wednes | Ever look at the Email you get from someone and wonder why you even still know them?

Current Mood: horrified
Current Music: Renegades of Funk: I love MP3

Entry tags:

america

Ever look at the Email you get from someone and wonder why you even still know them?

I just got the craziest Email from one of my old Fraternity peeps. (I was a member of a co-ed house in college). It was a forward about some woman who was of a culture where women keep thier faces covered (muslim I guess), and she wanted to get a drivers liscense and it was a big to-do because no one could think of a way to handle the situation properly (with respect to both rules and people).

So apparently, they let the woman take her DL photo with a scarf over her face. And the Email goes on to say how people have some nerve to expect us to change our rules for them! I agree that that particular issue is debatable, but it goes on to say shit like "speak the language if you're going to live here" --as if someone would go out of thier way to not speak english in an english speaking country. It then said some crap about this being a nation under God and how "in god we trust" is the motto of our country.

What about love thy neighbor as thyself? What about the great american metling pot? What about the fact that learning a new language--particularly English, is fucking difficult and takes time? What about the fact that there are non-natives who have lived here less than a year who speak better english than half the cutomers that rent from Blockbuster.

The Email even had crap in it about how since government is Christian, and that schools should have Christian stuff on the walls. As if separation of church and state is just passe.
I wont even go into stuff on the sacredness of the "American Lifestyle."

Bottom line is I couldn't beleive that I had studied, lauhged, cried, loved, gotten drunk with etc: someone who beleives such right-wing nationalistic bullshit. And who thought that I must share enough similar beleifs to send me such an Email??
It makes me second-guess my own behavior...like do I give the impression that I am an intolerant rascist? I certainly hope not.

Anyway, I'm going to see Willard tonight. The next best thing to seeing my hot, hot boss.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Comparing foreigners to the morons who go to Blockbuster?

Shame on you.

Here's what you should send the back. I know you're familiar with this letter, but the is the actual one I sent my mom and all the people on her list. It probably will take a couple of posts, as LJ has some sort of character limit on posts, but I'll post the entire response here. This includes the original letter too.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ladies and gentleman,
I hate to complain about an email sent to me by my beloved mother,
but I think this is one of the most offensive things I've ever had emailed
to me. I'd like to go through it and point out how closed minded this
entire message is. I've adding comments throughout the original message.

This says it all!

>After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and
>let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's license with her
>face covered 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!

As far as the Florida thing goes, I don't really agree because the
purpose of a drivers license is for identification. One cannot be identified
if there is no face to go with the name. And as we are supposed to be a
country that separates church and state, the religious connotations
involved with a Muslim covering their face, and the state/federal
laws. There should be no case here at all. Driving is a privilege, not a
right.

>IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. I am tired of this nation
>worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.
>Since the terror! ist 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 made up of descendants of immigrants.

It is ENTIRELY made up of immigrants with the exception of Native
Americans, and even they came from other parts of the world long
before we did.

>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.

Do we really need a National identity? Why can't we be a world
culture? All the breakdowns and separation of culture does is put "us" against
"them." Why is this so important? This shouldn't be about how we as
Americans put up with everyone else, but how we as Americans can work to make the
world better for everybody. But then again, we can barely take care of
ourselves.

>As Americans, we have our own culture,

based on an European Culture

>our own society,! our own language

Our own language? What's that, American? Last I knew we use the
language we learned from the English.

>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.

Two centuries, as opposed to hundreds and thousands of years of culture
around the rest of the world. Has no one else ever fought for freedom? We're not alone here.

>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 langu! age!

Again, in some ways I agree with this, but c'mon. We, as Americans, go
everywhere else in the world and expect everyone to speak English
too. Therefore, if we wish to become a part of a greater society, maybe
we should be more tolerant of other cultures trying to learn English
while making a career here. Besides, I doubt too many of you are bilingual
even to the point beyond, what these immigrants, with their poor English
can do. Oh, and as far as the person who wrote this, maybe they should spell
check, especially when talking about "langu! age!"

