RE: Fwd: OT and maybe offensive to some ----American Rights

May 16, 2004

Yep, it IS offensive, and I'd prefer that this list stay on topic (or at

least close to it), and not go into jingoistic ranting. How unpleasant.

Julie

May 17, 2004

I have said all along that when people come to America they should learn OUR

language not visa versa. I have also felt that my 1st amendment rights have

been violated because of their rights(?). Shouldn't they become citizens before

they can claim the 1st amendment.

-

5/16/2004 4:55:43 PM

Fwd: OT and maybe offensive to some ----American

Rights

> I sincerely hope this doesn't offend anyone on this list, but as an

American, born and raised here, i feel i have a right to pass along my beliefs

too. I

have felt this way for a very long time and this person says it well. Your

friend and His, Deonia

> STORY IN TAMPA BAY NEWSPAPER

>

> 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

>

> 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,

> please

>

May 17, 2004

In a message dated 5/16/04 10:01:46 PM Central Daylight Time,

evwellness writes:

> Yep, it IS offensive, and I'd prefer that this list stay on topic (or at

> least close to it), and not go into jingoistic ranting. How unpleasant.

>

> Julie

>

> Sorry Julie, but that's why we put OT in the subject line. So those of you

> who don't want to read OFF TOPIC things don't have to open it. Wonder why you

> did since it was very clearly marked? Your friend and His, Deonia

>

May 17, 2004

I didn't find it in the least offensive Deonia.

Thank you for sending it.

Regina

May 17, 2004

I must agree to disagree with the replies to this post!! I am a born

and raised in the USA citizen and have been here for 44 yrs. I have

seen this country grow and evolve into another that I was not raised

in. Society is totally different and I DON " T LIKE IT!! Kids from

this generation are DUMBED DOWN from the public school system , have

NO respect for theirselves, thier elders or thier families. They

don't want to work and they want, want, want or else!! It's

pathetic, and the government and a society of people have let it

become that. As a business owner in a small town and in a big city

years ago.....I see imagrants willing to work more and harder than

Americans......I'm embarresed. I married a Greek man who came here

28 years ago on the boat into New York, spoke NO English had meager

possesions and got off that boat picked up a newspaper and could not

read it. He realized he must learn our language and our customs in

order to make a living or to become well-established in this

country. He did all that in 4 years and now has dual citizenship. He

too thinks that if you come to this country b/c you don't like what

your government does in your counnty or for what ever

reason.........you HAVE to adapt to our launguage and customs. If we

were to go to another country and fluant and demand our customs we

could eventually be killed or considered of " NO CLASS " as in a non-

exsistant people. you will get no respect from the people of that

country and i'm not saying it is like that all over the

world......don't take my words out of context but it is like that in

most places. You have to adapt and they will not change their laws,

scrolls, beliefs...nothing for us. I think we accommadate non-

americans well enough for them to get settled and learn the customs

but that isn't enough they want too make thier own little counrty

with thier own customs and keep us out......thats not right. This is

OUR country and if you come here you need to adapt or go back home

and my husband and I both feel that way. I have traveled to Europe

on many occasionas and ...especially in this day and age....I

wouldn't brag that I was an American.....they won't change for us

unless thay want something from us.

I don't think it is fair for the government to issue a business

liscence to a person who can't speak or understand English. Almost

every gas station or convienence store I go to has a man who can't

speak English let alone understand it. It is frustrating and

demeaning to ME!!

I think it is wonderful to have a diverse nation and we can teach our

children other languages and differnt cultures, but don't ask us(USA)

to change the principles and value system that the country was bulit

on b/c someone that came here is offended. I'm offended by the way

they treat me in other countries. But " I " have to adapt to thier

ways not visa versa....WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE PEOPLE!!! We

won't have the USA any more if we continue to make all these changes

and accomadations for them. We will end up breaking into countires

almost like the European Nation if things continue this way!! The

USA offers alot for non-Americans and if you want what we have bad

enough you will just have to adapt. We have to stand by our soul and

blood line of this country. That dosen't mean we can't have others

share that with us. I could just go on and on but I think I have made

my points. I don't think the USA excludes anyone it's what they do

with the resources they have that makes the differnce. And the USA

government and all it's taxpayers PAY for ALL those resources.

