This is about the third time I have recieved this bulk e-mail. The first time was in the break room at work about 2 years ago...
So I ask you all a favor. If you ever get this in an email, please reply to the sender with my comments attatched. I am just so sick of this sort of arrogance....
>> Story in Tampa Newspaper
>>
>>
>> Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we
>> continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other
>> countries that came to live in America because it is the Country of
>> Choice??????
>>
>> Think about it.

I have thought about it. I have come tot he conclusion that there is no possible way to continue to have choices in a country where we are not allowed new ones every now and then. If we are all to be Christian, where is the choice in that?

>> All I have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?

I am supposing by the arrogance in this spew of hatred that you are a middle to upper-class white male. If that is indeed the case, you have had your rights for well over 2000 years, it is time to share those rights with others now. Oh, and sorry to break it to you, but you are the minority in America...

>> I celebrate Christmas, but because it isn't celebrated by everyone, we
>> can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings.

You are still entirely welcome and encouraged to say Merry Christmas. Why would you stop? No one can control what you say, that is part of the beauty of America. Just don't expect a Jewish person to respond in kind.

> It's
>> not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break Isn't it amazing how this
>> winter
>> break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday?

This is because it is in the middle of the school year when children need a break form work. It also corresponds with many pagan winter celebrations, shall we bring that into the fray? Also, traditionally, winter is a time when you cannot get to school or work due to weather or illness. We all need a break in the winter. It has been this way well before the birth of Christ (which, by the way, was not in December)

>>We've gone so far the
>> other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being
>> offended. But it seems that no one has A problem with that.

I actually agree with you here. But it is done out of best intentions and should probably be that way until people are able to see similarities and not differences between each other and we are able to drop the "us and them" mentality. It could be a while.

>> This says it all!

>>This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a
>>Tampa newspaper He did quite a job; didn't he? Read on, please!
>>
>> 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 have never heard that patriotism was offensive. Only that racial hatred could be offensive to some. "Go America!" Is fine, "Go White Christian America!" does leave about half the population behind.

>> 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 made up 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.

Why is this so terrible that we are coming to a global community? If we can share and be kind to others as we were taught in kindergarten (and I think the bible has a bit to say about this as well...) then it would not be so bad to view us all as humans and not Americans and Mexicans and Croatians and and and....
Just think about what Nationalism did to Europe in the late 1800's.

>>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.

Yeah try 2 centuries buddy. big deal. most of the people you are trying to knock here come from cultures that have been developed over a lot more struggles, trials and victories than you can even manage to learn about from places you don't even know exist. Some of these cultures are ancient.

You forgot to mention the immigrants who have struggled for freedom that continue to change our society as societies have always changed over the years. Nothing is permanent.

>> We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese,
>> Japanese,
> Russian,
>> or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our
> society, learn
>>the language!

I agree here too. You should learn English as it is our main language in America. But really, if someone doesn't and can't understand you, how is that your problem? Sounds more like it is a choice they made, not you. And geez! It's a frickin' complicated language. Give people some time to learn it, already. Let's see you learn Mandarin in a month. Oh wait, I mean Chinese, wouldn't want to give you credit for knowing that there is really no "Chinese" 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.

According to our constitution, it is NOT appropriate to display this on our walls at school. Remember separation of church and state? The men who founded our nation had a very good reason for doing this. They knew religious persecution. They knew how bad it was and did not wish it on anyone else. And I believe they were Puritains, not Christians...
>>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.

Yes, the Christian God is part of our culture. But so is Allah, the Judeo God, Buddah, pagan gods and many more. If this offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new
home

>>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,

I am sorry you have no desire to change. If there were never any change, we would still be blaming witch craft for disease and women would still be institutionalised for demanding the rights you feel are so American.

>>and we really
>>don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR
> COUNTRY,

Um, once a person is a citizen, don't they become part of the "OUR"?

>> 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.

I think asking to not pray to a God you hold no belief in is not complaining, but asking to be excused.

>> 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
>> take advantage of one other great American freedom,
>>
>>THE RIGHT TO LEAVE!

You know, that right belongs to you, too.

>>
>>It is Time for America to Speak up
>>If you agree -- pass this along;
>>if you don't agree -- delete it!
>>
>> AMEN
>>
>> I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it
> will also,
>> sooner or later get back to the complainers, lets all try, please!
>>
>> If you can read this, thank a teacher.

And by the way if you are reading this, thank the mesopotamians for developing written language. Oh wait, I think americans are "thanking" them now...

>> And because it is in English, thank a Marine.

Did the Marines single-handedly procure English for America? I hadn't heard of this.

Comments by a true American citizen born and raised in America with ancestors over on the first boats and Cherokee thrown in for good measure.