2008-08-21 07:16![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nightrythm
nightrythmReposted from TwoHeaded Cat
As someone who is wary of our surge in nationalism post Sept. 11, I find it necessary to respond to this piece. I do not object to patriotism, a love of one's country. I am truly grateful to be an American citizen. What concerns me is nationalism, which is promoting one country above the rest and promoting its culture and interest above all others. It is the tone that makes all the difference; there is pride and pride to the point of Exclusion intolerance and hatred. And it is this voice of exclusion, evident in this piece that I object to.
The author addresses the matter of multiculturalism diluting the "national identity" and points out that we speak English here. I ask everyone reading this to take a good look at our country, our "national identity". This country has been shaped by its immigrants. Take the state of Michigan as an example. It was heavily settled by the Dutch, many people still speak Dutch and bring traditional foods to their potlucks. Louisiana is an eclectic mix of the immigrants who settled the area. The Cajun people in the Bayou speak a blend of French and English as their first language. They've been doing this nigh on one hundred years. And in Southern California and Texas, much of the Chicano (descended from Mexicans) population has for *generations* been bilingual. Each region of the United States has it's own identity, which comes from the people who settled there and contributes to the tapestry of our national identity.
I have to disagree that Christians founded this country on Christian principles. Our founding fathers were for the most part Deists. Thomas Paine said in his pamphlet The Age of Reason that he did not follow the beliefs of any church. George Washington never declared himself a Christian in any of his writings. In fact, he supported the naming of John Murray as chaplain in his army. John Murray was a Universalist who denied the existence of hell. Benjamin Franklin himself voiced the following opinion on the subject:
"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion...has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble."
The original motto of the United States never mentioned God. The great seal of the United States is inscribed "E Pluribus Unum". Which is Latin meaning "One from many" or "One from many parts." It refers to the welding of a single federal state from the many individual states.
The use of "In God We Trust" as a motto for this country has been under debate since the words were first put on coins in 1863. This was a political tactic to remind everyone that the Union forces had God on their side during the Civil War. "In God We Trust" became the country's motto in 1956, during the height of the cold war, because Communism promoted Atheism.
And as to the author's 'Don't let the screen door hit you on the way out' closing I'll say two things. I actually, do understand where he's coming from, I've had those days myself. However, I think it is the duty of every American, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about paying taxes, serving jury duty and putting up with people's ignorance - get up off your couch, go out sign petitions, get active in your community and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other Great American privilege, VOTE.
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Original Email
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After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her drivers license with her face covered, I believe this is even more appropriate. Read on, please! This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa Newspaper.
He did quite a job; didn't he?
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, highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedoms, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
As someone who is wary of our surge in nationalism post Sept. 11, I find it necessary to respond to this piece. I do not object to patriotism, a love of one's country. I am truly grateful to be an American citizen. What concerns me is nationalism, which is promoting one country above the rest and promoting its culture and interest above all others. It is the tone that makes all the difference; there is pride and pride to the point of Exclusion intolerance and hatred. And it is this voice of exclusion, evident in this piece that I object to.
The author addresses the matter of multiculturalism diluting the "national identity" and points out that we speak English here. I ask everyone reading this to take a good look at our country, our "national identity". This country has been shaped by its immigrants. Take the state of Michigan as an example. It was heavily settled by the Dutch, many people still speak Dutch and bring traditional foods to their potlucks. Louisiana is an eclectic mix of the immigrants who settled the area. The Cajun people in the Bayou speak a blend of French and English as their first language. They've been doing this nigh on one hundred years. And in Southern California and Texas, much of the Chicano (descended from Mexicans) population has for *generations* been bilingual. Each region of the United States has it's own identity, which comes from the people who settled there and contributes to the tapestry of our national identity.
I have to disagree that Christians founded this country on Christian principles. Our founding fathers were for the most part Deists. Thomas Paine said in his pamphlet The Age of Reason that he did not follow the beliefs of any church. George Washington never declared himself a Christian in any of his writings. In fact, he supported the naming of John Murray as chaplain in his army. John Murray was a Universalist who denied the existence of hell. Benjamin Franklin himself voiced the following opinion on the subject:
"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion...has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble."
The original motto of the United States never mentioned God. The great seal of the United States is inscribed "E Pluribus Unum". Which is Latin meaning "One from many" or "One from many parts." It refers to the welding of a single federal state from the many individual states.
The use of "In God We Trust" as a motto for this country has been under debate since the words were first put on coins in 1863. This was a political tactic to remind everyone that the Union forces had God on their side during the Civil War. "In God We Trust" became the country's motto in 1956, during the height of the cold war, because Communism promoted Atheism.
And as to the author's 'Don't let the screen door hit you on the way out' closing I'll say two things. I actually, do understand where he's coming from, I've had those days myself. However, I think it is the duty of every American, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about paying taxes, serving jury duty and putting up with people's ignorance - get up off your couch, go out sign petitions, get active in your community and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other Great American privilege, VOTE.
***********************************************
Original Email
***********************************************
After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her drivers license with her face covered, I believe this is even more appropriate. Read on, please! This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa Newspaper.
He did quite a job; didn't he?
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, highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedoms, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
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(no subject)
The "Christian founding myth" is always frustrating to deal with, because there is the kernel of truth to it. Some came to the American colonies to find religious freedom (for their own sect), others didn't. To equate opportunists and paupers going to Virginia with Puritans going to Massachusetts is ridiculous. I've read that Rhode Island was founded to break away from religious persecution in the Mass. and Plymouth colonies, so it wasn't all a big Christian lovefest even among the first white Americans.
But no one studies history, let alone remembers it.
(no subject)
(no subject)
If you come to our country I think you should learn English. This does not mean give up your native language. But we should all be able to speak English so we can have a unifying language. I enjoy conversing with people from other cultures we can learn a lot that way. If you have been to the DMV recently I am sure you noticed the mass amounts of paper used to print all of the paperwork in like 15 languages. That is insanity. It is expensive and wasteful. I kind of agree with him that an ID with her face covered does not serve its purpose.
Our country should not have to change to accommodate you. We will accept you for who you are. But don't expect us to change our ways to your ways. We have a system for voicing your opinion and if you can convince enough people that your way is better after you become a citizen. Great.
I think people are fed up with people sneaking into our country leeching off the system till they can get enough money to support their family then go home.
I resent that somewhere around 10 Billion Dollars a year get spent on people who sneaked into our country. I resent that people who sneaked into our country killed people because they were drunk driving. I resent that we have entire street gangs of illegal aliens committing crimes. I resent that we have illegal alien gangs gang raping and killing some poor girl.
I resent being called a racist because I have a problem with people sneaking into our country.
(no subject)
(no subject)
Why should I not be allowed to speak up when I see emergency rooms get closed left and right because hospitals cannot afford to keep them open due to having to treat illegal aliens who cannot pay for their own medical care?
Due we need a better immigration system? Yes we do. Should we put up with people crossing our border illegally? Hell no.
10 Billion Dollars. That would make a huge dent in our budget problem.
(no subject)
But when someone comes into our country without going through the proper channels. IE getting a visa, or going through the immigration system that we have set up. If you have a problem with that you become a racist. Does that make sense to you? Add to that that often these same individuals commit identity theft, violate employment laws, often get things like welfare, and other social services. They often drive without a license or insurance and quite often get into accidents. How does having a problem with that make me racist? I could care less what race you are. If you enter our country illegally you have violated the law. If you come here legally I will say the same thing to them that I said to my friend here at work who just got his Green Card. Welcome and thank you for doing it the right way.