I’ve seen many great comments on what being an American is all about and I’m not sure I can top them. Fundamentally, it is a belief that you have an opportunity to own property (physically and mentally) of which no outside can influence/control. The power is with the people, not the state.
What is not American though is coming here and retaining the same cultural aspects from where you came. Being American is to shed the old and adopt the new. You want to be here because of what it stands for, not want to make it something else.
The inside jobbers: This is a version of espionage—sabotage for all intents and purposes. The two ‘alleged’ saboteurs should be treated thusly. I think these arrests of federal employees also plays in to the TWR question on what it means to be American/dual citizen. BDW’s self deport plan has a carrot and stick. I like this plan. But the incentive structure should be called cake and stick. No matter! If the self deported and involuntary ‘returns’ can be tracked and treated accordingly, let’s do it. Khalil & green card holder deportation. Mr. Khalil is going to set the example. Other Greencards holding strong views will either figure out that protest/free speech and violence/coercion are not the same things; or they can go back to their home countries. Ukraine: The President is trying to create incentives for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a peace—that won’t work. Each side has to make the decision to move to a ceasefire and negotiations. Biden put us on the side of Ukraine, and then Trump made it look like we switched sides. Today it looks like we’ll help whichever one chooses a ceasefire, and hammer the other. It looks like the President learned little from his Afghanistan dealings.
Good morning! ILLEGALS. No help they got too much, leave-' get out -- put a cash bounty on their heads, dead or alive..On another note; Me and others are being scammed by the state of Connecticut for OVER $50K IN ORDER TO SELL OUR PROPERTIES AND LEAVE THE STATE! I'll keep you posted !
An American does not have allegiance to another country. That may sound harsh, but if one still cares about their home country, they are dual citizens. It an American stands for only one country, and that is the USA. I do not have any allegiance to another country. Why? Because I am an American period the end.
Chris was absolutely right; WOW, double and triple WOW! Kudos to the WR gang for some of the best write ups on what it means to be an American.
I could pick out many of the WR comments for my personal belief as what it takes to be an American but I will just say that my jingoism came later in life, after serving in the military and living overseas for nearly 2 decades in several countries and traveling to several others. I grew up where the Mighty Bull, USN DD660, hung on our living room wall, Not until I got much older did that painting of my fathers destroyer mean much, I wish I had that painting to hang on my wall now.
If anyone doubts the USA is the most free nation in the world, spend a year or two in a foreign country. I enjoy the travel and spending time in other countries but the USA will be my home as long as our Constitution remains the backbone of our government!
My Grandmother and Grandfather immigrated to America in 1921-1922 and became citizens from Hungary. My grandmother worked hard and made many sacrifices working in Dayton Ohio, my grandfather left the family and moved to Arizona and my grandma had to put my mother, her sister and brother in an orphanage at a young age, she could barely speak English but worked hard in a Hungarian meat plant to save money to bring my mother and her sister back from Pennsylvania so they could go to school in Dayton. My mother received schooling up to 7th grade then had to start working. My grandmother's sister born in Dayton left to go back to Hungary, but my grandmother stuck it out and stayed in America.
I love America and I appreciate being able to work hard for 40 years with only 2 jobs, have a house, family and now being able to spoil my grandchildren. I'm proud of America, my home that helps the entire world, it is the greatest place on earth, and I'm blessed to be here, and I appreciate the USA and the warriors who protected and protects us. It is their sacrifice that gave me the opportunity to have an unbelievable life that I've had. I owe everything to my grandmother, mother and the greatest country in the world the United States of America.
I am not sure that we can adequately figure out which immigrant is here for the right reasons prior to their coming. There are always those people who will lie or say the right thing to receive the prosperity they can find in the US. In comparison to the rest of the world, the US has many freedoms and an economy that allows for growth, which is greatly desired.