(this messege not spell-checked)

~Peace~

Michele Seretis

http://www.thesoapgardenboutique.com

, Deonia2@w... wrote:

> > I sincerely hope this doesn't offend anyone on this list, but as

an

> American, born and raised here, i feel i have a right to pass along

my beliefs too. I

> have felt this way for a very long time and this person says it

well. Your

> friend and His, Deonia

> > STORY IN TAMPA BAY NEWSPAPER

> >

> > 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 . .

> >

> > .

> >

May 17, 2004

In a message dated 5/16/2004 11:50:36 PM Pacific Standard Time,

Deonia2 writes:

> Sorry Julie, but that's why we put OT in the subject line. So those of you

> who don't want to read OFF TOPIC things don't have to open it. Wonder why

you

> did since it was very clearly marked? Your friend and His, Deonia

You're right-it wasnt the OT part of it that offended me, it was the

hatefulness of the message. I apoplogise for my error. Sorry.

Heck, I completely understand the frustration of having people not willing to

learn our languages and customs. My husband is an elementary school teacher

and has to contend wtih many kids who have been raised in homes where english

is still not spoken. But often, it's because the parents just have a hard time

learning it.

The kids ARE learning. And the families are mostly good citizens. Not lazy,

not irresponsible.

Come on, these people work two or three jobs for minimum wage, doing the jobs

that you or I would not do, and raise their families (and mostly do it

well-the mexican people I know are very close to their families, and raise their

cildren with the utmost respect for their elders. Well of course there are

exceptions, dont point to a few and make generalizations about a whole culture,

but

laziness and lack of respect I see more often in white kids than in brown).

So when exactly do they have time to learn to speak the language fluently?

It's easy to judge people when you're not in their shoes.

And really, we arent talking about how it would be if we were to move to

France. We're talking about brown folk (you want to be racist, then call it what

it is. It isnt about European immigrants) These people are our neighbors. They

speak a different language, and we need to have some understanding and

compassion while they assimilate.

So during that assimilation, which does take time-as someone said, a few

years is reasonable- are they expected just to not be able to drive a car or

fill

out government forms? For TWO YEARS? For two years (and really, more: my

grandma wouldnt have been able to learn French in 2 years if she had emigrated

there. Heck, she'd have been the brunt of nasty mean-spirited little emails, as

hard as she may have tried-because it's HARD for adults to learn languages.)

they wont be able to read anything, wont be able to participate in the political

process, wont be able to vote. Fine democaracy that would be. Yep, proud to be

an American. Hoo boy. Wave that flag and pass the sweet potatoes.

And again, of course there are just lazy people who dont want to learn. And

there are irresponsible people and stupid judges who demand that society

changes for them, and not the other way around. So did the stupid person who

spilled

coffee in their lap and made it so that all coffee shops have to warn you ON

THE LABEL that the coffee is hot. Is it the fault of the culture of whoever

that wopman was? Nope. Boneheads abound.

We live on an increasingly small planet, and borders and boundaries are not

what they used to be. The world is changing, people, and to hold on to how

thing USED to be is foolish and unproductive.

So, then. Just how far back do you want to take our country? to the 1780's?

You know, Jefferson and Madison treated religion as a matter of opinion

only-indeed, expressly wrote the Bill for Religious Freedom to deregulate the

entire sphere of religious practice in the newly formed country. And in so

doing,

eliminate a danger to individual rights. So calling on their names as backing

for your belief in a Christian America is rather clueless. In fact, Jefferson

was reviled by many Christians because of the liberalism of his beliefs.

Why not a few centuries before that, when " Your America " was owned by Spain

and the Native Americans (who had lived here for tens of thousands of years

before we got here with our puny 200 years. Precedence, anyone?).

The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my

religion.

--Thomas Paine

PS-

And this, too, is off topic, but just wanted to say:

CONGRATULATIONS to the beautiful State of Massachusetts who today enacted a

loving and lovely law allowing people who love each other (this message is from

the department of redundancy department) to actually wed!

I wish all the people gettign married today and in the days to come all the

happiness my husband and I have enjoyed for our many years of marriage. It's a

wonderful thing.

Julie

Bleeding Heart Liberal and Proud I am, too!

May 17, 2004

Michele I dont usually respond to letters that are like this but I HAVE TO AGREE

with you and Deonia! Dadgummit, I was raised in an era when responsibility for

ones self was a must and people cared about each other and were not afraid to

work for a living. It makes me ill to see how this country is going downhill. I

lvoe my country but I sure dont liek what is happening!!!

Neysa