productive and dilligent workers you can get and not only do you not have to pay them much but they actually get the job done very well. This does not apply to people of other races. Of course this is just word of mouth but hard work has always been rewarded and given the choice of all races for e.g. gardening I'd go with someone from Mexico or other countries in Central/South America first, just based on what I've heard.
cheers
-B
i agree with you b, there's even people in the south that say that america is "god's country"
isn't it god's world?
if there's a god of corse...i say not.
One thing that most of you are forgetting is the way in which america got it's start. The english felt oppressed, and so they left England to settel in another country and oppress another people. Indians were forced onto reservations or killed. Then the so called americans play host to slavery as long as it suits them. When it no longer allowed americans want to send the slaves back to where they came from. America is supposed to be the land of oppertunity not the land of be like me. Lets face some facts chief amonst them is that the population of america would be on the decline if not for the immagrents who come to america. The death rate of americans is on the rise and the birth rate is on the decline. This means that americans as a whole without forean help would cease to exist. Americans and rights, when it decided to become the melting pot, americans were at the top of the game, now that there is competation from other nations americans everywhere are looking for a scape goat. It's not the immagreants. It is the attatude of the american people. I say learn to play nicely in the sandbox and stop complaining.
the past is the past we can't change it but try and learn from it, we all have different points of views does not mean they are wrong or right but just different.
A little history note here... In addition to the English settling America, it was also settled by the Dutch and the French. And also for the record, Indians are from India. Native Americans are those who were conquered in north America... I agree that everybody should try to get along but that being said, immigrants are guests in a country in a way and should respect their new home by at least learning the language, customs, and safe driving habits etc of that country.
The problem in America of illegal imigration, has been caused by the failure of America to secure its borders. If it did this, and there were other measures, then there wouldn't be so many illegal imigrants. Anyway, people can come from abroad and live in America legally, so why are these people doing it illegally? I disagree with the point about America been killed on Christian values, if Christian values don't include the systematic gennicide of a native population. That said though, if I went to another country where English wasn't spoken, I would learn the language, because not to do so is impolite. In fact, you shouldn't be allowed into a country if you can't speak the national language. I believe many illegal imigrants have jobs in America, so the question is, why is there not a crackdown against the employment of illegal imigrants there if they're so bothered about it?
the answer is that the americans like the fact that they can have such cheap labour to do the jobs that noone wants to do for less than americans would do it for.
there is no crackdown on employing illegals because they are needed for our economy to succeed. As for securing our borders, what is your suggestion to do that? As I've previously said, no matter what, our border would always be extremely porous because of how big it is. Our border with Mexico extends for 2,000 miles and our total borders amount to 19,000 miles, yet the US Border Patrol is made up of only 11,000 employees. While there are measures the government can take to deter illegal immigrants, it will never be stopped, especially those violent forces who want to enter the country to do wrong. Why do people come here illegally? Precisely because it is next to impossible to come here legally, especially if you are poor and reside in a 3rd world country.
ok there is something i would like to ask and say about imigrants, why does the government and or states have to send them there mail in there own language? but they will not send bills to blind people in tapes or brail? and they don't have to pay taxes for so many years and can get loans at a very low interest rate? when they become legal. some of you people are missing the point, they r coming in trying to change the american way, if you want to come to this country thats great but we should not have to change for you, if you dont like a country that believes in god then get the hell out or keep to your self.
once again, sorry to be a broken record, but illegal immigrants can't pay taxes precisely because they are illegal, I'm sure the majority would be willing to, but if they tried to, they'd be deported. I'm not sure who your "not believing in God" rant is targeted at as 90% of Mexicans are Catholic and the Hispanic community as a percentage attends church at a far greater rate than any other. Beyond that, I never knew it was a requirement that you must believe in God to be an American. The freedom of religion allows you the freedom to practice your religion and allow me to question religion, the freedom of speech allows me to do it publicly without repercussion. It seems you have a gripe with the Bill of Rights...
I agree that if we can have Spanish materials and, I would add, Spanish channels and stations, we should be able to have Braille materials and discriptive services as well. The reason we don't, though is, well, for the Braille part, I would think it would cost more money since Braille takes up more paper, and people who probably don't want to spend that money either don't know of services that will transcribe things into Braille (even though we know they're pretty much everywhere) or they think that we could just always have someone read the material to us and so don't see the need for getting them in Braille. As for the discription, I guess that would cost more too, being that the station has to send the discriptive company a recording of each airing of a show and then probably pays the company to describe it. Not sure exactly if that's how that works. Then again, they do have a lot of shows that are close captioned which costs money probably so I don't know. Anyway, not saying their reasoning for having Spanish readily available and not Braille is right, but that's probably why.
