[Not Car Related] "America" not "'Murica" when we are at our best

"Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast." (twostrokesmoke)
07/05/2014 at 02:36 • Filed to: None

Sorry if this is a little long. It's not a rant, don't worry.

Many people think that there is a poem on tablets that the statue of Liberty is holding. There isn't. It in engraved on a plaque at the base. It was one of the first things that many, many of our families saw when they came to this country. While it isn't policy, I think that it did and in many ways still does capture the hope that America holds. There are no promises or guarantees other than the idea that it is what you make of it. I hope that is something that we as a people, can remember and retain. It's been too long since you read the poem that has the lines you were forced to memorize in middle school, so I'm posting it again, for you.

The New Colossus- Emma Lazarus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "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!"

DISCUSSION (12)

ly2v8-Brian > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/05/2014 at 07:06

America has always meant to me that we are the sum of our parts. We are the best and the worst the world has to offer.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > ly2v8-Brian
07/05/2014 at 09:58

I don't think we are the worst, but we certainly do seem to have our moments.

DipodomysDeserti > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/05/2014 at 14:11

Also keep in mind that most immigrants to the country now are not from Europe. Instead of the Lady Liberty greeting them, it's walls and barbed wire.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > DipodomysDeserti
07/05/2014 at 14:35

That is why I post this. To remind others that may have forgotten. At one time the signs were different. For my family, it was Irish Need not Apply. The same with the Italians. The Japanese who had been here for generations had their homes and property taken from them less than 80 years ago. No, we aren't perfect, but we have to remember where we came from and that we weren't alone. Our strength lies in unity with old neighbors and new ones.

DipodomysDeserti > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/05/2014 at 14:42

Exactly. I'm Irish and Italian. My relatives need reminding sometimes.

ly2v8-Brian > DipodomysDeserti
07/05/2014 at 19:37

Lady liberty is always there to greet. They have chosen the ILLEGAL way to get in.

ly2v8-Brian > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/05/2014 at 19:40

And for me it is German and Dutch. WWI was not a good time to be a German.

DipodomysDeserti > ly2v8-Brian
07/05/2014 at 20:05

Who said anything about illegal immigration? The fact that you assume people not coming from Europe are illegal, and that people didn't immigrate illegally from Europe says a lot.

DipodomysDeserti > ly2v8-Brian
07/05/2014 at 20:09

Also, the cost and restrictions put on immigrants nowadays would have prevented many of our ancestors from immigrating here had they been in affect back then. Your comment illustrates what I was referring to perfectly though. Thanks for that. Your mentality is the exact one I was trying to allude to.

ly2v8-Brian > DipodomysDeserti
07/05/2014 at 20:57

It wasn't easy for our ancestors either. And you said barbed wire which to me alludes to illegal immigration.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > ly2v8-Brian
07/05/2014 at 22:56

If you are referring to what is happening in California now, I will have to take exception to this comment. Seeing those people blocking the streets is just disgusting. It really reminds me of videos from Alabama in the 60's when the crowds were beinf sprayed with water hoses. There is a difference between a refugee and an illegal immigrant is something people should consider. Those women and children coming off of the busses are refugees. They should be treated as such, not as illegals. Besides, my personal opinion on all of this is that if your last name isn't something First Nation related, you should probably just keep it to yourself.

DipodomysDeserti > ly2v8-Brian
07/05/2014 at 23:23

That was used as a description of the points of entry at our southern border. Illegal immigrants wouldn't see the barbed wire as they usually walk across open expanses of desert rather than trying to sneak through border crossings. The only thing illegal coming through the border crossings are the trucks of marijuana that dirty agents let through.