"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
4 comments:
Rough-and-Ready-Teddy's words are as true today as when he uttered them 99 years ago. I guess his commentary would also apply to the honorable governor of California, who became a U.S. citizen in 1984 but retained his Austrian citizenship.
I tried to ship an email to the address you listed on my blog, but my server couldn't find the email server listed. Feel free to ship me an email at the address listed on my blog.
He certainly called it like he saw it, and then said, "you can quote me on that."
As opposed to "well, that seems like a pretty okay idea, but I need to get back to my district, because I need to get myself re-elected soon, so I'll let you know how this goes for me. We need to take this one step at a time, (add your sports metaphor here)."
or, "don't pay TOO close attention to my voting record on these issues, it's very complicated, and things may not always be as they appear."
Geez, understatement of the week, there.
Hey, politicians tend to work in ambiguities and greys the way other artists work in oils, clay, or stone. Occasionally one will strike a pose. Then people (especally those in their circle) run around calling them bold. Only rarely do we find a truly 'bold' politician that works in truths.
Post a Comment