E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSCommunity leaders are demanding the resignation of a Maine mayor who said Somali immigrants living in his city should "accept our culture and leave your culture at the door.”
Organizers of Maine People's Alliance say the group has collected at least 1,400 signatures calling for Lewiston Mayor Robert E. Macdonald to step down over his remarks in September to the British Broadcasting Corp. that Somali immigrants were costing his city a lot of money, then saying they should ‘‘accept our culture and leave your culture at the door.’’
Attempts by NBC News to contact Macdonald or officials in the Lewiston mayor’s office were unsuccessful Thursday.
“It’s not just one remark, but a dozen or so,” Mike Tipping, spokesman for the Maine Alliance in Portland, Maine, told NBC News on Thursday. He said his group also created a video compilation of a dozen or so of the mayor's public remarks.
About 6,000 Somali immigrants have settled into this former mill town in search of affordable housing and a safe place to live.
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
Somali community leaders said residents in the state’s second-largest city have been welcoming – except for the mayor.
"The remarks are painful, hurtful and display the mayor's ignorance about our community. We demand an apology and a plan from his office on how he will work to unite his city, not further divide it," said Jama Mohamed, Communications Director for Somali Bantu Youth, in a statement to NBC News.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
Macdonald has since tried to clarify his comments, saying immigrants should try and assimilate into American culture, not that they need to give up their language, religion or traditions.
The petition drive is meant as an expression of local sentiment as Lewiston has no formal recall procedure for its mayor, alliance members say.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from NBCNews.com:
Leave a Comment:
that's the kind of person this country needs right about now. get rid of everyone who isn't like us. that'll fix us good.
what an idiot... if everyone is like everyone else, NOTHING gets done. EVER. everything goes stale, and everything is boring. for the sake of everyone else, he SHOULD resign. in fact, i'd like to see him to go some other country to see if he can 'leave his culture at the door'.
He said he misspoke and then clarified as follows (from the article):
You've never said anything in a clumsy way and then tried to correct it?
Sounds just as xenophobic after he "corrected" his statement.
6000 Somalis in a little Maine town? That sounds F'd up on its own!
"Assimilate: to absorb into the culture or mores of a population or group." a/k/a - "leave behind your language, religion and traditions" - he said exactly what he meant to say. On the other hand, there are limits to how much our culture needs to be tolerant and accepting of other cultures. Especially ones who practice certain "traditions" that we consider abhorrent, immoral or illegal. No, you cannot take a DL photo with a burka over your face. No, you cannot "circumcise" your female children. No, you cannot sacrifice live animals in your bathtub. And no ,you cannot stone a woman to death because she got raped. Not saying that Somalis practice any of these things, but many African cultures indeed do, so it wouldn't surprise me.
The good mayor tells it how it is... don't like it here? Go back!
Jerk, if my grandparents had refused to leave their culture at the door, I would be writing this in Russian now.
cass, there's a difference between deciding to give up your culture (which is what you, your parents or your grandparents have done) and being TOLD to give up your culture. on one hand, you decide for yourself. on the other, someone else does the deciding for you. which do you want?
do you see the irony here? if i didn't let you decide the answer for yourself, then i'd tell you what the answer is and i'd decided what you want for you, and that'd be the end of it. and i'm guessing you wouldn't like it.
Cassandra - it is a lot easier to leave culture at the door, if the culture isn't actually that different. My family is also from Russia originally, and pretty much the only "cultural" differences we've experienced here is my sister and I lived with our parents until we got married, and we take our vodka as shots, and not cocktails! lol A Somalian would have to pretty much change their entire way of thinking and living in order to truly "assimilate."
Assimilate or GO HOME!!! Political correctness is ONE of the things that is killing America! WHY would someone want to leave their screwed up way of life and then demand to practise the same B.S. here?? ANY moron knows that wont work any better here than there! WAKE UP AMERICA!!
If you move to a new country, it's incumbent on you to assimilate, not expect your new country to change to accommodate you. I assume this is what the major was trying to say.
well...one aspect of their culture the should definitely leave behind is Female Genital Mutilation
celebrating diversity is one thing...allowing medieval practices to continue is a whole different issue
JerkInCoolClothes- he is trying to put a stop to what France is now faced with the Muslim immigrants. They refuse to assimilate the french culture and instead press for Muslim laws and teachings in France.
There is nothing wrong with being proud of your culture at all, nothing. But when you take your home nations values over your host nation then we got problems. It is much like the Latino marches across the US last few years about being "american". Yet they would have got more support if they weren't protesting under the Mexican Flag. Stupid crap like that....
Jerk - on some level they DID make that decision for themselves - when they decided to come to America. Probably in order to survive. Culture for your life - that's a fair trade off, I think. As someone else had mentioned, if your own culture is causing poverty and atrocities from which you are forced to flee, then why in the world would you want to stick to that way of life after you have escaped it?? Of course I am not talking about giving up your language/food/literature, the more innocuous things.
I don't think the mayor's remarks were sensitive, but at the same time I wouldn't be so quick to take offense if I were Somali.
I mean, over there you've just got a lot of starvation and random killing. Over here, you've got a politically incorrect mayor who's a little skeptical about a bunch of newcomers from a far off country. I'm not going to take you seriously when you act like what this guy said really affected you.
Show that being Somali means being good-natured and resilient, and prove yourselves as awesome members of the community. Just like new people everywhere have to do when they start somewhere new.
Well if it was 6,000 Somali pirates I'd have to agree with him :o]
Jerk... and the rest of you bleeding hearts. The Mayor is right. We have "do good" groups who bring people to the USA and dump them in a city for the rest of us to support and educate. We cant take care of the people that were born here, let alone the boat loads of people that will receive free health care and welfare before they can blink. Time to CLOSE THE BORDERS.
