Posted on 11/22/2004 10:07:13 PM PST by LouAvul
WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 34 million U.S. residents were born outside the United States, with arrivals from Mexico driving much of the growth in the foreign-born population since 2000, a private research group says.
The foreign-born population grew at a clip of over 1 million a year between 2000 and 2004, even though the U.S. economy was suffering, according to the analysis being released Tuesday by the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors stricter immigration policies.
That pace was roughly equal to the growth rate between 1996 and 2000, when the economy was on the upswing.
It is more evidence that stricter immigration enforcement after the Sept. 11 attacks did little to stop the influx of immigrants, said Steve Camarota, who wrote the report. Often the worst of economic conditions in America are still better than the financial situations in an immigrant's native country.
(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...
I can think of at least 19 foreign-born "diversity-bestowing" residents whose presence here in September 2001 I'd rather not not celebrate.
Excuse me for not joining your maypole dance.
America has never been a mono-culture. It absorbs other cultures. You could argue that it waters them down, but that's what we do. Fifty years ago Taco Bell didn't exist. Neither did Pizza Hut. These were considered "exotic" foods. The same is true for all aspects of an assimilating culture...
Do note that I'm NOT saying they should not assimilate, I just object to the enforcing of an 'official' language. It seems to smack of what Franco did when he imposed Castilian on all of Spain
America takes the best of the incoming culture and makes it uniquely American
Damn Irish. Irish must go home... how dare they come here and spread that Gallic tongue... English first.
Well, I think that would be a loss --
Its often so argued, usually by people wanting some language to be pereserves, and usually in total disregard of the fact that no one else wants to preserve it, and no one at all uses it.
Latest fiasco I am aware of is the push to preserve various Alaskan Native languages, even though there is nothing written in these languages (they were never written), and nothing but modern stories recorded (audio) either. But its important to the native elders that it be preserved. Their children oblige, but their grandchildren could care less.
Except for the intereptation of ancient texts, I maintain little or nothing is lost when a language falls into disuse, or is forgotten entirely. In fact, it is probably necessary for human progress. We could effect no progress at all if we were still burdened with 3000 ancient languages. Having two or three in common usage is the same problem on a smaller scale.
But there is simply no reason NOT to have an official language, most countries do. Canada has two. But at least they HAVE official languages. The story of the tower of babel is not so fictional as it may seem.
Islamic immigrants in Queens, NY celebrated 9-11 .
You can make that "uniquely American". I'd prefer it not be here.
Well, something is lost -- you can't express yourself in the same way in one language as you can another and translations don't work all the time. It's like a JAva program trying to use a stored procedure-- each functions very well in its own sphere and they work in tandem.
I think 3.4 million might be too much and your opinion that such a view is racists is HIGHLY suspect. Stating that my opinion "need not be considered" is a chiseled in stone conformation that somewhat more than latent communist/socialist/democrat influence is leading you. Take note of the recent election proceedings, such a stance in this Republic is rapidly declining and will, God willing, die out.
And yes, you have made your "enlightened" little one world orientation QUITE clear for everyone.
Build the wall, build it now, and to hell with anyone trying to illegally cross.
I wonder what the tab to the American taxpayer is for these foreign borns? This is one of the many reasons that illegals aliens were included in the Mecidare Bill that passed the Republican congress in the middle of the night.
Oh.. OK..
That's true for the most part.
While you have your share, these are documented numbers and couldn't possibly include the Illegals, no way no how. Add another 20-30 million to account for the illegal invasion and send your regards to the Whitehouse. Blackbird.
"Well something is lost..."
As opposed to everything being lost if forced to learn EVERY single language on earth just on the OFF chance you will need its specific naunace in some situation later in life?
Since most people can only master two or three languages, the chance of having just enough of the fourth or fifth to come forth with that subtle shade of meaning when you need it is slim indeed.
I believe it was Knuth who put forth the proposition that anything that can be expresed in one closed syntatical language could be expressed in any other such language.
If Java does not meet this standard, then perhaps its the wrong tool for the job. Never been impressed with it myself.
bttt
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