I know many who have pretty much won the lottery in their country to come to the US. One family’s father was an electrical engineer and had to start all over because his degree did not transfer. He worked full time and worked to become certified in the States. That whole family has become successful.
I like the idea of offering obey and a plane ticket to leave; however, if we have seen anything from Doge, it’s that if there is a way to defraud or launder money, people will find it. I’d be too worried that people would try to sneak back in or come across the boarder to receive those funds over and over again.
My perception of being an American is influenced by my great-great-grandparents' immigration from Germany (Prussia) in 1868. At that time, Prussians immigrated to the United States for economic opportunities and to avoid military conscription. They came for the promise of land, freedom, and prosperity. My great-great-grandfather became a naturalized citizen in 1891, seven years before his death. Between immigrating and naturalization, he homesteaded the land he lived on.
He renounced his allegiance to Germany and went all in on becoming a productive member of American society and fulfilling the requirements of having a good moral character as judged by the court and the sworn testimony of two American citizens. To my knowledge, he never looked back and was always looking for ways to get ahead, including filing several patents and developing a thriving business selling mineral waters.
So, what does it mean to be an American? You claim America as your own, forsaking all others. People from other nations are surprised when Americans talk about my country, not the country. You feel the responsibility to be successful and, in turn, make America successful. You are law-abiding and have a strong moral character that others will attest to. You are proud of America and what we have accomplished together as a country. You strive to do the right thing as you understand it; if you see something morally wrong, you work with other citizens to change it up, too, including modifying the country's constitution.
Being an American isn’t easy. You must be self-reliant, morally driven, and willing to abide by the country's laws or change them if a majority of citizens agree with you. (Or a supermajority in the case of the constitution.) Americans help each other first and others, if we can, without breaking our compact of mutual support with one another. That’s old-fashioned, but it has made us who we are.
First, thank you for bringing us listeners your thought-provoking insights into the state of our country & world 5 days a week every week. You are a tireless patriot!
Second, thank you for your service to our great country while employed at the CIA.
Third, to answer your question of what it means to be an American, it would take me too long (& probably way too boring for you & your listeners) to read all the remarks that I have been mulling over since you asked us the question earlier today.
Lots of life experiences with my family members (including, and especially, experiences with my 2 legal immigrant paternal grandparents from Eastern Europe, who had very little formal education, and with my America-loving father while a youngster) & my 25-year career in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War & the Vietnam Nam War have contributed to my being an appreciative native-born American. One who has served to protect our freedom of expression and religion and freedom from oppression. And, one who wants our future generations of Americans to continue to have the all the freedoms recognized in our beloved Constitution.
We (USBP) deported lawfully admitted permanent residents (LAPR or green card holders) all the time. While we did not have the authorities of the Secretary of State, we still deported them for criminal convictions.
They are lawfully admitted but still aliens. They are not citizens, can not vote, own a firearm, etc. and are guests here. They have to observe our laws and the terms of their admission. If they do not, we don't need them here, and they are returned home.
As for Representative Crocket, it is illegal to enter the US at any point other than an official port of entry designated by the AG (that is a legacy of INS being in the DOJ).
The statutes covering this are 8USC1325 [(entry without inspection (because you can only be inspected at a port)] and 8USC1326 (re-entry after deportation). The first is usually a misdemeanor, but it can be a felony. Re-entry is a felony.
My maternal grandfather came to America from Italy prior to the US involvement in WWI. Consequently, he was drafted into the US Army then sent back to Europe and face combat. He returned to America and went right back to work and started a family. He owned a small business peddling fresh fruits and vegetables from a horsedrawn wagon on the cobblestone streets of Hoboken, N.J. He and my grandmother raised seven children. Neither grandparent could read or write the English language but never hesitated to learn to speak it. In 1968 my grandfather was awarded a purple heart fifty years later for his service. None of my aunts and uncles were aware of his injury from the war. My Irish paternal and Italian maternal grandparents' names are on plaques on Ellis Island. Blue collar all the way until the baby boom children went to college. I have never forgotten my roots and where I came from and never will. I chose to remain blue collar without regrets. God bless and protect America.