>"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.

The same Christian men and women, robbed, raped, and murdered the
former inhabitants of this land. In fact, more murders have happened in the
name of the Christian God than any other religion or event in the human
history. Remember a small thing called "the Crusades?" Or we can take the
other side of this story, and talk about how the Christian men and women who
founded this country were religious outcasts from their own country,
England. They were shunned and discriminated against, which is why they came here
in the first place. We came seeking a tolerance for different beliefs, and
a right to live as we wished. THIS IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED. Maybe we should
remember it from time to time. We came here for tolerance, and in return,
should extend the same values to others coming here for the same reasons.

>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.

No, for the reasons I stated above, we created this country with the
idea of tolerance. We need to be understanding and respectful of other
beliefs and religions. After all, what if the Christians are wrong?
Christians are so certain that they're right about God and their religion, how do
you think other religions feel. Probably the same way. They can't
understand why we'd be dunking our heads in water, or wouldn't be reincarnated,
or only have one God. I mean seriously, how can you believe this. Mary:
"Mom, Dad, I swear I didn't have sex with anybody. I'm just pregnant. It
must've been a miracle." When your daughter tells you this, see how much
faith you have in your religion then. Other religions probably think we're as
wacky, as Christians think other religions are wrong. We need to respect
other beliefs, but because there are so many different beliefs, including
those who don't believe in God, you can pray at home until you're content,
but not in schools.

>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,

Everyone should have a desire to change, and make the world a better
place, not just your back yard, you selfish son of a bitch.

>and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.

Then your an ignoramus who's stopped his quest of personal knowledge,
growth and learning . . . one of the most reprehensible types of
human to waste MY oxygen..

>This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle.

I've covered this. Do about 5 minutes research on what we did to take this
country, so I don't have to type this out for you. Besides, the land
belongs to the earth, not us, and she'll do whatever she wants with
it.

>Our First Amendment gives every! citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every
>opportunity to do so.

Including the author of this. I just wish the person were better
educated because there is no room for debate here. They are intolerant, and
wrong in their belief system. For crying out loud, be a Christian and
"forgive" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

>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.

I'm so upset at the state of affairs of this country right now, that
I am considering moving to Canada. The attitude that is seen in this
letter, is very reflective of a great problem that this country is facing. We
will probably be the greatest country in the world during our lifetime,
but let's not forget, the British Empire fell, the Roman Empire fell,
the Egyptian Empire fell. All things must come to an end. It will happen
here too. Hopefully, when this happens, it'll be for a "world culture,"
and not to some horrible regime, but it will happen.

>If you agree -- pass this along; if you don't agree -- delete it!

This upset me too much to delete.

>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!!!!

Or maybe get back to the author, so I can point out how big a
buffoon they are. I know this sounds like hippie crap to a lot of you, but ya'
know. I'm just trying to be a good person, and "do onto others." If I were to
move to a different country, I'd try to learn the language. I wouldn't do it
here because I learn better when under pressure. It's been long
documented that when placed in a situation where you have no choice but to learn a
language, you will learn it better and faster. Next, I have my own
belief system, and I would hope others would respect that. Are these bad
things, no. Am I a bad person? No. I want to be in a better place, and I
think we will either eventually learn to tolerate our differences, and learn
live in peace and harmony with each other and OUR planet. That will NOT
happen until the opinion expressed in this letter stops. Whether in America
or any other part of the world, this kind of hatred has to stop. DO NOT
forward the letter from which I post.

Love and peace!

So it's not just me, then?

That's good.

And now back to the wall...

