IMMIGRANTS, not Americans and Canadians, 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 and
Canadians. 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 America and Canada being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans and Canadians, 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 or FRENCH, 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, Stripes and a Maple Leaf 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. These are OUR COUNTRIES, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment and in Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives every citizen the right to express his or her opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flags, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American and Canadian freedom,

THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

Yea.....as soon as I get elected to the office I know I deserve....that would be president....I will just "nuke out" any person, place or thing I want. then the first one to complain would also be the first one on my new "hit list". Oh....and on a side note....gas would go down to .50 cents a gallon ASAP because the ENTIRE mid-east would be nothing but a big ass refinery owned and opperated by americans ONLY.....all others will be given 24 hours to get "out of country" or they will be burned as fuel to make electric to run my play station!
--
Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

I am a Canadian, and you will be hard pressed to find another Canadian that is as nationalistic as I am. I simply love Canada. And I agree that imigrants to the two fair neighbouring nations of Canada and America have no right to be offended by the patriotism any Canadian or American chooses to express.

However, the rest of your post was some of the most arrogant, bigot garbage I have heard in a while. Who the hell are you to say others should adapt? Unless you are a Native American, you, or your ancestors were/are immigrants. And depending on your family's history, I doubt you can say that you adapted, rather than pillaged and plundered.

If the idea of a multi-cultural community to you, means a dilution of sovereignty and national identity, then the Native Americans should have kicked us all out a long time ago. But did they? No, they welcomed us. And how did we repay the favour? We erradicated them like pests. History repeats itself unless we reach a higher level of understanding. Your ignorant views obviously mean you have learned little in terms of tolerance. Should history repeat itself be prepared to be erradicated as your ancestors did to the Native Americans.

What really offends me is the fac that you believe that a multi-cultural community dilutes sovereignty and national identity. Canada, is not like America. We do not expect conformity, and the melting pot effect. We value difference, and stress tolerance. We are a mosaic, not a melting pot. Our identity is partially defined by our multi-cultural history, present, and future. It is a part of what is Canada, and what makes Canada the great nation it is. As a North American I am shamed by your comments, and as a neighbour to American, I feel the shame many of your fellow citizens feel when comments like yours are made by a fellow American.

Though our national languages are English and French, we have no more expectation, or right to demand an immigrant take on our language, anymore than they do of us, of their's. Your bigot, racist narrowminded, ignorant opinion that they should take on our language not a part of immigrants being a part of our society. It is their contributions as people as a whole, to our nations, that make them a part of our society.

The non-separation of Church and State is a long time issue that has stretched for centuries. In a way, the lack of separation is very similar to third world nations, or nations of lesser development. If you find pride in this lack of separation, be happy, because your fellow immigrants often do as well. And let us also not forget that it was the same Christian men and women that murdered, cheated, raped, and stole the land, pride, and anything of value from the native peoples of this land. If that is something you are proud of, so be it. If you have the right to practice your religion, so should any other person. It's a fundamental right. The same rights that provide you with the freedom you hold dear. You have no more right to claim your religion as the only true religion, than any other person. It is a matter of tolerance and understanding, and love for your fellow human beings.

It is not the stars, stripes, and maple leafs that offend the large majority of open minded, immigrants, it is the bigots, and racists like you that offend them, as well as all other truly proud Canadians and Americans. We are founded on principles of equality. If you have a problem with seeing immigrants as equals, then maybe it is you that should leave.

You are right, the large majority of Americans and Canadians are happy with our culture. But a large part of our culture is change. Our world is dynamic, and only a fool believes they can stop it. You being the ignorant racist and bigot that you are, obviously don't care how things are where immigrants came from, but a large majority of us do. We enjoy the mosaic, the differences, contrasts, vivacity of human life. If you are too close minded to enjoy it as well, don't ruin it for the rest of us. You have no more right to do that, then I do to deny you your right to express your hateful opinion.

I am just hurting to really give it to you, but I greatly fear, you are too ignorant to return with a logical reply.

Good post.

I agree with you that, as a foreigner, I need to learn and adapt with common mediums of the American culture. It is good to be diverse but unwise to add things that creates nothing but confusion. Language is a means of communication and people coming to America need to learn the common language. Thank you for bringing this issue up (even on this 850 site!!).

I came to America in 1990 and am struggling to get my immigration status squared away. People in this country has shown unprecedented encouragement, care, trust and love. From streets to mansions I have been seen love, hospitalities, honesty and out reached generosity, no questions asked! People in this country are outspoken, I love it!

The US government policy towards immigrants shows kindness and humanity. There aren’t many nations that has opened their door, on a constant basis, for refuges, destitute and the needy without questioning their race, culture, religion and economic standings, with overflowing compassion.

I admire this country and would love be an American! No question asked!

Under His grace,

Ronjon
‘93 850

WHAT SOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH VOLVO'S!

ALTHOUGH I DO AGREE WITH YOU. USA BABY LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT. GO CANADA!

You are right. Nothing to do with Volvo's. I do love Volvo's.

Sorry for posting this here. Just needed to vent.
John

Post this in the "Opinions" forum if you havent already done so as there, one can "legally" discuss anything besides Volvos.

I do agree with your point as well as in our area, there's an increasing amount of spanish speaking people and I've heard some say "maybe WE should learn spanish" and IMHO, I've been here all of my life speaking english w/o problems SO I need not learn another language just because new imagrants here fail to try learning ours. I wouldn't dream of moving to Russia (for example) w/o knowing russian as to me, that'd be foolish. Ones chances of real success anywhere are no doubt limited by not knowing the native language.
Some might say "but in europe, they all know many languages" BUT here in the US, we don't nor should we.
Our government had a choice to make english the national language a few years back but for some odd reason, it was voted down.

In Europe they know so many languages as a practical matter. Drive nearly anywhere in Europe for 6 hours in a straight line, and when you get out of the car they'll be speaking a different language than where you got in the car. Not so in the US. Crossing national borders in Europe is an everyday occurrence for a lot of Europeans, so fluency in multiple languages is just a normal "life requirement."

I heartily agree with the notion that if I move to another country, the onus is on ME to learn the language of my new country. To do otherwise is foolish, as you suggest, and just downright lazy.

Interestingly enough, my Austrian grandmother was taught English in her village school outside of Vienna in the late 1800's. When she emigrated to the US c.1910 she was well-prepared to work and live without having to rely on an immigrant community for support.

One other nonessential, off-Volvo-topic fact. In the early years of the new nation following the Revolution, one of the topics for debate was what the national language should be. I believe this came up during the Constitutional Convention, in Philadelphia. English won, but German lost by only a couple of votes. Fahrvergnugen!