[thechat] 103 Pak prisoners return from US - PakTribune

[Erika Meyer]

>http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=18927
>What an average American thinks about Green Card holder Pakistanis?

Syed, there is NO SUCH THING as an average American.  To assert that 
there is would be telling a lie.  We are such a diverse mix of 
cultures, you cannot categorize us, not culturally, not racially.

The only thing most of us share are TV shows.  And fast food chains.

Green card is translated, as I understand, as "permanent visa."  It 
is not the same as citizenship.  The normal mode is that Green Card 
holders are secure in their place, but all this has changed.

The current administration, using Sept 11 as an excuse (MHO) has 
created many many changes to our laws.  We used to be a very free 
society; this seems to be changing fast.  Probably one of the biggest 
changes are in the immigration laws, and treatment of non-citizens. 
And non-citizens do not vote.

I don't know what is required to obtain citizenship, but I believe it 
is a fairly involved process.  My friend went through it when she 
turned 18. Google if you need to know.

Be very careful about how you judge American people.  What our own 
media portrays is not really accurate, in my opinion.  You just can't 
be that general.  There is a certain group that holds nearly all the 
power.  There are many groups that do not hold any significant 
political or economic power, but are Americans nonetheless.  Those 
groups contribute hugely to the overall social and cultural texture 
of this country.  This is a big reason I love this country.  I just 
wish  power were shared more evenly -- political, economic, media...

I love being American.  But right now I am so embarrassed, angry, 
sorry, afraid.
And I have a right to say so.

wish we could all be sitting around the fire, eating s'mores... 
blowing glass...

Erika
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