Oh man. Well, I SORT of understand about the part that the license is for ID but still... if she wants to wear the veil, she should be able to wear it. I'm not gonna hold it against her b/c it's part of her culture. Making her take it off is like telling a Christian person to take off the cross necklace or an orthox Jewish person to take off their... um, thing I can't spell. (Sorry). Yeah, I don't know why your friend sent that to you. Maybe they changed their views to be totally right wing or else accidently sent it to you. I don't know. I get e-mails like that all the time (well, not that extreme but along the same lines) from relatives who think God should be brought back into the schools. I mean, if a person wants to pray in public I say go ahead but don't expect everyone to join you. Pray to whoever(s) you want to, really. Or don't pray to anyone. I don't say "under God" when I say the Pledge of Allegience but I don't get mad if other people do. I consider myself Unitarian but I respect Christians, Jewish people, Muslim people, Pagens... you get the idea. Um... back to the licence thing. I don't understand why they'd send that to you either. Weird.

Actually, he has since apologized and said that he hadn't read it very well.

Not for identification, a cross around someones neck will not keep another person from identifying them later. This may be considered a cultural thing, but it's a religious thing. If that's the case and she can wear a veil for her photo, I'm going to protest that I feel the need to wear a ski mask whereveer I go and get it on my drivers license. Same argument, but I'll get turned down because I'm a white male, and it's not a religious statement. In a country where church and state are supposed to be separated. I could also refuse to show my face to a trooper and promptly get arrested for it. If she (women in article can do it) then everybody should be able to do it for similiar reasons.

And good for you about the whole "Under God" Part of the Pledge of Allegience wasn't added until around 1953 when the US Govt made a huge effort to make us look better then the godless commies in Russia. Until then, 150 years of this allegience was said without the mention of God.

>"speak the language if you're going to live here" --as if someone would go out of thier way to not speak english in an english speaking country.

Actually, some people *do* make a point of not learning the language. There are certain groups who come here, yet remain very insular. They make no effort to learn the language, and avoid interaction outside their cultural group. Personally, I think this is unfortunate, that both sides would be stronger with the interaction. But I suppose it is their right if they choose not add their distinctiveness to the collective.

Certainly there will be exceptions to every rule.

I just think it is very presumptuous of anyone to say "speak the language" to someone who may indeed be doing thier best to learn it. Not to mention the obvious point that most Americans speak only one language well, while much of the developed world includes non-native langauge study in elementary school.

The woman being allowed to wear the scarf over her face is an urban legend. There is an actual case in Florida about a Muslim woman TRYING to sue the goverment because they wouldn't let her wear a scarf over her fact for the photo, but that's it. I think the case is still pending and will probably be thrown out of court.

I got the same looney-toons letter from my syster.

That's good to know. But it is surprising how many people are passing it around, considering how damn offensive it is.

I got the same letter, thoughtful commentary ommited, from Mike; an old high school friend of P's, I think.

P likes arguing more than anyone I know, but he dares not take me on if he believes any of this.

I have blackmail material aplenty, after all.

tee hee

You mean arguing FOR this letter? Where do I start the beatings?

Let's look past any ideas of race, national origin, religion, or linguistic background...let's look at the logistics and reasonableness of this whole issue.

First, why your friend would send that sort of e-mail to YOU, knowing your non-conservative views, boggles the mind. It seems like he was trying to push your buttons or make a point or something. Either way, if I were liberal, I wouldn't send anti-war stuff to conservative friends. It seems provocative and stupid.

Second, about the driver's license...I don't give a rat's friggin' ass what her religion is, she has no special rights...take the damn picture without your veil, lady, and shut the fuck up. Case closed. She can put the veil back on when she's done. If she doesn't like it, she can NOT drive. If you tried to keep your sunglasses on, or tried to wear a Ronald McDonald wig, they would refuse to take your picture and issue your license. So why is this any different? Fuck her religious views. If she wants to drive, she must do as she is told. It's quite simple.

Third, why is it that every liberal-minded person assumes that someone who finds this driver's license scenario irksome is "an intolerant racist"? Not only is this offensive, but it's incorrect. There may be many intolerant racists out there (and ya know, many in the Islamic community have given them reason to be this way), but not everyone who thinks assimilation is a good thing is racist or intolerant. Lumping people together in a deragatory fashion is the basis of intolerance. Saying all blacks are stupid or all Mexicans is lazy is the EXACT same thing as saying all conservatives are intolerant racists. You know none of those stereoptypes are accurate. Why perpetuate more intolerance by emulating those who anger you?

