America...

[Abram]

I did not write this and don't want to defend all its views. I thought it was a good read and was a well put point of view. Its from a editorial from Tampa Bay, FL newspaper.

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 toAmerica. 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 enveloped 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… 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.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

"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… 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.

The author could have done more research. If he's actually bothered to read about our founders, it's not apparent in this.

 

[Booko]

"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… 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.

The author could have done more research. If he's actually bothered to read about our founders, it's not apparent in this.

Yes, that rather jumped out at me too.

 

[Sunstone]

I think the author might have plagerized an anonymous rant that's circulated on the internet for years and which is falsely attributed to Andy Rooney.

At any rate, the rant you post might make some people feel all warm and fuzzy inside and bursting with self-righteous patriotism, but to what end?

Regardless of right wing propaganda, all but a tiny minority of Americans are patriots. Even most Democrats are patriots (*gasp!*). Even most Liberals are patriots (*gasp x12*). So, that's actually one thing most Americans have in common.

Honest people can honestly disagree about how to best solve the problems of this society, or even about what is or isn't a problem. There really should be no surprise in that to anyone, except perhaps to little boys 11 and under. It's just a simple truth that there are people of good faith and intelligence on almost all sides of a political issue.

So, why does the author of this rant paint everyone who disagrees with his own position as an imbecile who can't understand common sense and also as some kind of less than patriot?

Because the author of this rant is an undiluted jerk.

 

[Booko]

Regardless of right wing propaganda, all but a tiny minority of Americans are patriots. Even most Democrats are patriots (*gasp!*). Even most Liberals are patriots (*gasp x12*). So, that's actually one thing most Americans have in common.

Yes, but since jingoism is often mistaken for patriotism, it's difficult for some people to comprehend this.

 

[evearael]

I don't care for this article.

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 dislike the artificial opposition of "politically correct crowd" and patriots. That is simply not the case.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming toAmerica. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants.

Mostly true... though I doubt the italicized.

However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

Opinion.

This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.

Xenophobic opinion.

As Americans... we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been enveloped over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

...and our culture will continue to evolve, or it will fall.

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!

The official language is English. I agree with this. However, I do believe that learning additional languages is only beneficial to our economic and political might. I feel that immigrants who are refusing to learn our language are a very tiny minority... it just takes time.

"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… 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.

This has been addressed by Feathers and Booko.

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.

Whining with no action behind it infuriates me, though it is their right... FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

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 arrogant and presumptuous.

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!

Unless you disagree with the author of this article, and then you should leave! Please...

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.

An American has the right to complain, whine and gripe about anything they want.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Because the author of this rant is an undiluted jerk.

That summary alone covers just about everything.

 

[evearael]

It's just a simple truth that there are people of good faith and intelligence on almost all sides of a political issue.

We need this as a disclaimer/reminder at the beginning of every thread about abortion, sexual orientation, and every other subject people get really angry about.

 

[Abram]

An American has the right to complain, whine and gripe about anything they want.

This made me smile! Because he was complaining about complaining!

 

[evearael]

This made me smile! Because he was complaining about complaining!

Exactly!

 

[Cerrax]

Telling people to leave is not the right course of action.
The American Dream is about coming here with nothing and becoming what you always wanted to, how you wanted to, when you want to.
The American Language is NOT English. (There are two dictionaries, English Dictionary and the American Dictionary) It was created (and is created every day) by the PEOPLE, just like the rest of America.
The American Religion is NOT Christianity. The word "God" is the vehicle of religion. The universally accepted way of saying "faith". Because Americans have faith. Faith in themselves, in their neighborhoods, in each other; to od great things, and lead this country from one Golden Era to the next.
The American symbols are NOT the Stars and Stripes. Those aqre symbols of American Government. America has no symbol. Its not a thing. Its not a place. Its not even a way of life. America is in everyone the world over. But only in America, does it truly shine.

Because here in America, I don't have to listen to what you say, but you can say it anyway. I don't have to look at what you're making, but you can make it anyway. I don't have to like who you are, what your job is or how you do things; but you can be, work, do things you own way anyway.

American is a land of POINEERS, built by PIONEERS, for PIONEERS. So any one is unwanted in this country, its the person who wrote this article. The people who sat back and do nothing. Who frown at change, and cheer for the same old.

Tear down the Grand Old Flag! Speak Gibberish and tell someone to their face that they are wrong and you won't listen to them; because THAT is America!

