Should the Statue of Liberty be dismantled?
Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 09:54 AM
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It was, too, for a long time, a universal symbol of hope and promise for immigrants coming to America.
On the inner walls of the statue there's a bronze plaque that to this day includes the following lines:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
But nowadays, of course, the golden door has been wedged shut by people who believe liberty really means the liberty to exclude.
We are a suspicious, threatened and divided culture now and we'd really prefer it if you tired, poor, huddled masses would just stay home.
And in the minds of the main players in the Republican Party we are also now a Christian nation, in stark contradiction to the founders' original intent. Just ask Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, John McCain or George W Bush.
For decades now this fake history has paved the way for an insular Christian Nationalism. It's ongoing project. It's no accident that a 2007 poll from the First Amendment Center showed that 65% of Americans now believe the founders intended the US to be a Christian nation and 55% thought the US Constitution establishes the US as a Christian nation.
So perhaps, in keeping with views of a significant number of us, we should dismantle the Statue of Liberty and build a Statue of Exclusivity. With a bible in one hand and a sword in the other, perhaps.
It would be more honest about the kind of welcome that immigrants can expect to receive these days. It would be more honest about the false narrative of Christian nationalism the GOP has been crafting for decades - and its increasing hostility to anything different from itself.
We used to like liberty in America, but nowadays we just like the liberty to exclude.
54 comments
vincem13 | Apr 20, 2011, 09:13 PM EDT
Dear Comrade Cahir: The Statue of Liberty is in the shadow of Ellis Island, where over 12 million LEGAL immigrants took Lady Liberty up on her offer. The U.S. still welcomes legal immigrants, comrade. Why don't you ask the Russians if they'd like to dismantle Lenin's statue in Red Square while you're at it?
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ellenfromcork | Apr 20, 2011, 07:55 PM EDT
Well Cahir, as a piece of that "wretched refuse", I must say you've given us something to think about.
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jacke47 | Apr 20, 2011, 07:49 PM EDT
Well C O'D. You've certainly messed up this one. The US was founded by Christians fleeing religious persecution. They brought their beliefs with them. We are a nation of Christians-not a Christian nation. The Constitution allows for freedom of EXPRESSION of all religions. Where did you get your skewed stats? Wikileaks??? Duhhh??
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hollabackgurl | Apr 20, 2011, 07:22 PM EDT
Anyone who's bothered to look at US immigration laws knows you have more chance of winning the Megamillions jackpot than winning a green card nowadays. There's just no disputing that. Conservatives know you can't come here legally and they want to make damn sure you can't come illegally too. In that sense the Golden Door is truly wedged shut. And in that sense we're excluding immigrants. And everyone knows it. So have a look at yourselves in the mirror.
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Pittsburghkid | Apr 20, 2011, 07:12 PM EDT
Maybe were should just add a sentence. Keep your criminals. Anyone who enters the United States Illegaly is a Criminal Alien. You act so smug. Wait until the Muslims come in and take over Ireland. You will be begging for the British to return. After reading this blog, now I know why not one of my forefather ever returned to Ireland.
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Kyleykeaton | Apr 20, 2011, 07:02 PM EDT
Not all Christians are white bigots.
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seanomelbourne | Apr 20, 2011, 06:32 PM EDT
Attacking the writer and not content gives credence to Mr. O'Doherty's article.
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cpcpcp1 | Apr 20, 2011, 06:27 PM EDT
It's a pity that you don't know the difference in legal and illegal. Get a good dictionary and look the words up.
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bridget55 | Apr 20, 2011, 06:22 PM EDT
Wow, you white Christian bigots. I can't wait until 2050 when this nation will be more than 50% non white and your Last Hurrah of desparate and hateful tirades has faded into history. Enjoy your last moments.
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Tisovertheglen | Apr 20, 2011, 06:22 PM EDT
A few days in Libya might awaken the fellow from his Manhattan muffins and whines about a 'tea party'.
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Kyleykeaton | Apr 20, 2011, 05:48 PM EDT
Being a Chrisitian, an American with Irish roots, a supporter of equality for all people and not one ounce of political knowledge, I think the points he tries to make are ridiculous. America is greedy and suspicious but it is still the home of the brave and free. I just pray for a brighter future for the world. Though I have to admit that a statue with a Bible in one hand and a sword in the other sounds pretty cool. Maybe have the sword on fire, too. Douche.
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DannyBoyG | Apr 20, 2011, 05:31 PM EDT
The USA has become a very sad, angry and divided nation. It's future...scary.
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TomFitz | Apr 20, 2011, 04:28 PM EDT
Well Mr. Cahir O'Doherty judging from your statements you are not happy here.. So why don't you do us all a favor and LEAVE, Amadán.
Pick up your prayer rug and go to a non-Christian country since this bothers you so much you eejit.
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Gaelicpiper | Apr 20, 2011, 03:13 PM EDT
O'Doherty is an example of a propagandist. He mixes bits of fact, with lies, in an attempt to inflame the emotions of a minority; this, to affect a political goal. In this case, O'Doherty attempts to prey upon the the emotions of 50 thousand Irish, whom have entered this Nation illegally, and their supporters. His efforts continue to be sophomoric and not worthy of Irish Central. He continues to demonstrate his complete lack of knowledge of the Constitution, and laws of those county; as well as, it's history.
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