I just received this in my e-mail at work...

[Bzzzz]

I work for a bank and it is known that I'm an atheist. My Darwin fish is proudly displayed on my car. This e-mail makes me absolutely sick...

I say welcome to the U.S. However, I also say if you come here because you want freedom and love what the U.S. has to offer and stands for, don't try to change what we stand for and don't mess with our faith and tell us we must change all that we stand for so we do not offend those coming to our country seeking a better life!
M.A.

P.S. Sorry, this really ticks me off! It is still the U.S.A. and we have the right to continue our freedom of speech which includes the right to say, "Merry Christmas", "In God we Trust", etc., etc. How can we allow anyone to take this right away from us!

I agree with this 100%. I am thankful someone was still able to get this published in a newspaper. I am afraid it won't be much longer until that will not be possible. It is ironic that I received this forward from my nephew who is currently in Iraq defending this very kind of freedom. We should be fighting just as hard here in our own land, because many of our freedoms our in jeopardy.

> Story in Tampa Newspaper > > > > > Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in America because it is the Country of Choice??????

> Think about it.

> > All I have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS? I celebrate Christmas, but because it isn't celebrated by everyone, we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings. It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday? We've gone so far t! he other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with that.

> This says it all! > > > > This is an editorial written by an > American citizen, published in a > Tampa newspaper He did quite a job; didn't he? Read on, please!

> > 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 made up 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 multicultural 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, Portuguese, 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 take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE. > It is Time for America to Speak up. If you agree -- pass this along; if you don't agree -- delete it! > > AMEN > > > I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends > (and enemies) it will also, sooner or later > get back to the complainers, lets all try, > PLEASE!! > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >
:puke:

[GOPFighter]

1. Some people just aren't happy unless they feel persecuted

People who spout this shit are nothing but big insecure whining losers.

There's not a single law in this entire country that makes it illegal to say "Merry Christmas" to anybody at any time. These MFers are free to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone who comes out of a synagogue, or mosque. They're free to tattoo "In God We Trust" on their fricken foreheads, there's no law against it.

So what are they whining about?

I rip these people a new asshole when they whine these silly complaints to me. Reply and ask them just what new laws they are referring to, that prevent them from saying Merry Christmas in public. If they say it's enforced by the Political Correctness Police, just laugh and tell them they must be real weenies to be afraid of something that doesn't exist (and roll your eyes at the same time - very effective)!

These people deserve to be bitch-slapped until they grow up and quit whining.

[Book Lover]

2. Let's sidestep, for a moment, the avalanche of crap

to hone in on one issue - this English-As-Our-Native-Language idea. The Founders discussed this is the Federalist Papers, as well as in the Constitutional Convention and their conclusion was that designating any one language as an Official Mouther Tongue was ultimately undemocratic. "We" have no one language, although we clearly have a common one - American English. Althouigh I'll die before the day dawns when people like this will agree to pay for ESL classes.

[immoderate]

4. Thanks, you touched one of my pet peeves.

Official language is one the few things that I would call unAmerican. It's just not something for government to do. It's like a uniform.

--IMM

[ResistTheCoup]

3. I got a variation of this email quite awhile ago

It was entitled, "Hello! This is America" and starting at the "Immigrants" part is just like the email I got. I wrote a response to this by taking the beginning sentence of each paragraph and turning it around. Please feel free to use any or all of it.

"I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is
seeking a better life by coming to America. I am proud of the inscription
on our beautiful Statue of Liberty:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Our nation's multiculturalism is our pride and joy. "E Pluribus Unum"
was the motto proposed for the first Great Seal of the
United States by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in
1776. A latin phrase meaning "One from many," the phrase offered a strong
statement of the American determination to form a single nation from a
collection of states.

As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language,
and our own lifestyle. All of which evolved from the mutilple cultures which
helped to give us the rich heritage we enjoy today.

This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of
struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have
sought freedom. Our wars have also been fought by many men and women who
not only came here of their own free will , but by some who were even
brought here against their will and still they fought for our nation.
"Real" native Americans and African Americans fought alongside their
countrymen in places too numerous to mention.

We speak English, and Spanish, and Arabic, and Chinese, and Japanese, and
Russian, and Italian and many other languages.
We are proud that America is known as a melting pot where
people from all over the world who are in search of freedom and a better way
of life have come to live.

While we understand and respect the fact that English is the official
language, we also respect the ability of others who are multi-lingual.
Their talents are sorely needed, especially in light of what is going on in
the world today.

Despite what some people believe, "In God We Trust" has NOT always been our
national motto and always printed on our currency. We know that the original
motto of the United States was secular. "E Pluribus Unum" was our original
motto. It refers to the welding of a single federal state from a group of
individual political units -- originally colonies and now states. "E
Pluribus Unum" means "Out Of Many, One,". It came to represent the most
fundamental ideal America: that a diverse people living on a vast continent
could put aside their differences and work together.

