Posted on 06/13/2004 6:47:26 AM PDT by SandRat
This reminds me of a quote from George Washington's Farewell Address on Sep 19,1796:
"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same Religeon, Manners, Habits & political Principles. You have in a common cause fought & triumphed together--The independence & liberty you possess are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts--of common dangers, sufferings and successes."
More quotes from his Farewell Address:
"It is important . . . that the habits of thinking in a free Country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its Administration, to confine themselves within their respective Constitutional Spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the Powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism."
"If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men & citizens. The mere Politican, equally with the pious man ought to respect & to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private & public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the Oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure--reason & experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
"I now live in California and this is the future."
Yes. If we look what is happening in California we will see the future for the rest of the country. In the past we would all chuckle about things that would go on in California, and dismiss it as just the "loopy leftcoast". (Let me insert at this point that I don't believe in being politically correct so I will not apologize to Californians. Those Californians who agree with me will understand, those who don't, don't have to) Now if we look back we can see that these "radical" ideas of years past in California have spread to the rest of the country and are becoming the norm. A warning to those who seek to destroy our beloved nation....the silent majority is awakening...
What a great posting. Am copying, pasting, and sending to my address book recipients.
Yes we know that. We hold these truths dear in our hearts, battle to keep it so for all time, battling the liberal usurpers and their legal enablers a.k.a. the ACLU that denies most vehemently that this nation was founded as a God fearing nation.
Yet as in Washington's time our active numbers are few as once again we struggle against a new oppressive monarchy - the monarchy of LIBERAL Elitism, yet we shall prevail as our fathers did in this mighty struggle, casting out the offending Nobility of Liberal Elitism.
Thanks for the ping!
The truth is that both Americans and immigrants must adapt a bit. To a large extent, the immigrants must adapt more.
Rabid multiculturists disregard that the immigrant must adapt. That's clearly wrong - they should give up aspects of their old culture, language, etc to assmimilate into the American culture.
To be fair, though, American culture is not static but rather fluid. Culture changes, and its proper for some of the imcoming cultures to infuse some of its best aspects into the American culture. Now, Americans are guardians of their cultrure - we all have a right to look at some developing trend and say 'hey, we don't like that!' That's fair and legit.
To say 'Immigrants, not Americans, must adapt' is a nice slogan and it is basically true, but its not entirely true, not at all. Placing too much faith in that literal sentiment is unwise and unproductive.
bump
Bump!
At the very least learn to speak and read English! Yesterday I was on the phone with an MCI service representative. She spoke excellent English. I detected the very slightest accent so I asked her where she was located. The answer: Manila. Her command of the language was much better than many people who are born in this country. What is wrong with a country in which large segments of the population refuse to speak the language and prefer to be on the dole?
The problem is that the incentive to learning the language has been removed, and there is no significant stigma attached to not speaking the language, or not speaking it well.
I agree with you. I grew up in NYC where the english language is butchered, for example, by spainish speaking folks. There is no excuse for this at all. I was born in NYC and my first langauge was Italian (actually, Sicilian), but I had no difficulty learning english and speaking it without an accent (I don't even have a NYC accent). Actually, I get ribbed my my friends for sounding like 'a midwestern weatherman' - the point remains, there is no excuse for a heavy accent, or even a slight accent, for native born americans.
bump
" Now if we look back we can see that these "radical" ideas of years past in California "
Mostly, these California ideas have their basis in good old fashioned European Marxism. Disaffected Classes are the basis for a revolution and getting people to identify with the oppressed class is the first step in "The Revolution of the Proletariat".
Out here they have done an excellent job with brain-washing of the kids so now most students identify with a disaffected group or have so much white-liberal-guilt they can't function.
"Yes. If we look what is happening in California we will see the future for the rest of the country."
One more thing here:
I live in Fremont, CA and in the heart of the largest Afghan community in the US sometimes called "Little Kubul". The local theater has its marquee that says; THANK YOU PRESIDENT BUSH -- FREEDOM AFGHANISTAN. (I wish I had a picture to post but don't.) These Muslims from Afghanistan are pretty patriotic here you can do a web search of some of the pro-American activities.
Multi-cultruralism <<- out one, MANY <<- E unum in pluribus..
Every single child of immigrant parents who arrived in the U.S. in the great waves of immigration from about 1850-1920 spoke English, though many of their parents knew no English and could barely read or write in their native languages when they arrived. They succeeded and integreated into America because it was a priority and the teachers were good at what they did. The experience made the immigrants strong and the country strong.
That the milieu was multicultural didn't need to be emphasized. It would have been laughable to do so, because it was so obvious. The parents worked hard. The children attended public schools to whatever grade family finances would allow (those schools were crowded, to boot), availed themselves of the self-education opportunities there for the taking at the free public library. Attending night school to learn English was a priority for the parents. The parents did want their kids public school education and school books in the language of their country of origin.
My grandmother attended NYC public schools at the turn of the century. She was able to attend only through the sixth grade and missed many classes because she had to sneak out of the house to attend rather than follow her step mother's directive to take care of younger step brothers and sisters. Even though English was not the language of her family's household, her English handwriting, diction, grammar and writing and speaking style were superb, as was her knowledge and love of literature, poetry, geography, math and history.
Today's schools have thrown out the baby with the bathwater.
Multiculturalism is a smokescreen that has been used by those calling themselves "progessives," who see it as a priority to destroy the fabric and abilities of America, including capitalism, and take it down the path of decline. Most people don't realize who started and keeps promoting this.
Very well said and I agree entirely.
"Most people don't realize who started and keeps promoting this. "
In posrt #34 this is what I say and what is worse is that many young people today are extreme-hard-left Marxists without knowing they are Marxists. The call themselves progressives and don't really understand where they really stand and the consequences of their ideas and that they are only "useful idiots" being played like instruments by the Demon-Crats.
Yes, I did. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.