I went to France and Normandy with my father in law. He fought in France and was a POW for a while. When we visited a small museum nearby the interpreter told the French people there HE was a soldier there in the 1940s. THEY all had to have a picture made with him. He was so proud. This was about 45 years ago. The older French people remembered the horrors and then the joy of being liberated......welcome back, Sean, We missed you......
I had a similar conversation with a German expat who had become a citizen of Canada.
He didn't like that I referred to myself as an American (I'm from the USA—conceived, born, and bred) and insisted that he was also and American because Canada happens to occupy a large portion of the North American continent.
Most people born and raised in Canada would NOT wish to be called Americans. It's mostly people from countries in Europe (otherwise known as Europeans 😉) that insist that all people from the Americas be called Americans.
Was 'America the Beautiful' written for Canada and Mexico too? Perhaps for our South American neighbors too? What about James Brown's 'Living in America'? Or one of my all-time favorite bands, America. Are those American songs and bands not representative of the United States? And if that's the case, that we can't consider the United States to be just 'America' then the 'Gulf of America' is perfectly renamed. Welcome back to America!!!
In 1992, a fellow from Colombia came to spend a year with us at an exchange student. Early on when I referred to Americans, he asked me not to. Was an American too. Since then I have tried always to speak of US Americans.
To everyone who's chosen to air sharp (and sometimes profane) criticisms of this country and its leadership here... please stop to consider that most of us are gathered in this place to enjoy Sean's warm heart and loving words.
Sorry about that, Deidre. I'm afraid Cheeto man has screwed the pooch on that one. Thanks to him, our allies are no longer and have/and are moving from us. Thanks to him, they no longer trust us. Thanks a lot, Pedolph Shitler.
Beth, sadly, that's what the GOP wants to make us think. We are NOT the crazy ones. Hang in there! Believe your own eyes and ears. They are simply using fascist tactics. If people knew history, they would realize that. Some are just willfully ignorant and some are willfully stupid.
They did for several hundred years and then decided they would change it. If they want to refer to us as US fine, but have no business telling us not be Americans.
My long deceased uncle lived to be 69 years old and only left Massachusetts once to go to Connecticut, he said he didn't liked the way people talked there. It wasn't the accent but the way they thought. Most Americans can not see pass the end of their nose.
We are Americans. We belong to the United States of America, not the united countries of North America. The others will have to get over it.
EVERYBODY needs to get OVER IT. SUCH PETTINESS, it's all so absolutely disgusting.
I went to France and Normandy with my father in law. He fought in France and was a POW for a while. When we visited a small museum nearby the interpreter told the French people there HE was a soldier there in the 1940s. THEY all had to have a picture made with him. He was so proud. This was about 45 years ago. The older French people remembered the horrors and then the joy of being liberated......welcome back, Sean, We missed you......
I have no problem telling folks that I'm American by birth, a Southerner by the Grace of God, and a Tennessean by an act of Providence.
I had a similar conversation with a German expat who had become a citizen of Canada.
He didn't like that I referred to myself as an American (I'm from the USA—conceived, born, and bred) and insisted that he was also and American because Canada happens to occupy a large portion of the North American continent.
I told him he was wrong.
Because, of course, he was.
I am an American.
Guy, I feel I should point out that Canada takes up more real estate of the Americas than the US does. Just sayin’.
That real estate is called Canada, while we are the United States of America.
He's Canadian now and very proud of it! Leave him alone.
Most people born and raised in Canada would NOT wish to be called Americans. It's mostly people from countries in Europe (otherwise known as Europeans 😉) that insist that all people from the Americas be called Americans.
Actually, though, they (supposedly?) prefer to avoid the term American altogether. Maybe because they don't like being referred to as Europeans?
God knows our name and He wishes us well. That's all that matters.
Amen!!!
Was 'America the Beautiful' written for Canada and Mexico too? Perhaps for our South American neighbors too? What about James Brown's 'Living in America'? Or one of my all-time favorite bands, America. Are those American songs and bands not representative of the United States? And if that's the case, that we can't consider the United States to be just 'America' then the 'Gulf of America' is perfectly renamed. Welcome back to America!!!
I’m sure people outside the US refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico.
As do many of us in the US.