We also know that "In God We Trust" was NOT adopted as our motto because
"Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation". In
God We Trust" wasn't printed on coins until 1864 and it wasn't used on paper
currency until 1955.

In 1956, the nation was suffering through the height of the cold war, and
the McCarthy communist witch hunt. Partly in reaction to these factors,
Congress replaced the existing motto with "In God we Trust."

Displaying "In God We Trust" on the walls of our public schools is not
appropriate because it is a violation of the First Amendment of the
Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

We know that God was not originally in our pledge of allegiance.

The pledge of allegiance was written by a socialist minister, Francis
Bellamy, in 1892. It has been revised twice since then. The pledge of
allegiance did not, however, become the official Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag until Public Law 79-287 was signed on December 28, 1941 by President
F.D. Roosevelt to prepare it for service in the war effort. The words,
"Under God" were added to the pledge in the 1950's, also during the height
of the McCarthy era.

"The Star-Spangled Banner", America's national anthem, was written by
Francis Scott Key at the time of the American Revolutionary War . It was
adopted as our National Anthem on March 3, 1931. The actual words were not
included in the legal documents. Key had written several versions, with
slight variations, so discrepancies in the exact wording still occured.
The first three verses, including the one that most Americans are familiar with,
makes no reference to God.

And finally, no matter what the religious revisionists would have us
believe, U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787, is a godless document. God is
nowhere to be found in the Constitution.

If people want to fly flags at their home, or wear flag pins, or have bumper
stickers that say "God Bless America", I have no problem with that. Even if
it seems a little jingoist and not a little bit ironic, considering the
actions of the terrorists who caused this disaster, who also considered
themselves "blessed" by their God to do his will. Where was America's God
on September 11?

If someone is offended that there are people in America who don't
necessarily share their belief in their God, then I submit that this is a
free country. Freedom of religion and separation of church and state are a
part of our culture and we are proud of it.

We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our
freedoms. We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and
Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our
flag. Or not. After all, this is America.

As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem,
quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose.
However, the government has no right to force me to pledge allegiance to the
flag, or to sing the national anthem, or to quote our motto, or recite the
pledge. Not only does the government not have the right to force me to do
any of the above, neither do my fellow Americans have the right to call me
un-American if I refuse to do so.


If people who don't shamelessly use God's name in a jingoist fervor offend
you, or you don't like people who won't march in lockstep behind
flag-waving, pseudo-patriots such as yourself, then maybe you are confusing
America with another place on another part of this planet, just a few years
ago. It was a place called Nazi Germany, where goose-stepping soldiers wore
"Gott Mit Uns" (God is with Us) on their belt buckles and criticism of the
government was not allowed.

The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of
it. Even though some of our fellow Americans might disagree with our
religious or political views, this is America, and people have the right to
express their beliefs. Whether or not those beliefs offend the
sensibilities of the other people who consider themselves the only "real"
Americans. This is how things are done where I come from, America.

We are Americans, like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our
lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express
their opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow
you every opportunity to do so. Unlike some hypocritical "religiously
correct" patrioteers who will invoke many variations of the tired old
cliche, "America - Love it or leave it", we believe that there is room in
this country for discourse without accusing someone who disagrees with us of
being un-American or suggesting that they leave the country.

But once you have finally learned the truth about the originations of our
flag, our pledge, our national motto and our Constitution and are done
complaining, whining, and griping about our way of life, I highly encourage
you to remember one other great American freedom, the right to dissent.

As the great Edward R. Murrow said, "We must not confuse dissent with
disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies
with it. "

If you agree, or you respectfully reserve the right to disagree, pass this
on to other Americans!! It is time to take a stand!!

E PLURIBUS UNUM!!!"

[Bzzzz]

5. Thank you...

everyone for your response and for letting me vent yesterday. I used your revised version(thank you) and e-mailed it back. The original sender did not reply to my amazement...today is much better, quieter and I'm being ignored, which tickles me to death. ;)

[ResistTheCoup]

6. Cool!

>>The original sender did not reply to my amazement...today is much better, quieter and I'm being ignored, which tickles me to death. ;) <<

Great news! Glad to hear that it worked out.

[Synnical]

7. Very Nice - One Correction

"The Star-Spangled Banner", America's national anthem, was written by Francis Scott Key at the time of the American Revolutionary War .

It was written in 1814, first as a poem. The Revolutionary War is generally considered to have taken place from 1774-1783.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/ssb/6_thestory/6a_birth/fs6a.html

-Cindy

[ResistTheCoup]

8. Point taken

The Revolutionary War and the American Revolution are often used interchangeably. In the War of 1812, America, believing they were beginning a second war of independence, declared war on Great Britain.

And yes, the Star-Spangled Banner was written as a poem by Francis Scott Key;impressed by the valiant defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during a British attack on Sept. 13, 1814.

Thanks for the comments!