7 Comments Add your own

• 1. Matthew  |  March 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

  I understand your inquisitions, but certainly hold a far different view.

  I’m a United States Marine Corps Veteran, and defended (as so many before and after myself have) our (meaning every US Citizen’s) 1st amendment right to free speech, and I believe that this is a right that is allowable to exercise by every legal US Citizen (as theres are amendments to the US Constitution, for every US Citizen’s benefit.

  I believe that all immigrants have the right to come to our country to make a better life for themselves, but they must immigrate legally, and naturalize as US citizens. We’re all descended from immigrants somewhere in all of our bloodlines. I know my ancestors immigrated here legally, naturalized as US citizens.

  Most of them worked as common laborers, as these were mostly the jobs that were available to them in those days. But, they saved what they could and worked hard so that they could buy land, invest in our country, and make a better life for themselves, their descendants, and others. They never asked for, nor expected handouts. Every generation of my family on both sides have served the US in the military, and have fought in every war since our family chose to become Americans.

  Most of us can say the same about our families, as most US citizens’ families came to our country the same way. When we swore to uphold the constitution, we meant it. Those weren’t hollow words.

  But now, we have many immigrants coming here illegally, with no intention of naturalizing. I was even witness to, in th later 1990s, the reaction to our national anthem by some of our immigrant population that stunned me, and I can’t, nor ever will, forget it. My (Army veteran) brother and I went to the Metro Centre to watch the first Oscar DeLaHoya vs. Julio Cesar Chavez fight. First, here in America, the Mexican national anthem was played first. My brother and I stood at attention out of respect for the Mexican national anthem, although it is formally by US customs and coutesies for any national anthem to come before ours on US soil. Then, the played the our national anthem second, and the (seemingly mostly immigrant) crowd went into an uproar of “boos” and disrespectful and hateful expressions were shouted, as Old Glory waved to the big screen that the fight was being broadcast on. People even threw their concession items and trash at the big screen.

  Yet, these people that come here illegally, and treat our land and customs with disrespect demand rights and government benefits. And we sympathetically give them to them. Those benefits paid to these same people come out of all of our pockets.

  Also, we have all too many business owners who choose to pay these people a povertous wage “under the table”, and exploit these illegal immigrants to their own benefit. But this enables continued disrespect of our laws, courtesies and customs.

  We allow all who come here to worship freely. Most forget that this country was founded after the protestant reformation to give all a land in which they were free to worship in the manner that best suits them. We now have activist groups and political sympathisers who work to take those rights away from many in claims that many peoples rights are infringed upon by any religious reference in any facet of our government (which was founded on Judeo Christian ethics). I, for one, want my children to say the full, “un-edited” pledge of allegance in school every day. Even if the phrase “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” is in it. That is our pledge of allegence to this country. The same pledge every generation of my family has upheld in their immigration and naturalization. It is not only the right, but duty of every US citizen.

  But, we sympathize with tose who immigrate here, and take offense to our creeds, courtesys, and customs. We water down our Christian beliefs at their demand, to make them feel more welcome in our country. What other country, anywhere on the globe, would do this?

  We disrespect our current Commander-in-Cheif, and President of the United States of America, President George W. Bush. People of ten refer to President Bush in “slang” terminology. They make parody of him on national television. Many news outlets openly attack him, and belittle him, for every move he makes. I served in the United States Marine Corps under Presidents George H.W. Bush, and President William Jefferson Clinton. And, in being honest, the latter did a lot of good for some in our country, but surely took a lot away from our sons and daughters in the military. Also, as most presidents was guilty of personal misconduct, some of which was carried out in our Oval Office. And, not to mention other indiscretions, as well. Some of them may have been true, some may not have been. But I know how both of their presidencies effected me.

  The same can be, and is, said of President Bush. But, if we don’t rally behind, respect, and support our own president, how can we expect other countries’ leaders to respect him? Especially the way some of our citizens behave.

  We bend backwards to adjust our country, our creeds, our customs, and our beliefs to accomodate every person who comes to our country, but doesn’t love what it is, or what it stands for.

  The beautiful thing about our country is that anyone who has a dream can follow it, and make it a reality. Anyone can.

  And, we’re giving that away, freely. The rest of the world laughs at us as weak because of that.

• 2. Samal  |  March 5th, 2008 at 3:01 am

  Right, lets look at that record for a minute:

  - Great Britian continues to elect pro-American PM.
  - Japan continues to elect pro-American PM.
  - S. Korea tosses out their anti-American President for a pro-American.
  - Germany tosses out the anti-American leader in favor of a pro-American one.
  - France elects an unabashidly pro-American President who even vactions here in the states and offers to send combat troops to Afghanistan to support the mission there. This is unheard of in French history.
  - Poland’s leader is pro-American and willing to host missile defense sites.
  - The Czech Republic is pro-American and trying to get us to place missile defense radar bases there.
  - The majority of the break away Soviet nations are pro-Americans as was demonistrated by the Orange revolution.
  - Canada tosses out an anti-american PM in favor for a very pro-American one.
  - Mexico chooses a pro-American over a pro-Chavez socialist/populist.
  - Pakistan elects a pro-American party (based on Bhutto’s prior beliefs, The reality of this one is yet to be tested).
  - India has made trade and strategic agreements with the US that may include the receipt of the USS Kittyhawk when it is retired along with a purchase of 60 or more fighters.
  - Columbia is very pro-American.
  - Daniel Ortega, President of Nicauragua has become pro-American (comments regarding new Bush administration policies toward Nicauragua were cited) which helped him get elected recently. As is most of Central America.
  - Brazil has recently cut ties with Chavez in favor of closer ties to the US.
  - The great majority of non-dictator controlled Africa is pro-American, particularly pro-Bush. Bob Geldhoff said President Bush recently praised Bush and wondered why the media in the US failed to recognize his foreign policy accomplishments that are directly responsible for saving millions of lives each year on that continent.

