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State of the Union

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June 3, 2007

I just read an article on Newsweek.com by my favorite column writer, Fareed Zakaria (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19001200/site/newsweek/, read it, it’s brilliant). At one point he states,

“America as a place has often been the great antidote to U.S. foreign policy. When American actions across the world have seemed harsh, misguided or unfair, America itself has always been open, welcoming and tolerant.”

I’ve seen that firsthand. Before S. met me, he too hated the USA and everything that our country stands for. He now seperates the government’s actions from the citizens because the citizens he has met made him realize that we are not evil. Our government may do evil things but the country itself is not made up of a group of crazy witch burners, or Muslim/Mexican haters.

I am afraid that’s changing. I see and hear intolerance on a daily basis, granted, mostly online. Facebook groups pop up all over the place, raving about how illegal immigrants are destroying our country, I get forwards from my back asswards family telling me that if I’m against the war then I should get out and go pay taxes to Al Qaida since that’s obviously who I really wish would be president of the USA. I see comments on Newsweek articles telling us that the devil will punish the world and we will all burn in hell if we don’t “nuke those fucking arabs.” I used to get mad when I heard these things. If I was with someone who made such statements I would try to debate with him and make a compelling reason for him to be able to see the light and switch sides. Now reading this sorts of statements just makes me really sad. Sometimes I cry for my country. My soul aches for these people who are ignorant to the plights of those they wish to ostracize, punish, nuke, whatever. I just don’t understand how someone can be so intolerant of other races or religions when we come from a country based on an open door policy. The Great Melting Pot! We celebrate diversity, that’s what makes me proud to be an American. But, I’m so scared that will not be the case for much longer if the country, and the people of the country continue down the same path as we have been heading down for the last several years. Every politician is pushing the politics of fear for the next election. Honestly, HOW CAN WE PUT UP A FENCE ON OUR BORDERS? God, I just want to cry. This isn’t East/West Germany for pete’s sake! Whatever happened to the land of the free?

I hope that I’m wrong. I hope things change for the better, sometime in the near future. Otherwise I am never going to be able to move back to the US.

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  1. I really like Fareed Zakaria too. I subscribe to his Newsweek articles.

    Yes, it is a sad time. I think though that there’s a vocal minority that is stirring up the pot with hate. But it’s not the majority and the tide is changing. I think things will get better in the next 4-5 years.

    I think what we really need is real immigration reform. Stop making people wait 6-7 years for their green card. Stop making them jump through frustrating, bureaucratic hoops. Immigration is such a long, expensive, painful process. That needs to be fixed or in 10 years we’ll be in the same situation we’re in now.

    Comment by ordinarygirl — June 3, 2007 @ 11:43 am

  2. pisces are the wierdest of all!
    but we still are the best
    muuuack

    Comment by toutlamode — June 5, 2007 @ 4:19 pm

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