i'm part of the problem???
i've seen this going around chat rooms, blogs and e-mail. i think it's time to respond. plus, it's been a while since i've had a good political rant.
"Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-----YOU 'R E PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!"
that sentence right there should tell you that what you're about to say is probably full of hateful bullshit.
"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??????"
hello, we or our families ALL came to live in america from OTHER COUNTRIES with hopes of "choice" and freedom (unless you are a native american, in which case, i'd think you'd have every right to tell all of us immigrants to fuck off). besides, in the current narrow-minded, fear-ridden political climate, "choice" is becoming more and more scarce.
"Think about it!"
that didn't take much thought at all. maybe you need a history lesson.
"All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?"
in case you haven't noticed, your civil rights have been eroding for the last 6 years. but since you're probably not a minority, gay, or non-christian, you think those infractions on ALL of our liberties are justified. open up your eyes, think outside your narrow little box and give some consideration to people unlike yourselves. and you still need a history lesson.
"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."
ok, you're learning. you'll admit that not everyone celebrates christmas, but you're not out of the woods yet. NOBODY is preventing you from saying "merry christmas". it's about respect. i know lots of who will go up to people they don't know and say "merry christmas". yes, i realize you're being polite, but that's like going up to someone whose name you don't know and saying "hi, bob, how's it going?" and it really irritates me when people go up to someone they KNOW isn't christian and say "merry christmas". that's just rude. how freakin' difficult is it to say "season's greetings"? it's the same amount of syllables and EVERYONE IS INCLUDED. what's the big deal, other than the fact that you have to admit that other people don't buy into your brand of religion?
"It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday?"
in case you haven't noticed (and obviously you haven't or you wouldn't have said something so assinine), it also coincides with HANNUKAH and KWANZAA and WINTER SOLSTICE. so get over it.
"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."
offended by what? common courtesy? respect for the diversity that comes with being a "country of choice" as YOU put it earlier? do you want choice or conformity? you need to clarify, because to me, it seems like you want everyone to march rank and file so you won't be inconvenienced by saying "happy holidays" to your jewish friends. live and let live. concern yourself with some of the REAL problems we have.
"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!"
oh, he did quite a job making himself look like a hypocrite, that's for damn sure.
"IMMIGRANTS,
NOT AMERICANS,
MUST ADAPT."
this country was built on the backs of immigrants. granted, there is a legal immigration process that should be followed, but think of the gravity of that statement. think about what would happen to this country's economy if all the illegals were magically transported out tomorrow. who would be adapting then?
"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."
this is the most ridiculous statement in this entire rant. you can't be politically correct and be patriotic? furthermore, if you offend your fellow americans, that somehow makes you MORE patriotic? what kind of logic is that? if i went up to you and called you a bible-beating, redneck homophobe, are you telling me that makes me more patriotic? please tell me you're joking! are you pissed about 9/11 because it forced you to see that we have muslims and arabs living in the usa who are protected by the same laws that you are? patriotism isn't the culprit...unfortunately, you've confused patriotism with blind allegiance to the current administration and its religious superstitions.
"I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to ! America."
could've fooled me.
"Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants."
then why the venom?
"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."
being a multicultural community IS OUR NATIONAL IDENTITY...it always has been! you really, really need to pick up a history book. ask yourself this question: what IS american culture? if you take a hard, honest look around, you might just realize that diversity is our culture.
"As Americans......
we have our own culture,"
which is...what, exactly?
"our
own society,"
what the hell is that supposed to mean?
"our own language"
not really.
"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."
...who consist of africans (from numerous tribes and countries), whites (from all over eurasia), asians, arabs, persians, hispanics, native americans, pacific islanders, muslims, christians, jews, buddhists, atheists, agnostics, hindus, wiccans, heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals, single people, married people, divorced people, swingers, males, females, hermaphrodites and transsexuals. newsflash: we are a country of diversity, whether or not you wish to admit it. we all share the same space, why are you so intent on limiting our potential? why are you so angry that we aren't all the same? why can't you understand that living in a "country of choice" means that we will exercise our right to choose which religion to practice, which language to speak, where to live, whom to marry, what we wear, what music to enjoy, and what food to eat? don't you see that these things ENRICH our existence? aren't you glad you aren't trapped in a bubble of white, english-speaking christians who eat nothing but hamburgers and apple pie? i know i am!
"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!"
most people do, mr. melodrama. if a brazilian immigrant chooses to speak portuguese with her family at home or in a restaurant, that's her choice and it's none of your damn business. and let's face facts, hispanics, legal or not, are the largest minority. most of them speak spanish. it wouldn't kill you to learn a little.
""In God We Trust" is our national motto."
ah, my suspicions are confirmed
"This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.."
yes, it is
"We adopted this motto because Christian men and women.......on Christian principles.............
founded this nation..... and this is clearly documented."
you must have skipped the day when they taught american history. you should do a little research on folks like thomas jefferson and ben franklin. neither were christian, and most of the other founders, even if they were christian, agreed that the combination of religion and government was extremely dangerous. if you knew anything about european history during the 200 years right before the constitution was written, you'd understand that the founding fathers didn't want the religious-political game that was being played in europe to spill onto american soil. read a little about henry VIII and the catholic church or martin luther and john calvin...you might get an idea.
