Hating America: A History

FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | 1/20/05 | Richard B. Speed

[Ginifer]

"It's obvious you have never been to London or Paris or you would see millions of ethnic minorities who are British or French. Your comment was simply untrue."

No, his comments were right on. I lived in England for 3 years, Germany for almost 16 years (off and on). They may claim that they are British, French, German, etc., citizens, but deep down those countries don't actually consider them "real" citizens. In America you are a citizen no matter what part of the world you come from.

The Meaning of American Citizenship
Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization

Today you have become a citizen of the United States of America. You are no longer an Englishman, a Frenchman, an Italian, a Pole. Neither are you a hyphenated-American -- a Polish-American, an Italian-American. You are no longer a subject of a government. Henceforth, you are an integral part of this Government -- a free man -- a Citizen of the United States of America.

This citizenship, which has been solemnly conferred on you, is a thing of the spirit -- not of the flesh. When you took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, you claimed for yourself the God-given unalienable rights which that sacred document sets forth as the natural right of all men.

You have made sacrifices to reach this desired goal. We, your fellow citizens, realize this, and the warmth of our welcome to you is increased proportionately. However, we would tincture it with friendly caution.

As you have learned during these years of preparation, this great honor carries with it the duty to work for and make secure this longed-for and eagerly-sought status. Government under our Constitution makes American citizenship the highest privilege and at the same time the greatest responsibility of any citizenship in the world.

The important rights that are now yours and the duties and responsibilities attendant thereon are set forth elsewhere in this manual. It is hoped that they will serve as a constant reminder that only by continuing to study and learn about your new country, its ideals, achievements, and goals, and by everlastingly working at your citizenship can you enjoy its fruits and assure their preservation for generations to follow.

May you find in this Nation the fulfillment of your dreams of peace and security, and may America, in turn, never find you wanting in your new and proud role of Citizen of the United States.

[from: Basic Guide to Naturalization and Citizenship, Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice]

Sure I wave the American flag.
Do you know a better flag to wave?
Sure I love my country with all her faults.
I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be."

John Wayne
"America,
Why I Love Her "

[Sicon]

Even in the twenty-first century, Americans prefer a plain talking Texas cowboy who expresses himself in sentence fragments to a Harvard educated liberal who speaks in nuanced paragraphs.

Kerry is about as "nuanced" as using an 8-pound sledgehammer to break an egg. I don't know about anyone else, but Kerry seems like a colossal moron to me. But leave it to a state that would keep Chappaquiddick Ted in the Senate for 30 years to also keep electing a pathetic, self-serving tool like Kerry as well.

[kipita]

I don't know England very well but if England has such a system then that's a very good thing as England hasn't had the problems America has had relative to race relations. Maybe England is sort of the mid-point when it comes down to Trans-Atlantic systems of governance.

Anyway, good exchange. I'm off to enlighten "poor" European unemployed kids to the opportunities that exists in society with an education and hard work as "they" are of value and should compete with the "Blue Bloods".

[OldFriend]

Let me share with you the story of our new neighbor.

We live in a rather rural county in NJ.

We have a new neighbor who is an executive at Johnson & Johnson.

They arrived here from England.

The first thing they did, even before they were completely unpacked was take down the AMERICAN flag flying on the flag pole in front of their new home and replace it with a British flag.

As parents of a young soldier, we always flew the AMERICAN flag. However, considering our proximity to NYC, just about every house flies the AMERICAN flag.

If they chose not to fly the AMERICAN flag that would be fine, but to replace it with a flag honoring another country left me unimpressed with our new British neighbors.

[expat_panama]

How many black  people of African/American color are head of the UK Foreign Office?   Same for how many of highest judges?  In America you're a citizen.  In the UK you're a subject.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

For example, I think the Americans are unknowingly anti-british. Can you think of an American TV show or film were the British guy isn't bad, cold-hearted or a snob? This drives us nuts when the reality is different.

This strikes me as funny because there is truth to it! I don't know why Hollywood chooses to do this so often. My guess is that, to us, European accents sound very patrician and very aristocratic, and aristocracy is something Americans have historically had little respect for. It has nothing to do with being anti-British.

[WolfRunnerWoman]

sh*t fire. Envy is their bread and butter. They count on envy to get them elected.

[lilmsdangrus]

btt

[cleo1939]

Agreed!

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Your defecit was your own making as it is mostly because you invaded Iraq. I don't see how less than 0.5% of GDP on foreign aid will bust the bank.

Our debt and our deficit were problems years before we invaded Iraq. Our politicians, in their attempts to buy our votes with expensive programs and giveaways, have gotten us into the mess. As far as foreign aid goes, our constitution does not authorize giving money to other countries. It's especially frustrating when there are plenty of needy americans who should be taken care of first.

[Yardstick]

Bump for later. I love FrontPageMag.

[68 grunt]

bttt - placemarker

[cleo1939]

I don't know about him but AMERICAN is me and my country
men. british is someone else. No judgment involved, just
fact and the way we raised our young back in the good old
days. 555555555