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  4. What makes an American?

What makes an American?

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  • G Gary Thom

    I was watching the Discovery channel the other night and an advert came up for the "Greatest American" poll. One of the nominees was Albert Einstein, given he was born in Germany I decided to have a look see who else was nominated. Greatest American Poll[^] Andrew Carnegie - Scottish Albert Einstein - German Mel Gibson - Australian Alexander Hamilton - was born on the West Indies island of Nevis. Arnold Schwarzenegger - Austrian Gary

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    JWood
    wrote on last edited by
    #9

    My biggest problem is that there are too many entertainers on that list. To me "great" means people who have actually done something on their own volition to better humanity. If they had never been born, the world would have been a much poorer place. Maybe a "Most Popular" would be a better term IMHO.

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    • J JWood

      My biggest problem is that there are too many entertainers on that list. To me "great" means people who have actually done something on their own volition to better humanity. If they had never been born, the world would have been a much poorer place. Maybe a "Most Popular" would be a better term IMHO.

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      Shog9 0
      wrote on last edited by
      #10

      JWood wrote: Maybe a "Most Popular" would be a better term IMHO. Well, anytime you have people voting on it, it's just a popularity contest, so that's pretty much implied. The name is just a hint as to how you should decide. Medication for us all You think you know me, well you're wrong

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      • S Stan Shannon

        If you can get to the US coast and then turn around and say "kiss my ass" to whatever old world rat hole you managed to crawl out of, and are willing to stand on your own two feet and make your own way through life by your own abilities, without depending on government to do it for you - you are an American. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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        Rob Graham
        wrote on last edited by
        #11

        Stan Shannon wrote: then turn around and say "kiss my ass" to whatever old world rat hole you managed to crawl out of Trolling again? ;P It really isn't necessay to reject one's heritage to become an American, IMO... Anger is the most impotent of passions. It effects nothing it goes about, and hurts the one who is possessed by it more than the one against whom it is directed. Carl Sandburg

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        • R Rob Graham

          Stan Shannon wrote: then turn around and say "kiss my ass" to whatever old world rat hole you managed to crawl out of Trolling again? ;P It really isn't necessay to reject one's heritage to become an American, IMO... Anger is the most impotent of passions. It effects nothing it goes about, and hurts the one who is possessed by it more than the one against whom it is directed. Carl Sandburg

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          Stan Shannon
          wrote on last edited by
          #12

          Rob Graham wrote: Trolling again? Not at all, I truly believe that. Rob Graham wrote: It really isn't necessay to reject one's heritage to become an American, IMO... I disagree. Being an American is all about rejecting the values of the old world - utterly and completely - in order to become something new. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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          • G Gary Thom

            I was watching the Discovery channel the other night and an advert came up for the "Greatest American" poll. One of the nominees was Albert Einstein, given he was born in Germany I decided to have a look see who else was nominated. Greatest American Poll[^] Andrew Carnegie - Scottish Albert Einstein - German Mel Gibson - Australian Alexander Hamilton - was born on the West Indies island of Nevis. Arnold Schwarzenegger - Austrian Gary

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            wrykyn
            wrote on last edited by
            #13

            Cannot believe that Shannon is not on the list while other 'luminaries' like Martha Stewart made it in. Atleast they got Dr Salk. "One of the Georges," said Psmith, "I forget which, once said that a certain number of hours' sleep a day--I cannot recall for the moment how many--made a man something, which for the time being has slipped my memory."

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            • R Rob Graham

              Stan Shannon wrote: then turn around and say "kiss my ass" to whatever old world rat hole you managed to crawl out of Trolling again? ;P It really isn't necessay to reject one's heritage to become an American, IMO... Anger is the most impotent of passions. It effects nothing it goes about, and hurts the one who is possessed by it more than the one against whom it is directed. Carl Sandburg

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              DavidNohejl
              wrote on last edited by
              #14

              Rob Graham wrote: Stan Shannon wrote: then turn around and say "kiss my ass" to whatever old world rat hole you managed to crawl out of Rob Graham wrote: It really isn't necessay to reject one's heritage to become an American, IMO... Well I don't know why but I've found it very american, too. David Never forget: "Stay kul and happy" (I.A.)
              David's thoughts / dnhsoftware.org / MyHTMLTidy

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              • J Jason Henderson

                Mike Mullikin wrote: Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! How many people would disagree with this statement? If they want to come here, let them come, but only if they succumb to a background check.

