Theodore Roosevelt- View on being a American

[justfishin]

Subject: Theodore Roosevelt 1907

The year is 1907.....but the speaker knew what he was talking about.

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also , isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Every American citizen needs to read this!

I thought about the political aspect of this post and if the mods want they can delete it with no problem or hard feelings. I posted it because I thought it was  more of a post on the definition of American. I always thought Teddy R. was one of our best presidents. Glenn, if it you think it has a political flavor, I apologize, I just was not sure how far it delved into being politics or even if it did.----Jim

[burleytog]

And that is the way it was 100 years ago.  Immigrants came to the country to live the American Dream and have a better life than was possible in their former country.  They assimilated themselves all the while living in a small part of their former home (China Town, Little Italy, etc.)

Now they come here to make money to send back home.  Assimilation is the furthest thing from their minds.

I can't recall the quote at the moment, but there is a good one floating out there about hyphenated Americans.

[Troutfisher]

My thing is, people call themselves African-American, Irish-American, German-American, and all other sorts of " - American".  IMHO, if you are born in America, you are an American.  Everyone in this country, excluding Native Americans, originally immigrated from another country.  However, you aren't labeled as an Irish-American, German-American, etc., you are just plain AMERICAN.  

[Alpster]

I agree with you guys and Roosevelt too. The big problem is, that we don't talk as loud and we don't demand our own way as well as the "other-americans". Sorry for the synicism. This is a sore spot with me. I will leave it alone so I don't get into trouble.

God bless you guys

Ronnie

[fishbear]

My thing is, people call themselves African-American, Irish-American, German-American, and all other sorts of " - American".  IMHO, if you are born in America, you are an American.  Everyone in this country, excluding Native Americans, originally immigrated from another country.  However, you aren't labeled as an Irish-American, German-American, etc., you are just plain AMERICAN.  

I could not agree more with all of you and Teddy.

I got in a debate with the Census Bureau, last time they were out.  They asked me what -American I was.  I said I am none of those, I am an American, nothing more.  They even sent out a supervisor to talk to me, lol,, he left scratching his head as well.   If everyone quit worrying about their ethinticity and proudly proclaimed they were Americans, a lot of our problems in this country would just plain disappear.  IMHO

[Troutfisher]

Agreed...to America and Freedom!  

[Guest avid]

Ok, leave it to Avid to rain on the parade, but I think it is naive and definitly NOT in the best interest of America to insist that people consider themselves "American" and not "Italian American" ,  "African American", Irish American, etc.

Cultural, religeous, and ethnic diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It is something mose countries do not have and cannot understand.  It is one of the basic qualities that lead to America's greatness.

Our values as so eloquently stated by TR are inclusive.  

I think it is clear predjudice to assume that the current immigrants have no wish to assimilate but only to make money to send "home".  America is their home and they often risked their lives to get here.

I agree that we should have a national language and that it should be English.  the fact that we don't is, IMO cowardice on the part of congress in the face of the vast numbers of hispanics living in the USA.  Did you know that in the next decade, people of Hispanic origin will be the majority ethnic group in the country?

This doesn't trouble me, but the political power that accompanies this fact does.  Two examples.

1.  No national language - This is rediculous.

2.  the politically correct term "undocumented alien" as oppossed to "illegal alien"  If you enter the country illegally then you are illegal.  What's so complicated about that?

But I see nothing wrong with a St. Patricks day parade, Martin Luther King day, Columbus day etc.

We can celebrate our diversity and demonstrate to the world that people of all races, religeons, and national origins can unite in a dream of a better life for themselves and their children.

There are approximetly 2 million muslims living in the US.  The vast majority came here for the same reason your grandparents did.  

I have posted some reservations, but the USA as the great "melting pot" has contributed to our country being the foremost nation on the planet.

this is a very good thing.

Avid has spoken  

[justfishin]

I was getting a little nervous for a minute and thought this would turn into a ranting on the problems of ethnicity and a venue to scream about personal problems. I agree that one of our strengths is our diversity. Different foods, different ideas, etc. can be a plus. I think to sum things up, at least for me, the bottom line is to use our diversity as a strength but, to remember the bottom line, we are Americans, period. Our heart and souls, no matter where you are from  needs to be 100% American. There is no such thing as Utopia, at least not on earth, but we have a good thing here if everyone gets the bottom line. I would really like to see this country enforce this idea and take a stand, period. I think it would solve a world of problems we are having. Thanks Glenn and Mods for letting this post ride awhile and thanks guys for keeping it interesting and civil.

[Hookemdown.]

My thing is, people call themselves African-American, Irish-American, German-American, and all other sorts of " - American".  IMHO, if you are born in America, you are an American.  Everyone in this country, excluding Native Americans, originally immigrated from another country.  However, you aren't labeled as an Irish-American, German-American, etc., you are just plain AMERICAN.  

YES! EXACTLY! PERFECT!

I've told this to my family a hundred times.  If you were born in America your and AMERICAN...period.  If you wasn't born in America, and you become one through the various processes,  YOU Are not an an American.

Remember it like our great seal tells it: E Pluribus Unum,  Which means " Out of many, ONE  

[fishbear]

Avid,

I have no problem what so ever having Ethnic pride in who you are and where your roots are based.  

I have a problem with the labels dividing this country.  The african-americans want this, the hispanic-americans want that, the italian-americans want something different, and it divides this country like it has never been divided since the civil war.  With all these different -Americans, it is crazy..  just be an American and be proud of it.  But also be proud of your race and ethnicity.  

[Hookemdown.]

I just reread my post, and i'd like to add to it a little.

