"We should not be a country, either, which gives the impression to the outside world that those who don't speak English immediately, or who weren't raised speaking English, are not welcome here. That would do great damage to our country. Companies will go elsewhere because they won't find the people to work here anymore...that means the demand for integration is one of our key tasks for times to come."
The demand for integration. The call for immigrants to learn the native language. Imagine if the President of the US, or any other high ranking political figure, were to say that. Would people nod their heads in agreement? Hardly. Instead, we would have at best millions of protesters and at worse immigrant riots in the streets. The last time the government considered making illegal immigration a federal offense (being, oh, an illegal activity and all) we had massive immigrant "rights" protests. Anybody remember how well the "hispanic community" took Proposition 187? The bill blocked illegal immigrants from using California taxpayer funded programs like public schooling, cash assistance, and non-emergency health care. Thousands and thousands of people marched in the streets in protest, waving Mexican flags, carrying signs in Spanish, crying out that they had "rights". Why should we take them seriously? When you break a nation's laws, when you enter it illegally, when you remain outside the system by not being a legal member of it and still demand the "right" to that system's benefits, why should we listen to you?
Replace all the word "English" in the above quotation with the word "German", and you'll have part of an official address given by German Chancellor Angela Merckel. Germany, one of the strongest economies and most liberal societies in Western Europe, has tried for decades to have a "multikulti" system. Such a system, which evolved out of the German progressive movement in the 1970-80's, attempts to foster a public policy approach that seamlessly blends domestic and foreign cultures into one multicultural entity. Despite the appeal of the idea, multikulti has failed, and it has failed miserably.
Sweden is both the poster child for blatant socialism in Western Europe and the failure of its own multikulti attempts. Immigration is hurting the once proud welfare state because the people it attracts refuse to integrate. There are parts of Sweden, like parts of the US, where the residents speak Arabic (or Spanish) instead of Swedish (or English). Unemployment in heavily immigrant sections of the country have reached nearly 50%. Public schools teach Arabic so the natives can speak with the immigrants. The city of Malmo, Sweden's third largest, has the most immigrants per capita (over 30%). Violent crime, rape, assault, and robbery are everyday occurrences for the residents. Immigrant gangs have even openly admitted to waging war on native Swedes.
The Muslim factor is a glaring one here, but I'm going to forgo it for a more important angle. The situation Europe is facing with its immigration problem is, in some ways, similar to the one the United States is beginning to face.
The problem with both immigration situations is twofold. First, the majority of immigrants are crossing the borders illegally. Here in America if you are against illegal immigration you are immediately branded as someone who is against immigration. You're probably then very loudly reminded that we are a "nation of immigrants" and that America was built by immigrants. Not only is this a terribly false accusation, but the two ensuing statements are inaccurate. You can be pro-immigration while being anti-illegal immigration. Immigration and illegal immigration are not mutually inclusive. We are also not a nation of immigrants; we are a nation of Americans, most of whom are native born. Our country was not built by immigrants; while the vast majority of our expansion and growth was done during periods of high immigration, the foundation and framework of our nation was created by people who were born here on American soil.
Second, and perhaps most important, the vast majority of immigrants refuse to either integrate or assimilate. In Europe, Arabic/Muslim immigrants will move to Western Europe nations, enjoy the benefits of the socialist welfare systems, and demand jobs (especially in places like France, where jobs are all but guaranteed for life)...but they keep their old customs, resist learning the native language, and refuse to accept native dress, customs, and courtesies. These immigrants want all the benefits of their new social infrastructure while maintaining their old image. The same thing is happening in the US. Hispanics, not Muslims, are flooding across the porous border and refusing to assimilate. They keep Hispanic culture alive. They send money back home. They commit identity theft (using other people's social security number) to get jobs. They replace the American flag with the Mexican flag or fly the Mexican flag over the American flag. And, most visibly of all, they continue to speak and teach their children Spanish because they can do so without obstacle. Count the number of pure Spanish (and even pure Hispanic) television channels, radio stations, and books you can find. Ever notice just how many places, businesses, and companies with interactive services include the phrase "Se habla Espanol"? Even children's shows, like Dora the Explorer, feature Hispanic characters who teach our newest generation the basics of Spanish phrases.