Fourth, assimilation is not a bad thing. It is irrelevant where our "American Culture" came from, but there is an American culture. You know, baseball, hot dogs, Monday night football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Labour Day, talk shows, whatever. You would have to be a complete friggin' moron to not see that OUR culture is vastly different, yet oddly similar, to many other cultures -- most of which are European. Our national language of business is English, not Arabic or Spanish or Somali or Hindi. If I, a native English-speaker, decided to move to Yemen or China, and did not speak the language, do you think the kindly Yemenese or Chinese would print special forms for me in English? Or do you think they'd put NO SMOKING signs in English for me? Hell no! If I wanted to live there, for whatever reason, I better learn the langauge. Why is this any different here?

Actually, if you had continued to read the thread, my freind apologized as soon as I asked him "what the hell". Turned out, he was trying to get my attention to have some cyber sex while his wife was gone for the night.

Which is about the kind of self-involved mentality I would expect from someone with those particular viewpoints.

You also would have learned that the DL story is an urban legend. Way to stay current, Dumbass.

There are, in fact, many people who do not wish to adapt to our culture or language. Many Mexicans refuse to learn English despite having lived in this country for more than 20 years. I'm not sure why this is, but it seems pretty silly to me. If you're here, make the best effort you can to adapt. You mention that this lady may be learning English, which is not easy to pick up quickly. Well, I'm going to assume that if she's applying for a driver's license, she can at least read English. I mean, she should know the difference between STOP, GO, YIELD, and PEPSI. SHe also needs to be able to read a driver's test. So that whole point is moot.

If you wish to live here, you should make your best effort to speak the language and act reasonably. If you want to wear a veil, turban, or dashiki, that is your right -- be who you are and take pride in your culture. However, if those intolerant racists wish to wear white sheets and swastika armbands, then you libs will have to put up with that. You can't have it all your way, ya know.

Fifth, while many of you may not subscribe to the Xian way of life, myself included, this country was in fact founded on Christian beliefs, not Islamic or Jewish or Hindu values. There is nothing wrong with "In God we Trust" or "One Nation Indivisible Under God". There is nothing wrong with swearing to tell the truth "so help you God". These things are part of that American culture. It's who are in many ways. If one finds it offensive, then one can close his/her eyes, plug his/her ears, and shut the fuck up.

Personally, I can't stand hip-hop music; it's racist, mysogynist, violent, and promotes crime. However, I understand that people like Nellie and Master P have the right to sing the kinda music they want to sing. Guess what? I can always turn the friggin' radio off, switch MTV off, and NOT buy their damn CDs. I can't stand Louis Farakkhan, who is a black nazi, but I respect his right to spew his vitriolic hatred to whomever he chooses. My point: we all have to put up with crap we don't like or respect, so if a non-Christian has to be put up with "In God We Trust", then OH WELL. Poor whiney ass baby. No one is making you go to Church! Just deal with it. You live in a Christian-based country, that will not change any time soon.

Be friggin' thankful that those TOLERANT Muslims don't make you wear a veil while they force you to wash their feet, then beat you with a camel-hair brush for talking back. Be thankful you're allowed to voice your opinions in a FREE country that allows EVERYONE to have an opportunity, even intolerant racists from Yemen and Libya.

Quit attacking the United States. It's amazing how many war-protesters distrust President Bush, but trust Saddam does not have weapons of mass destruction, despite the fact that he gassed his own people, killed thousands of Iranian POWs, invaded Kuwait and killed thousands of Kuwaitis, burned his own oil fields, and tortured and raped millions of Iraqi citizens. Yeah, I can see why you'd support him. I suppose you would have also doubted the 1930s and 1940s intelligence reports that the Germans were exterminating Europe's Jews. I suppose you would have laughed off Uncle Joe's purges and mass deportations to the Gulags in Siberia in the 1950s.

