Forging an American Identity

Two studies illustrating that absorbing immigrants, even in this day and age of better opportunities and communication, takes sustained effort by all parties. One is by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, "Strengthening America: The Civic and Political Integration of Muslim Americans, 2007". I have just given the report a cursory look, but it is disturbing that they include Aminah Beverly McCloud as one of the authors, not a person noted for her outreach, rather an apologist for anti-Semitism and worse. And the Islamic Society of North America, cited as an unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas trial, (along with CAIR), also has a representative as an author of this report. The report does say right up front: "Muslim American organizations and leaders have not fully and readily acknowledged the potential for radicalism in the community and the need for vigilance in countering it has been a barrier to understanding and dialogue." Indeed. Let's hope this first step leads to substantive progress.

The other report has apparently been held back for a few months, as its author, a Harvard professor, is afraid of inflaming the immigration debate with his un-PC conclusions about diversity. More here from John Leo at City Journal.

Forging a new American identity is key.

UPDATE: Good points on immigration by Pete Du Pont in the WSJ, with this conclusion:

We do need to secure our borders, issue legal ID cards to immigrants, and admit people skilled in the jobs we need to fill. But experience shows that our government lacks the political will to enforce such an immigration policy. Georgia state employee Reagan W. Dean was recently quoted in the New York Times: "Maybe it is possible to secure the border. Maybe it is possible to establish an employee identification system. But I don't have any confidence it will be done."

Many Americans agree with him, so a serious and substantive bill that would restore the people's confidence is the Senate's task this week.

UPDATE: And Christopher Hitchens takes the media to task for their irresponsible and dishonest coverage of "Muslim rage", which I might add, is a disservice to moderate Muslims everywhere, including the US:

I have actually seen some of these demonstrations, most recently in Islamabad, and all I would do if I were a news editor is ask my camera team to take several steps back from the shot. We could then see a few dozen gesticulating men (very few women for some reason), their mustaches writhing as they scatter lighter fluid on a book or a flag or a hastily made effigy. Around them, a two-deep encirclement of camera crews. When the lights are turned off, the little gang disperses. And you may have noticed that the camera is always steady and in close-up on the flames, which it wouldn't be if there was a big, surging mob involved.

And as Hitchens says, very few women for some reason.