Language is the make-or-break factor when it comes to immigration and assimilation. It's is the hallmark aspect of a people and the defining characteristic of a culture. When you learn a language in college, what good are your studies if you don't experience the culture? When learning about a culture, how far can you get without learning a bit of or about the language?
27 states have made English their official language. Among them, surprisingly, is California. Article III, Section 6, of the Constitution of the State of California says that
"English is the common language of the people of the United States of America and the State of California. This section is intended to preserve, protect, and strengthen the English language..."
As of May 11, 2010, 87% of Americans believe English should be made the official language of our country. I agree with them. The English language is an incredibly important component of not only our American identity, but our American culture. True, we have a history of massive and generally positive immigration, but those immigrants came to our shores because they wanted to become American- not simply because they wanted to come to America. Ever wonder why the Irish, and not the Italians or the Germans, became the quickest group integrated into the police forces in New England? It's because they already spoke the language.
To allow the numbers of illegal immigrants to continue to rise is both dangerous to our future and disrespectful to our culture. We're told by society's elites to accept other cultures, and more importantly, to tolerate and respect them. Where's the tolerance for the American culture? Where's the respect for the English language heritage? Where's the acceptance of the the idea that the native language should reign supreme within our borders? Why is it that to decry the spread of Spanish in America, Turkish in Germany, or Arabic in Sweden will illicit cries of "racism!" and "intolerance!" from the liberals and multikulti supporters?
To those who want to immigrate to America, I remind you that our nation is always open- I just ask that you leave your hypocrisy at the door. Come here the right way. Do things legally. Honor the legacy of those who have come before you and the hard work of those who are here of the proper accord. Don't come here for the free meal and the free education and refuse to truly become an American. Why should I respect your cultural heritage, your customs, and your language when you refuse to respect mine?
To those who are already here, and are Americans, I ask that you stop empowering the people who ignore our laws and defile our culture. Don't fall for the arguments that illegal immigrants have the "right" to vote, receive drivers' licenses, enroll in our public schools, receive public benefits, steal social security numbers to lie their way to employment, or to fly their flag in protest of our laws.
And if it's "too hard" to immigrate legally, and that is a valid complaint, then let's work on fixing our immigration system instead of simply turning a blind eye to people who flagrantly disobey it. Joining the greatest club in the history of the world has only one real requirement- that membership be granted the right way. Once that's accomplished, the sky really is the limit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnTus_i2aZI
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Random Thoughts
Does anyone else find it depressing when you stop and realize that our civilization will one day be considered incredibly primitive?
I still find myself momentarily thrown off-track when I go somewhere like McDonalds or a hotel and the service folks actually speak unaccented English. It's as if I'm mentally prepared to not be able to understand them, and yet I can. I don't think this makes me racist- I think it means Southern California has a problem.
When I see fat people at the gym, I find myself fighting conflicting opinions. On one hand, I'm thrilled they decided to do something to become more healthy. On the other, I'm frustrated because I go to the gym for a specific purpose and I know exactly what I need to do and how to do it. They often don't. When you see a woman who is clearly over 250lbs just laying on the ground in the only sit up station listening to her iPod (and she stays there for 20 minutes) or an overweight guy just sits on the only leg extension machine for 15 minutes reading a book it's hard to feel anything but frustration. This is not your couch, nor is this your bed or your foyer. Don't socialize while sitting on a machine. Don't read a book when someone is clearly waiting to use what you're hogging. Don't just lay there like a whale. Be productive and you'd be amazed at the results.
Additionally, why do fat people work non-problematic areas? I understand the need for variety, but when an overweight person walks into the weight room, does curls, and then leaves, what good is that doing them? They're (hopefully) at the gym to lose weight, to tone down, or to increase their health. What good are 5lb curls going to do for your 40in waist, your man boobs, or your poor cardiovascular condition?