 

[Shadow Wolf]

While I think the article itself was poorly written, I do agree the immagrints should adapt to American ways. I don't think you should have to be bi-lingual just to get around in your own homeland.

 

[Fluffy]

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.

Understandable. I am as well.

Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.

Very unfortunate but, again, understandable.

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.

Patriotism is wrong not because it might offend others but because it arbitrarily and artificially increases the importance of one randomly selected group of people with another randomly selected group of people. This leads to conflict between the two and conflict leads to war.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming toAmerica. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants.

Very true. A major emphasis should be placed on this point I think.

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.

And of course, since sovereignty and national identity are the most important things in existence, just above world peace and ending poverty, all other concerns should be forgotten in preventing this "dilution"

As Americans... we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.

A culture that is firstly predisposed to dilution and secondly not worth crying over (no offense to Americans, I would say the same about any culture ).

This culture has been enveloped over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

A mere byproduct. Confusing important values such as freedom of speech and universal suffrage with meaningless off shoots such as national holidays or flying a particular flag is missing the point. Arguing that the latter is somehow integral to the former, or even important in any way, is simply ridiculous.

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!

Whilst language is important for communication, communication should not be a mandatory part of living somewhere. If someone decides to live in America or England yet they can't speak English, so what? That is there debilitating choice and you can simply ignore them if you wish. Why feel so responsible for their handicap?

"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… 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.

When the majority wish for the merge of church and state, then this argument will wash. Till then, it is not a matter of preventing offense, it is a matter of removing hypocrisy.

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!

Well thats nice of you. So what is the problem then? Just ignore any immigrants who don't like your traditions and ignore any foreign traditions you don't like. Why make such a big deal out of it?

Yes, but since jingoism is often mistaken for patriotism, it's difficult for some people to comprehend this.

What is jingoism?

 

[Booko]

Patriotism is wrong not because it might offend others but because it arbitrarily and artificially increases the importance of one randomly selected group of people with another randomly selected group of people. This leads to conflict between the two and conflict leads to war.

I would not call this patriotism, but nationalism. The former makes you want to preserve and improve the place you live, with no reference to anyplace else. The latter, as you say, leads to conflict.

What is jingoism?

The extreme of patriotism, with an emphasis on pushing other countries around so you can have your way. Usually associated with a militaristic viewpoint. (Sound at all familiar? )

 

[jeffrey]

As you sure Earl Pitts didn't write this... you know, "WAKE UP, AMERICA!" :biglaugh:

 

[sparc872]

I am glad everyone responded to this post the way that they did. America is America, there is no other place like it. We have a culture, but it is not fixed and it is not consistent throughout the entire country. It varies from state to state. Our culture is, as we were always taught in elementary school, a melting pot. We are not all gun toting, rednecks that chase raccoons up trees with their dogs and drive their polluting pick-ups, and believe in the President just because he's the president. No, we are a diverse and large body of people and I wouldn't have it any other way.

America is interesting to me because there are so many differences, we do not all agree on everything and that makes it beautiful. It is the diversity that makes us what we are and to get rid of it would strip America of its splendor.

 

[Lost Soul]

I did not write this and don't want to defend all its views. I thought it was a good read and was a well put point of view. Its from a editorial from Tampa Bay, FL newspaper.

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 toAmerica. 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 enveloped 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… 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.

:clap :clap :clap :clap

 

[Valjean]

"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… 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.

"In god we trust" and other similar sayings were first proposed during the wave of religious sentiment during the American civil war. The founding fathers had nothing to do with it.
The slogan first appeared on a coin in 1865 -- a two-cent piece. It did not become the American motto, though, until 1957, when America was in the throes of a red scare and needed some symbolic way to thumb its nose at the "Godless Commies."
"In God We Trust" on the currency and "...under God" in the loyalty oath served that function.

 

[Comet]

OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!! Somebody just found two of my three "sore" spots!!!! (The other is pig-tails, if anybody cares.... I think Pippy Longstocking beat me up as a child or something.... not sure) This was one of those emails everybody forwards around to everyone else. When it comes to (shall we say) people who have not taken the time to educate themselves on a matter and go shooting off their mouths to downgrade others when they have no clue what they are talking about....... well, that is one of my other sore spots! This grrrrreeeaaattttt article hit on a the last sore spot that just sparks that fire within me to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT..... more so than the gay marriage topic.
Anyway, I digress.... just worked up now. This is what I added to that email that one of the people who doesn't know me very well sent to me (this article). Most know not to send me stuff like this, as I add to them and then send it to everybody I know in hopes it will catch up to that other email going around the world!!!!!
******************************************************************************************************
We speak all languages here, if you want everyone to speak English then
talk to Congress who has yet to make it the official language of the United
States of America. They say it will violate our Constitutional rights.

