Posted on 07/13/2002 8:23:34 AM PDT by Donna Lee Nardo
Hey Freepers! Below is from a circulating e-mail. It is terrific! Perhaps a Freeper wrote the editorial? I searched FR and I didn't find it posted -- so I am posting it. And even if it was posted previously, more people are bound to read it for the first time now, I hope.
From the circulating e-mail: "After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her drivers license with her face covered, I believe this is even more appropriate. Read on, please!
This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he?
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely composed of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multi- cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.
This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
Since I'm an urban person and absolutely love the city, personally, I'm "more free" in the city. I'm bored to tears in the country, and if I'm bored, I may as well be in prison.
Where are you more free from noise and odors, in the city or in the country?
Well, let's see. My Big Mama's farm in Arkansas was nice. Pear, peach, apple, and pecan trees all around. You could see every star in the sky at night. But the pig pen, well... Now, where I lived in Cleveland, I was not far from the Hough Bakery. The smell of fresh bread every morning was great. So in other words, it depends on what a person prefers.
Where are you more free from perverts parading down your street, in the city or in the country?
That depends. There's many a pervert in the country. Slick Willie is from Arkansas, you know.
Where are you more free from crime, in the city or in the country?
That's a given. But let me say this: With my .44, I'm very freeeeeeeeeee!
Where are you more free to play loud music, in the city or in the country?
Come on down to Bruins, Arkansas later this month and then you tell me.
Where are you more free from contagious diseases and pollution, in the city or in the country?
That presupposes that cities are disease infested. No matter where you are, it depends on what you come into contact with.
Where are you more free from riot, mobs, civil unrest--in the city or in the country?
Being black and knowing our history, I'll just let you slide on that one.
Where are you more free to dress as you please, to do as you please when you please--in the city or in the country?
You ever been to Cleveland Heights? Greenwich Village in NY? Ever stroll down Cicero in Chi-Town? You tell me.
Where are you more free from traffic congestion and pollution, in the city or in the country?
Uhh.. Duh! I dunno, George. I dunno.
Where are you more free to smoke or to use a fireplace, in the city or in the country?
Again, that depends on where you are. The State of Virginia is getting Nazi-like when it comes down to smoking. Just how many metropolitan areas are in VA?
Where are you more free from liberal voters, in the city or in the country?
The country, obviously. You know why? There ain't no damn voters in the country!
Where are you more free from laws and regulation over every aspect of your life, in the city or in the country?
Regulations abound in each and every state and county in this great ol' U. S. of A.
Where are there more taxes, in the city or in the country?
Could it be that there aren't many voters to tax in the rural areas?
Where are you more free, in places packed with people stepping on each other's feet and voting for government regulation of life--or in the sparsely populated countryside?
Whatever. You have a perverted sense of what "freedom" means if you look at how many people are around you as the litmus test to judge.
Maybe you need to get you a huge patch of land out in Montana or maybe Idaho. You sound as if you want to be left alone. And I'm just the type of brotha who will oblige you.
Maybe I can read maps.
The densely-packed blue areas on this map voted for Al Gore.
The sparsely-populated red areas voted for President Bush.
Should we get Jim's opinion?
This is the fifth posting (that I could find in under ten seconds) of a mass-distributed e-mail that's been floating around the net for months now.
Important? I find it patriotic, but a bit misguided.
Immigrants "must" adapt? What exactly does that mean anyway? Immigrants must obey the laws, must be willing to defend the country when needed, and must renounce allegiance to any other country.
Past that point, Legal immigrants have very few other obligations, certainly, there are no obligations above and beyond those of a native-born citizen.
One last thing, doesn't the last paragraph strike you as being a bit odd?
"This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE."
The writer details the right of every American to free speech, then tells the newest Americans that should they have the temerity to exercise that very same Freedom of Speech, they are no longer welcomed here.
A bit of hypocrisy, wouldn't you say?
"We believe in free speech, just not for you."
You ain't gone to Montana yet?
That is correct, in the United States of America Congress must adhere to the United States Constitution but Donna or myself or you or anyone else do not. The Constitution is for the limitation of Government not the People. Donna is free to pass whatever laws in her domain she wants and you are free to break them and as long as neither break any real laws nobody cares.
Are you saying that this site is Donna's domain?
Is Donna JimRob in drag then?
I much prefer oceanfront property to being landlocked--but all good oceanfront property is overrun with people, their noise and garbage, and getting worse.
Lawyers for the unwashed masses are already attempting to obtain access for the masses to the oceanfront property in private hands.