An American is an American citizen, whether by birth or by going through the citizenship requirements. An American should be committed to our country.
The gentleman that was arrested at Columbia University is not a citizen so he is not an American. He is here on a visa and he is here on a green card. Therefore, he is removable. I would argue that the first amendment does not apply to him as far as freedom of speech goes that leads to violence. I don't think we should allow dual citizenship.
All 4 of my grandparents came to America from different countries in the early 1900s. They all learned to read, write, and speak English. They all became citizens who loved this country as fiercely as they loved the lives they built and families they raised. When there was turmoil around the world that affected their birth nations, they worried and prayed for the people, but their allegiance to America never wavered. I grew up seeing this. I don’t see it anymore.
Anyway, to be an American is to love your country like you love your family. You always want what’s best for them and you are willing to work hard and sacrifice so that they may thrive.
Someone that wants to uphold American culture. What is American culture? The humility to believe in a higher power (God) outside of yourself. The understanding that the government is supposed to represent the people, and not to control them. The wisdom in knowing that all the freedoms we enjoy are unique and worth fighting for as long as we are a nation. Loving your neighbor is helping someone in need, and protecting the innocent and weakest among us. Serving your community whenever and however you can. Becoming good stewards of truth and peace. Understanding that we live within a border and a language and a way of life that chases excellence and integrity.
If the $5,000 stipend were truly a cost savings, I would like to see a control in place where the person has to geolocate every day in the app for a predetermined amount of time before the payout isis disbursed.
It’s going to be gamed regardless of how it’sit’s implemented, but this raises the bar a little for those who truly want/need the cash.
I’ve seen many great comments on what being an American is all about and I’m not sure I can top them. Fundamentally, it is a belief that you have an opportunity to own property (physically and mentally) of which no outside can influence/control. The power is with the people, not the state.
What is not American though is coming here and retaining the same cultural aspects from where you came. Being American is to shed the old and adopt the new. You want to be here because of what it stands for, not want to make it something else.
The inside jobbers: This is a version of espionage—sabotage for all intents and purposes. The two ‘alleged’ saboteurs should be treated thusly. I think these arrests of federal employees also plays in to the TWR question on what it means to be American/dual citizen. BDW’s self deport plan has a carrot and stick. I like this plan. But the incentive structure should be called cake and stick. No matter! If the self deported and involuntary ‘returns’ can be tracked and treated accordingly, let’s do it. Khalil & green card holder deportation. Mr. Khalil is going to set the example. Other Greencards holding strong views will either figure out that protest/free speech and violence/coercion are not the same things; or they can go back to their home countries. Ukraine: The President is trying to create incentives for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a peace—that won’t work. Each side has to make the decision to move to a ceasefire and negotiations. Biden put us on the side of Ukraine, and then Trump made it look like we switched sides. Today it looks like we’ll help whichever one chooses a ceasefire, and hammer the other. It looks like the President learned little from his Afghanistan dealings.
Good morning! ILLEGALS. No help they got too much, leave-' get out -- put a cash bounty on their heads, dead or alive..On another note; Me and others are being scammed by the state of Connecticut for OVER $50K IN ORDER TO SELL OUR PROPERTIES AND LEAVE THE STATE! I'll keep you posted !
An American does not have allegiance to another country. That may sound harsh, but if one still cares about their home country, they are dual citizens. It an American stands for only one country, and that is the USA. I do not have any allegiance to another country. Why? Because I am an American period the end.
Chris was absolutely right; WOW, double and triple WOW! Kudos to the WR gang for some of the best write ups on what it means to be an American.
I could pick out many of the WR comments for my personal belief as what it takes to be an American but I will just say that my jingoism came later in life, after serving in the military and living overseas for nearly 2 decades in several countries and traveling to several others. I grew up where the Mighty Bull, USN DD660, hung on our living room wall, Not until I got much older did that painting of my fathers destroyer mean much, I wish I had that painting to hang on my wall now.