I hate people who think "workout" means just cardio. I've seen Colonels who talk constantly about their workouts and how much they exercise, yet have embarrassing form when doing bodyweight squats and wheeze after 10 push ups. You can tell who the officers are in the weight room because they're the ones with scrawny legs, tiny arms, short shorts, and some random shirt from some marathon or 5K that they once ran. I do believe in cardio, but I believe more in the well rounded person. That means cardio AND weight training. I wouldn't trust some 130lb distance runner in full gear to drag my 210lb butt (also assumedly in full gear) out of a firefight.
As someone who will find something interesting and then research it to death, I refuse to learn anything about classical music, opera, or jazz. Every time I watch the Catholic Channel or a documentary on religion, I immediately start analyzing it. Every time I watch someone perform a lift or an exercise, I mentally critique or dissect their form. But every time I hear the notes of an orchestra or the voice of an operatic singer I marvel at the beauty and the emotionality of the music. To remain ignorant of the genre pains me a little, but to lose the wonder and awe I feel every time I listen would be a price I'm not willing to pay. My mortal fear is one day finding myself in a jazz lounge or at an after-opera dinner and not being able to keep up with the conversations.
It's a pity you can't train hamsters. Sometimes I wish they'd just sit still and watch TV with you.
To me, alcohol tastes like turpentine. All beer has the flavor of carbonation and bitter plants. White wine has a dry taste with hints of oil and acetone...red wine is just as dry but more often bitter. I will patiently and politely listen to what you have to say about the wonders and types of alcohol, because I want to learn about the subject too, but I'll never believe you when you say "There's a wine/beer/liquor out there for everyone. You just have to find it." I've tried over 4 dozen types of beer and 2 dozen types of wine, and I've hated every single one.
Sometimes when you're feeling depressed, it's not that you're looking at life wrong. You're just looking at the wrong parts of life.
If I'm going to pay $15 for a military barber to butcher my hair, I might as well go to a civilian shop. At least there the staff is young and friendly (usually) and they know more than just "Skin on the sides, short on top".
I find three types of standards in the military: standards of performance (doing your job, showing up on time, being trained and proficient, etc), standards of professionalism (wearing a uniform, using the right terminology, following orders, etc), and standards of preference (shirt tucked/untucked when exercising, what kind of socks you can wear, the color and style du jour of the allowed backpacks, etc). I firmly believe in the first two. The third one is completely contingent on the moods and personal opinions of leadership, and I say that kind can shove off. It changes so often, why should I bother with it?
I am probably the most cynical, low key, casual officer I know (or one of them, at any rate). That being said, I worked my ass off for 5 years to earn a commission as an officer and a gentleman by an act of our Congress. While I don't usually enforce customs and courtesies as much as I should, it genuinely irritates me that when I enter a base belonging to the Armed Forces of the United States the best I expect to get is a wave through from a hired security guard. A commissioned officer entering a federal installation, and the civilian rent-a-cop just waves me in. That shouldn't be acceptable.
For all the heavy and technical reading that I find myself doing, I greatly enjoy poetry from time to time. I personally like Langston Hughes for his dramatic imagery and the power of his short verses. I detest E.E. Cummings for his "creative" inability to grasp basic sentence and grammatical structure. Above all though, my favorite author is Emily Dickinson. Why? Because she rhymes.
I need to learn to write shorter posts so your eyes don't give out reading what I publish. That was my goal for this one- short and simple.
Maybe next time I'll just post a picture without commentary. I hear those are worth a thousand words.
I still find myself momentarily thrown off-track when I go somewhere like McDonalds or a hotel and the service folks actually speak unaccented English. It's as if I'm mentally prepared to not be able to understand them, and yet I can. I don't think this makes me racist- I think it means Southern California has a problem.
When I see fat people at the gym, I find myself fighting conflicting opinions. On one hand, I'm thrilled they decided to do something to become more healthy. On the other, I'm frustrated because I go to the gym for a specific purpose and I know exactly what I need to do and how to do it. They often don't. When you see a woman who is clearly over 250lbs just laying on the ground in the only sit up station listening to her iPod (and she stays there for 20 minutes) or an overweight guy just sits on the only leg extension machine for 15 minutes reading a book it's hard to feel anything but frustration. This is not your couch, nor is this your bed or your foyer. Don't socialize while sitting on a machine. Don't read a book when someone is clearly waiting to use what you're hogging. Don't just lay there like a whale. Be productive and you'd be amazed at the results.