Count me in with the Mayor.
Only I would go a step further then he did. Just like in the old days. You entered into my country. So you and only you are responsible to learn my language , spoken and written( learn to read English ). I'm so sick and tired of seeing signs in different languages. Who's country is it anyway yours or mine ????? If I were to go to your home country. Then I am expected to obey your laws, speak your language, write your language and learn your monetary system. If I have to do that then you should have to do the same here in my country. Stinking bleeding heart liberals cow tow to any one and everyone. This must stop. If that mayor was running for president I would vote for him in a heart deat.
bob
who gives a rats behind about culture, this is america, we speak english. this is not somalia we dont have tribes or spears. im sure they found out about our government assistance. tired of that press 1 for english press 2 for spanish what a crock of shlt. We speak english and if you cant speak it or refuse to learn then get your ass back on the boat and go home
They deserve NO apology. They should not have been allowed to come here in the first place. The US tax payers had to pay for their transportation, food, living expenses, etc. and now they want an apology as well. They should all be sent back to Somalia now. You can thank the US State Department for bringing them here. They are responsible for this mess.
Skrekk:
Only to someone who doesn't understand what words mean.
For hell's sake...grow a pair!
"When in Rome..."
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free......
Throw out the Irish, they have a nerve celebrating St. Patrick....
and those catholic Italians. They still worship the pope.....uck.
infact throw out all those WASPS and Spanish who killed the "american(?) Indian(?)" and stole their lands because they couldn't assimilate.
Feel free to add any other foreigner of your choice ....aboriginal people stay on your reservation until the biggots say so.
This IDIOTIC IMMIGRATION policy of DUMPING 6000 Somali Africans in the middle of a White state like Maine just goes to show you we NEED to stop IMMIGRATION and if we do have some , PUT THEM IN DETROIT !!! AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH STATING THE OBVIOUS , we don't need any more 3rd world immigration !
LMFAO; my far right-wing uncle who was born in the USA still thought he was a Swedish Viking. The last thing I want to associate with is what Vikings did on this planet.
Keep the good parts of your heritage and dump the rest, crap like defending Roman Catholic and Muslim hate has no home in the USA.
It's been my experience that when a person says this that is exactly what they mean. If you know them and are privy to hearing to them talk behind closed doors, you find out how intolerant they really are and they speak more openly with you about their dislikes of other cultures because they think you are their friend so they can say anything they want.
BoltonBill, true. It's funny to me when I hear people say go back to your country to other cultures. I am thinking, I bet the Native Americans are saying the same thing since this country was originally theirs anyway.
You will be hard pressed for other nations that would accept us forcing them to accept our 'culture' if we immigrated.
Homogenizing with a different culture that you voluntarily chose to move to is your responsibility, not the host countries obligation to change to yours.
Just because we are a free nation doesn't mean we have to change our behavior to fit yours.
I'd be delighted to kick out the Mexicans in my neighborhood to make room for the Somalis. These border jumping rats want everyone to kiss their yabbadabbados!
Most of us here in Lewiston could care less about their religion or how they choose to dress. Frankly I prefer the Somali women's dresses and head scarves over the American boys and young adult suppose to be men who are running around with their pants hanging off their butts. I think that most of the Somali ladies clothing including their head scarves are quiet pretty and if they are comfortable in them why should I take issue with it.
I have less issue with Somali adults speaking their native language in public than I have with the disrespectful American youth blaring their boombox car stereos at levels my windows start rattling before they get within a block of my house or the french descent crowd who have been here their entire lives and speak English fluently speaking french in public just to be rude.
That said the problems associated with 6000 Somalis in Lewiston, Me are numerous to say the least. Few have issues with those who are here working and being part of the community. The issues revolve around the ones who came here from other states after exhausting the 5 years of welfare in those states. Those few who were already here spread the word to their families and friends in other states that Maine did not have the 5 year limit that most states had adopted as part of former President Clinton's welfare reform and housing was cheap and easy to get subsidized so we were over run by the welfare for life segment not the hard working pay it forward types. Thankfully our legislature finally has had enough and those limits on welfare were put in place effect this past January.
Unfortunately that caused a whole new set of problems for the cities as those being forced off who still refuse to work, those who actually can't work qualify for exemptions to the limits so it is those who refuse to work that are the problem for the cities. They spent 5 years or more on welfare and didn't bother to learn the prominent language, English, much less any employable skills while being supported by those of us who do work. With the cut off for state/federal money the cities are now having to pay for them as the cities are still legally mandated to do so by the state.
By no means are all the Somalis in Lewiston free loaders nor are all the freeloaders Somalians. Many are hard working productive members of our community. The problem is well over half of them are the ones who came from other states for the easy unlimited welfare and housing not straight from the hell that is Somalia looking for a new life in a better place.
Our schools are failing because of the influx of so many English as a second language students with parents who refuse to learn English much less make their kids work harder at it. Again this is not all of the students who are from Somalian families but a large portion, enough to drag the schools down. The recession has only made the effects that much worst as there simply is not enough money to cover the added expense of so many special ed students even the ones who are only special ed because of needing ESL classes.
We are talking about a small town with a population of 36,000 here and not even one of the wealthy Maine towns but a small working class town. We simply can not afford all the added expenses that have been dumped on us.
A huge problem with modern times immigrants refusing to learn English is those of us who work and pay taxes are not only having to support them as they will never be able to find a job we are also having to pay for translators for them to apply for the welfare, if they have to go to court, to the doctor, to get a drivers license.
Sure immigrants came from all over the world in days past and some of them never learned English but the American tax payers also did not have to provide them with translators or support them back then either. Now we do and that is a game changer in my opinion and I am a left leaning independent so don't even think it is just far right republicans who feel this way, it is not.
