I am, technically speaking, a German American. I was born in Germany, learned to speak German before anyone I knew could speak English, and, when I arrived in the U.S, didn't require, desire, or receive any special consideration for my immigration status.

I went to a school where nobody spoke German, and nobody felt sorry for me because I had yet to learn English. Within 6 weeks I spoke well enough to get by. For the last 50 years, nobody has known I came from Germany unless I told 'em. Aside from (once, alone) going into an unoccupied girls' toilet on a public playground, I really had little trouble adjusting.

I learned that people who came here from Germany were German-Americans, those from France were French-Americans, and those from Italy were Italian-Americans, and that those who were born here were Americans.

I don't view second-generation Germans, French, or Italians as anything other than Americans. As I see it, if they want to be regarded as anything other than Americans ... just plain ordinary Americans ... then they should go somewhere else. If they want to practice a culture other than the native one (whatever that is) then they should go wherever they practice the culture that they prefer.

If someone comes here as an immigrant, then they should show that they're immigrants, rather than invaders, by learning and adhering to the local customs and laws, including those laws that are relevant to who should be here and who should not, and they should speak the local language, at least when in public. I believe that this applies to everyone, be they black, white, green, purple, or whatever.

I personally would have no trouble with closing immigration and travel to/from anywhere, particularly that poorly enforced border to the south. I've been to over 100 countries on six continents, yet still prefer it here. A lot of folks talk about how awful the U.S. is, with its terrible taxes, no social safety net, totally corrupt government, irresponsible corporate management, crumbling infrastructure, third-world education system, runaway crime, etc ... Still lots of folks are clamoring to get here ... go figure ...

There's one local McDonald's restaurant I heard of recently, that accepts Pesos now. I guess with the U.S. dollar having fallen 41% since 2002, when a British pound was worth $1.45 according to guy on the radio, (now it's $1.98) they figure it's a hedge. I can't blame 'em.

It won't be that much longer, I fear, before we're out in the streets hunting one another for food. Then it won't matter what your national origin is ... just your nutritional value. All one can hope for, I guess, is a swift and clean kill.

RE