Boy we need a ready Teddy today. Great quote BTW.

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Excuse me, but I have a friend who is an American in her fifties. Her grandparents came here as adults likely in the early 1900's and never learned English - I dare you to become fluent in another language at your age (whatever that is as long as it's over 23). These kids are first generation Americans (if Americans at all), and they are bombarded (daily) with hate messages against their illegal parents, friends, neighbors, etc. which affects them as well, American or not, because how can you really tell the difference? A Hispanic is a Hispanic after all.

I have said this was a stupid thing to do, as it does not accomplish anything and only views everyone in a negative light, but to expect people to put a foot on American soil and instantaneously sing the Star Spangled Banner is absurd. Assimilation takes TIME, but no one has the inclination or the patience. FYI, to become a citizen you need to take that civics test that was posted in a previous thread, and you need to do it in English and speak English during your interview, so that is a non-issue.

How about African-Americans? That's okay because it's politically correct? You're telling me that America today is the same as America 1919? (almost 90 years ago!). I'm sure even Teddy would tweak his speech a bit it he were alive and in politics today

Speaking of which, how did he say this in 1919? He died on January 6th of that year. I guess this was one of his last speeches (just thought that was interesting).

The reason I thought it was a great quote is because I so wholeheartedly agree with it. My mother's people came here from Minorca (Menorca), Italy and Greece in 1768 to plant Indigo for a Scottish merchant. They were treated very cruelly and kept in servitude well over the contracted time. If it wasn't for the Spanish settlers in Cuba they may have starved physically and spiritually. Also a saint (in my book) of a Spanish priest stayed with them when he could easily have gone to a cushiony job elsewhere.
In 1777 with the Declaration already signed and the Revolution taking hold, the thirteen colonies sent an American consul to the southern border town of St. Augustine, Florida. It was to him these people petitioned regarding their treatment and literal slavery. After the American officials ruled on depositions and accepted the request, the petitioners walked through snake infested swamp carrying their children and what supplies they could to be allowed to camp outside the city gates. Most of their descendants have continued to live locally for all this time.
Not once have I heard any of this group of immigrants refer to themselves as Greek Americans, Italian Americans, or Minorcan Americans when speaking of the past or the present. We all call ourselves Americans and have since
1777.

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I would think not, since their first generation of immigrants came here in 1777. Yet, I would be amazed if the original immigrants would have referred to themselves as American. Their children I am sure would have had some issues with the country that was theirs, but that treated their parents so poorly, and with the fact (had this been today) that their parents were not, and could not, be American.

I agree that you are either American or you are not. But I can also understand where it would be hard to completely embrace a country that does not embrace you. Do you ever wonder why African Americans refer to themselves as such? I don't see anyone bothered that they don't consider themselves only American. I have heard the term Mexican American thrown around everywhere, not only by Mexicans who are American, but by people who clearly wish to underline that they are not "fully American". So it's fine to stress the difference, as long as it is done against you and not by you.

I don't see your point.
People on TV call themselves fill in the blank ___ Americans and because of that polite society tries to accommodate what they think these people want to hear.

But any way! Oh, anyhoo1
I'm going to enjoy my rebate. Although I think maybe I should bury it in the back yard like the French used to do during all the revolutions!
Thanks, GW!

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My only point is that assimilation takes time, that's it.

That's as good a use as any, but I think it would defeat the purpose of the rebate (I think you're supposed to spend it), Thanks GW indeed,