Now if our political leaders could learn to articulate these issues in a more mature reasoned manner we might be able to address them instead of making National headlines that make us all look like uneducated bigots.
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American.
If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American.
We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room for but one soul [sic] loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt
Listen you aholes who talk about stinking liberals accepting or encouraging this. I'm about as liberal as you can get, and I think the Somali's, if they want to live in the U.S., should start to act like U.S. citizens, not Somali citizens. So take you right wing sh!t on the road.
Bob 1 28. who says somalis dont speak english. In fact english is widely taught and used. I dont know where you live, but in all big usa cities you find Little Italy, chinatown irish town and the list goes on. So lets not go on picking on somalis and lets look at your own front step first. Katsotaas eteen ensin ennen kuin moititaan.
It has been my experience that middle eastern people and others do not assimilate and instead expect us to bend for them.
Where does it say that these somalis were "dumped" in that town ? In my experience, a few come, and the word spreads back home, and more come, usually for jobs. Most somalis here in DC work as cab drivers, and cab drivers in Dc run the gamut from very nice and professional to complete @!$%#s who shouldnt be on the road or dealing with the public. The same could be said of every ethnicity I guess.
Somalis usually work and keep to themselves, but they are also muslims, and so no doubt some of them have been affected by the cancer of fundamentalism, and of course that is not welcome...
Try going to a muslim country and start asking for your rights and try building a christian church and see what happens...Let us know how that works out, if you are still alive..
The Somalis came to Lewiston because the Federal Government accepted them as refugess and dumped them there. Does Japan have Somali refugees? Japan committed genocide against the Ainu people. That makes them as guilty as us whites, right?
“You’re (White people) on the endangered list. And unlike, say, the bald eagle or some exotic species of muskrat, you are not worth saving. In forty years or so, maybe fewer, there won’t be any more white people around.” -– Tim Wise, “anti-racist activist”
"Mozart, Pascal, Boolean algebra, Shakespeare, parliamentary government, baroque churches, Newton, the emancipation of women, Kant, Balanchine ballets, et al. don’t redeem what this particular civilization has wrought upon the world. The white race is the cancer of human history." -- Susan Sontag, feminist icon
Somalis already have a country where they can celebrate their culture, it's called Somalia. What would happen if we tried to open a Christian church in Somalia? What would happen if thousands and thousands of us tried to move there?
The Somalis were put in Lewiston and given carte blanche to do whatever and not assimilate by people who hate us white people and our culture, and cheer for our genocide. They say that they are defending the poor downtrodden minorities who they themselves imported to be poor downtrodden minorities, they say that they are anti-racist, but what they are is anti-white. Anti-racist is a code word for anti-white.
Ask anyone in Minnesota what they think about the Somali population.
THEIR IMMIGRATION HAS DESTROYED PARTS OF THE STATE AND major cities.
GOOD FOR THIS MAYOR
Lewiston, a 'little town in Maine?? Hell, it's the second largest City in the State of Maine!!
Only 36,592 people according to the 2010 census. So it is a small city. 6,000 immigrants would be 1/6 th of the population.
sounds like a good policy , in times gone by everyone that came to america was an american . these days it appears that there is a split allegiance , everyone that comes to america or even some that have lived in america all of their lives are some type of hyphenated american .
You mean "everyone was an American" excusing Jim Crow, Internments, and a whole lot of sh*t I can't be bothered to list?
Stop lying to yourself, hypenated Americans existed for quite some time then, as aparently some people are more American than others...
Bad - you are right. We should allow the Somali immigrants to set up their own 'Little Somalia' and allow them their own sharia laws. After all - you would have no prolems if your son had his eyes gouged out because he looked at a Somali girl - right? After all - why should they acclimate to their new country when they can come here and still live in Somalia. After all - they are only here for (1) freedom, or (2) because their Imam told them to come to America. After all - everyone who comes to America is above average and honest. La la la. Now it is time to put my fingers in my ears...
Actually, I find his hypocrisy hilarious.
Lewiston is a Franco-American community where you can routinely hear French spoken even today in most stores. A generation ago, most children never learned English until they got to high school, since they went to Catholic gradeschools (all in French and Latin).
Tje city has a rich heritage, but it is NOT an "American and forget your roots" heritage.
And the French speakers certainly did not leave their culture or language at home. The entire city could easily have been in Quebec or France.
Now to deny that to others is to deny the past.
Interested,
Practicing their culture, isn't the same as breaking our laws. As long as they remain within the boundaries of our laws, they can practice it, all they want. Just like every group of people, from every country, and every religion.
You are correct Sarah. They are free to practice their 8th century traditions. But if they want to live like they did in Somalia - why come here? Democracy and tolerance are not traditions in Somalia (I spent a year over there before it became what it is today). Unless they came to spread their extreme form of hate (fundamentalist islam). The USA is not really known as a Muslim country, although we have a few million. Do we wait until their Imam tells them to start killing all us infidels before we get concerned?
Funny, I live in Denver and I can show you the neighborhood that used to be German, Polish,and Italian. There are some that are still mostly Jewish and the list goes on. Whenever large groups of immigrants come to this country it takes time for them to assimilate.
@ interested observer , No one is saying they can enforce sharia laws on the rest of the town.
Interested,
Your paranoia is showing. As I said, if they break our laws, they go through our justice system. Just like when we break our laws, we go through the system. Perhaps they came here, because their country is in economic chaos, has one of the lowest qualities of life, is war torn and is unsafe?
I'm sorry you're so terrified of Muslims. You're missing out on some really great food.
@ bjbutterfli...They cant or shouldnt practise sharia ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES!! You libs are the morons here. Try living around that crap. Stay the hell OUT if thats what they want to do! GO HOME and practise that god forsaken garbage.
