|
Post by Chaos40 on Mar 13, 2008 16:17:10 GMT -5
Unless you are Native American, your own ancestors didn't follow the rules that you're dictating so well. I take it you have no regard for the constitution?
|
|
|
Post by lumpy on Mar 13, 2008 16:17:14 GMT -5
Exactly. Your ancestors were most likely immigrants at one time. This country was built on the backs of immigrants. You do realize that this is the only country in which natives were not assimilated during a take over? Native Americans are given benefits and privileges that the rest of us don't get just because of their heritage. Oh, let's not forget that they migrated here once upon a time as well. They may have gotten here first, but they aren't native either. Assimilation isn't necessarily a good thing though. Just ask the some Australian aborigines. Assimilation is often forced. Not that our government treated Native Americans any better. Do you resent Native Americans for their rights? I tend to think that they paid a pretty penny for them.
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Mar 13, 2008 16:17:41 GMT -5
i totally (and completely) disagree.
|
|
|
Post by lumpy on Mar 13, 2008 16:18:56 GMT -5
i totally (and completely) disagree. With what?
|
|
|
Post by sheyd on Mar 13, 2008 16:19:31 GMT -5
Oh ugh. I thought this thread would die. Chaos40/idoc - do you REALLY believe this stuff, or are you just trying to stir people up? Guys... why are you playing into it? Or has it become a real discussion?
Shey
|
|
|
Post by Chaos40 on Mar 13, 2008 16:22:45 GMT -5
Oh ugh. I thought this thread would die. Chaos40/idoc - do you REALLY believe this stuff, or are you just trying to stir people up? Guys... why are you playing into it? Or has it become a real discussion? Shey I believe that people who are here illegally are doing something illegal and therefore should cease and desist from said illegal activity.
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Mar 13, 2008 16:30:30 GMT -5
Exactly. Your ancestors were most likely immigrants at one time. This country was built on the backs of immigrants. You do realize that this is the only country in which natives were not assimilated during a take over? Native Americans are given benefits and privileges that the rest of us don't get just because of their heritage. Oh, let's not forget that they migrated here once upon a time as well. They may have gotten here first, but they aren't native either. this is what i disagree with. i don't see a lot of privileges for natives, and they certainly haven't been given their rights that were granted by treaty. Finding, i think you are a rock star, but i also think it is dangerous to begrudge people for what we don't have. It would, in my mind, be better to focus on the problem of going without instead of focusing on what others receive. If your kids are going without it is a travesty of justice and what is right, but to take it from another would be no less so. There is enough to go around.
|
|
|
Post by Chaos40 on Mar 13, 2008 16:32:09 GMT -5
You do realize that this is the only country in which natives were not assimilated during a take over? Native Americans are given benefits and privileges that the rest of us don't get just because of their heritage. Oh, let's not forget that they migrated here once upon a time as well. They may have gotten here first, but they aren't native either. There is enough to go around. No there isn't. With a wide open door policy like that are we gonna cure all of mankinds woes too? Who's gonna foot the bill? You?
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Mar 13, 2008 16:39:06 GMT -5
all of us can.
|
|
|
Post by Chaos40 on Mar 13, 2008 16:40:47 GMT -5
By raising taxes even more? I'm not for that
|
|
|
Post by finding on Mar 13, 2008 16:42:06 GMT -5
You do realize that this is the only country in which natives were not assimilated during a take over? Native Americans are given benefits and privileges that the rest of us don't get just because of their heritage. Oh, let's not forget that they migrated here once upon a time as well. They may have gotten here first, but they aren't native either. this is what i disagree with. i don't see a lot of privileges for natives, and they certainly haven't been given their rights that were granted by treaty. Finding, i think you are a rock star, but i also think it is dangerous to begrudge people for what we don't have. It would, in my mind, be better to focus on the problem of going without instead of focusing on what others receive. If your kids are going without it is a travesty of justice and what is right, but to take it from another would be no less so. There is enough to go around. My problem with the situation Fre is that the majority of the Native American population sits on the reservation drinking away their monthly check from the government. I'm all for a hand up to help someone out and get them back on their feet, but when a person wastes away what is given to them is travisty that hurts us all. I've spent a lot of time on the reservations around here. The weekends are a major drunk fest, homes are in shambles because no one gives a damn and has pride in ownership. The brand new vehicles given out every couple of years or so are trashed within weeks of getting them, and the school stipends received for the kids are generally drunk up in a night or two.