"It is certainly appropriate to display it
on the walls of our schools."
no, it isn't. read the bill of rights. promotion or favoritism of one religion or religious idea to the exclusion of others is completely inappropriate in a GOVERNMENT FUNDED SCHOOL.
"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."
how american of you. it's not god that offends, it's your lack of respect for the rights, freedoms and "choices" we all have as US citizens. to ask us to leave because we don't want to cave to your particular religious superstition or to ask us to look the other way while government-funded buildings or organizations flout those rights is despicable and runs completely contrary to the spirit of this nation.
you can worship your god without idolizing him on the side of a public school building...don't you see that's what you're asking the rest of us to do? is it so hard to leave religion at home and focus on the issues that bring us together instead of trying to separate us even more? is it so bad to put us all on an equal playing field? or is that what scares you? not having someone to feel superior to or to judge based on religious preference?
"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."
either i've been living under a rock, or you're making this up. i think you're confusing patriotism with wrapping yourself and your beliefs in the flag (which is what you've been doing). i'll be honest, i get annoyed when people wrap themselves in the flag.
"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."
you proved my point when you said "we...have no desire to change". diversity scares the hell out of you, and you react by condemning those of us who welcome change or asking us to leave the country. if you want to live in a bubble, you won't get far here.
"This is
OUR COUNTRY,
our land, and our lifestyle."
you don't speak for me. open up your eyes. we've been a diverse, dynamic society from day one.
"Our First Amendment gives every citizen the
right to express his opinion and we
will allow you every opportunity to do so!"
but it doesn't apply to all those who disagree with you, right?
"But once you are done complaining....... whining...... and griping....... about our flag......."
again, point proven.
"our pledge......"
once again, your inattention to research has made you look like a clown. "Under God" was put into the pledge during the 1950s in the midst of the "red scare". the original pledge (written in the 1890s by a baptist minister, no less) was religious-reference-free. his granddaughter said recently that he would have been appalled to learn his pledge had been so altered.
"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."
again, if this is considered "patriotism", you can have it.
"It is Time for America to Speak up
If you agree -- pass this along;
if you don't agree -- delete it!
AMEN
I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends
(and enemies) it will also, sooner or later
get back to the complainers, lets all try"
you're the only one doing the complaining. i didn't see a single constructive course of action in your entire discourse, only a laundry list of tired, narrow-minded COMPLAINTS rattled off by someone who's AFRAID of our freedom, liberty and the fact that we're a "country of choice" and tries (miserably) to pass it off as "patriotism".
grow up.
"Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-----YOU 'R E PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!"
that sentence right there should tell you that what you're about to say is probably full of hateful bullshit.
"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??????"
hello, we or our families ALL came to live in america from OTHER COUNTRIES with hopes of "choice" and freedom (unless you are a native american, in which case, i'd think you'd have every right to tell all of us immigrants to fuck off). besides, in the current narrow-minded, fear-ridden political climate, "choice" is becoming more and more scarce.
"Think about it!"
that didn't take much thought at all. maybe you need a history lesson.
"All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?"
in case you haven't noticed, your civil rights have been eroding for the last 6 years. but since you're probably not a minority, gay, or non-christian, you think those infractions on ALL of our liberties are justified. open up your eyes, think outside your narrow little box and give some consideration to people unlike yourselves. and you still need a history lesson.
"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."
ok, you're learning. you'll admit that not everyone celebrates christmas, but you're not out of the woods yet. NOBODY is preventing you from saying "merry christmas". it's about respect. i know lots of who will go up to people they don't know and say "merry christmas". yes, i realize you're being polite, but that's like going up to someone whose name you don't know and saying "hi, bob, how's it going?" and it really irritates me when people go up to someone they KNOW isn't christian and say "merry christmas". that's just rude. how freakin' difficult is it to say "season's greetings"? it's the same amount of syllables and EVERYONE IS INCLUDED. what's the big deal, other than the fact that you have to admit that other people don't buy into your brand of religion?
"It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday?"
in case you haven't noticed (and obviously you haven't or you wouldn't have said something so assinine), it also coincides with HANNUKAH and KWANZAA and WINTER SOLSTICE. so get over it.
"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."
offended by what? common courtesy? respect for the diversity that comes with being a "country of choice" as YOU put it earlier? do you want choice or conformity? you need to clarify, because to me, it seems like you want everyone to march rank and file so you won't be inconvenienced by saying "happy holidays" to your jewish friends. live and let live. concern yourself with some of the REAL problems we have.
"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!"
oh, he did quite a job making himself look like a hypocrite, that's for damn sure.
"IMMIGRANTS,
NOT AMERICANS,
MUST ADAPT."
this country was built on the backs of immigrants. granted, there is a legal immigration process that should be followed, but think of the gravity of that statement. think about what would happen to this country's economy if all the illegals were magically transported out tomorrow. who would be adapting then?