                "Live long and prosper." - Spock

                Jason Henderson
                blog

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                Shog9 0
                wrote on last edited by
                #15

                Eh, well, there's ideals and then there's reality. Can't have'em take'n ur jerbs naw... Medication for us all You think you know me, well you're wrong

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                • S Shog9 0

                  Eh, well, there's ideals and then there's reality. Can't have'em take'n ur jerbs naw... Medication for us all You think you know me, well you're wrong

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                  Jason Henderson
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #16

                  You mean those jobs even unemployed Americans won't take?

                  "Live long and prosper." - Spock

                  Jason Henderson
                  blog

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                  • J Jason Henderson

                    You mean those jobs even unemployed Americans won't take?

                    "Live long and prosper." - Spock

                    Jason Henderson
                    blog

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                    Shog9 0
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #17

                    Hey, sunburn can be dangerous. :rolleyes: Medication for us all You think you know me, well you're wrong

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                    • J Jason Henderson

                      You mean those jobs even unemployed Americans won't take?

                      "Live long and prosper." - Spock

                      Jason Henderson
                      blog

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                      Stan Shannon
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #18

                      Jason Henderson wrote: You mean those jobs even unemployed Americans won't take? Stop their food stamps and they will damn sure take them. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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                      • W wrykyn

                        Cannot believe that Shannon is not on the list while other 'luminaries' like Martha Stewart made it in. Atleast they got Dr Salk. "One of the Georges," said Psmith, "I forget which, once said that a certain number of hours' sleep a day--I cannot recall for the moment how many--made a man something, which for the time being has slipped my memory."

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                        Jorgen Sigvardsson
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #19

                        Ramanan Sivan wrote: Shannon Stan? :~ -- Schni Schna Schnappi! Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp!

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                        • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

                          Ramanan Sivan wrote: Shannon Stan? :~ -- Schni Schna Schnappi! Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp!

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                          Stan Shannon
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #20

                          Surely Claude would rate higher than me! :laugh: "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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                          • G Gary Thom

                            I was watching the Discovery channel the other night and an advert came up for the "Greatest American" poll. One of the nominees was Albert Einstein, given he was born in Germany I decided to have a look see who else was nominated. Greatest American Poll[^] Andrew Carnegie - Scottish Albert Einstein - German Mel Gibson - Australian Alexander Hamilton - was born on the West Indies island of Nevis. Arnold Schwarzenegger - Austrian Gary

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                            Marc Clifton
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #21

                            Seriously. Doesn't he reflect the majority (as seen in the recent election) opinion? Answer honestly! He may not reflect YOUR opinion, but I think he DOES reflect the opinion of quite a few, umm, Americans. ;P Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing YAPO

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                            • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

                              Ramanan Sivan wrote: Shannon Stan? :~ -- Schni Schna Schnappi! Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp!

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                              wrykyn
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #22

                              Not really :) I meant the channel capacity Shannon. Best paper written (in my opinion) in the 1900's "One of the Georges," said Psmith, "I forget which, once said that a certain number of hours' sleep a day--I cannot recall for the moment how many--made a man something, which for the time being has slipped my memory."

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                              • S Stan Shannon

                                Jason Henderson wrote: You mean those jobs even unemployed Americans won't take? Stop their food stamps and they will damn sure take them. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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                                Jason Henderson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #23

                                Stan Shannon wrote: Stop their food stamps and they will damn sure take them. And their unemployment compensation, and their welfare, etc. Stan Shannon wrote: "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom." Isn't capitalism an outgrowth of freedom? Without a free marketplace, there is no capitalism. So then, what is the source of true freedom?

