After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's license with her face covered, one American has had enough. This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa Newspaper. <b>IMMIGRANTS NOT AMERICANS MUST ADAPT</b> I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on September 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 American being a multi cultural 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, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
I agree with much of that statement, that having too many sub-communities will break us apart instead of bringing us together but this statement: " "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. " I think a statement like that is against everything the Founding Fathers of our nation stood for. The reason they came to america in the first place is because of RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. They founded the US based on "inalienable human rights" and not on Christian principles. Hence the strict guidelines between the separation of church and state. That includes the publicly funded school systems. I believe very much in God and God does not "offend" me, but an attitude like my way or the high way is ignorant to the principles that made this country great.
According to snopes (yes, I have to check everything...) it was written by Air Force veteran Barry Loudermilk and originally published in his local Georgia newspaper, The Bartow Trader. It was first written to protest the removal of patriotic symbols from public buildings. It was later adapted to fit the Florida drivers' license controversy.
I agree with Khan on this one. Religion is only important in one aspect. Our entire political philosophy revolves around the idea that "rights" come from God. Atheists and agnostics can substitute "nature" for "God" and our culture will not suffer. We need to make sure that all new American citizens speak our language, know our history, and have a respect for our rule of law. They need to know why American became a great country, and communicate it to their children in our language.
I moved to America, settled down... yadda, yadda, yadda... I never saw my culture again. So, I'm assuming then Oktoberfest, Italian food, champagne, imported beer, enchiladas, fireworks, electronics, compact cars, the Greek Orthodox Church, Apu, every mosque, synagouge and temple, egg rolls and Latin music should be banned. Sounds about right.
Jeff, that's a pretty blunt response. His point is that the American culture needs to be accepted, practiced, even embraced by our immigrants. Yes, we know they do celebrate the Fourth of July. I don't read anywhere that he would dismiss or eliminate all those wonderful things. What is Apu?
Apu...Simpson's reference. The writer said... <i>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!</i> Actually, that is un-true. First off, our culture is EXTREMELY young. The influx of immigrants at the beginning of the last century (it's still wierd to say "last century"!) completely altered the culture as we know it and it has been changing ever since. This isn't like China where they literally did form their culture over many centuries or even Europe or Africa. We are a VERY young country by world standards and an even younger culture. Our language was adapted from England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and a number of other languages as well. It is the b*stard child of at least a dozen other languages. It is why it is the most difficult language to learn. Unlike the romance language or Germanic languages, it has changed early and often. It still is in flux today. At least get the facts right. <i>"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.</i> This is incorrect as well because even the Constitution gives everyone the right to freely practice any religion they choose be it "God-centered" or otherwise. The point is our culture is intrinsically linked to dozens of other cultures throughout the world and it is still changing because it is really in its infancy compared to much of the rest of the world. Go to Egypt and see the pyramids built well before the birth of Christ or to England and see Stonehenge built thousands of years ago. Even the Native American culture in America has more history to it than ours. It is a fallacy to believe that we have this long-standing culture that cannot be changed. Hell, the advent of the television, the computer and the internet has vastly changed our culture already. We are still growing and, until we've managed to survive for 500, 1000 or 5000 years, we will not have a culture that will be so easy to define. This author has no sense of REAL history. If you are going to write something, at least have a clue about the actual history of our country and culture in the first place.
When did IN GOD WE TRUST become out motto? unless they talking about the fact that money talks Rocket River
<b>Jeff</b>: I get your point, but I feel like you are .. intentionally.. missing his point. I think he is trying to cajole the immigrants into recognizing and embracing American culture which many of them do not. They do tend to isolate themselves and celebrate their own culture instead. 200+ years is a long time relative to human lifespans. A slowly evolving American culture welcomed immigrants here and it cannot take too much dilution or it will be lost. Are you trying to deny that English is our official language? How is our language changing rapidly? ... because we have a new vocabulary derived from the menu at international restaurants? Or are you talking about Ebonics? Just because other religious viewpoints are tolerated does not mean that we are not God-centered does it?
Yeah, we don't want people spreading their inaccurate versions of history or culture...Kinda like someone asserting there is one homogenous culture in China. Jeff does make one solid point I think, that cultures are not static, but constantly changing (hopefully evolving). I disagree that it means we must instantly adapt or accept ANY practice someone from someplace else wants to interject. We wouldn't make exceptions with, oh, let's say cannibals. So the real question is not IF we draw a line but WHERE we draw the line. Seems to me that the main PURPOSE of a driver's license is so that you can be identified. Covering your face on the picture pretty much makes that useless! I think if you cannot ultimately reconcile WHATEVER your issues are (be it religion or whatever) with the culture you are moving into, then maybe you should reconsider. I wouldn't go to China and demand they all learn English, or teach English to my child in their public schools. I would look absurd, and do you know what would be said about me? 'Another damn American thinking the whole world should adapt to THEIR way of doing things. Can you believe he came to China and expects US to adapt?'
Damn p***y ass government! If they wouldn't have been so scared of Communism, none of this "Under God" or "In God we trust" wouldn't have been put into effect and there wouldn't be as much b****ing in our country. "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. Well the first amendment says people have the right to practice any religion. So what the hell makes him thinking force everyon to believe in God, when our country's first right is freedom of practice. Why not change it to Zeus or Buddah? I mean who says Indian and Greek culture hasn't EFFECTED the way we live our lives? Would they still be so "love it or leave it" then?
