Inconsistent Jason

Hey man, cut him some slack you hoser. Maybe he's undergone a spiritual transformation!

The Native Americans emmigrated from Asia thousands of years ago, so actually, they are immigrants too. Life didn't originate here. So the "native" Americans are only called that b/c they were here longer than anyone else. It's stupid to get all caught up in semantics with this crap. KK is an American.

I never thought of it that way ... I mean I knew we all originated in Africa, but I didn't think of native Americans as not really being native.

But wasn't there a time when all the continents were merged together, before the big continental shift or something? Maybe people lived here then!

These are some deep thoughts.

ds-man wrote:

I never thought of it that way ... I mean I knew we all originated in Africa, but I didn't think of native Americans as not really being native.

Native Americans did have squatter's rights, though.

But wasn't there a time when all the continents were merged together, before the big continental shift or something? Maybe people lived here then!

No humans around at that time. Nice try.

You are all idiots. Do some research.

This topic actually raises a very good discussion: namely, what does it mean to be American?

It has been mentioned that simply through the legal measures of naturalization, one automatically becomes American. Indeed, this is how most of us, at some point in our familial lineage, have acquired the title 'American.' But there are problems with accepting this as our standard. While sticking to legality is convenient because it offers a clear and distinct line between 'American and non-American' one wonders if it?s this simple. Consider the notion that 'Native Americans' were the first Americans. We have to remember that it took years before 'Native Americans' were considered citizens with voting rights and the like. So actually, by the legal standard, Euro-Americans were the first Americans. Consider also the idea that first generation Americans are legally Americans ? indeed, no one should take this away from them. But what about the foreigner who has married an American, lived in America for 15 years, yet still retains his/her homeland citizenship? Legally, he/she is not an American -- but culturally, there is little doubt about his/her American-ness.

I tend to think that the term 'American' embodies numerous cultural elements that combine into a complex web of intertwining threads. To limit it to a simply legal issue is to miss the embedded meanings of what it means to be American. It seems to me, from what I've seen in the literature on assimilation theories, that second and third generations have a much better chance of adopting the aggregate of the new community in question. First generations are, most often, straddled between their homeland and their adopted nation. Actually, for a good example of this, check out 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding.' The Greek culture that is so deeply embedded in the parents is less so with the children. From this comes a strong anxiety about what it means to be both Greek and American.

Long story short: 'American' is a complex term that is more than just legality.

All of our ancestors are apes. Go back and find out where your family ape came from to find out if you're American or something else.

Anyone have any bananas?

Can we stop monkeying around and get back to talking about running?

Ha ha ha. Too funny!

What type of runners are related to the rally monkey?

There is no inconsistency whatsoever.

I hate drugs in our sport. Everyone who is guilty of taking EPO or any other illegal enhancers should be forced to report to the Nevada State Prison, where my dear Uncle (one of the guards) will gladly arrange suitable "dance partners."

Khalid Khannouchi is truly an American. He has the passport, so yes, let's embrace him as one of ours.

We our on this earth to spread joy and love to all and to accept all the diversity of humankind.

I have ABSOLUTELY ZERO empirical evidence to suggest that he (Khalid) is on anything but good food and hard training.

However, I am very much entitled to my thoughts and opinions, and let's just say I WILL KEEP THOSE TO MYSELF.

jason