What Is An American?

National Review Online ^ | September 25, 2001 9:20 a.m. | Peter Ferrara

[GrandEagle]

Got this in an e-mail today. I have no idea if its source and reason is true or not, but I thought it summed it up pretty good.

[dirtbiker]

Some ragheads may try, and some may even succeed in killing an American, and collecting the reward. But rest assured, that American didn't go down easy, and he didn't go down alone.......

[RunningJoke]

"Note also how perverse is the attitude of the weak toward their benefactors. They feel generosity as oppression; they want to retaliate. They say to their benefactors: "May the day come when you shall be weak and we will send bundles to America."
You do not win the weak by sharing your wealth with them; it will but infect them with greed and resentment. You can win the weak only by sharing your pride, hope or hatred with them."

[GrandEagle]

that American didn't go down easy, and he didn't go down alone.......
AMEN!
We may squabble among ourselves, but like a family, everyone else has to deal with ALL of us!

[GrandEagle]

You do not win the weak by sharing your wealth with them; it will but infect them with greed and resentment. You can win the weak only by sharing your pride, hope or hatred with them."
VERY well said..

[semaj]

A truly wonderful article. Thanks for the post.

[SwinneySwitch]

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/america2.htm

The "What is an American?" article quoted above was not penned by an Australian (or a dentist), but by Peter Ferrara, an associate professor of law at the George Mason University School of Law in Northern Virginia. Mr. Ferrara's commentary was originally published in the National Review on 25 September 2001.

[McGavin999]

That just gave me chills, it's so true.

[GrandEagle]

was not penned by an Australian (or a dentist),
Thanks for the correction.

[hoosiermama]

Thanks for sharing....have already passed it on!

[Weimdog]

The "What is an American?" article quoted above was not penned by an Australian (or a dentist), but by Peter Ferrara, an associate professor of law at the George Mason University School of Law in Northern Virginia. Mr. Ferrara's commentary was originally published in the National Review on 25 September 2001.

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/america2.htm

[southernnorthcarolina]

I'd be willing to bet, as the old metaphor says, "all the tea in China" that this isn't "authentic," and that the "Australian dentist" does not exist.

But, so what? Somebody wrote it, and wrote it very well.

I immediately thought of the 1973 commentary by Canadian broadcaster Gordon Sinclair; perhaps one of the most often repeated posts on Free Republic, but in case anyone missed it, here 'tis.

Great piece, regardless of its authenticity. Thanks for posting it.

[mirado]

How true that is. It could not have been better stated, and I agree 100%. It is for that very reason, among many others, I have always loved, respected and supported the US.

Estevan, Canada

[NMR Guy]

In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan.

Of course, that's not actually true. But it's still a nice article.

[RunningJoke]

It is a quote from "The Passionate State of Mind" written by Eric Hoffer. I think it is one of the best books ever written. Here's another:

"It has been often said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Hatred, malice, rudeness, intolerance, and suspicion are the fruits of weakness. The resentment of the weak does not spring from any injustice done to them but from the sense of their inadequacy and impotence. They hate not wickedness but weakness. When it is in their power do so, the weak destroy weakness wherever they see it. Woe to the weak when they are preyed upon by the weak. The self-hatred of the weak is likewise an instance of their hatred of weakness."

[GrandEagle]

Thanks for the edit to correct the source.
I'll try and do my homework better next time!

[RightWhale]

Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Seems like a well-reasoned statement. Some day this planet will be known as Planet America and everyone will be Americans, and they will like it.

[DB]

The total population of Afghanistan is about 26 million.

So the statement probably isn't true, but it could be.

[GrandEagle]

The total population of Afghanistan is about 26 million.
Is that before or after our guys showed up? LOL!

[Huck]

Seems like a well-reasoned statement. Some day this planet will be known as Planet America and everyone will be Americans, and they will like it.

And I'll bet you when that day comes, the New York Yankees will still be the team to beat.