This really sums it up! Story in Tampa 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.

Yeah, yeah. Same old half witted, half factual baloney that "Real" Americans have been bellowing about since Ellis Island was opened.


Adapt or die.

Gowing up in Hawaii where we had arguably one of the more diverse collection of cultures, languages and traditions and yet we never had bi-lingual classes in public schools. We had ESL classes where children were taught to read, write and speak English, but that was an extra class they had to take.

And when I went back for Christmas vacation last year, there was a manger scene on the State capitol lawn. Heck ... even the temple my mom goes to had a Christmas tree.

Nice to know paradise has not been over run by the PC Nazis ... yet.

Logan5

It didnt say adapt or die, it said adapt or live elsewhere. Which is entirely possible. to the north of us is Canada, to the south of us is Mexico. Further south, there is a wide variety of cultures and beliefs in a wide variety of countries. if you dont like it here, go somewhere else. If i came into your house and said, "I dont like your wallpaper, take it down", would you do it? or would you tell me to get out of your house? I know what I would do.

Originally Posted by Inverted_Fly

It didnt say adapt or die, it said adapt or live elsewhere. Which is entirely possible. to the north of us is Canada, to the south of us is Mexico. Further south, there is a wide variety of cultures and beliefs in a wide variety of countries. if you dont like it here, go somewhere else. If i came into your house and said, "I dont like your wallpaper, take it down", would you do it? or would you tell me to get out of your house? I know what I would do.

Ludicrous. Every person that has come to the United States has tried to change it as they see fit.

The greatest change was instituted by the founding Fathers themselves. To say that it is now the way it "Should" forever be is just silly.

I'd question just how much of the "Change" being attempted is from immigrants anyway.

BTW, I said "Adapt or die". America will change, regardless of any individual's wishes. I was not paraphrasing the op/ed pieces theme.

Good call, Fly!

fwiw, does anyone know the source of the original article? iirc I started seeing it float around the 'net and supposedly in chain emails ~beginning of 2002. Couple of different introduction and post-notes attached to it. I *belive* the original was suppose to be a response to FL's new Driver's License law that allowed covered faces in photo due to religion (you know which one), but I've also seen it introduced (as in this case) with Chirstmas a a background, etc.

As for the conents ...

add - okay, one of the earliest instance on usenet is Dec 20 2001

added - ah, a couple more keywords (which should have been obvious) and you get:

http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/beamerican.html

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/american.htm

When I go to a Chinese restaurant, I think it's cool that the menu is in Chinese with english subtitles ... but I would get a little peeved if I went to McD's and found the menu in five different languages.

Change is good ... and just as we should embrace other cultures, shouldn't others embrace ours as well? Especially when they want to live with us?


Logan5

What "Changes" are we talking about here? The stupid thing where the American woman wanted to where a burkha in her Driver's license photo? Didn't that end with the woman having to actually have a full facial pic as stated by law?

I'd love to see some specific cases where "Immigrants" are "Making" America change things to suit themselves. How long does someone have to be a citizen before they are to be allowed to try to get what they want?


If Mcdonalds chooses to post it's menu in the languages of it's most prevalant customers as a business decision, should the Government have the right to make them post it only in English?

Originally Posted by lrsudog

If Mcdonalds chooses to post it's menu in the languages of it's most prevalant customers as a business decision, should the Government have the right to make them post it only in English?

Yep!

Originally Posted by logan5

Change is good ... and just as we should embrace other cultures, shouldn't others embrace ours as well? Especially when they want to live with us?

Because we are American. If you haven't figured it out, that means we are bad, horrid people. When we act, it is wrong, when we don't act, it is wrong. The world would be such a better place without Americans.

Paul

Originally Posted by logan5

... but I would get a little peeved if I went to McD's and found the menu in five different languages.
Logan5

As long as I can read "double cheeseburger " in one of those five languages I wouldn's care


Jim

Originally Posted by Arbo

Because we are American. If you haven't figured it out, that means we are bad, horrid people. When we act, it is wrong, when we don't act, it is wrong. The world would be such a better place without Americans.

Paul

.
I agree completely..
Stereotyping and pigeon-holing people by groups is so un-American!
I'm certain that despite what Howard Dean says, there's a few Republicans who are nice people, thoughtful, considerate, compassionate..
Condeming an entire group because of the activities of a "media-inflated" minority ( or majority) isn't what America is about!

Originally Posted by Mark Gund

...or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. .

Yes but Uncle Sam keeps showing up everywhere...

HH

Originally Posted by Hammer Head

Yes but Uncle Sam keeps showing up everywhere...

HH

Yep, but only because we need too