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Mar 13, 2008 17:00:05 GMT -5
would you want to trade places?
|
|
|
Post by RO on Mar 13, 2008 19:41:51 GMT -5
I feel great passion to respond to this thread...
I work on a daily basis tutoring ESL kids and parents. I have been involved with the World Refugee center in my community for the last 10 years...
One of the first families that befriended me when I began my career at my library were refugees from Bosnia. It was a family of 5. None of them spoke any English. They all were so eager to be out of their war torn country and to be together in a safe place. The mom, dad, and older brother all worked several jobs as they applied to be citizens. They came every day to learn about america, the freedoms we take so lightly were so meaningful to all of them. I watched them grow and persevere. Speed forward through all of the stuff they went through. The mom is a radiologist at the hospital and donates time to the world refugee center. The dad is an attorney who helps immigrants in this country establish themselves and find the right path. The two boys are in college. One is in medical school and wants more than anything to give back to his new country. The younger boy is going to be a writer. He is working at the college paper and is quite gifted. The daughter is a senior in high school and will go on to college as well. All of them came to OUR country with nothing...and look where they are.
That is just one of so many stories that I have. I have a really hard time with people making blanket statements about anyone in society. I work with so many refugees from Africa, Bosnia, and Mexico. I spend so much of my free time helping kids from all walks of life who want to learn or who have a reading disorder. To help a child learn the valuable gift of reading gives them the hope and desire to be life long learners.
Kittenhart reminded me of the following quote yesterday and it is now sitting by my mirror and on my desk...
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens; can change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Meade.
I see refugees every day come to this country. Fearful, looking for a way to the American dream. I see them show more courage, determination, and unbelievable strength that I am envious of. I would like to see every American show the same tenacity...we are a melting pot. My experiences are just one of so many people that I know.
My .02 for what it is worth!
|
|
newts
New Member
Posts: 45
|
Post by newts on Mar 14, 2008 4:33:04 GMT -5
You do realize that this is the only country in which natives were not assimilated during a take over? Native Americans are given benefits and privileges that the rest of us don't get just because of their heritage. Assimilation isn't necessarily a good thing though. Just ask the some Australian aborigines. Assimilation is often forced. Not that our government treated Native Americans any better. Do you resent Native Americans for their rights? I tend to think that they paid a pretty penny for them. Oh, let's not forget that they migrated here once upon a time as well. They may have gotten here first, but they aren't native either. Lumpy, I am from Australia and by "no way" do the aboriginals assimulate! They get more benefits than what your native americans do. I am not racist, however, I do not feel sorry for them in anyway! Infact, some part of me wishes I was an aboriginal, just so I could receive their benefits!
|
|
|
Post by lumpy on Mar 14, 2008 9:38:52 GMT -5
You do realize that this is the only country in which natives were not assimilated during a take over? Native Americans are given benefits and privileges that the rest of us don't get just because of their heritage. Assimilation isn't necessarily a good thing though. Just ask the some Australian aborigines. Assimilation is often forced. Not that our government treated Native Americans any better. Do you resent Native Americans for their rights? I tend to think that they paid a pretty penny for them. Oh, let's not forget that they migrated here once upon a time as well. They may have gotten here first, but they aren't native either. Lumpy, I am from Australia and by "no way" do the aboriginals assimulate! They get more benefits than what your native americans do. I am not racist, however, I do not feel sorry for them in anyway! Infact, some part of me wishes I was an aboriginal, just so I could receive their benefits! I have no clue what it's like for them now, but in the 30's and 40's your government treated them rather brutally. Part of that treatment involved a fairly insidious attempt to indoctrinate their children. Have you seen Rabbit Proof Fence? Can you really blame them for not wanting to assimilate? www.imdb.com/title/tt0252444/
|
|