Letter from an american

[LV426]

This is supposedly an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa newspaper.

****I can't confirm the validity of this letter but I have found this letter all over the internet. *****

I only wantr your opinions on the contents of the letter, not the validity of said letter.

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.




Ok, I don't agree with some of the above mentioned points. Specifically the whole religion issue. I am not an immigrant, but my great great grandparents were. They had to adapt more than the current immigrants do. Sure some of it I agree with, and some of it I don't, I do think this editorial is a bit judgemental in someways though.

Anyway, just wondered what your views are on this. Do you agree? Disagree?

[LycanSpectre]

The religion thing really bugs me. USA is not a christian nation. We are a nation devoted to letting people practice whatever they want. Regardless of what it is.

And this guy sounds very intolerant.

I wonder if this guy realises that it takes time to adapt, and learn. Especailly a language. It takes paitence from both sides. If the person trying to learn enlgish gets mad when no one can understand them, then people will close thier minds to what they have to say. Likewise, if the people trying to understand get pissed off because the other guy can't speak english, then they will drive them away. Everyone loses in these cases.

While harsh, I do agree with this:
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.


We do have our own culture already, and we sure don't have to change for anyone. And bitching about it is just gonna make us mad. That gets you nowhere. If all you want to do is complain, and expect us to change for you, then get the hell out. However, if you are willing to be paitent and work to adapt to our culture, and help us understand yours, then welcome.

[Ender]

On the issue of people having to learn the Americanized English language: No.

In Europe and other parts of the world people know 3 or 4 different languages to communicate with people they live near, Americans can do that too. Stop bitching about not being able to understand some one, and be a fucking American. America is a country that was supposed to be built on tolerance and understanding, so suck it up and deal.

[WhiteCrowUK]

Well it does seem a bit over the top. But then thats newspapers - and they seem to love editorials which stir people up.

I'll guess at the end of the day the newspaper recieved a lot of letters from people (a) for their support and (b) who said it was offensive. Either way, anything which gets a reaction is considered a "success". I know I am being so cynical.

The same kind of points are being raised over here in England on the issue of asylum seekers (we have no immigration, so everyone and their uncle claims they'll be put to death in their home country unless they live in Britain). The only thing I really object to is that they seemed too needlessly lever in September 11th in there!?!

[wolf_feahters]

Sadly, I didn't get to read that editoral, or letter to the editor, or whatever.

However, it does sound like something a lot of people in Tampa would say.

Hell, we have a Bush in office that sound's like he's getting idea's from the Left, it hurt's my head.

Now, I do agree that those in America should learn english. In Plant City (a small town east of Tampa), student's have a choice; take classes in English or Spanish. In Maimi, most job's REQUIRE you to be FLUENT in Spanish and English.

I do agree that In God We Trust should be in school's. Privite, Christin, Islam, Jewish school's. I don't trust in the One God, unless they wish to name him Thorr. So why should I see that everywhere.

Yes, if you have a problem with the country, and your a member of this country, vote, have it chaned.

Or leave. Isn't that what most of Hollywood's doing?

[DarkShadow13X]

If I was alive twenty years ago, i wouldn't have agreed with the letter. but now, i do. we in america have our own culture. we shouldnt just have to change to make it easier on the immigrants.

[Edwardo_son_of_haqim]

If I was alive twenty years ago, i wouldn't have agreed with the letter. but now, i do. we in america have our own culture. we shouldnt just have to change to make it easier on the immigrants.

Your culture was formed by immigrants unless you live in a tipee and raid cattle immigrants formed your culture so keep growing for them and stop being so selfish.

[WhiteCrowUK]

Well lets face it - most of the world is being Americanised (would you like fries with that?), its only fair a little of the worlds influence should trickle back.

[Darth Cluich]

Your culture was formed by immigrants unless you live in a tipee and raid cattle immigrants formed your culture so keep growing for them and stop being so selfish.

Um...those people were immigrants, too.

[Edwardo_son_of_haqim]

Um...those people were immigrants, too.

True so when you go back far enough whose realy form any where!

[orange camelion]

True so when you go back far enough whose realy form any where!

no one really but the coolection of people in different places become that place if you understand me,the immegrants in the us,so from what you are saying everybody,have made americans who they are today,same with any other country,so if we complain about them trying to change our nation arnt we essentially complaining about the foundation of who we are,nationality wise?

[Blazer]

I like to think that ever culture has something to offer. We should learn about other cultures, see if they do anything better than we do & if so embrace it to our own.
Having immigrants will aid our cultures to become stronger by merging with theirs.