I don't agree that immigrants are "trying to change the American way" though. This country is made up of diversity of people already. Any culture that is different from ours that comes in is going to eventually be part of America's culture. That's where most of our traditions , food, and many practices come from to begin with. Also, there is the First Amendment as was mentioned in the above post, wich means that immigrants are free to practice their own religion, practice their own cultures, and even speak their own languages freely. And then, it's kind of hard to "not have to change for" at least people from Mexico because there are so many people from there and it's only right next to us. So although generally our official language is English, I honestly think we should accept Spanish as another acceptable language to speak. I like that we are encouraging the Spanish-speakers to learn English but also being encouraged to learn Spanish ourselves. I mean, there are other countries around the world where people in one country speak a language that is also spoken in the next country.
like it or not, the blind people in america are a minority compared to the imigrants.
If the government catered for the needs of every minority group nothing would ever get done. the government bows to the will of the imigrants because they need them, simple as that.
I thought the bill of rights stated that america was a free place, not that it was free as long as you believed in god, if you have to believe in god to live there i'm glad i don't.
Also, like it or not learning English takes a lot of time, it is after all the hardest language in the world to speak.
The people who are imigrating to the US have families to take care of and feed. for many of them it means working two or three jobs. tell me where in that time are they meant to learn english?
Exactly. In fact you can get most of your bills in braille or online (just a thought) and some stations have descriptive videos, just like some stations have Spanish spoken language, not all stations as the previous post implied.
In order to be legal here you must complete university, you must show that an American person can not easily replace you (by posting your current job ad in two newspapers and get no letters from people who fulfil all the qualifications), then you are eligible to apply for residency, then you must pay thousands of dollars for processing and wait an average time of 3 years before your decission is granted, in the meantime you pay into the social security system and taxes but get nothing out of the system, not even unemployment benefits, you'll be kicked out of the country if your employer decides to fire you and no one else can be found immediately to sponros your guest visa, getting the visa itself also costs a lot of money.
This, of course, excludes mariage or adoption or such like but pretty much the only way to get residency on your own merits is through job qualification means or the lottery (and I'm not sure how it works, only that it's, well, a lottery).
Securing the borders is pretty pointless, the only way a border can be secured is to disallow tourism from neighbouring countries altogether,, anyone can come here from, say, Mexico, with a valid 2 day visa (by land or sea or air) and then just not take the return flight home, are we suggesting FBI agents should follow tourist's every move to insure that the person returns home, or that we get a copy of all their credit cards and if we see them used after the period expires that we send the police to the store and arrest the person, building a fense is pretty stupid and useless, free flow of goods and people has stimulated the economies of the world hugely. If we want food at cheap prices we must also realize it takes cheap labor to produce it, we seem to want the low prices but not the cheap labor. This country is built up of freedom of speech and religion and its charm and unique place in the world is exactly the fact we have people from all over the world living together and we can sit down and have a dinner with a person of Turkish, Japanese and Chinese origon at a Mexican restaurant, to some extent European countries are slowly becoming like that too but I think this has greatly helped the U.S. become the world power that it undiniably is.
So, the route to success would be to either crack down on illegal labor and pay more for our foods and services (and possibly a little less in taxes although I'd like to point out that Americans have spent 800 billion dollars on the wars in Iraq nd Afghanistan, somehow I have the feeling that dwarfs the amount they spend on hospital and tax bills for illegal immigrants) or we come up with ways in which those who are willing and work hard and learn English can eventually earn residency status in the U.S. and can pay taxes and contribute to the social systems.
cheers
-B
There's only one point I can agree upon in this piece, and that is that political correctness and general fear of offence have really gone too far. So what if I get offended? Who cares? Isn't it my fault for having such a thin skin if I were ever to be offended? However, the rest of the piece sounds like it was written by some poor ignorant slob who got his history lessons from talk radio and who can't stand it that other groups of people than the one he identifies with are wanting and getting power and cultural perks when he thought he and everyone like him were the only ones that were supposed to get them. I think he should stop his whining and playing the victim of the big bad immigrants and atheists and join the rest of us in the 21st century.
absolutely laberynth, well said.
Lets just see how well the economy of the US goes without the immigrants shall we?