Sarah...what does food have to do with it? You obviously know NOTHING about muslims! I mean nothing!
And I'll bet you think same-sex marriage should be illegal.
A shame you Southern Baptists want the government to enforce your sharia laws, eh?
True,
You obviously no NOTHING of irreverence. NOTHING! There have been Muslims in this country since it began. What's taking them so long, to get on with this Sharia Law, thing?
skrekk & sarah idiots like you are the reason this country is in decay. To stupid to see the writing on the wall! How about go visit those dumps called countries and see how you enjoy that way of life! And idiots like you want to be all warm and fuzzy with that crap to show how enlightened you are! MORONS...Just MORONS!
I get what you're saying Sarah. Technically, you are correct. Unfortunately, in practice some fundamental communities maintain de facto control over women's rights, self-determination and criminal behavior even in Western countries.
Liberal/Progressive types are very respectful of different belief systems, but I hate to say it, from years of living in Muslim countries--from the purely secular viewpoint it's hard for me not to be wary.
In a community of 6,000 Somali immigrants, you assume these are all the very best sort of people, but, there are often significant healthcare, human rights, criminal, and gender issues that are almost impossible to tackle from a law enforcement or social worker perspective.
My long way of saying, it's natural and ok that a modern community would have concerns about a community that may or may not be modern. Openness, dialogue, and just "getting to know the neighbors" will alleviate this better than demanding sensitivity from an 'old school' mayor.
Sarah
I'm sorry but this is one time I must disagree with you.
The early immigrants to our country wanted to and did blend ( melt ) into our culture and ways. They wanted to. Some of today's Immigrants are trying to force us to change ourselves and life style to theirs. Just who's country is it anyway ????? Theirs or yours and mine ???
bob
Strange that a lot of the "concerns" about Muslims are basically the same concerns people had about the Irish 150 years ago. Or the Jews 100 years ago. Or Asians 50 years ago.
I have never felt pressured to accept Muslim beliefs or traditions, and I don't know anyone who has. Christianity, on the other hand....
In my state of Wisconsin the German immigrants largely remained in German-speaking communities with German-language schools and newspapers....right up until WWII. Same thing with the Finnish-speaking immigrants in Michigan's UP, the French in Louisiana, and the Norwegians in Minnesota where assimilation took multiple generations and the communities tended to be rather insular.
skrekk
Sounds like you are talking about swamp Yankees and red necks. All in all I believe what you said to be truthful. But I still don't like it.
bob
Bob, you can disagree with Sarah all you want but the Europeans did NOT assimilate into the aboriginal culture that was here for more than 9000 years before they arrived. ( Sara Palin notwithstanding).
Skrekk,
Let's not forget those damn Amish. How dare they hold onto their traditions and religion. Let's make them drive cars and heaven forbid wear clothing with buttons.
What the hell is wrong, IN A FREE COUNTRY, with living any way you please as long as you obey the laws?
I chuckle everytime I see a comment like this is America the land of the free now do what I say.
Bob, well actually, I will let the Native American answer whose country this is. LOLOL
The WASP Borg won't allow that. Resistance is futile - you will be assimilated!
hamjam, you clearly have little understanding of what a fundamentalist Muslim may require in their household. It's not like my fundy Christian parents where I couldn't listen to Britney Spears, it can be some serious stuff. I've had Muslim friends pressured/forced? into marriage, etc. It's hard to say where the line between tradition and right/wrong is, but I think you're naive to assume these practices are harmless.
and though it sounds like it, this is more of an old/new world issue than a religious one, imho
"This is a Words by Theodore Roosevelt
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here
does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall
be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to
discriminate against any such man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But
this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing
but an American.
"If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated
from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American.
"We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the
red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization just as
much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We
have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we
intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American
nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room
for but one sole loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."
nation -- not a polyglot boarding house. There is not room in the country for
any 50-50 American, nor can there be but one loyalty --to the Stars and
Stripes."
"Let us say to the immigrant not that we hope he will learn English, but
that he has got to learn it. Let the immigrant who does not learn it go back.
He has got to consider the interest of the United States or he should not stay here.
He must be made to see that his opportunities in this country depend upon his
knowing English and observing American standards. The employer cannot be
permitted to regard him only as an industrial asset."
I am a American-American
I'd be delighted to kick out the Mexicans in my neighborhood to make room for the Somalis. These border jumping rats want everyone to kiss their yabbadabbados!
People immigrating to the U.S.A. should learn our language and customs or stay in their own countries. The millions an millions of U.S. Tax dollars that are used to solely accommodate Immigrants should be spent on educating the children of LEGAL U.S. Tax Paying Citizens. It should be a requirement for obtaining legal residency in the U.S. that you be required to speak our language and honor our customs. The expense should be the total responsibility of those seeking citizenship.
I agree with the Maine mayor. The Somali immigrants should have to understand that it is not acceptable to bring with them a propensity for Somali gangs, piracy, support for al-Qaida, radical Islamic terrorism, mufti death fatwa, honor killings, denying women their equal rights, etc.. The mayor is just trying to protect all the citizens of his city. The Somali immigrant leaders should be supporting the mayor rather than attacking him. If they were really interested in uniting the city, they would be working to allay his fears by working together with him to integrate the Somali into the community. They need to accept and live by the laws and rules of the society they have chosen to move into and not expect the society to change to fit their proclivities. They have moved to a country that grants them a great many rights and freedoms but not the right to do whatever they please.
There is a reason for all the wars and poverty in their country. It is the practice of having 20 or more children! In former days before modern medicine and inoculations most children in these countries died in childhood! Unfortunately their practice of having far more children then they can afford continues!
That leaves the community they choose to infest the bill for raising them! If people were honest they would admit that this is the main reason why most people really do not like them settling in their towns!