Sy, you watch. Next it will be The Gulf of Trump. What a freaking idiot and all that support his petty nonsense. When will we support a real man??
You sure do let ”a freaking idiot” get your drawers in a twist.
Only an idiot who is a fascist. Look it up Stevie
After we elect a woman president.
I would vote for Condi Rice
I would too in a heartbeat, Edward! Condi Rice is some gal!
Thanks for the like @Beth.
TDS
Unnecessary
A real man? Like Obama or Biden? Oh wait, you must mean Harris. Cheers!
You are ridiculous, Therron.
They're wrong. God Bless America!
And therein lies the problem.
I resemble that remark!
Yes, you do, Therron. 😁
Totally the Gulf of Mexico, Sy. Nothing's changed, except the # of idiots.
Take your own advise and don't be so petty!!!
I will never believe speaking the truth is petty, Nancy
It always has been and always will be the Gulf of Mexico.
Always? Mexico hasn't even been a country as long as We have. Check your history, honey!
Check yours, “honey.” It first appeared on world maps as the Gulf of Mexico around 1550, long before we were even a country.
She's a sore loser Sharon
I stand corrected. I checked mine and you are right. However, it's irrelevant. It's the Gulf of America now and it always will be. Thanks, darlin'!
The Gulf of Mexico has not been officially renamed, sorry. That's a joke on Trump. And some of you believe the joke.
Tell that to your therapist next time you go to see him. Maybe someone will play along with your delusions.
In 1992, a fellow from Colombia came to spend a year with us at an exchange student. Early on when I referred to Americans, he asked me not to. Was an American too. Since then I have tried always to speak of US Americans.
I do hope you did not continue to refer to him as Colombian then
Excellent.
Welcome Home to America, the US, the South, Alabama..whatever... it is still the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Like the song goes. I'm proud to be an American. Welcome home!
I recently discovered you (thanks to your Pa Ingalls fiddle moment) and your writing is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it with us!
To everyone who's chosen to air sharp (and sometimes profane) criticisms of this country and its leadership here... please stop to consider that most of us are gathered in this place to enjoy Sean's warm heart and loving words.
Yes, Sir, 100%
Sensitivity to others is never out of place. . . Those of us from the USA need our neighbors and friends now more than ever.
Sorry about that, Deidre. I'm afraid Cheeto man has screwed the pooch on that one. Thanks to him, our allies are no longer and have/and are moving from us. Thanks to him, they no longer trust us. Thanks a lot, Pedolph Shitler.
I'm afraid you speak the truth....
Thank you, Deirdre, for seeing and speaking the truth! More people on this site now are doing that.
I am proud to be called an American and to be living in these United States!!
I miss the Camino columns. They were so warm and insightful. I looked forward to them every day.
One thing they were not — divisive.
We “Americans” don’t set the rules for the rest of the world.
Although many here in the US think we do.
As you pointed out, people say they’re from Italy or Germany or France — not “I’m European.”
America is a continent (North or South) — not a country.
United States, Canada, Peru, Belize are countries IN the Americas.
We can call ourselves here in the US “Americans,” but we can’t expect the rest of the world to do the same.
Yes, why do we feel need to "control" everything and everyone?? Becuz that's what tRump wants to do. SCREW HIM.
Again with the twisted drawers.
So telling the truth means "twisted drawers"???? Seems like you may have a twisted mind.
Beth, sadly, that's what the GOP wants to make us think. We are NOT the crazy ones. Hang in there! Believe your own eyes and ears. They are simply using fascist tactics. If people knew history, they would realize that. Some are just willfully ignorant and some are willfully stupid.
When I go to Europe and someone asks where I’m from, I say the United States.
I never say “America.”
I know better.
They did for several hundred years and then decided they would change it. If they want to refer to us as US fine, but have no business telling us not be Americans.
Well-put.
Yes…America is a beautiful word indeed!! 🇺🇸♥️🤍💙
My long deceased uncle lived to be 69 years old and only left Massachusetts once to go to Connecticut, he said he didn't liked the way people talked there. It wasn't the accent but the way they thought. Most Americans can not see pass the end of their nose.
Lou, that's why they argue about petty crap on here. They can't see past the end of their noses.