This was my response to the typical anti-immigrant screed
This was from 11/25/03, an odd time for anti-immigrant crap to be floating around. The original is below my response for context.
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Talk about a disgusting email. The sentiments expressed in it are some of the most un-American I've ever read. Makes my stomach turn thinking the Founding Fathers sacrificed so much so that bigotted, racist, small-minded cowards of intellect could spout such shameful bile. At least check for historical accuracy the expression of true American values before deciding to forward something like this.
"This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity."
This country was founded on multiculturalism - immigrants from many countries came here to find the freedoms, liberties, and opportunities that they did not have in their own country. Our national identity is found exactly in the mixing of cultures that formed this country, hence the reason America is referred to as the "melting pot". Our language came from Europe, our alphabet from Italy, our religions from Italy and Israel and Arabia and India and China. Our "centuries of struggle" are nothing next to the millenia of struggle of many other cultures. And we weren't even the first people on this continent (ask any Native American). This complete lack of humility is one reason for the anti-Americanism found throughout the world.
"...Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented."
No, the one thing that is clearly documented is that the founders of this nation were deists, not Christians. Rather than believe in the supernatural aspects of the Bible, they believed in a "watchmaker's God", someone that wound the spring and then left, thus leaving man to his own devices, intellect, and reason, not divine intervention. And the phrase "In God We Trust" is NOT the national motto - that would be "E Pluribus Unum", suggested by Thomas Jefferson, and adopted in 1782, five years before the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Congress placed "In God We Trust" on our money (the definition of irony?) during the turmoil of the Civil War, nearly a century after the founding of this country, in a political move pandering to potential religious voters.
Furthermore, the Treaty of Tripoli of 1798, an official legal document signed by John Adams, states:
Article 11. As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,--as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,--and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
The basis for our rules and laws originated with English common law, which can be traced to the Code of Hammurabi. The Constitution reflects our founders views of a secular government, protecting the freedom of any belief or unbelief. Probably less than ten percent of Americans in 1800 were members of congregations.
My history taught me that this country was founded on religious tolerance. Not everyone is Christian, and those of us who are not Native American have absolutely no right to go bullying others around and telling them to adapt to "our" culture or get out.
It's the intolerance in this email that really offends people more than the supposed offenses by immigrants to "native" Americans, and makes me question the values of many Americans.
Story in Tampa Paper
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 I 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!
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. 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 take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
If you agree -- pass this along;
if you don't agree -- delete it!
AMEN
------------------
Talk about a disgusting email. The sentiments expressed in it are some of the most un-American I've ever read. Makes my stomach turn thinking the Founding Fathers sacrificed so much so that bigotted, racist, small-minded cowards of intellect could spout such shameful bile. At least check for historical accuracy the expression of true American values before deciding to forward something like this.
"This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity."
This country was founded on multiculturalism - immigrants from many countries came here to find the freedoms, liberties, and opportunities that they did not have in their own country. Our national identity is found exactly in the mixing of cultures that formed this country, hence the reason America is referred to as the "melting pot". Our language came from Europe, our alphabet from Italy, our religions from Italy and Israel and Arabia and India and China. Our "centuries of struggle" are nothing next to the millenia of struggle of many other cultures. And we weren't even the first people on this continent (ask any Native American). This complete lack of humility is one reason for the anti-Americanism found throughout the world.
"...Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented."
No, the one thing that is clearly documented is that the founders of this nation were deists, not Christians. Rather than believe in the supernatural aspects of the Bible, they believed in a "watchmaker's God", someone that wound the spring and then left, thus leaving man to his own devices, intellect, and reason, not divine intervention. And the phrase "In God We Trust" is NOT the national motto - that would be "E Pluribus Unum", suggested by Thomas Jefferson, and adopted in 1782, five years before the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Congress placed "In God We Trust" on our money (the definition of irony?) during the turmoil of the Civil War, nearly a century after the founding of this country, in a political move pandering to potential religious voters.
Furthermore, the Treaty of Tripoli of 1798, an official legal document signed by John Adams, states:
Article 11. As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,--as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,--and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
The basis for our rules and laws originated with English common law, which can be traced to the Code of Hammurabi. The Constitution reflects our founders views of a secular government, protecting the freedom of any belief or unbelief. Probably less than ten percent of Americans in 1800 were members of congregations.
My history taught me that this country was founded on religious tolerance. Not everyone is Christian, and those of us who are not Native American have absolutely no right to go bullying others around and telling them to adapt to "our" culture or get out.
It's the intolerance in this email that really offends people more than the supposed offenses by immigrants to "native" Americans, and makes me question the values of many Americans.
Story in Tampa Paper
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 I 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!
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. 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 take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
If you agree -- pass this along;
if you don't agree -- delete it!
AMEN
posted by gatb42 at 9:43 PM
1 Comments:
Everytime someone starts ranting to me about "illegal immigrants" my response is,
"Funny, you don't look too Native American to me."
When Christopher Columbus planted his flag here, he must have been violating some sort of "Indian" immigration laws. He was an illegal immigrant. Heck, he had no visa. He completely bypassed "Customs". He brought in all these avian-flu like diseases from "over there" to here, to our wonderful Amerigo Vespuci land. Shame.
But then again, when does the hypocrisy ever end?
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