Boy, does this say it all.....

[Disney1fan2002]

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.
< /SPAN>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 to
take advantage of one other Great American Freedom.......

THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

 

[bicker]

The most wonderful part of America is that a missive like that, which contains some selfish and un-American sentiments, can freely be printed in an American newspaper, without fear of reprisals.

 

[Laura]

The most wonderful part of America is that a missive contains some selfish and un-American sentiments can freely be printed in an American newspaper, without fear of reprisals.

Indeed.

 

[chi_girl]

I completely agree with the 'if you don't like it here, leave!' I lived abroad for 6 years, and although things were different, and I did complain to my parents a bit (or more then a bit), I adapted. I learned the language and the culture, and became a natural.

 

[belleandthebeast]

Amen!

 

[bicker]

I learned the language

There's a big difference, though, between learning the language and some of what the quoted editorial got into. In a way, it's a shame -- whatever positive aspects there might be with regard to some of what the editorial discussed were overshadowed by the un-American religious and cultural intolerance.

 

[va32h]

Boy, does this say it all.....

Well I guess that depends on what you want to say.

If you want to say "I am a hate-mongering xenophobe with no understanding of our Constitutional freedoms", then by golly it does say it all!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i agree with ya

 

[eclectics]

There's a big difference, though, between learning the language and some of what the quoted editorial got into. In a way, it's a shame -- whatever positive aspects there might be with regard to some of what the editorial discussed were overshadowed by the un-American religious and cultural intolerance.

Exactly. Some seem to forget our founding fathers came here because of intolerance.

 

[Marseeya]

It seems that a lot of people like to forget that an immense majority of us are all immigrants here. If the editorialist wanted to practice what he preaches, we'd all be speaking some variety of Native American language.

 

[Laura]

There's a big difference, though, between learning the language and some of what the quoted editorial got into. In a way, it's a shame -- whatever positive aspects there might be with regard to some of what the editorial discussed were overshadowed by the un-American religious and cultural intolerance.

Exactly. If non-English-speaking immigrants come here and want to be successful, it's much easier for them to learn English. But it was the following statement: "This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity" that had me baffled. America has always been a multicultural community, since the first people settled this continent.

 

[shortbun]

Wonder what tribe the author is from.

As an American who has travelled and adapted, I welcome immigrants and am willing to do whatever I can to help them enjoy what my great country has to offer. I am embarrassed by the selfishness of many. I see this " adapt or leave" philosphy as the same type of supremist feelings that spawned groups like the KKK and Arian Nation. The same people with this attitude are the ones who insist that the French speak English in France. English is one of the most difficult languages in the world, our dialect and jargon as well as poor grammar and wrong pronunciation make it almost impossible. Those of you who insist the immigrants speak English, are you the same ones who don't care if the President can't? lol!

 

[disneyjunkie]

: Those of you who insist the immigrants speak English, are you the same ones who don't care if the President can't? lol!

 

[jimmiej]

IA 100% w/the author. I wish I'd written it!

 

[shortbun]

IA 100% w/the author. I wish I'd written it!

You didn't even need to post. We knew.

 

[cardaway]

You didn't even need to post. We knew.

Isn't that the truth.

 

[disykat]

I get what the OP is talking about. I have family members who came to this country as Cambodian refugees so I'll speak to this. I AGREE about speaking English. My family members learned English. They went to our schools without translators, they assimilated. They even became proud American citizens.

However, in no way did they lose their own heritage. They still speak their language, eat their traditional foods, etc. They were shocked when they moved into communities with larger immigrant populations. They discovered that while they had the "best of both worlds", many of their new friends had limited social circles, limited work opportunities, limited educational opportunities.... and they were thankful that they had immigrated to an area where they were sort of forced to assimilate.

When our family members first came, by law they were offered translators at school, welfare. etc. Together we decided to turn it all down and work at helping them become independent of that kind of help as quickly as possible. While it was not the easiest option (they were a family of 10), they are now of family of highly educated, highly successful Cambodian Americans.

Learning to get along in the society in which you are living does not mean you have to give up your own heritage. There are ex-patriots living all over the world that could tell you that.

 

[MamaLema]

If the editorialist wanted to practice what he preaches, we'd all be speaking some variety of Native American language.

 

[aprilgail2]

I totally agree with all of that!! My big pet peeve is people who decide to come here to live and don't learn the language!! I get so disgusted shopping in a local shopping mall with all the people there that will not speak English...they get to the counter to pay for something..have a problem then stand there with a dumb look on their face saying "no speak english" while they hold up the line!

 

[Laura]

Seems to me that the OP wasn't just about learning English when moving to this country. I know quite a few immigrants who didn't speak English when they came to this country, but they speak it now. I don't know anyone who doesn't speak English. And besides, just because I might run into someone who doesn't speak English now doesn't mean they aren't still learning. The OP was about a very narrow view of what this country's culture is, and what patriotism is. Like immigrants must be Christian, love Uncle Sam, love the American lifestyle, etc. etc. It wasn't just about learning the English language.

But for what it's worth, I will say that it's intimidating, being in a country where you can't speak the local language. I studied French for years and I still panicked when I went up to the desk clerk in a Paris hostel and asked for a room for the night. The first thing out of my mouth was, "Do you speak English?" It wasn't even, "Parlez-vous anglais?" And French is a lot easier to learn than English!