can't we all get along

it used to be that immigrants were ultimately accepted in this country because they assimilated. they were eager to reap our benefits, so they learned our language, worked hard at our jobs, made an effort to fit in.

nowadays everything's all up in a heaval.

phone calls to businesses require listening to spanish options. hmmm ... what if i want to listen to gaelic, french, or japanese offerings?

if you want to take a cab from the minneapolis-st. paul airport and you happen to be lugging booze, you better not get into a cab with a muslim driver 'cause you won't go anywhere. they don't take such fares.

and if you want to shop at target in minneapolis, don't try to take bacon to a muslim check-out person. they won't ring it up.

in my experience around the seattle area, an inordinate amount of traffic tie-ups, slow-downs, and fender-benders involve asian women.

several religious groups have driver's license photo issues.

illegal immigrants from mexico, muslim immigrants from east africa, asian immigrants from japan and china, religious intolerance -- it goes on and on and on.

i was brought up to believe we are all equal, we all deserve the same respect, everyone deserves to be accepted.

i also thought you could never change such basic inculcations.