Like others, I have no problem with people expressing their heritage.  I come from a very large German family (SCHMIDT) and am very proud of it.  But i do agree, I think it divides people.  We must stand together. That's why they call it the UNITED States.

[Guest avid]

Avid,

I have no problem what so ever having Ethnic pride in who you are and where your roots are based.

I have a problem with the labels dividing this country. The african-americans want this, the hispanic-americans want that, the italian-americans want something different, and it divides this country like it has never been divided since the civil war. With all these different -Americans, it is crazy.. just be an American and be proud of it. But also be proud of your race and ethnicity.

this is a good point but I think it's just a little off target.

the labels that divide are usually symbolic.  Music for one.  Rap is urban predominantly black music, while country is rural predominantly white.

I think the economic differences are the real threat.  the middle class is shrinking.  More and more technical and production jobs that paid decently have been replaced by service jobs like "do you want fries with that? that pay crap.

We are becoming a country of "haves" and have nots"  this is very third world and potentially disruptive.

I would like to see reduce our many forgein obligations and invest in our country.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Go for it Avid. I grew up in the biggest melting pot of all(BROOKLYN NYC) People took pride in what they brought to the table i was listening to jazz on my stoop one day and my Grand Father , welling with pride explained how an Italain Immigrant had inventeed the FM radio Fermi , he taught at Fordham and thats how they got the first FM licience. Mr. Rankin a 60 year old+ retired Police officer expalined to me Mr Louis Armstrong and about how slaves brouht the basics of Jazz and blues from Africa. Mrs.Perez told us stories of the great Incan temples and ruins she had seen as a child, the same people who helped the Eurpeans with math and the cultivation of Maize(corn) all of these people were something-American and they served only America but brought their identieis with them. THEY ALL LEARNED HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH too, they worked at jobs/for saliries others wouldnt hey were also labled lazy,shifty and worthless but not in my HOOD

When someone moved to South Brooklyn , your mom put one more hand full of pasta in the pot for em. someone helped them get a job, an apartment,taught them nglish and helped with their citizenship test. THATS MY AMERICA and its a beautiful place 8-)

[Catt]

The is nothing wrong with Ethnic pride but we must remember we are Americans first  

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. Matthew 12:25

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Catt Ethnic Pride doesn't mean division it means remebering the sacrafices my Dad made to get us into the American dream. My dad went back to Italy as an American soldier and was responsible for shelling the very church he was baptized in because he was an American Solider fighting the enemy Italy in WWII. He wept about this and my Dad was as tough as they come. He was also very proud of the Italian soccer team,Carl Furillo(BKLYN DODGER RIGHT FIELDER) and in later years Rudi Guilliani, because the were great Italains and Italian Americans.

[Catt]

Muddy, your dad & my dad understand the value of being united in one common goal (being American) but today the values that made this country great are being tossed aside.

I can't speak for what's happening up north but here in the south lines have been drawn and it aint Mexican American; it's Mexican; it aint Muslim American; it's Muslim. This attitude is not Ethnic Pride!

I like Ronnie will drop this subject  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

me three you goin fishin this weekend

[largemouthslayer]

Does this mean I can't be a Mook American?

[PaparockArk]

Hmmm, very interesting as it is often hard to separate all the aspects that men follow. Do all that enter follow the path of reconciliation to the whole or do some seek isolation to maintain their separation at any cost? It is those that seek separation and isolation within the whole and not inclusion that seem today to foster difference.

If the wisdom of the founders were followed today as it was perhaps differences would lessen, divisions heal, and voices speak in softer tones today.

[Guest avid]

I'm still not accepting that identification with an ethnic group is all that divisive.  "African Americans want this"  assumes that they all want the same thing.  they don't.  Neither do Irish Americans, German americans etc.  

You want to talk divisiveness.  I think Republican v. Democrat is about as divisve as can be.  The party in power immediatley becomes a target for the "other" party.  What's best for America seems to have taken a back seat to what's best for the party.

The ethnic thing used to carry alot more meaningful weight than it does now.  I see it more as symbolic, like Hispanics wanting to see Oscar De La Hoya beat Floyd Mayweather, and blacks feeling the opposite.  

But when the political parties who are entrusted with our very lives and livlihood go at it, the American people seem to mere pawns in their game.

Avid has spoken  

[Long Mike]

P-Rock, good point.  From my point of view, most all who have come, and will come to the States wish to be amalgamated into the generic term of American.  There is no need to give up one's ethninticity to become an accepted citizen of the USA.  In fact, I feel that that it is almost a necessity for an immigrant to have ethnic areas in which to be initially received.  I will not go into the reasons, because they are obvious.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I have a problem with diversity cant have diversity and then claim  you want  equality .All jokes aside if you hollar  as a culture you want a holiday for lets say a king that was in your mother country and lets say it actually happened it cannot be force fed apon US to celebrate it>because then your practicing your diversity and the next day equality  its one way or no way if you ask me%%%

[Guest the_muddy_man]

WHAT???????

[Maxximus Redneckus]

See what 50 years will do:

Scenario: Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.

1956 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.

2006 - School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1956 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.

2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Jason won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1956 - Jason sent to office and given a good paddling by Principal. Sits still in class.

2006 - Jason given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra money from state because Jason has a disability.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his father's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1956 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. Billy's sister is told by state psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.

1956 - Mark shares headache medicine with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1956 : Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.

2006 : Pedro's cause is taken up by state democratic party. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed

1956 - Ants die.

2006 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary, hugs him to comfort him.

1956 - In a short time Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

WHAT???????WHAT?????????