Does this mean I hate America?
So, I'm teaching a writing class at Rutgers and my theme for the semester is immigration. it's nice to have a theme -- it helps me pick out related essays for them to read and it helps the students focus on something in their writing. I like to do a little introduction at the beginning of the semester and so I was doing some research and found this little gem of a website that made me laugh:
http://www.petitiononline.com/FreeLady/petition.html
The idea itself isn't so hilarious -- it's a petition to remove the poem about the 'tired and poor' b/c that's just encouraging immigration, dagnabit! The really funny stuff is in the 719 signatures of the petition. Everyone gets to sign AND comment! HILARIOUS stuff:
529. robin abbott
"PLEASE LEAVE US IN PEACE SO THAT WE CAN TEACH ARE AMERICAN BORN CHILDREN ARE HERITAGE THAT THERE FOREFATHERS FOUGHT FOR THERE ARE FAMILYS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE THE COUNTRY BEGAN THE FOREFATHERS MADE THESE LAW FOR THOSE FAMILY SO AS FAR WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO SO WE ARE NOT"
So, is she writing in capitals to suggest she's shouting?
520. Sharon
"Try running a business with only American Citizens today and see how for you get with your company. If you want any real or hard work done you better have an alien because Americans only know how to sit at desks and machines. We are becoming a sad, sad place!!!!"
This is one of a number of comments that seems to be more annoyed with America than with immigration.
604. Russell F. Gale
"It's tragic that a poem written by a socialist anarchist should be associated with Liberty Enlightening the World!"
547. Mike Miley Patriotism is NOT Racism
546. Katie Miley Patriotism is NOT Racism
I bet after signing the petition, these two had hot sex on an American flag with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" blaring to cover their shouts of ecstasy....
668. sheri bassham
"I live in Ector County Texas, where caucasians are the minority. However, we do not recieve any type of benefit for being the minority. As a matter of fact, the group of white folks in this county are footing the bill for the massive group of people who cannot contribute to the greater good, for all sorts of reasons, but one being that they do not speak English, they are very committed to Mexico, flying the Mexican flag, and celebrating Mexican independence day but not the 4th of July. .Their families live in Mexico and that is where they send their money. They are taking from Ecto County and not contributing. I really resent the fact that they are on medicaid and get scholarships to college all at my expense"
647. W. Martin
"Just one problem we have had is they stole our daughter's car from her work place. She was 7 months pregnant and lived 16 miles from work. There went her only means of transportation. The three who broke into it, hot-wired, stole and wrecked it during a cop chase were children, ages 13 and two were 11 yrs old. I only had liability, they were all illegal."
Someone's not taking this seriously:
641. Huffington Howell III
"I used to be in favor of amnesty, but that all changed last week when Lupe put too much starch in my favorite dress shirt. Now I want all brown people to leave. Viva America!"
I'm not sure if this is supposed to help or hurt the cause:
634. Cecilia Sims
"I am the daughter of an immigrant"
This one makes me wish English were the official language:
626. Donna Avent
"I am sick and tired of problem with illegal aliens and stop more more new immigration because America are fullest. Too many people and highest price houses because of too many people. Stop both legal and illegal immigations. I am tired of competion jobs because of low pay. Stop both legal and illegal immigrations. I am crying because I can not afford to buy house because too expenisve houses because of too many immrgrations I am tired of them . Close all borders Now because America is Fullest!"
my favorite
16. Ima Bigot
"YeeeeeeeHaaaaaaawww!"