If anyone doubts the USA is the most free nation in the world, spend a year or two in a foreign country. I enjoy the travel and spending time in other countries but the USA will be my home as long as our Constitution remains the backbone of our government!
Rosie O'Donnell, don't come back!
My Grandmother and Grandfather immigrated to America in 1921-1922 and became citizens from Hungary. My grandmother worked hard and made many sacrifices working in Dayton Ohio, my grandfather left the family and moved to Arizona and my grandma had to put my mother, her sister and brother in an orphanage at a young age, she could barely speak English but worked hard in a Hungarian meat plant to save money to bring my mother and her sister back from Pennsylvania so they could go to school in Dayton. My mother received schooling up to 7th grade then had to start working. My grandmother's sister born in Dayton left to go back to Hungary, but my grandmother stuck it out and stayed in America.
I love America and I appreciate being able to work hard for 40 years with only 2 jobs, have a house, family and now being able to spoil my grandchildren. I'm proud of America, my home that helps the entire world, it is the greatest place on earth, and I'm blessed to be here, and I appreciate the USA and the warriors who protected and protects us. It is their sacrifice that gave me the opportunity to have an unbelievable life that I've had. I owe everything to my grandmother, mother and the greatest country in the world the United States of America.
I am not sure that we can adequately figure out which immigrant is here for the right reasons prior to their coming. There are always those people who will lie or say the right thing to receive the prosperity they can find in the US. In comparison to the rest of the world, the US has many freedoms and an economy that allows for growth, which is greatly desired.
I know many who have pretty much won the lottery in their country to come to the US. One family’s father was an electrical engineer and had to start all over because his degree did not transfer. He worked full time and worked to become certified in the States. That whole family has become successful.
I like the idea of offering obey and a plane ticket to leave; however, if we have seen anything from Doge, it’s that if there is a way to defraud or launder money, people will find it. I’d be too worried that people would try to sneak back in or come across the boarder to receive those funds over and over again.
What does it mean to be an American?
My perception of being an American is influenced by my great-great-grandparents' immigration from Germany (Prussia) in 1868. At that time, Prussians immigrated to the United States for economic opportunities and to avoid military conscription. They came for the promise of land, freedom, and prosperity. My great-great-grandfather became a naturalized citizen in 1891, seven years before his death. Between immigrating and naturalization, he homesteaded the land he lived on.
He renounced his allegiance to Germany and went all in on becoming a productive member of American society and fulfilling the requirements of having a good moral character as judged by the court and the sworn testimony of two American citizens. To my knowledge, he never looked back and was always looking for ways to get ahead, including filing several patents and developing a thriving business selling mineral waters.
So, what does it mean to be an American? You claim America as your own, forsaking all others. People from other nations are surprised when Americans talk about my country, not the country. You feel the responsibility to be successful and, in turn, make America successful. You are law-abiding and have a strong moral character that others will attest to. You are proud of America and what we have accomplished together as a country. You strive to do the right thing as you understand it; if you see something morally wrong, you work with other citizens to change it up, too, including modifying the country's constitution.
Being an American isn’t easy. You must be self-reliant, morally driven, and willing to abide by the country's laws or change them if a majority of citizens agree with you. (Or a supermajority in the case of the constitution.) Americans help each other first and others, if we can, without breaking our compact of mutual support with one another. That’s old-fashioned, but it has made us who we are.
"You claim America as your own, forsaking all others.”
Such a powerful sentence. Thank you!
Bryan,
First, thank you for bringing us listeners your thought-provoking insights into the state of our country & world 5 days a week every week. You are a tireless patriot!
Second, thank you for your service to our great country while employed at the CIA.