[Wolffy13]

I, TOO, WILL BE BLUNT. I MEAN NO OFFENSE, BUT THIS IS HOW IT SEEMS TO BE.


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.


Well, I'm tired of going just about anywhere in Colorado and having the Mexican flag everywhere I look. I can understand their pride of their homeland, being I lived in Germany for two years, but next they'll paint it on their bodies like they were a sports team. For Pete's sake!



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!


DAMN STRAIGHT! "When in Rome..." I'm sorry, but once again, when I was in Germany, you spoke german! When we wanted to shop in the german economy, we had to speak german (although hand gestures are ok :) ). Once in a while, a shopkeeper would know english, but otherwise, you had to speak german.

Not to mention, we were one vote away from german being the official language in the states. English is a very bastardized language, but if you've ever studied german, you'll know that it can be very difficult. I'd count my blessings.


Also, someone mentioned (I forgot who you were, sorry) that it takes time to learn the language and what not, which is indeed true. The problem I have is that a portion, not all, but a portion of the hispanic population around my parts doesn't even try. I'm not racist at all (afterall, I had a huge crush on this one hispanic classmate in junior high :o ), but it's pretty bad when I hear other hispanic people bitch (and I do mean bitch) about this particular group of their own race.




"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.


This I don't agree with. The first amendment gives everyone the right to pick their religion and everyone should respect each other.


Yeah, so there's my two cents thrown in with all it's raw and unsugared glory.

[DiCaPs]

Hey,I completely agree with this man on what he is sayin here.He is a little historically incorrect though on saying that it was the christians who were here first,as it was the english protestants banned from europe during the age of king henry the 3rd,4th,or whatever # he was that were here first,forced to settle & colonize here for religious freedom.However this man brings up many great points about this country here.If you dont want to learn our customs & respect our customs,why should we respect yours?No one respected the english protestants' customs in europe,so as they settled in the u.s. from europe the people here worked upon makin this land open to all willing to accept cultural diversion & change,& for the other people not willing to do so here,leave.We dont want you here,& more so you're not welcome.You're an insult to the hardworking citizens of the U.S. of America that have fought hard to keep this great country here as it stands tall as:The United States of America.We stay unified by having similarity in differenciation,and although we do have alot in difference,we've also have got alot in the similarity aspect of it all too,that we all work together to make our country work together for the betterment of all the people,not just us but for everybody who has a dream too of freedom.All that want to fulfill that go right ahead,but to all those who want to hold us back further from accomplishing this,get out of our way!


*this is coming from someone who has been around the pain & hurt of it(our country)almost all my life,from the country's downfalls to the almost greatest achievements that i have witnessed in person & from being educated by the men & woman who have been through it all in thier lifetimes too & know very well what they know about it.Im not writing this for argument,im writing this for the truth of it all.Thank you for your time in reading this,& i hope you read through well on what i say.

[Lance Walker]

Hey,I completely agree with this man on what he is sayin here.He is a little historically incorrect though on saying that it was the christians who were here first,as it was the english protestants banned from europe during the age of king henry the 3rd,4th,or whatever # he was that were here first,forced to settle & colonize here for religious freedom.


Actually, the English protestants WERE Christian. :) Not trying to poke fun at you or anything, but I thought that I'd just point that out. The word Protestant comes from the word Protest, since it was Martin Luthor who first protested against the practices of the Catholic church and eventually started his own separate division of Christianty if you will called Luthorians ( I believe). Though most called them Protestants since they protested the ways of the Catholic church and wanted to be seperate from them. From this spawned other divisions of the Protestant Christian religion from English Protestants which was formed by King Henry the 8th after he wanted to divorce his wife and the Pope wouldn't let him, so he formed his own church, the Church of England, were he could do this and remarry (which he did QUITE often) and it was essentially just like the Catholic church but didn't didn't reconize the pope authority. From this spawned the Calvinists (Puritans) who wanted to Purify the Church of England because they felt it was too strict and wanted to change some of its policies and the Pilgrims also formed as they were presecuted for their beliefs, while the Puritans had political influence in England and weren't touched by the government. Either way these two groups left England to come to American to worship as they wanted to. Though other divisions among the Protestant branch of Christianity happened as well too.


As for this letter from this American, although I have seen this thing all over the internet too, (websites, message boards, and let's not forget the ever popular, and irritating, chain email), I agree with most of what he said.

While I do like to learn new languages and immerce myself in new cultures, the fact is that America DOES have it's own CULTURE formed from many, many years of history and sacrifice in war, and civil conflicts (racial rights movement etc) and it defines kinda who we are as a nation. Sometimes our history is unpleasant as a nation, but everyone needs to appreciate it and LEARN about it (I say this because some immigrants don't bother to do much of this even though they are required to do so by immigration law). Don't believe me then look up the requirements for being a U.S. citizen. Believe me, it's in there.

