National anthem

[Dan and Judy 614]

I kept my German nationality for two reasons: 1) because I could, and 2) as a emergency parachute in case the country totally transforms into the United Corporations of America with nothing left that resembles a social net until We the People initiate what happened in the former Yugoslavia, the former USSR, and now some countries of the Middle East. If I'm 65 years old, sick, broke, cold, hungry, and all I have left fits into a shopping card, I can go to German and say: "I'm a German citizen, I'm cold, I'm hungry, please help me" and so they will.

Are there two of you?

[Nica_In_Love 98]

The fantastic thing about the U.S is that people from all over the world can live under one roof in peace, and nobody is less American because of religion or the place they were born. That actually is anchored in the Supreme Law of this country.

Are you should about that part? I live in Chicago and had never seen so much discrimination until I came here. All I hear is "dago", "zipperhead", "spic" (and I'm Hispanic!), "n word", "hillbilly". It can be sickening.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Sorry but I strongly disagree with Bob here. I will always be an Aussie. Joining another country doesn't make me any less Australian but it does make me American as well. This is why there are terms like "Chinese American" and "British American" because there are mixes and there's nothing wrong with that.

I won't ever give up Aussie, I would choose it over US if forced to (at this point in time) but that doesn't mean I don't like the US or wouldn't want to be a citizen of the US either. Nor would it make me a "bad" American.

It's just not that black and white. Not agreeing with how the government does things doesn't make me a "bad American". Apparently this country is all about freedom of speech and choice and what not. I CHOOSE to retain my Australian nationality, I CHOOSE to keep Australian spelling occasionally, I CHOOSE to not try and change my accent. Again, doesn't make me a bad resident and won't make me a bad British Australian American.

[keysjangle 145]

The fantastic thing about the U.S is that people from all over the world can live under one roof in peace, and nobody is less American because of religion or the place they were born.

I think that statement is incredibly detached from reality. When half the country believes their president is a lying Muslim with a fake birth certificate it says a whole lot. And the religion one, well, in this geo-political climate lately, it speaks for itself.

[nane1104 146]

Just Bob, I appreciate your post and I respect your opinion but I still just can't agree with you. I don't even understand your explanation of why you kept your german citizenship. I mean, you make such a big deal out of your commitment to the US, but then you say when the sh*t hits the fan, you can always go back to the safety of the german system? That doesn't sound right to me.

I also come to think you have completley misunderstood where I was coming from and I think, just maybe, you don't want to see the point I was trying to make because apparently I am not the only one who thinks you are seeing it to much "black and white"

While I am not about to take the Oath, not anytime soon, I am confident I will be able to do so without feeling I am betraying either the United States nor Germany and that I will be a rspectful and respectable citizen of both countries.

I have done some reading too and nowhere did I find anything that comes even close to what you say about what it means to become an American.

Maybe that term alone needs a clear definition because I can see how the formal process of becoming an American is a lot different than the emotional process people go through.

Again, I respect the way you feel about being an American now and I am sorry if what I wrote offends you, but honestly I think you are misinterpreting what it means to take the Oath of Allegiance.

And btw, the discussion was me asking about proper etiquette during the National Anthem;-)

Sorry if I might sound harsh, not having a good day today..

[A + M 29]

Just Bob, I think you are cool and hilarious but this time I don't agree with you.

I'm glad you feel the way you feel. I never did and I never will.

America's good. Of course, there are things here I like and dislike.

My husband is American and I love him to death and more.

I'll always be a Slovene and I'd never, ever give up my Slovene citizenship for an American.

[luckytxn 2,264]

We are all Americans here and I would like to say welcome to America.

I would like to say thanks for showing respect and standing when the National song is being played.