Third, to answer your question of what it means to be an American, it would take me too long (& probably way too boring for you & your listeners) to read all the remarks that I have been mulling over since you asked us the question earlier today.
Lots of life experiences with my family members (including, and especially, experiences with my 2 legal immigrant paternal grandparents from Eastern Europe, who had very little formal education, and with my America-loving father while a youngster) & my 25-year career in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War & the Vietnam Nam War have contributed to my being an appreciative native-born American. One who has served to protect our freedom of expression and religion and freedom from oppression. And, one who wants our future generations of Americans to continue to have the all the freedoms recognized in our beloved Constitution.
Thank you for sharing this… and what a life you’ve lived!
Bryan,
We (USBP) deported lawfully admitted permanent residents (LAPR or green card holders) all the time. While we did not have the authorities of the Secretary of State, we still deported them for criminal convictions.
They are lawfully admitted but still aliens. They are not citizens, can not vote, own a firearm, etc. and are guests here. They have to observe our laws and the terms of their admission. If they do not, we don't need them here, and they are returned home.
As for Representative Crocket, it is illegal to enter the US at any point other than an official port of entry designated by the AG (that is a legacy of INS being in the DOJ).
The statutes covering this are 8USC1325 [(entry without inspection (because you can only be inspected at a port)] and 8USC1326 (re-entry after deportation). The first is usually a misdemeanor, but it can be a felony. Re-entry is a felony.
My maternal grandfather came to America from Italy prior to the US involvement in WWI. Consequently, he was drafted into the US Army then sent back to Europe and face combat. He returned to America and went right back to work and started a family. He owned a small business peddling fresh fruits and vegetables from a horsedrawn wagon on the cobblestone streets of Hoboken, N.J. He and my grandmother raised seven children. Neither grandparent could read or write the English language but never hesitated to learn to speak it. In 1968 my grandfather was awarded a purple heart fifty years later for his service. None of my aunts and uncles were aware of his injury from the war. My Irish paternal and Italian maternal grandparents' names are on plaques on Ellis Island. Blue collar all the way until the baby boom children went to college. I have never forgotten my roots and where I came from and never will. I chose to remain blue collar without regrets. God bless and protect America.
Beautiful family story….
An American is an American citizen, whether by birth or by going through the citizenship requirements. An American should be committed to our country.
The gentleman that was arrested at Columbia University is not a citizen so he is not an American. He is here on a visa and he is here on a green card. Therefore, he is removable. I would argue that the first amendment does not apply to him as far as freedom of speech goes that leads to violence. I don't think we should allow dual citizenship.
All 4 of my grandparents came to America from different countries in the early 1900s. They all learned to read, write, and speak English. They all became citizens who loved this country as fiercely as they loved the lives they built and families they raised. When there was turmoil around the world that affected their birth nations, they worried and prayed for the people, but their allegiance to America never wavered. I grew up seeing this. I don’t see it anymore.
Anyway, to be an American is to love your country like you love your family. You always want what’s best for them and you are willing to work hard and sacrifice so that they may thrive.
Love this… and the focus on assimilation!
What is an American?
Someone that wants to uphold American culture. What is American culture? The humility to believe in a higher power (God) outside of yourself. The understanding that the government is supposed to represent the people, and not to control them. The wisdom in knowing that all the freedoms we enjoy are unique and worth fighting for as long as we are a nation. Loving your neighbor is helping someone in need, and protecting the innocent and weakest among us. Serving your community whenever and however you can. Becoming good stewards of truth and peace. Understanding that we live within a border and a language and a way of life that chases excellence and integrity.
If the $5,000 stipend were truly a cost savings, I would like to see a control in place where the person has to geolocate every day in the app for a predetermined amount of time before the payout isis disbursed.
It’s going to be gamed regardless of how it’sit’s implemented, but this raises the bar a little for those who truly want/need the cash.
Good read here that you might also enjoy ...
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/03/china_s_4_stage_strategy_to_surpass_the_usa.html