Isn't it funny how all the LIBERAL DEMOCRATS pull out the NATIVE AMERICAN card when we talk about the HUGH and disproportionate amount of AFRICANS being dumped into a lily white town in MAINE !!!!
Where would we be today if we didn't incorporate all those diverse cultures of the original immigrants into our culture of today? Irish, Greek, Jew, Swede, Spanish, et. al. are very different yet somehow managed to mesh. And not all those immigrants were loved when they first got here either. Accept them like your fore bearers were accepted.
Sorry - boto. If your statement were correct, then we would all be speaking German, Swedish, Gaelic, or Chinese Mandarin. But last time that I looked, immigrants incorporate the culture of the new country - unless they are invading.
Good for this Mayor! We need more like him
...here's an example of the wondeful diverse "culture" these Africans bring to our country:
http://www.newser.com/story/104877/three-somali-gangs-busted-for-us-child-sex-ring.html
Interested,
We do speak all those languages.
A much better county is the short answer.
Sorry @interested observer, If your statement was correct, then we would all be speaking Navajo, Cherokee, or Blackfoot. But apparently the invasion didn't go well for the Native Americans.
Sarah, No WE don't.
Cheese,
Really? We have laws against speaking different languages? Not one citizen or foreign national in this country, speaks anything but English?
Cheese,
Really? We have laws against speaking different languages? Not one citizen or foreign national in this country, speaks anything but English?
Cheese,
Really? We have laws against speaking different languages? Not one citizen or foreign national in this country, speaks anything but English?
Really, computer???? Triple posting, when I only clicked once?
also much of our language comes from other languages. Interesting thing about language there are over 60 dialects of the english language in america alone. when one extreme dialect talks to another extreme they have a really hard time understanding each other yet both are speaking english.
rob, so we didn't have sex trafficking in the US until the Somalians came?
I am a first or second generation American on both sides of the family, with my Dad's Dad being the exception having come to this country as indentured servants from Ireland (and that's a totally different story).
My Mom's side ALL came from Greece. I grew up, primarily, in this community. I grew up attending the Greek Orthodox church, I joined my Mothers families philanthropic Organization through that same church, I learned traditional Greek dancing and cooking, but I am an American first. I was raised to be American to think like an American. My grandparents and mother thought it was important, but they wanted my brother and I to know where we came from, as well. We leave being 'Greek' at the door, but it doesn't change the fact that, "yes, we are Greek". My ancestors came as legal immigrants, learned the language (within the first year of touching foot on American soil. My grandfather also learned to speak Spanish, as well. So he was tri-lingual), went to school, started businesses (and became taxpayers), bought homes and thrived while pursuing and living the American Dream.
My Dad's Mothers side is a similar story, it may have take a little longer for them, but they thought and worked with the same goals in mind as my Mothers side...
I'm tired of the whinny, ungrateful, mooches we call 'immigrants' that we let into this country nowadays. If they want to living the same way as where they came from, GO HOME...we don't need you!!!!
6k African immigrants in a small rural Maine city with a total population of about 40K - I think I know what he means! Welcome to the 21century USA! Did they build a Mosque on main street yet? Hope they like the cold!
Historically immigrants settled together in areas. Lots of Scandinavians in Minnesota, Irish in NYC and Boston, Germans in Ohio. What's your point?
They are desert muslims,what's yours
Lol, Pained!
Hooray for this mayor! Being a productive member of society means work, following our rules, learning our language, contributing positively to the community and it's standards. If I were innundated in a small community with 6,000 freeloaders I be upset too, and demand they do something to become a positive contribution to my community. And.....who the hell provided the documents and allowed this many immigrants to swamp a small community?
I had to back and re-read the article. Nowhere does it state that this particular community of immigrants is using more than their share of city resources.
So why call them "freeloaders"?
Oh, I get it now - "freeloaders" is just the neocon way of saying "black" or "African".
Excuse me Jack, but your racism is showing, and it is ugly.
or Muslim
how do you know that they are muslim? just working from stereotyping?
Tired of Lies and hamjam, or Mexican.
The US does not have an official federal language.
Maybe not Freddy, but business, around the world, does...Here's a hint... English.
The Somalis in Minnesota are HATED.
After a lot of issues over a lot of years, there is some anomosity twords the MPls Somali community
To Frank, ct-
I live just 30 minutes from Lewiston and to answer your question, there is a mosque on main street. I AM NOT KIDDING!!! For the most part honestly, Lewiston isn't a great town to begin with. Most people who don't live there choose to head down to Portland or here to Augusta to get out.
We have a culture, and values in America that are worth preserving, defending, and passing on to the next generation; it is for that next generation & their future here that we do these things.
Somalia is a pretty miserable place for a lot of Somalians at the moment. They got a chance, and *chose* to come here to our county, our land, our society, with our values. They are guests here, but a fair number of them are not being very good guests. They are demanding we change everything in our way of life to accommodate them, and with the help of misguided organizations are in effect attacking our culture, our values, and our way of life that has led to prosperity for us for most of our nation's history.
For far too many of these organizations anti-racist = anti-white, and in particular anti-white male. Many of these organizations also to force down the throats of the population here incredibly anti-Christian views. Many of these organizations are completely intolerant of basic rights such as the right to free speech, and just as impoantly: the right to free association! They foster a victim-hood mentality in new comers, as well as values that fracture & divide communities rather than building them up to work as one, and to become integrated into our society. This pretty much is the American definition of multiculturalism as these organizations practice it. Lets be honest about what is at stake, and what the real goals of these so called "do gooders" are. They think a fractured society only clinging to its lowest common denominator is "progress, and moving forward". While they might have a hyper tuned sense of fairness for those they consider outside of norms, they tend not to have any consideration of the sense of fairness for the population that actually built the society itself.
