morosophos

Political correctness has been a great hinderence in many cases to our society. However, we must keep in mind what America has become in its 200+ years. America was once founded by the European Christian colonists. However, now America contains a great diverse people. This has caused a great shift in culture, government, and way of life. Political correctness is the attempt to conform the people in such a way as to unite them, so as for there not to be so-and-so offending what's-his-face left and right. People began to view America as a "melting pot," that is, a single culture effected by the assimilation of many formerly seperate ones. However, if any one of us takes a look around, do we see one main culture? Hardly. Unless you live out in the country, or live in a very socioeconomically isolated part of America, you are bound to see very distinct cultures everywhere. To compare this to the aforementioned "melting pot," we are soup that's starting to turn and form clumps, and so far it's not pretty. The American people are inevitably going to offend themselves. People retain their cultures; assimilation is a difficult process. My point is, there really isn't any "American people." Given, there are Americans, but just no "people," in the sense of a united and conformed entity. We have Mexicans who happen to live and work in America; we have Samalians who happen to reside in America; we have people from all manner of backgrounds living, working in America. Even if these people are citizens, they really don't belong in one group "American people." If someone were to ask you what the culture of an American was, what could you say? Freedom? You can't possibly classify a people by freedom, especially with how abstract freedom is and how many nationalities and states claim to have it. A people is united by religion, ethnicity, culture, language, or at least some things of that nature. But taking a look at America, we can't really see any one uniting feature. This leads us to ask another question, "What is patriotism, and is it proper to have it?" Not that I can stop you from having patriotism. You go on ahead. But do we classify patriotism according to the fatherland's residents? If this were so, American patriotism is stupid, because of course, there is not really an American people per se. So do we classify patriotism as the emotions felt about our government and it's actions? I won't presume to get too detailed about those implications, but as of the moment, patriotism in that sense wouldn't be too keen either. Unless imperialism is something to be proud of. Because I have to say, in the orgy of imperialism, we are on top. I feel wordlessly sad on account of the events having occurred on September 11th, but those events don't warrant permission to go on an "American inquisition" of sorts. Those people were terrorists. What do they cause? Terror. Then what is their purpose? Terror. So if we go on in this terrible purpose as we have been, have they succeeded?

Why is it that everyone seems to be concerned with Whence did the original false report originate? and Who's to blame for the faulty information? Shouldn't we be more worried about the company who owns the mine and ignored the inspector's report on the eminent danger? My personal belief is that some poor, dyslexic wretch got his information askew. As dreadful a mistake as that may be, we really need to look to the more important details... the coal mine and its ownership. Further, robots are probably the last thing West Virginia needs, especially the impoverished county in which that mine is located. The county needs the manual labour because it provides jobs. When we replace people witch machinery, not only do we hike up the prices on precious commodities, but we cause a rise in unemployment, further harming the local economy. I think what needs to happen is a thorough investigation of the mining corporation.

Organisations are natural. People almost instinctively congregate to form groups, conglomerates, etc. in order to accomplish their goals more efficiently. This is the foundation of political parties, lobbyist groups, and other organisations, such as the one mentioned here. It's the responsibility of those outside the organisation/group to judge that group's actions and information and to make decisions for, against, or unrelated to the organisation's goings on.

"The most important holiday?" Now that's not a bigoted remark (N.B. exponential sarcasm). Your teacher only seems to make matters worse when he singles both you and the other out. Have you told him you were offended?Although it is probably true that the American Public School system was designed to break exclusively for Christmas, seeing as how the majority of Americans are, or at least were, Christians at the time of its establishment. There is no need however for him, as it seems to have effected, attack you. If you are indeed attending American Public School, I don't think he's even allowed to say that. As much as I hate having to analyse everything that escapes my lips anymore to make sure that it's politically correct in today's society, your situation seems to have crossed the line. If you haven't already, I would confront him about this.