Case to Watch

[footfootfoot]

It is a very interesting case, on the one hand the judge points out the perceived nature of the attack on Islam by Muslims--this could, by Muslims, be interpreted as inciting to riot, something not protected by the first amendment. But, really only in their own country or culture which would recognize it as such. On the other hand this is the USA and we have a very different cultural identity, as Americans, from Muslims. Being a resident in the US or having a green card, or even being a citizen, is not really the same thing as being an American, in my view. Being an American means having some skin in the game, embracing the values of your (new) country--not trying to get other Americans to change themselves to suit you.

That may not be in the constitution but it is in our country's folklore. When you read stories of immigrants to this country, grateful immigrants, one of the key elements you read about is retaining cultural identity while at the same time adopting the new culture.

A partial exception to that, from personal observation after living 20 some years in and around NYC, might be the Chinese and Koreans. They have really maintained a lot of cultural identity and autonomy without assimilating much, BUT they've really done it within the framework of America's culture.