Get real. While war may not be the most prudent course of action, Saddam has left us with little choice.

Being "Anti-American" is no longer cool; it was something that cool 30+ years ago. Instead of bitching and whining, can't you be more productive and think of other options to solving the problem?

Intolerance and ignorance go both ways. This whole string of posts proves that overwhelmingly.

Yeah, I can see why you wouldn't want to sign your name to that insulting little micro-rant.

I guess I'll see you when you get back from fighting the war. Oh, you're not going? What a surprise...

And FYI, I am thankful to live in a "free" country. Even if it means I have to put up with being randomly attacked by strangers in my own LJ. I just hope the next one is not too cowardly to sign his/her name.

I'm not cowardly. I went to Olivet and we knew each other. You had these same pathetic views during the Gulf War, and it made me sick. Why don't you just go over and suck Saddam's dick. You were always a moody, irrational bitch. Also you sucked as a DJ. Your LJ sucks pitiful ass. All you do is whine and complain and talk about guys you'll never get. I'm sure your boss would love to read about your masturbation fanatasies. It sounds like you are a major loser. What a waste of an education.

I went on to get my MBA and I'm making 85K a year. Yeah, I'm one of those capitalists that you Commie bitches complain about. I'm the one who supports your welfare asses. If the terrorists attack again, maybe they'll hit Ann Arbor and get rid of some whiney losers.

Bye cow!

- PE

I've noticed people with money often think they are better than the rest of the world. Congratulations on your immense wealth. I see its making you happy and well adjusted, so bully for you!

You certainly had the time to read my "masturbation fantasies", I usually charge for that, so you can consider that a freebie. Hope you got off okay.

BTW, you might be in a better mood if you had better things to do with your day besides reading people's journals looking for people to insult. Best of luck with that, Stranger.

Oh, and in college, I refused to protest the Gulf War in support of the soliders already deployed. Of course, anyone who really knew me in college would know that already.

Do you want fries with that? Or in your case, do you want fries, onion rings, 10 Whoppers, 6 BIG macs, 3 Filet-o-fishes, and every pie in the store with that? I knew of you and who you were, I don't think you really knew who I was since I actually belonged to a much cooler class of people.

I lived in Blair and every chick that mattered liked me. Unlike your huge stanky ass. I heard you were an obsessive stalker. You sure seem like the type. I wonder if your "boss", who is another uneducated loser like you, knows you stalk him?

One last thing, Paul said you had a bad childhood. It sure sounds like it. You're the one talking about meds and docs and mental shit. Dude, you are one fucked up psychobitch. I hope your friend spent your check on cheap weed and Boones Farm. You deserve it. Get a real job honey.

In 2 years, your rotund ass will be cleaning my $300,000 house in Novi.

Actually, it turns out that my hot, hot boss didn't give my check to my friend, because I had not given him permission to do so. (my bad)

Paul? You mean the guy whose initials you signed to your previous post? Oh, no cowardice there, I take it all back!

Enjoy your expensive home in Novi. (although, I don't know why you'd give that info to a stalker like me. you must dig me or something...well, I want you to know that i'm confortable with that. H however, would not like it)

Yes yes, I'm sure you're a major success, seeing as how you have nothing better to do in the middle of the workweek than defend yourself to me.

And my boss does read my journal, that's kinda the point.
(I think he likes to see himself)
But nice to know the boys from Blair still appreciate irony...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ever look at the Email you get from someone and wonder why you even still know them?

no subject

Ooh ooh oooh

Re: Ooh ooh oooh PART 2:

PART 3: The final Chapter

Re: PART 3: The final Chapter

no subject

Re:

no subject

no subject

Re:

ITS AN URBAN LEGEND!!!

Re: ITS AN URBAN LEGEND!!!

no subject

Re:

no subject

Hmmm

Re: Hmmm

part 2

part 3

Re: part 3

Bite me

Re: Bite me

Re: Bite me

Re: Bite me

Re: Bite me

Re: Bite me