Maybe they and you should actually read the First Amendment as well!!!

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
government for a redress of grievances.

"In God We Trust" does infringe upon this!!! It establishes a
"monotheist" government! Congress did this on April 22, 1864 - March
3, 1865- and again on Feb 12, 1873!!!!

As for Christian men and women founding this country, why don't you do a little
research before you go shooting off your big mouth! Here is a little bit of
info on some of our nation's founding fathers:

George Washington
Washington gives us little in his writings to indicate his personal religious
beliefs. As noted by Franklin Steiner in "The Religious Beliefs Of Our
Presidents" (1936), Washington commented on sermons only twice. In his
writings, he never referred to "Jesus Christ." He attended church
rarely, and did not take communion - though Martha did, requiring the family
carriage to return back to the church to get her later.
When trying to arrange for workmen in 1784 at Mount Vernon, Washington made
clear that he would accept "Mohometans, Jews or Christians of any Sect, or
they may be Atheists." Washington wrote Lafayette in 1787, "Being no
bigot myself, I am disposed to indulge the professors of Christianity in the
church that road to heaven which to them shall seem the most direct, plainest,
easiest and least liable to exception."
Clear evidence of his personal theology is lacking, even on his deathbed when he
died a "death of civility" without expressions of Christian hope. His
failure to document beliefs in conventional dogma, such as a life after death,
is a clue that he may not qualify as a conventional Christian. Instead,
Washington may be closer to a "warm deist" than a standard Anglican in
colonial Virginia.
He was complimentary to all groups and attended Quaker, German Reformed, and
Roman Catholic services. In a world where religious differences often led to
war, Washington was quite conscious of religious prejudice. However, he joked
about it rather than exacerbated it. Washington once noted that he was unlikely
to be affected by the German Reformed service he attended, because he did not
understand a word of what was spoken.

Ben Franklin in his own words

I believe in one God, Creator of the universe[1]
He (God) governs it by His providence. [2]
He ought to be worshiped
We best render God service by doing good for his other children
The souls of man is immortal
The soul will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in
this.
Jesus of Nazareth left to us a system of morals and his religion.
Jesus’ has received various corrupt changes to his teachings (by the Christian
church.)
I [Franklin] doubt the divinity of Jesus, but I do not dogmatize upon it or busy
myself with it because I never studied it
I expect to know the truth when I die
I do not have any problem with those who do believe in the divinity of Jesus.
I don’t think that the Supreme Being doesn’t take it amiss whether you believe
or not.
I have experienced the goodness of God in conducting me prosperously though a
long life.
I have not doubt in God’s continuance of this in the next life, without the
smallest conceit of meriting it.
I have ever let others enjoy their religious sentiment and do not judge them, no
matter how unsupportable or absurd.
I hope to go out of this world in peace with all religious sects.
Even Socrates remembered on his deathbed that he owed a sacrificial cock to
AEsculapius

John Adams
Adams was raised a Congregationalist, but ultimately rejected many fundamental
doctrines of conventional Christianity, such as the Trinity and the divinity of
Jesus, becoming a Unitarian. In his youth, Adams' father urged him to become a
minister, but Adams refused, considering the practice of law to be a more noble
calling. Although he once referred to himself as a "church going
animal," Adams' view of religion overall was rather ambivalent: He
recognized the abuses, large and small, that religious belief lends itself to,
but he also believed that religion could be a force for good in individual lives
and in society at large. His extensive reading (especially in the classics), led
him to believe that this view applied not only to Christianity, but to all
religions

Sure sounds like a bunch of Christians starting a country to me too!!! Those were the more moderate of the Founding Fathers, do some research! Educate yourself and try reading the Constitution for once as well.... it is not intended to establish religion or language, but to protect the rights of the people who are citizens here. It was a diverse group of people, not a group of Christians, that started this country with laws to protect the freedoms they came here for! There is no right to "not be offended". You don't like it- move or try writing your Congressmen to change what you see as a problem-
THAT IS AMERICA!
**************************************************************************************************
Sorry so long, 2 sore spots!!!! I so bet this guy had pig-tails when he wrote this!!!!

 

[Ody]

I think the author might have plagerized an anonymous rant that's circulated on the internet for years and which is falsely attributed to Andy Rooney.

Of all the most random people to attribute something to!