Immigrant-Americans
by Bill Sanders - March 1, 2006

Page last updated/all links last verified July 24, 2006

NOTE: This page Under Construction/Conversion
This page has not been completely converted to OFPv2 Standards.
When this is completed, this paragraph will go away.
Meanwhile, all external links on this page open a new window.

I agree with most of the comments by Dick Lamm which can be found here:

011 - Very Thought Provoking (Dick Lamm - How to Destroy America)
(This opens in a new browser window. Simply close to return here.)

HOWEVER...

As with almost anything done at home (with the major exceptions of child and spousal abuse of any type, murder, selling drugs and sex, and other actual crimes), if immigrants wish to keep using their own language and practicing their own culture there, and maybe show friends their culture and how they lived and did things before they moved to America, that's their business. I can even understand "cultural centers" where their children and others can learn about their heritage. Immigrants' children, then grandchildren, etc. will become more "Americanized" generation by generation. This is the historical way of America. Diversity? Consider where all the delis, Chinese, Mexican, French, Greek, Spanish and other nationalities' restaurants, and other ethnic stores and food-stuffs (Hmmm... All are related to food), especially the "mom-and-pop" and "family-owned" businesses came from. Yes, maybe many of these have large "Americanized" versions, but they didn't start that way. I couldn't even THINK of America without the diversity we have.

However, it's also the historical way of America to learn our history, our "melting-pot" culture, our laws, and English. Again, what you do at home (except the listed, above), is fine and up to you. "In Public", if you wish to be an "American", BE an American. Not a hyphenated American, but simply "An American".

If you know me, you know I'm not anti-almost anything, and normally try to be careful not to offend anyone. I'm not political, conservative or liberal. I "lean" toward what I think is RIGHT. I have my opinions, like everyone else, and am only now coming to the age where I feel I have to and CAN "let them out" by writing, and in so doing, may "ruffle some feathers". Sorry for that... It just MY opinion... You know... The AMERICAN way.

Please know that this does NOT mean that I don't enjoy other cultures, languages or people. But if you come to live, raise your kids, and do business IN America, and take the Oath of Allegiance TO America, become a full-fledged (no hyphens here, folks), card-carrying, English-speaking (no matter how badly it may sound to the hearer, and remember, not everyone will "hear" it as badly or clearly as others) American.

If you haven't, learn our history. Learn how our government works. Learn our laws. You will also have to learn and understand that our freedoms allow those that don't like you, your race, religion, and former country to say so. While at times, some take this way too far, freedom of speech is one of the fundamental freedoms in America. If you feel in danger, talk to someone in authority and explain why. While the "Silent Majority" of Americans disapprove of most of them, there are small pockets of what I call the "Vocal Minority" who can make life miserable and/or dangerous for certain peoples - and many time, the rest of us.

Some use their religious beliefs and authority - such as those Kansas Baptists who roam the country protesting (LOUDLY) that United States soldiers are being killed because America "harbors" homosexuals. They march and carry signs to soldiers' funerals saying "God Made IEDs" (Improvised Exploding Devices/Roadside Bombs). They even CHEER when another dies, somehow believing it confirms their stance. And now they may even have resorted to vandalizing these soldiers' and their families' homes. (Uh, guys... We aren't the only country with homosexuality, it's been around forever. It's just that now, it is much more ... "open". Oh... And those soldiers at whom's funerals you are protesting? They died defending your and others' rights to say stupid things about the subject in question and even themselves.)

Some believe we, in America, are (always have been and should be again) a certain race (preferably white) in this country. Again, sometimes they try using religion to recruit new members, quoting Bible verses out of context. They tend to set their marches and speeches up when and where they will antagonize a large number of people (of all races). Their agenda seems to be that of one of the most hated men in history, Hitler, and they're PROUD of it. (Don't they understand that the ORIGINAL Americans were RED (Indians), and at one time, even some of their ancestors (most likely Irish) were castigated?)

The flip side of that coin are those that don't understand that it was our forefathers who brought their forefathers to America as slaves, not us. A war was fought over this, right? The Civil War should show even them that at least half the country was against this practice. Lincoln signed the proclamation freeing the slaves. Yes... As with other "immigrants" (every race and nationality) your forefathers had to make their own way, and sometimes, under extreme circumstances, but except for those pockets of dissention (again, as with all races), you are free to become "whatever you can and want to be".

And there are those who use their interpretations of our own laws and Constitution, sometimes against us. Yes, some are lawyers, purporting to be protecting our freedoms. They will take to court any person, business or the government in general for anything they feel diminishes these rights. At times, it seems that many of these lawyers are simply trying to make a name (and some bucks) for themselves. (And guys?... the word "God" does NOT promote any single religion. Many religions use the word. It ain't just the "Christian" God! Oh... And the Ten Commandments?... They are what many of our Constitutional Rights and laws are based on. Why CAN'T they be displayed. Christian or not, many of the laws of America are based on them. If they can't be seen as "Religious Symbols", why can't they be seen as "Historical Documents"?)

This "Vocal Minority" type of protesting goes all the way to the President. In the 60s and 70s, people were protesting the Vietnam War even at the White House. As long as it remained peaceful, they were usually allowed. And today? Can you say "Cindy Sheehan?" (Does ANYONE think the president really WANTS Cindy Sheehan and her group hanging wherever he goes, blaming him for the death of her son? Few of her relatives even believe in what she says she's trying to accomplish.)

But again, it's one of our fundamental freedoms, and they have the right to their own beliefs (as do you and I), no matter how stupid or wrong anyone else believe them to be, as long as they don't impinge on YOUR fundamental freedoms.

I wrote most of the first four paragraphs, above, before finding the below. I did NOT research the politics of the site the page is on, itself. In searching for the actual wording of the term "Oath of Allegiance" to be sure I got it right, I "ran into" them, and thought they made good points. In the latter few, I did not read ALL of them word-for-word, but I read some parts and scanned the rest. Again, I thought they made good points.

by Bill Sanders © March 1, 2006 - email:

Send email to Bill Sanders ()
with questions or comments about this page or site.

This site, all text and graphics (unless otherwise noted) on it
were designed, developed and published by Bill Sanders of Orange Frog Productions.
It and it's CSS was validated and complies with both the: CSS and HTML 4.01 validators from W3C.
NOTE: All CSS validates except the "New Window Buttons" - Their CSS includes some invalid code (ie: hacks)
and warnings for using transparent backgrounds when color foregrounds defined.
Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 by Bill Sanders / Full site last modified: July 10, 2006

Immigrant-Americans by Bill Sanders - March 1, 2006

Immigrant-Americans
by Bill Sanders - March 1, 2006