                                "Live long and prosper." - Spock

                                Jason Henderson
                                blog

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                                • M Marc Clifton

                                  Seriously. Doesn't he reflect the majority (as seen in the recent election) opinion? Answer honestly! He may not reflect YOUR opinion, but I think he DOES reflect the opinion of quite a few, umm, Americans. ;P Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing YAPO

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                                  Stan Shannon
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #24

                                  I accept. But honestly, I do think Davy Crockett and Robert E. Lee should also be considered - my two favorite Americans. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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                                  • J Jason Henderson

                                    Stan Shannon wrote: Stop their food stamps and they will damn sure take them. And their unemployment compensation, and their welfare, etc. Stan Shannon wrote: "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom." Isn't capitalism an outgrowth of freedom? Without a free marketplace, there is no capitalism. So then, what is the source of true freedom?

                                    "Live long and prosper." - Spock

                                    Jason Henderson
                                    blog

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                                    Stan Shannon
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #25

                                    Jason Henderson wrote: Isn't capitalism an outgrowth of freedom? Without a free marketplace, there is no capitalism. I don't distinquish between the free market and capitalism. They are one and the same. Jason Henderson wrote: So then, what is the source of true freedom? Obviously, the creator. However, capitalism is the real world engine that gives meaning to the notion of an individual pursueing happiness as he best sees fit. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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                                    • G Gary Thom

                                      I was watching the Discovery channel the other night and an advert came up for the "Greatest American" poll. One of the nominees was Albert Einstein, given he was born in Germany I decided to have a look see who else was nominated. Greatest American Poll[^] Andrew Carnegie - Scottish Albert Einstein - German Mel Gibson - Australian Alexander Hamilton - was born on the West Indies island of Nevis. Arnold Schwarzenegger - Austrian Gary

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                                      PJ Arends
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #26

                                      The CBC did the same thing for the greatest Canadian[^]. IMO they picked the wrong guy. Terry Fox and Frederick Banting should have been the top two.


                                      "You're obviously a superstar." - Christian Graus about me - 12 Feb '03 "Obviously ???  You're definitely a superstar!!!" mYkel - 21 Jun '04 Within you lies the power for good - Use it!


                                      Honoured as one of The Most Helpful Members of 2004

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                                      • S Stan Shannon

                                        Rob Graham wrote: Trolling again? Not at all, I truly believe that. Rob Graham wrote: It really isn't necessay to reject one's heritage to become an American, IMO... I disagree. Being an American is all about rejecting the values of the old world - utterly and completely - in order to become something new. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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                                        Mike Gaskey
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #27

                                        Stan Shannon wrote: I disagree. Being an American is all about rejecting the values of the old world - utterly and completely - in order to become something new. Be careful. There is plenty about my "Old World Heritage" that I am proud of and hold dear. That heritage is Polish and the values: hard work, brook no bullshit from anyone, strong sense of family, bias towards a religous POV - are all things I attribute to that heritage. Mike "liberals were driven crazy by Bush." Me To: Dixie Sluts, M. Moore, the Boss, Bon Jovi, Clooney, Penn, Babs, Soros, Redford, Gore, Daschle - "bye bye" Me "I voted for W." Me "There you go again." RR "Flushed the Johns" Me K(arl) wrote: Date:8:50 23 Feb '05 I love you.

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                                        • M Mike Gaskey

                                          Stan Shannon wrote: I disagree. Being an American is all about rejecting the values of the old world - utterly and completely - in order to become something new. Be careful. There is plenty about my "Old World Heritage" that I am proud of and hold dear. That heritage is Polish and the values: hard work, brook no bullshit from anyone, strong sense of family, bias towards a religous POV - are all things I attribute to that heritage. Mike "liberals were driven crazy by Bush." Me To: Dixie Sluts, M. Moore, the Boss, Bon Jovi, Clooney, Penn, Babs, Soros, Redford, Gore, Daschle - "bye bye" Me "I voted for W." Me "There you go again." RR "Flushed the Johns" Me K(arl) wrote: Date:8:50 23 Feb '05 I love you.

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                                          Stan Shannon
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #28

                                          Being almost 100% Scots-Irish, I suppose my people left it all right at the water line in about 1718 or so. But then, the Scots-Irish were Americans before they ever even got here, so maybe I'm wrong about that. The frontier just gave them the freedom to finally be what they had always wanted to be - violent, illiterate, opinionated, xenophobic, racist, alcoholic trailer trash. "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."

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