These are replies to an email on the bottom of this page. To me the author shows a certain mentality that befits a young male fit to go to war and die for silly overt patriotic pride. It is the display of this attitude that shows how fervent nationalism and religious pride can supplant real virtue with the shallow reasoning that is indicative of weak minds.

First from Caleb,

My, My, me, mine... us, them. We'd all better grow up soon and realize that there is no them. It is never again going to be enough to protect one country, any country, even America. If humanity is to survive at all we must not look to our differences, but our similarities. What ever language we speak, we all suffer, cry, feel and love. We're all stuck here together, with no means available or place to leave to, on an increasingly endangered planet.  Danger that is exacerbated by our, 'til now, unending penchant for war. Our willingness to rally to the battle cry.

No flag, no nation, is worth the price! Peace and plenty can be ours only through universal brotherhood. This is not just respect for other cultures, but loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. That of course will require an evolutionary step. We'd have to stop listening to the self serving greed of "leaders" that speak in the name of nationality, and take the leap into consciousness. 

Caleb

From Michael Tivana

Hi Americans,

Where did the opinion below come from? I would like to email this author and reply with the following.

I must remind the author that America stands for tolerance for those that are different. IF we no longer have this tolerance then we would cease to be America and we would have civil war instead. I was in a school last night where they had Norwegian classes going on - imagine, Americans learning a foreign language. Diversity is strength, tolerance of diversity is peace. Get used to it. If someone does not want to pledge your allegiance to your flag because it represents your version of GOD then let it go and stop whining. It does not mean that they do not love their country and it may very well be that they are making a statement that they do not support their government killing thousands of innocent people.

America stands for peace and all the stability and freedom that peace and harmony among people brings. What this author has to say is that his feelings are hurt by other people's life-styles, opinions, languages and religion. The author's whining and complaining only illustrates his narrow mindedness. The author uses fighting words to make a simple point, which is he is tired of living in America with people that want to voice an opinion other than his and that he wants to leave.

To the author I say, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our people, our culture, our version of America, and our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

Please pass this along if you agree and perhaps it will make it back to the author of this ideological palaver.

Michael Tivana
www.tribalmessenger.org

Now on to the email ----

This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a
local newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he?

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 comprised 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, 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 to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE. Please pass this along if you agree