Immigrants Can Be Our Greatest Patriots

The people who risk death by drowning or suffocation to get here truly exemplify the words of Emma Lazarus, who wrote, if memory serves "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free...I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door." That poem is inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty for a reason. We all need to do more to enable such brave, freedom-loving dedicated people to live and work among us. People like me, whose ancestors came here long ago, can become complacent. (I trace my earliest heritage to the Mayflower, and, through my stepfather, to another early ship--the one that brought slaves to Virginia; one of my stepfather's ancestors worked in bondage, then freedom, at Mount Vernon, and knew the great George Washington.)

This is not to say that every person who crosses our borders is immediately entitled to full social benefits. No. There must be some evidence that the new arrival is willing to work hard and to learn our language and history--to become a future patriot. Such a person is "true immigrant," to use the term of Rabbi Lapin of Toward Tradition - not just a foreigner seeking a free ride in life.

Now let's look at our own patriotism. Can those of us who have lived here for centuries honestly say that we have this trait? Many immigrants do! Let's all do what we can to make hard-working, motivated immigrants feel welcome and learn our rich history. Let's also have compassion and generosity for the states where immigration is heaviest, such as California.

Note: Again, I am not talking about government entitlements. There are some things the government can do without cost. For example, the U.S. Dept. of Immigration could endorse a policy of courtesy toward applicants for citizenship. When helping an immigrant who had lived here legally for many years, I noticed that the immigration clerks tended to be haughty and rude to people applying for U.S. citizenship--even when those applicants have years of legal residency and had just waited in line for hours.

How can we encourage patriotism? I've seen groups give out copies of the U.S. Bill of Rights and Constitution to those applying for citizenship. Now that's a great idea. I'll try to find the link.

Stay tuned for more on what we can do as citizens to help our future Patriots - new, true immigrants.
For those of a compassionate heart, see also: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/printer/printer_learn_about_justice.html

How Caring About Soldiers Helps Our Own Characters

In October 2005, I woke up in the middle of the night with the starting rhythms, notes and words of a song about soldiers. "We know that you enlisted, when you didn't have to go..." daDEEdaDEEdaDEEda,dadaDEEdaDEEdada..I followed the inspiration all the way through, and have produced a two CDs featuring the song, called "We Thank You." And no, the purpose of this blog is not to promote my song and ps my brilliant career. There are many great songs for soldiers out there; mine is only one of them--a few notes in a larger symphony. I honestly doubt I will even make up my expenses to give meaning to my promise to donate all my profits to veterans causes. The real benefit is this: writing the song changed my life for the better by making me think more about the sacrifice our soldiers make for us, and making me meditate on the character it takes to volunteer to serve, and then to fight for a noble cause. I find myself thinking about soldiers, praying for them, writing about them, and even trying to do things for them and GUESS WHAT!? I find that in my own life, I am exercising more integrity and courage as I go about each day. My word is my bond. Yes means yes and no means no. I'm on time. I lend a hand. So really it is not I who have given something to our veterans, it is they who have given to me. And they have given me not just their sacrifice of service for my safety and freedom; they have given me their personal example of integrity, courage, and a can-do spirit. So I thank you, brave soldiers.

President Johnson-Sirleaf, A Noble Lady

"Honorable ladies and gentlemen of this Congress, I want to thank you. All the Liberian people sent me here to thank you for that vision. Our triumph over evil is also your triumph."
Newly Elected President Johnson-Sirleaf, March 2006.

We congratulate you on your election, Madame President, and we appreciate your expression of gratitude to our national leaders.

Yes, this year, March came in like a lion, praise God!

Let's Support Our Troops and Their Mission

Hello, World. This is my first blog ever, so I'll start with the topic nearest and dearest to my heart these days: the men and women on active duty in the armed forces of the U.S. and other nations who oppose tyranny and terrorism. Hooh hah to y'all! So many other blogs say it so well, so I won't say much. This is just my small way of sending up a cheer, a prayer, and a shout for our brave soldiers, sailors, airforce, marines, special forces, and reservists...all of those brave and selfless enough to serve under the stars and bars. As we say in my home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Sic Semper Tyrranus: Thus always to tyrants. Let's complete the mission and come home safe to the cheers of the millions who love and honor you. Alexandra