  So, what does that leave as nations that the Bush policies have damaged the realtionships with? Well dictators for one, they are the most vocal, but we don’t really want their friendship do we?

  So what were we talking about because the premise of this post isn’t reflected in real world results worldwide.

• 3. Samal  |  March 5th, 2008 at 4:04 am

  Could it be our dismal environmental record?

  From 2000 to 2004 the growth of carbon dioxide emissions in the US was 2.1%. The growth results for Europe were more then double at a 4.5% increase in carbon dioxide.

  In 2006 the EU carbon dioxide emissions increased 3.6%. For 2006 US emissions declined 1.3%.

  For both of the time periods above the US economy and population grew at a much faster rate then they did in Europe.

  The difference, we didn’t sign Kyoto but actually do the work to reduce emissions. The EU signed Kyoto but are doing a worse job then we are.

  The real difference, we get all the bad press for not smiling, lying and agreeing to something no one actually planned on implimenting. We let the free market do what it does best and it is working.

• 4. Jeff Rushing  |  March 5th, 2008 at 8:01 am

  Excellent comments I could not agree more.I will keep this short
  If anyone has a problem and thinks we are a laughing stock in other countries(which we are not) please move to one of those countries.We are the greatest nation in the history of the world PERIOD

• 5. Don R. Gugliuzza  |  March 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm

  I agree with Matthew on the immigration issure. I will welcome any and all legal immigrants from any nation on Earth. I have no problem with legal immigrants. I do, however, have a problem with illegal immigrants. Those who are willing to break our laws and scoff at our national sovereignty are not coming here to become citizens. They are coming here so that they can work, save money and send it home so that some day they can go back home. They don’t bother to learn our language or obey our laws. If any of them pays income taxes it’s because they have a stolen identity that they bought knowing that it was forged or stolen. This does not make them law abiding citizens or visitors or whatever classification they prefer.

  Just as I have a problem with illegal immigrants, I have a probelm with those who knowingly hire them so they can make use of their chcheap labor, those who harbor them knowing that they are illegal, those who speak out on their behalf spreading false information and calling those of us who don’t want illegal immigrants in our country names, and those who side with the saw breakers against their own country.
  Illegal immigrants are used and abused. They work for low wages, get no benefits and kept in a form of servitude. This is not caring for their well-being. There is no one who is advocating for open borders and amnesty that is doing that out of compassion for them. How can anyone be compassionate when they are helping others to take advantage of the illegal immigrants.
  We have a right as a sovereign nation to protect our borders and enforce our laws. It is our right and the duty of our elected officials to do that. Unfortunately, our politicians have agenda other than protecting our country and ti’s citizens.

• 6. Diane Murray  |  March 5th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

  I don’t believe that because all the nations Samal mentioned are “pro American” makes them automatically “pro Bush”. I am pro American. I love the freedom of speaking or blogging my political opinions, showing how I feel by the bumper stickers on my car.
  But I am definitely not pro Bush. I believe he has used fear to implement his policies thereby weakening our bill of rights. I believe he has lied to Americans.
  Many citizens of other countries admire our democracy. We have hosted exchange students from Ukraine, Viet Nam, Taiwan. Our “son” from Ukraine loves the United States. He now knows what real freedom is. When Bush was re-elected his comment was how incredulous his fellow citizens were that the American people would make the “same mistake twice”. He has told us that in Ukraine, they have also felt the negative effects of a Bush Administration.
  I think this is a common thread among many nations. They respect our democracy, our free enterprise, our American ingenuity. They are bewildered why Americans would think President Bush is an effective leader and was re-elected.
  As Americans, we have the responsibility to speak out against decisions we deem irresponsible or unethical. Albert Einstein said “blind respect for authority is the biggest obstacle to truth.”

• 7. Samal  |  March 5th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

  Diane Murray, I never said any of them were pro-Bush (except for Afirca and Ortega’s comments) but the point of the original post was that
  

  World opinion of the U.S. seems to have seriously deteriorated

  That just is not backed up by the facts,

  Of course the opinion of our nation is impacted,look at these lyrics of a song from Germany that shows how low we are regarded:
  

  where oh where is mickey mouse
  live and well in the White House
  whats the word on common sense
  it’s been sitting on the fence
  have you seen the mastermind
  someone’s bashed it from behind
  leaders saints and honest men
  whats become of them today

  let’s play USA, let’s play USA
  how I love the life I lead
  cannot think and cannot read
  watch our values slip away
  play the game of USA

  even though we lost the race
  to get the first man into space
  we will be the first country
  to run automatically
  soon the robots we create
  starring on the great “wide wait”

  let’s play USA, let’s play USA
  how I love the life I lead
  cannot think and cannot read
  watch our values slip away
  play the game of USA

  won’t it be a lot of fun
  every man will own a gun
  shoot the ones whose point of view
  makes a point that bothers you
  go on and pollute the land
  clean air will be sold in cans
  did you hear the master plan
  one nation under disney land

  let’s play USA, let’s play USA
  how I love the life I lead
  cannot think and cannot read
  watch our values slip away
  play the game of USA

  Sounds really bad! The sad fact is that this was actually written in 1982 (Peter Schilling Major Tom), a mere 7 years later and Schilling’s nation had torn down the wall that had emprisioned millions. Think it would have happened if Mickey Mouse hadn’t cared about Schilling or been as clueless as he stated?

  It is said that if you try to please everyone you will please no one. However having the strength of conviction as America has always had you can free millions to fulfill their own dreams and desires.

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