I know that college sociology coures try to teach the non-sense that all cultures are equal, and all morals are relative. I ask you the very simple question: Does the idea of having a red hot poker jabbed agaisnt your tongue three times to determine if you are telling the truth in court sound like a good idea? Should we bend over backwards to put it in our court system tomorrow? Is the society that accepts the hot metal rod on the tongue as a way of divining the truth truly compatible with our own culture & values? For all of its problems, American's have been at the task of building societies that are free, and worth living in for quite awhile. This is why so many people try to come here. For the most part I think we do a pretty good job of it so long as we restrain the urges to remold our society in ways that are not compatible with our traditions, sacred things, and values. We DO have sacred things, traditions, and values -- and it is those things which make America America.
The citizens of Lewiston have been quite accepting considering they had a sudden population shift of 6000+ Somalians dropped in their lap. There is nothing wrong with asking them to conform to the laws our society has set. Nor is there anything wrong with asking them to learn the language that is spoken here. They will never be ble to fully participate in our society without those expectations.
Timertea thank you, thank you! This comment hits the nail on the head! oh my I hope that is a politically correct statement and doesn't offend anyone.
I do think the Mayor could have phrased his sentiments better but do think he has the best interest of the city in mind. And shouldn't be removed for offending a special interest group & their cheerleaders.
Not only the "Somalis" but all immigrants, should either adopt our culture or return to where it is the way of life, just not the American way. If you don't agree then I can think of someplace you can go also!
I think the concern is to drop those parts of your culture that screwed up your home country so much that you wanted to come here. Then we'll see which good parts work nicely in the melting pot. I've seen immigrant assistant groups in the 1800's expousing this point in "how to be an american" type pamplets.
You mean like we accepted the culture of the native Americans when we came here ? Or changed our religion to the one American religion, or gave up our ethnic foods, etc. ?
Its a Beat um vs Join un thing. Brits vs Indians-- we beat um. Immigrants vs Americans (now)-- cant beat us so they Join us. Although some mexicans and muslim nuts are still trying to Beat us.
Peanut - you are so correct. And if they don't want to assimilate into our culture, we should ask why they really came here. Might they have an ulterior motive? And if so - they should be urged to return to their native country.
My tolerance for Muslim immigrants has been lowered since these lunatic countries seem to want to kill us over every slight to their religion of hate. If they can't leave behind their intolerant attitudes towards free speech, then I will choose to be intolerant toward them.
Salvia,
Do you own a home? If yes, give it to an indigenous person.
Ever eat at a chain restaurant? Stop, as the indigenous people had none.
Do all this and more, then step on your pedestal and speak of your righteous moral superiority.
Gee I wish you had felt that when when your forefathers came here and took the land from the Native Americans. Oh and freethink88 the answer is yes and I am of native American decent. I know what the white man did to this country and her people. so you need to be the one to get off your high horse.
bjbutterfli,
The treatment of natives by the white man was horrendous. Period.
Now here we are, regardless. As a whole, using whichever criteria you like, you would be hard pressed to find a better country than the USA. This is obvious in that the Somali immigrants came here, not ... say, Mozambique, Kenya, or Ethiopia. So considering the USA is at least one of the best countries on earth, it makes sense to want to maintain that status, no? Improve yes, but not regress.
Please name the ways that you feel these 6,000 Somalis will add to America, as a whole, not cherry picking specific examples.
What is "our culture"? what is American culture?
@interested observer: They were brought to the US by the US State Department and all paid for by the US tax payers. They were in camps in Kenya, originaly from Somalia, who are radical dedicated Muslims who practice female circumcision, chew khat, etc. Now they want an apology? They should all be sent back.
And, GTR, if they are not sent back, they should kneel and kiss the ground of America for allowing them to come here, away from that hellhole of starvation and slaughter where they were living before.
They probably came here because of our reputation for being tolerant of other cultures. No wait...
GTR, The oldest CHRISTIAN temple was discovered in Somalia. These Somalis were driven out of their homeland because they were CHRISTIANS. Have you already forgotten that little firefight we had in Mogadishu. They were once members of the Hamitic tribes. Ham is the second son of Noah so maybe they , like Jesus, were born Jewish
One other small item GTR, its the U S Dept of State not U S State Dept.
Agreed Ct! I'm done being tolerant. You think if we go there they tolerate us and don't expect us to adapt to their culture? It has ruined our country and especially our schools. Why should kids HAVE to learn Spanish here? BS...
Remember, the city is paying for services for these Somalis and the Mayor is Responsible for the Budget. If the city citizens are so "outrage" at the Mayor, then they need to WALK the WALK instead of just talking the talk & pay (or at least reimburse) the city for the extra cost on the city's already strained budget for these Somalis. It is easy to complain and gripe when it is someone else's money involved.
Let me tell you.These people are worthless.We have 10s of thousands of them here in Cols,Oh.The blacks hate them.They act superior and condescending when they come from a crap culture.An iron age culture of misogyny that nature is trying to make extinct.They are the ones who are fans of female circumcision.As a nurse who works with mostly women,and has my own house full of them,I'll be damned if i would respect that culture.Oh,and the men wear regular clothes,the women those GD rags.
Pained - don't hold back. Tell us what you really think. FYI - many of us agree with you. Why come to our country and practice their 8th century traditions? They were free to treat women and children as property back home. And they get upset because we dare to infringe on their religious beliefs that men own their women and children. Wait until one of them becomes successful and starts collecting multiple wives - as is common 'back home.'
They called America the "Melting Pot" for a reason...
You added your culture to the whole while at the same time letting it melt down and accept the surrounding American culture. If you spoke Gaelic at home, you spoke English in School. And the kids translated into English for Mom and Pop!
