[Gracey]

Oh, by they way. I'm of Middle Eastern ancestry, 1st generation. My father constantly preached about the wonderful country this was, how fortunate we were to live in the USA, that no country in the world had the same freedoms, etc, adnauseum (or so I thought as a child). Now I understand what he meant.

He hung American flags in the house even though my mother spoke little English and he had a heavy accent. However, my parents were Christians.

[AmishDude]

My father constantly preached about the wonderful country this was, how fortunate we were to live in the USA, that no country in the world had the same freedoms, etc, adnauseum (or so I thought as a child). Now I understand what he meant.

This has been the American immigrant experience for all but the last 40 years. The major difference is that immigration now just means a few hundred dollars and a few hours out of your schedule. Immigrants are not required to have a stake in American society and culture.