"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."
this is the most ridiculous statement in this entire rant. you can't be politically correct and be patriotic? furthermore, if you offend your fellow americans, that somehow makes you MORE patriotic? what kind of logic is that? if i went up to you and called you a bible-beating, redneck homophobe, are you telling me that makes me more patriotic? please tell me you're joking! are you pissed about 9/11 because it forced you to see that we have muslims and arabs living in the usa who are protected by the same laws that you are? patriotism isn't the culprit...unfortunately, you've confused patriotism with blind allegiance to the current administration and its religious superstitions.
"I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to ! America."
could've fooled me.
"Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants."
then why the venom?
"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."
being a multicultural community IS OUR NATIONAL IDENTITY...it always has been! you really, really need to pick up a history book. ask yourself this question: what IS american culture? if you take a hard, honest look around, you might just realize that diversity is our culture.
"As Americans......
we have our own culture,"
which is...what, exactly?
"our
own society,"
what the hell is that supposed to mean?
"our own language"
not really.
"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."
...who consist of africans (from numerous tribes and countries), whites (from all over eurasia), asians, arabs, persians, hispanics, native americans, pacific islanders, muslims, christians, jews, buddhists, atheists, agnostics, hindus, wiccans, heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals, single people, married people, divorced people, swingers, males, females, hermaphrodites and transsexuals. newsflash: we are a country of diversity, whether or not you wish to admit it. we all share the same space, why are you so intent on limiting our potential? why are you so angry that we aren't all the same? why can't you understand that living in a "country of choice" means that we will exercise our right to choose which religion to practice, which language to speak, where to live, whom to marry, what we wear, what music to enjoy, and what food to eat? don't you see that these things ENRICH our existence? aren't you glad you aren't trapped in a bubble of white, english-speaking christians who eat nothing but hamburgers and apple pie? i know i am!
"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!"
most people do, mr. melodrama. if a brazilian immigrant chooses to speak portuguese with her family at home or in a restaurant, that's her choice and it's none of your damn business. and let's face facts, hispanics, legal or not, are the largest minority. most of them speak spanish. it wouldn't kill you to learn a little.
""In God We Trust" is our national motto."
ah, my suspicions are confirmed
"This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.."
yes, it is
"We adopted this motto because Christian men and women.......on Christian principles.............
founded this nation..... and this is clearly documented."
you must have skipped the day when they taught american history. you should do a little research on folks like thomas jefferson and ben franklin. neither were christian, and most of the other founders, even if they were christian, agreed that the combination of religion and government was extremely dangerous. if you knew anything about european history during the 200 years right before the constitution was written, you'd understand that the founding fathers didn't want the religious-political game that was being played in europe to spill onto american soil. read a little about henry VIII and the catholic church or martin luther and john calvin...you might get an idea.
"It is certainly appropriate to display it
on the walls of our schools."
no, it isn't. read the bill of rights. promotion or favoritism of one religion or religious idea to the exclusion of others is completely inappropriate in a GOVERNMENT FUNDED SCHOOL.
"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."
how american of you. it's not god that offends, it's your lack of respect for the rights, freedoms and "choices" we all have as US citizens. to ask us to leave because we don't want to cave to your particular religious superstition or to ask us to look the other way while government-funded buildings or organizations flout those rights is despicable and runs completely contrary to the spirit of this nation.
you can worship your god without idolizing him on the side of a public school building...don't you see that's what you're asking the rest of us to do? is it so hard to leave religion at home and focus on the issues that bring us together instead of trying to separate us even more? is it so bad to put us all on an equal playing field? or is that what scares you? not having someone to feel superior to or to judge based on religious preference?
"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."
either i've been living under a rock, or you're making this up. i think you're confusing patriotism with wrapping yourself and your beliefs in the flag (which is what you've been doing). i'll be honest, i get annoyed when people wrap themselves in the flag.
"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."
you proved my point when you said "we...have no desire to change". diversity scares the hell out of you, and you react by condemning those of us who welcome change or asking us to leave the country. if you want to live in a bubble, you won't get far here.
"This is
OUR COUNTRY,
our land, and our lifestyle."
you don't speak for me. open up your eyes. we've been a diverse, dynamic society from day one.
"Our First Amendment gives every citizen the
right to express his opinion and we
will allow you every opportunity to do so!"
but it doesn't apply to all those who disagree with you, right?
"But once you are done complaining....... whining...... and griping....... about our flag......."
again, point proven.
"our pledge......"
once again, your inattention to research has made you look like a clown. "Under God" was put into the pledge during the 1950s in the midst of the "red scare". the original pledge (written in the 1890s by a baptist minister, no less) was religious-reference-free. his granddaughter said recently that he would have been appalled to learn his pledge had been so altered.
"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."
again, if this is considered "patriotism", you can have it.
"It is Time for America to Speak up
If you agree -- pass this along;
if you don't agree -- delete it!
AMEN
I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends
(and enemies) it will also, sooner or later
get back to the complainers, lets all try"
you're the only one doing the complaining. i didn't see a single constructive course of action in your entire discourse, only a laundry list of tired, narrow-minded COMPLAINTS rattled off by someone who's AFRAID of our freedom, liberty and the fact that we're a "country of choice" and tries (miserably) to pass it off as "patriotism".
grow up.