Wanting to see newcomers fit in to our country is NOT being a racist.
(A son of Scots, Irish, and (gulp!) English immigrants from about two centuries ago.)
America has never had an official language, not even for schools. Up until WWII in my state of Wisconsin we had a number of German-speaking communities & schools, as well as German language newspapers. That's still true in other parts of the country where the dominant language might be Spanish or Navajo.
In a melting pot, the bitter parts boil off too. "Our" culture IS a mashup of the best parts of other cultures. Even english is a mix of "upstairs" french and "downstairs" anglo-saxon.
yes but all learned to speak English and it is the official language of the u.s.a. my wifes grandmother was from Poland she said in her broken English speak English we are Americans now well said and true want to come and live and work learn to be an American is that not what you came for why should we have to learn every ones language
Skrekk - and did you ever wonder why the US Government rounded up those germans who chose to live in 'little germany' at the beginning of WWII?
Strange.....that doesn't seem to have ever taken place. We didn't generally round up the white German-speaking Americans or Italian-Americans (other than a very small handful), but we did round up 110,000 of the brown English-speaking Japanese-Americans. In general the only ethnic Germans we rounded up were actually Germans, not German-Americans.
http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/407521?uid=3739976&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101281037417
Apparently some ethnic groups and skin tones are more scary than others.
The mayor sounds like a typical teabagger.
skrekk is a muslim.
Actually Skrekk is an atheist who sees very little difference between the Afghan Taliban and the Southern Baptists and Mormons in the American Taliban.
I'm a favorite of diversity. However, I also am realistic enough to understand that too much of certain types of diversity can cause the system to break down. Basically a culture is a certain way of living and behaving within a certain set of rules, often unwritten. This is especially critical to making it in a work setting. If a person doesn't follow those cultural rules, it makes it a lot harder to find work and when it does, it usually is pretty low level work.
By following the prevailing society's cultural rules, a person is much more able to earn a better living. By refusing to follow them, that person is limiting themselves drastically to what is available to them. It is human nature to prefer the familiar and hence people who are perceived as "different" are at a major disadvantage in getting a job. If their culture is causing this, not merely their personality, then that person has to decide if they are willing to change and adapt or lower their chances of getting and keeping a job.
I hope this blog isn't taken in a negative sense, as I'm not defending the mayor. However, I am saying perhaps we need to look at both sides of the issue and get more data.
It is humerous about how we are already making a myth of how those early minority culture were so well "accepted". Anyone who knows history knows most of them were treated terribly.
Let them be that bold in THEIR country, NOT mine!
The mayor is correct. Every African/middle east Muslim should leave their culture at the door. Cold blooded killing of innocent people over opinions is inhuman. Civilized human beings respect human life as the ultimate value in the world. Low life forms eat their eggs, their young, and their peers. Most crocodilians have more respect for crocodilian life than some homo sapiens cultures have for homo sapiens lives. Yeah, I know. This makes Democrat Liberals lower than crocs. But you cannot debate the history of humankind. Respect for human life is the key factor that has grown in the last few thousand years. Indiscriminate killing still seems to be rooted in several cultures and has to be eliminated. Beheading a woman or a gay is the same as beheading a fetus. They are all individual human beings with unique - just them - DNA. Only the uncivilized indiscriminately kill. Yes, there are times that civilized people must kill. Civilize must move forward and not allow inhumans to destroy civilization.
Okay so all African/middle east Muslims are killers ? Funny my best friend's spouse is from Afghanistan. They've been married 25 years and the spouse has never killed anyone here or there.
When in Roman ... yada yada yada
Sometimes our mouths move faster than our brains. If he misspoke he should have the opportunity to clarify his comments. You may not approve of his comments, but, folks, this is America - Freedom of Speech still stands and is guarded as one of our most precious freedoms. And, the price for your freedom of speech is the fact that he has the same freedom.
Did you read the article? The mayor did clarify what he said, and just used words that said the same thing in a more sensitive way. Nobody has infringed upon the mayor's free speech. Just realize you have the right to free speech, but it doesn't shield you from the reactions people might have to what was said. Example- I can say the grass is blue, and the sky is green. I can say it all I want, but that doesn't mean somebody isn't going to say, "you are a moron", and no that wouldn't be infringing upon my freedom of speech.
The mayor is a jackass. When did HIS family come to the US? I'll bet that they didn't assimilate right away. What a crock of crap from this "leader".
6k Skinnys in Lewistion, ME??? Are you @!$%#ING kidding me!?! How in the @!$%# did that many skinny's even manage to get in one @!$%#ING city in ME??? If you put that many Americans in ANY foreign country city of the same size and the locals would up in arms beating and harassing them all until they're all gone. What's up, SERIOUSLY, with those people in Lewiston?!?! Are they that @!$%#ING stupid! Jesus, get rid of them for Christ's sake!!!
Wow, a lot of anger there Kevin. You even threw in derogatory Somalian terms, and Jesus and Christ. I am impressed.
The mayor is right on.
OMG the hate-filled posts are unbelievable! So this mayor now says they should assimilate? Assimilate to what?? - blond, blue-eyed, Protestant, English speaking only people? That's the problem with the people who want everyone who comes to this country to become "American". They have their own version of what "American" is & could care less that the ONLY true Americans are the natives that lived here before anyone came over the ocean or rivers. If they so much want assimilation, then we all should assimilate & change & become Native Indians. But then you have the problem: which tribe to become a member of?? See how absolutely ridiculous the "assimilation" proposal is??
The Christians morphed Jesus the Christ into a blond, blue-eyed Germanic looking person staring out into space. As a matter of fact, the picture of Osama bin Laden staring out into space looks more like Jesus then Jesus!
