>>I don't mean the rock band, those old geezers. Although being Keef for a day would be a hell of a lot of fun.
>>
>>It has been suggested that the U.S is a nation of restless rolling stones. People who were dissatisfied elsewhere and came here. There is some truth to that, although it is true as well that some of them made us the great nation we are. This is not a self-hating anti-U.S, screed,
>>
>>There are some things that make you wonder, though. Two mass shootings in two days. They might have happened if not for the easy availability of guns, but that isn't my point, either. There may be a screw loose somewhere in our national character.
>>
>>We are a big country in more way than one. A certain percentage of lethal rolling stones are to be expected. But this many? High schoolers? Columbine is a well to do suburb of Denver, allegedly the American dream. And yet.
>>
>>We are a nation of migrants, Hispanics being the latest wave. That much is clear. Most -- all -- of our achievements have come from immigrants. And yet the issue persists. And the question persists in my mind, what kind of people have made us? Personal histories encouraged.
>>
>>Now this is funny. I could not possibly have scripted it. A neighbor just rang the doorbell to invite me over to watch a boxing match on cable tonight. He and his wife moved here from Puerto Rico a long time ago. Their daughter Stephanie is as American as they come. She is the captain of the HS volleyball team -- Emily is a two year teammate and probable successor -- and a burst of pure energy. She is a natural leader and was the leader of this team, not only in ability but in attitude. And she is as American as Glenn Beck. Born and bred here. Ask her what a Spanish word means and you will get a stony look.
>>
>>Let me revise my hypothesis, then. We are a complicated country.
>
>Puerto Ricans are Americans. It is a commonwealth of the U.S.. They are U.S. citizens by birth. Moving to the U.S. is like moving from one state to another. It is all America. They have a distinct and rich culture, but they are NOT immigrants. Your post was actually insulting. Of course they are as American as they come - they are Americans!

I realized that later. My mistake. I could argue that culturally they are more south/central American than they are part of the 50 states, but I will just admit I was wrong and apologize.

BTW, I just posted to Cecil that the woman who took down the gunman at Fort Hood reminds me of you. That's a compliment, if it was unclear <g>.