The forest will come next.
What the masses do not chop down to build their ticky-tack houses, they will fence-off as outdoor museums, and there will be no walking on the grass or picking of flowers--let alone the gathering of firewood for the hearth and the hunting, fishing, and gathering of fresh food gained by healthy and exciting exercise.
....We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish,
No the content of Donna's post is her domain, this website is Jim's domain. Donna can flaunt those rules and possibly or not break Jim's rules and Jim is free to remove or not remove Donna as he sees fit. In either case the Constitution has nothing to do with it as far as the rules go. Jim can refuse posting privileges as he sees fit. He cannot violate her free speech as he is not government and not bound by the Constitution, by the same token Donna can make her own website and refuse Jim posting privileges and as long as neither has broken any laws they are within their rights.
The point being that I can refuse entrance to my house to anyone I see fit and I can limit their speech as I see fit and they can do the same to me. I am not bound by the Constitution only the government is. I am bound by the laws of the land as we all are. That is why it is so important that they be Constitutional.
But you can't come into Jim's house and limit the speech of his guests...that's what Donna wished to do.
The content of Donna's post is NOT her domain, it's Jim's. Otherwise, Donna would have the ability to censor, or even pull individual posts, or even the entire thread. She doesn't.
Under the informal "rules" of the forum, articles are posted, then people are given the opportunity to freely comment, this ability is given by the site's owner, and can't be negated by Donna because this is "her thread".
My post to you simply indicated four other places where the e-mail was posted in FR, and the comment that some people should learn to use the search engines.
Not very impolite by any means.
In response to that, you called me anal-retentive, a big bore, compared me to a democrat, suggested that I am uncivilized, showed me the door, alluded that I was offended by the e-mail (which I wasn't, nor did I give any indication of being offended by it) because I was born in Cuba, mused that I may be short, then had the unmitigated balls to suggest that I am not "polite"?
I'm not polite? When all you have friggin' done is bitch, throw a spolied brat tantrum, and used vulgarities over my suggestion that people should be respectful of the wishes of the site's owner.
Well, you know what? It's too damned bad if you took offense at my words. I suggest that you grow thicker skin if you want to hang out here. Suggesting that "some people should learn to use the search engines" is nothing compared to the everyday flame wars in this site.
Grow up, and get a life.
She has no way of censoring you and it would be up to Jim or his assigns to do something if the rules were broken. What she wished to do matters not since she had no way of doing that. Let her post what she wants, you post what you want, let Jim or the moderators decide if it's correct or not.
That's not where I was going anyway. You claimed that not even the Congress can abridge freedom of religion but She thought she could. Congress is bound by the Constitution, she is not.
She can start a thread here "No Hindus allowed" and she hasn't violated anyone's freedom of religion. Jim or someone will just pull the thread, she has no power here. She can go on Usenet and do the same, depending on the group it may or may not be allowed or ignored, again she hasn't violated anyone's rights. She can post a sign in her house saying that and their she can enforce it, again no voilation. She can even put a sign up in a public place, she still wouldn't violate any single person's freedom of religion but she would probably be breaking a bevy of laws.
So in finish, another person no matter what the case cannot violate your Constitutional rights, only the government can do that, they can break laws which protect those rights but it is incorrect to say this or that person has violated my Constitutional right to free speech or religion. Government includes any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency and persons acting for them.
"Congress can pass no laws abridging the freedom of speech...but Donna can!!!---me."
In other words, you agree with me.
"No one trumps my President, no savior, no god, no UN leader, nothing."Frightening, considering that Bill Clinton was your President.
Doesn't bother me, but then I have no fear of Christianity.
What I do find annoying is the need for some people to squint real hard, switch their brain to 'stupid', and falsely claim that the Constitution says something about a "separation of church and state". These are the people who can't be trusted.
Yeah, you knew where I was going.
I think it's an important difference. Too many times today you see people asking government, particularly the federal government, to solve problems or perceived problems that exist in society that should be worked out by other means. Every time you ask to government to intercede you give them power in that particular area. Remember governments aren't benign entities working for the benefit of its citizens. They are hungry behemoths gathering power wherever they can. Constitutions are created by the governed to limit that gathering but when the governed willingly give up those limits the Constitution becomes just another worthless document. A Constitution requires the effort of the governed to work. The terrible government you have today is the one you allowed yesterday.
Actualmente, yo hablo espanol, pero no muy bien...MUD
Ya know Mud, you really have to quit going to Food Lion & get to Ukrop's!
The DPR...Excellent!
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