Additionally, why do fat people work non-problematic areas? I understand the need for variety, but when an overweight person walks into the weight room, does curls, and then leaves, what good is that doing them? They're (hopefully) at the gym to lose weight, to tone down, or to increase their health. What good are 5lb curls going to do for your 40in waist, your man boobs, or your poor cardiovascular condition?
I hate people who think "workout" means just cardio. I've seen Colonels who talk constantly about their workouts and how much they exercise, yet have embarrassing form when doing bodyweight squats and wheeze after 10 push ups. You can tell who the officers are in the weight room because they're the ones with scrawny legs, tiny arms, short shorts, and some random shirt from some marathon or 5K that they once ran. I do believe in cardio, but I believe more in the well rounded person. That means cardio AND weight training. I wouldn't trust some 130lb distance runner in full gear to drag my 210lb butt (also assumedly in full gear) out of a firefight.
As someone who will find something interesting and then research it to death, I refuse to learn anything about classical music, opera, or jazz. Every time I watch the Catholic Channel or a documentary on religion, I immediately start analyzing it. Every time I watch someone perform a lift or an exercise, I mentally critique or dissect their form. But every time I hear the notes of an orchestra or the voice of an operatic singer I marvel at the beauty and the emotionality of the music. To remain ignorant of the genre pains me a little, but to lose the wonder and awe I feel every time I listen would be a price I'm not willing to pay. My mortal fear is one day finding myself in a jazz lounge or at an after-opera dinner and not being able to keep up with the conversations.
It's a pity you can't train hamsters. Sometimes I wish they'd just sit still and watch TV with you.
To me, alcohol tastes like turpentine. All beer has the flavor of carbonation and bitter plants. White wine has a dry taste with hints of oil and acetone...red wine is just as dry but more often bitter. I will patiently and politely listen to what you have to say about the wonders and types of alcohol, because I want to learn about the subject too, but I'll never believe you when you say "There's a wine/beer/liquor out there for everyone. You just have to find it." I've tried over 4 dozen types of beer and 2 dozen types of wine, and I've hated every single one.
Sometimes when you're feeling depressed, it's not that you're looking at life wrong. You're just looking at the wrong parts of life.
If I'm going to pay $15 for a military barber to butcher my hair, I might as well go to a civilian shop. At least there the staff is young and friendly (usually) and they know more than just "Skin on the sides, short on top".
I find three types of standards in the military: standards of performance (doing your job, showing up on time, being trained and proficient, etc), standards of professionalism (wearing a uniform, using the right terminology, following orders, etc), and standards of preference (shirt tucked/untucked when exercising, what kind of socks you can wear, the color and style du jour of the allowed backpacks, etc). I firmly believe in the first two. The third one is completely contingent on the moods and personal opinions of leadership, and I say that kind can shove off. It changes so often, why should I bother with it?
I am probably the most cynical, low key, casual officer I know (or one of them, at any rate). That being said, I worked my ass off for 5 years to earn a commission as an officer and a gentleman by an act of our Congress. While I don't usually enforce customs and courtesies as much as I should, it genuinely irritates me that when I enter a base belonging to the Armed Forces of the United States the best I expect to get is a wave through from a hired security guard. A commissioned officer entering a federal installation, and the civilian rent-a-cop just waves me in. That shouldn't be acceptable.
For all the heavy and technical reading that I find myself doing, I greatly enjoy poetry from time to time. I personally like Langston Hughes for his dramatic imagery and the power of his short verses. I detest E.E. Cummings for his "creative" inability to grasp basic sentence and grammatical structure. Above all though, my favorite author is Emily Dickinson. Why? Because she rhymes.
I need to learn to write shorter posts so your eyes don't give out reading what I publish. That was my goal for this one- short and simple.
Maybe next time I'll just post a picture without commentary. I hear those are worth a thousand words.
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