Quote to Ponder
WichitaWhat is everyone's opinion of this 1907 quote? Food for thought:
"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
~Dubya
Aaron Lynch said:
Its hard to be more right than this:
"Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. "
"Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. "
Rox said:
Good quote!
I don't have a problem with people celebrating their heritage. Each and every one of us does it at some time, from Native Americans to Germans, Dutch, Italians, Vietnamese, Koreans, Russians, Irish, and on and on. That's great! But Teddy has an excellent point. If you want to live your life in America, please be American. Then you can whine and moan with the rest of us. ;)
I don't have a problem with people celebrating their heritage. Each and every one of us does it at some time, from Native Americans to Germans, Dutch, Italians, Vietnamese, Koreans, Russians, Irish, and on and on. That's great! But Teddy has an excellent point. If you want to live your life in America, please be American. Then you can whine and moan with the rest of us. ;)
lindainks55 said:
I can't disagree with a word of that 1907 quote.
I don't know enough about today's immigration issue to state an informed opinion; I only have my mixed-up emotions. Illegal is illegal! Everyone should be treated humanely. Pretty mixed up, huh!? So, I should be very quiet and listen and learn. I hear what is said by politicians but long ago quit trusting that anything they say is the truth.
I know we are a country of immigrants. But when most of our ancestors came to America they had a different attitude (I think). I find it impossible to believe that people who broke the law to be here will now follow a new law to stay here legally. And, I am very angry about anyone who says we need to fight a war in a foreign country to ensure our safety while our borders are wide open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Last Sunday we went to the zoo here in Wichita. We walked to the back of the zoo where the gorilla exhibit is but when we were exiting there was the train so we decided to ride back to the front. While on the train I noticed we seemed to be the ONLY English speaking people! There were MANY speaking Spanish and a few speaking Vietnamese. It was shocking to me. This was a situation where they were speaking among themselves so maybe their native language was appropriate. Maybe that was the only language they knew how to speak. It was an eye-opening experience for me.
So, how many immigrants can America handle without strain?
I don't know enough about today's immigration issue to state an informed opinion; I only have my mixed-up emotions. Illegal is illegal! Everyone should be treated humanely. Pretty mixed up, huh!? So, I should be very quiet and listen and learn. I hear what is said by politicians but long ago quit trusting that anything they say is the truth.
I know we are a country of immigrants. But when most of our ancestors came to America they had a different attitude (I think). I find it impossible to believe that people who broke the law to be here will now follow a new law to stay here legally. And, I am very angry about anyone who says we need to fight a war in a foreign country to ensure our safety while our borders are wide open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Last Sunday we went to the zoo here in Wichita. We walked to the back of the zoo where the gorilla exhibit is but when we were exiting there was the train so we decided to ride back to the front. While on the train I noticed we seemed to be the ONLY English speaking people! There were MANY speaking Spanish and a few speaking Vietnamese. It was shocking to me. This was a situation where they were speaking among themselves so maybe their native language was appropriate. Maybe that was the only language they knew how to speak. It was an eye-opening experience for me.
So, how many immigrants can America handle without strain?
Gster said:
My maternal Grandparents emigrated from Norway around 1915, and my Grandmother lived to 105 years old. I frequently think of what she had seen, from horse and buggy to walking on the moon, etc!
Amazing.
Amazing.
Danny said:
This is my thoughts. I've nothing against those who immigrate with the intent of being American and following through with that intent and becoming American and nothing else.
So I like the quote and find it to be appropriate.
So I like the quote and find it to be appropriate.
Hank Price said:
The Hyphen by John Wayne
The Hyphen, Webster's Dictionary defines,
Is a symbol used to divide a
compound word or a single word.
So it seems to me that when a man calls himself
An "Afro-American," a "Mexican-American,"
"Italian-American," An "Irish-American," "Jewish-American,"
What he's sayin' is, "I'm a divided American."
Well, we all came from other places,
Different creeds and different races,
To form a nation...to become as one,
Yet look at the harm a line has done -
A simple little line, and yet
As divisive as a line can get.
A crooked cross the Nazis flew,
And the Russian hammer and sickle too-
Time bombs in the lives of Man;
But none of these could ever fan
The flames of hatred faster than
The Hyphen.
The Russian hammer built a wall
That locks men's hearts from freedom's call.
A crooked cross flew overhead
Above twenty million tragic dead-
Among them men from this great nation,
Who died for freedom's preservation.
A hyphen is a line that's small;
It can be a bridge or be a wall.
A bridge can save you lots of time;
A wall you always have to climb.
The road to liberty lies true.
The Hyphen's use is up to you.
Used as a bridge, it can span
All the differences of Man.
Being free in mind and soul
Should be our most important goal.
If you use The Hyphen as a wall,
You'll make your life mean...and small.
An American is a special breed,
Whose people came to her in need.
They came to her that they might find
A world where they'd have peace of mind.
Where men are equal...and something more-
Stand taller than they stood before.
So you be wise in your decision,
And that little line won't cause division.
Let's join hands with one another...
For in this land, each man's your brother.
United we stand...divided we fall.
WE'RE AMERICANS...and that says it all.
The Hyphen, Webster's Dictionary defines,
Is a symbol used to divide a
compound word or a single word.
So it seems to me that when a man calls himself
An "Afro-American," a "Mexican-American,"
"Italian-American," An "Irish-American," "Jewish-American,"
What he's sayin' is, "I'm a divided American."
Well, we all came from other places,
Different creeds and different races,
To form a nation...to become as one,
Yet look at the harm a line has done -
A simple little line, and yet
As divisive as a line can get.
A crooked cross the Nazis flew,
And the Russian hammer and sickle too-
Time bombs in the lives of Man;
But none of these could ever fan
The flames of hatred faster than
The Hyphen.
The Russian hammer built a wall
That locks men's hearts from freedom's call.
A crooked cross flew overhead
Above twenty million tragic dead-
Among them men from this great nation,
Who died for freedom's preservation.
A hyphen is a line that's small;
It can be a bridge or be a wall.
A bridge can save you lots of time;
A wall you always have to climb.
The road to liberty lies true.
The Hyphen's use is up to you.
Used as a bridge, it can span
All the differences of Man.
Being free in mind and soul
Should be our most important goal.
If you use The Hyphen as a wall,
You'll make your life mean...and small.
An American is a special breed,
Whose people came to her in need.
They came to her that they might find
A world where they'd have peace of mind.
Where men are equal...and something more-
Stand taller than they stood before.
So you be wise in your decision,
And that little line won't cause division.
Let's join hands with one another...
For in this land, each man's your brother.
United we stand...divided we fall.
WE'RE AMERICANS...and that says it all.
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