Gigi - perhaps you should study history prior to saying that we should be more native american. In case you slept through american history - many of the american indian tribes supported Britain during the revolutionary war and the war of 1812. One usually does not look favorably on those who support our enemies of the time. And the Indians were the ones attacking settlers and military as society moved west. And to answer the question in advance - no, the indians did not own all the land in the west. They chose to fight instead of adapting to progress. Those who choose to fight a larger force tend to lose. And losers don't get to decide how the victors live. Sorry charlie - but the native indian leaders chose to make their beds -- then they got to sleep in them (or rather have their tribes sleep in them). If you think that I am wrong - just form a local militia and choose to fight the government violently. See what happens...
As the saying goes - the tree of liberty needs to have the rot pruned off every once in a while.
Huh?
And that is precisely what you are proposing Americans do!
You tell Americans to fight these immigrants. Progress means that American culture will change....it always has, it always will. Not dramatic upheaval, but slow, gradual change.
Progress is a bunch of freeloading immigrants living off the taxpayers?? I wouldn't call that progress. That just shows how effed up this country has become. Close the borders and stop foreign aid; then maybe we can start trying to get out of debt.
There is a sizable community of Somalis in my area. While I respect thier right to continue certain parts of thier culture, there are American ways that they need to adhere to. We have had instances in my town where the Somalis could not grip the concept of "garbage day." Trash piled up, the city had to intervene, and the Somalis did not like it. There have also been assault charges in our area for fathers "discipling" thier daughters, which have also met some resistence from the Somali community. My husband has taught college courses where some Somalis are never on time, come half way through the class, and refuse to use the resources the school offers to people that have English as a second language. They then complain that they do not receive a passing grade when they have missed half the classes and turn in papers that are equivalent to a fourth grader as far a sentence structure and basic English go. It is costing the taxpayers money. They can practice thier religion, wear traditional dress, and practice thier customs, but if they want to live in America there are some things that they must change.
disposing of trash properly, keeping your community clean, being on time, not practicing child abuse, are not in any way cultural! These are common sense, decency issues. I can point out MANY trailer-trash meth-ridden parks where the residents are "American" that pile their trash, abuse & neglect their kids, are on welfare & do not work. These issues are not contained to any one ethnic group. Shame on you for suggesting so.
I agree with you. Give them a few years and they will screw this country up just like all the other immigrants that came here. After my people showed up, they should have locked the borders!
Gigi - These things are cultural. I can not help if you see if differently. They are not on time, because they are not used to being on a schedule and they do not have garbage collection in many areas in Somalia. And if the "American meth addicted, welfare collecting, trailer trash" abuse thier kids, let trash pile up to the point of if being a public health hazard, then they need to change thier ways too. And I also expect them to be arrested.
Gigi - you are confusing outliers with the norm. In many muslim countries, beating one's possessions (wives and children) is the norm. To compare their norms with our outliers (trailer trash meth heads) is an intentional distortion.
Thank you Smilingphoebs. My thoughts as I skim these posts is that not a lot of these people have lived around Somalis. There is a large Somali community in MPLS and the people are having a hard time adjusting to them as they( most not all) refuse to adhere to basic " American" rules and customs. They are being payed for by the tax payers and have bad attitudes in general. I want nothing more than for everybody to melt together, but its not going very well.
I don't blame the mayor for being frustrated, But he shouldn't have said what he said publicly because people are very sensitive.
Sorry, but I am with the mayor on this. Every immigrant should leave their countries beliefs behind if they come to America. That is the problem, we are accepting these people then they think they have the right to continue with their old beliefs. They should learn to be American or go back. This is freedom of speech and the mayor was just saying what he believes. This is why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo and other crazy days of other counties. This is AMERICA with our own cultures and if you don't like, then move on. We do not have to be tolerate of their crazy belief - they have to follow ours.
Y'all must me from the South, or Michigan.
xxxxxx
Wow, you live in Porno-land. That is way cool!
Jesus christ....when did this become Iran???
America was founded and built by men and women from other countries who brought their beliefs (freedom, liberty, equality, etc) with them. Immigrants to this country are under no legal obligation to assimilate or adapt. Doing so would make their lives easier, but they do not have to do anything....except follow the law. This is America, remember.
...
If you look closely, I'll bet you will find that they are simply undocumented pirates.
...
LOL
(I really don't know why I'm laughing...you're probalby right!!!)
I can see the headlines tomorrow:
"Lobster fishermen in Maine report a sudden increase in piracy on the Atlantic coast. Authorities are at a loss to explain."
The Mayor is 100% correct.
The mayor said the right thing. They should accept our culture or stay the hell in Somalia. It ticks me off that when these politicians do say the right thing, then if any backlash occurs because of it they start back peddling and apologizing. They just don't have the balls to stand up even when they are right.We don't need these bush @!$%#s here anyway. They are just step away from being neanderthal. You should see the way they live. they will bring a goat into their house and slaughter it right there on the floor. Then half ass hose the blood out the back door. They were brought here for one reason only and that's so they can vote democratic.
Where did your ancestors hail from? Maybe you need to go.
Spot on dradclif.
I agree and for good reason.
The so called traditions that these third world hooligans bring here are not acceptable in a civilized society and will only end up causing them problems.
We should not allow these people into this country period, they can stay the hell out along with all the lunatic Muslims who will only end up being trouble makers in the years ahead.
These Fing nutjob Liberal special projects will end up destroying this country.
I LOVE IT!!!! A city full of Northern White liberals got 6,000 spooks dropped on top of them all at once, like Dorothy's house landing in Oz. Enjoy, you liberal idiots. Have fun funding all those social progams you muppets. It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of Obama voters. Soon you'll know the beauty of the Black experience.
Why "liberals?" Oh yeah, you're a sheep - that's why. Spooks? Wow, Archie Bunker has returned, you Meathead!