What "Being an American" Means

[Odee]

Every American citizen needs to read this… and keep reading it until they fully understand what Being an American means.

"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's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907 are as true today as when he first wrote them.

 Per Urban Legends -- TRUE

[Viking]

I'm always wary of people who use phrase such as "a true [insert nationality]" or "being [insert nationality] means" etc. In reality being American means nothing more than having an American citizenship. A little nationalism is probably good, but there are consequences for taking it too far. For instance "being German" once meant a whole lot "more" than it does now.

[Angus]

Duhh, you Norseman
Being a Sörlander also differs from Tromsen
And being an Icelander, rather than a Norseman.
And being an emigrant, like my wife,  -who considers herself as a German, but in truth is more of a true Icelander than half the nation.
(Makes bloodpudding, eats shark and speaks flawless language).

So, what is a true american?

[Viking]

Actually I'm a Nordlending, I don't live as far north as Troms. I think I missed your point though (if you had any)?

[Shuckins]

Any true, pedigreed American must have an ancestor that wandered across the Bering Sea Land Bridge during the last ice age.  

All the rest are just mutts.

[Eagler]

Originally posted by Shuckins
All the rest are just mutts.

mutts who should be required to speak english as their 1st language

[Yeager]

Whatever...enter the country legally or get the heck out.  

No amnesty for illegal immigrants!

[Maverick]

Originally posted by Yeager
Whatever...enter the country legally or get the heck out.  

No amnesty for illegal immigrants!

I have to agree with this sentiment. I also have to state that I think the immigration situation could certainly stand a thorough review and possible streamlining to make LEGAL immigration far more possible (desirable) than short circuiting the situation and coming in as an illegal alien. Just because we do have legal immigration channels now does not mean they are in good shape and responsive to the situation of the country and immigrant applicant as well as the temporary worker.

It is my opinion that when a person chooses to move permanently to another country they should become a Citizen of their adopted country and adapt themselves to their new country not the other way around. You chose to go there, YOU adapt to it; don't expect everyone else to adapt to you. That means learn the language and do more than just pledge allegiance to the new homeland, you act on it. The old land is no longer your home, learn to live in the new one as befits the customs, culture and laws of the new land.

[68ZooM]

To me an American is someone who loves there country, who will lay there life on the line defending its Constitution, a person who does not blindly follow one partyline, One who uses gods greatest gift (there Brain) to do what they think is right and live by the laws that govern this nation.

To blindly follow one political party no matter what, seems to me a little communistic and cult-like when both sides have good people and lying theifs

It sickens me that my daughters HAVE to take spanish in highschool as a second language

[Delirium]

Well, you just described 90% of Washington DC... the few that do not vote party lines get hated by both the Right and the Left wing and are influentially castrated.

Originally posted by 68ZooM
To blindly follow one political party no matter what, seems to me a little communistic and cult-like

[whiteman]

Originally posted by Eagler
mutts who should be required to speak english as their 1st language

i pulled into Jack in the Box on the North side of Houston  and the person talking at the drive thru spoke spanish and enough english to jack my whole order up. I had to go inside to get it staright but only after spanish speaking person decided to back into my car. Of cousre no Insurance, driver's license or state ID. needless to say i have no more sympathy for them.

[Curval]

Originally posted by 68ZooM
It sickens me that my daughters HAVE to take spanish in highschool as a second language

Learning any second language is a good thing.  It is best to first master one as your first language though.

[68ZooM]

Originally posted by Curval
Learning any second language is a good thing.  It is best to first master one as your first language though.

It would be if they were planning on going to a spanish speaking country or planning on moving there.

[Eagler]

Originally posted by 68ZooM
It would be if they were planning on going to a spanish speaking country or planning on moving there.

ah, I think he means you should run your posts through a spell & grammar checker before you post

[WaspR2800]

Originally posted by Odee
Every American citizen needs to read this… and keep reading it until they fully understand what Being an American means.

"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's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907 are as true today as when he first wrote them.

 Per Urban Legends -- TRUE

I have two words for you: AMEN BROTHER!