Re: Just a Reminder

[Don Kaag <dkaag@turbonet.com>]

Gentlefolk:

Here's something educational for everyone to get their two-cents' worth on...

“True education makes for inequality; the inequality of individuality, the
inequality of success; the glorious inequality of talent, of genius; for
inequality, not mediocrity, individual superiority, not standardization, is the
measure of the progress of the world." - Felix Emmanuel Schelling, American
educator and scholar (1858-1945).

Don Kaag

Bob Hoffmann wrote:

> At 09:26 PM 12/14/2001 -0600, you wrote:
> >Hi folks, enjoy!
> >
> >This is an Editorial written by an American citizen, published in a
> >local Newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he?
>
> Quite a myopic job.
>
> >IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT
>
> Uh, many immigrants are Americans, and many Americans are immigrants.  The
> thesis statement is hopelessly self-contradictory, flawed, illogical, and
> stupid.
>
> >This idea of America
> >being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our
> >sovereignty and our national identity.
>
> What other nations suffer from this dilemma?  Switzerland (4 national
> languages)?  Belgium (3 national languages)?  Many African countries, with
> 2-6 national languages?
>
> I know Germany has relaxed its nationalization standards to dilute the
> perceived national identity as being a bunch of unrepentant Nazis.
>
> Author says the culture has "developed" over centuries, but ignores the
> fact that it has developed under the influences of numerous cultures &
> languages, numerous dissenters, whiners and gripers.  Has the author
> decreed this evolution to have reached its final point of perfection?  Is
> there no room for a new spice in the recipe?  Or should we eliminate the
> impurities caused by other languages and cultures?  Should we eliminate the
> words robot (Czech), magazine (Turkish), and kindergarten (German) from our
> language, replacing them with pure, English words?  I was going to eat
> sushi tonight.  Is that treasonous?
>
> >As Americans, we have our
> >own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.
>
> I don't give this person permission to speak on my behalf.  My concept of
> my culture, society, language, and lifestyle are obviously different than his.
>
> >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, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other
> >language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn
> >the language!
>
> I speak English and German, so I'm twice as cool as you are.  My wife is
> learning American Sign Language.  It is uncertain whether ASL has its roots
> in the English language, or some other language.  Since it has the word
> "American" in it, I hope you won't beat her in the street like the Taliban
> did to uncovered women.
>
> >"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.
>
> Wow.  Self-contradiction by this author is as consistent as it is unnoticed.
>
> >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 to take
> >advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
>
> Who's the one complaining, whining, and griping here?  Just a
> reminder:  These are the opinions of one person.  He may speak for others,
> but probably not the majority of Americans.
>
> Bob Hoffmann, American Citizen, Son of Immigrants
> 846 Mabelle St.
> Moscow, ID  83843
>
> Tel: 208 883-0642