So, respect the fact that we have our own CULTURE, our OWN set of beliefs (non religious), and our OWN way of doing things. Yes, you can be proud of your national heritage and culture and preserve it, but you also owe it to us as Americans to learn and respect ours too.

And on the language issue, I realize that American English may not be the easiest to learn but you NEED to learn it if you want to be in our country instead of expecting US to cater to YOUR needs by learning your language because you don't feel like learning our language. As it has been pointed out previously in this thread, in other parts of the world, although some people may know a bit of english there YOU ARE EXPECTED TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE while your there. You think they'd cater to me not knowning a language to a country if I went over there and didn't feel like learning their langugage and instead wanted them to learn mine? Hell no! And their's no reason to think that they should either. Each country has IT'S OWN national idenity, culture and language (or sometimes many with regards to the language) and it is up to each and every one of us to respect and learn them if we want to be a citizen of that country.

I mean, pertaining to an immigrant wanting a country to cater to their wants intead of the other way around, I once heard of a muslim, arab woman who refused to take off her face covering (which covered almost all of her face except her eyes) because she felt it violated her religion, when she went to get photographed for her driver's licence. Yet state law required all persons to remove anything covering their face before they could be photographed for their driver's licence. But since she refused the state refused to give her her driver's licence, which promoted her to appeal her case to the state governement to get the law changed so she could have most of her face covered due to her relgious beliefs. I mean, can you picture a police officer trying to track this woman down on a database or somewhere by her driver's licence photo alone if her face is covered for say question on a possible crime committed or etc, if she had her way? I mean, what is he supposed to do? Put out a search on all arab women with cloth covering a majority of their face? Gee, bet that narrows it down. One could argue that he could look for family photo graphs etc based on tracking her down using her name, but then again, what if she doesn't have any recent ones taken? The point is that there are certain laws and customs that everyone is expected to follow here and one shouldn't feel that the country has to adjust to their desires based simply on their former country's beliefs, etc.

Well, that's all I have to say for now. I'd better go before I blow a fuse.

Later all,

Lance Walker :cool:

[J.L.R.]

I also agree completely with what Lance said, as well as the original letter from that man, and I feel the same way.

If you ever had to struggle in an American restaurant, to get the waiter/waitress, order person, or whoever, to understand you, because they don't speak your language, it is VERY VERY annoying.

First off, I think it is very important that we learn other languages, as well as cultures, because business these days are not just limited to our own lands, but is branched to many lands across the globe.
I grew up in a family, with several different languages, German, Urdo, Tagalo, as well as Spanish. Languages are AWESOME to learn, and it builds character in some respect, BUT, I really shouldn't HAVE to learn them in order to live in MY own country.

As Wolfy13 said, when you go to other countries you have to learn their language...or at least a bit of it, as well as their cultural differences from yours, or you will get into trouble...

In Pakistan it is bad manners to wave with your left hand, since they view the left hand as unclean. You wave with your left hand, it is like flipping somebody off.

I've been to Morocco, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico (quite a bit in fact), and every country is special in its own way and beliefs, but I have to respect them when I am there. The same should be here.

You come to the United States, learn some English, it is only beneficial to you, respect our customs and our laws. After all we had to respect yours.

Just last year, a hispanic official, filed to change the Oklahoma State documentation, to allow documents to be printed in Spanish as well as English, because as she felt, it would encourage more hispanics to run for office! WHAT!!!! You mean we are going to have judges, lawyers, mayors, reps, and so on, who can't even speak or read English? I'm sorry...

Needless to say she was turned down...

As far as "In God We Trust." According to a national poll taken 2 years ago, the 97% of the United States believes in a god of some sort, that leaves only a small 3% population who don't believe in any deity, in one shape or form. The United States is a very religious country. Christianity is the largest of the religious populations, with Islam right behind it. So in that respect In God We Trust, does fit. God can mean many things. A god doesn't have to be the Christian God Jehova Jira, Elohim, and so on, it can mean just about anything or anyone.

"In LycanthropicHowl We Trust...or whatever...

To me the slogan is a symbol of who and what we are. Metaphorically, believing in God is believing in something bigger than oneself, and as Americans, we have shown through out the course of our history, that we have fought, and continue to fight, for something bigger than our own selfish lives, that is freedom, not just for us, but for the world...

My Great Grandparents were from Germany, and they had to learn our lifestyle, so why can't the newer incoming generation learn too?