This is where the problems lie - Islam requires you to look and act a certain way.
Remember the article about Sharia law being implemented in Canada? Islam seems to require that Muslims transform their surroundings to conform to their beliefs.
It isn't only Islam either, but other religions tend to be less radical.
It is true for centuries that America is the melting pot of the world.
Many Islamic countries are VERY unforgiving of other people who are not muslim. It is not just Europe. Europe has traditionally been arrogant about foreigners and Africa and the Middle East too.
AndyPandy is right on too .. many of the Islamic fundamentalists do not embrace their new culture with open arms and remain secluded. That is how the religous groups keep control. This is a general statment as I have many friends that are muslim and are 'westernized'. The same fanatical or some would call it orthodox religous sects can be equated to the Quakers or Mormons too. Very devout religous people who do not necessarly conform with the rest of society .. so they make their own society and culture in there communtiy.
it is a shame that our borders to the south are being over-run with illegal aliens and their could be some severre legislative changes int he future.
So when will the Muslim world learn from the United States and allow people from all over the world into their countries to live and practice their religions unhindered?
To play devils advocate here.....
If any of you (Westerners) have lived in a non-Western nation for any period of time you know that we do the exact same thing. We create our own little Western sub-culture and stay in it.
Of course, we are usually not looking to migrate and change citizenship, but still.
It's interesting that you mention that. I come from a military background so I've lived all over the place and I've noticed that this is very true of Americans. In fact there's a US airbase very close to where I live now, and you never see them unless you actually visit the base, it's like a little America in there.
On the other hand, when I've been posted abroad the British tend to mix a great deal with the locals and many of my friends where locals.
At the risk of stereotyping - If you look at Europe, you'll see a place where everyone travels around meeting new people and trying new things (except the French). If you look at the US, a large percentage of the populace won't have left their own state, let alone the country.
Just my observations of course.... 
I'll take that stereo-type. However, my friends were from all over too - but all Western - so, they were hanging out with the locals about as much as I was.
Of course, this was back in the 70s and it was in Asia, so perhaps the barrier was greater then.
Your observation is very wrong. Granted, I'd suspect the majority of americans have not traveled outside the country, but most of them do travel to other states.
So my observation is only partly wrong, as opposed to very wrong... 
I'd like to point out it's more difficult for an American to leave the US. For us, there's generally an ocean either way, it's not a train ride.
That is a different case, due to the fact that those in the Military are still americans and don't plan to become "X" while being assigned to an overseas base.
I love to travel, but too poor yet to get to Europe for the historial sites and certain foods/drinks. Donations accepted ;) I have traveled a fair poor of the states and been to Canada a long time ago. Trying to get a job in Japan working for the military civilian side right now...
I see you're thinking laterally, which is a good start, but try to think vertically. I believe if you take a train either north or south, you'll end up in another country.
That said, I live on an Island (UK), so with the expception of Scotland and Wales which don't really count, I'm technically worse off than you 
ya but you have chunnels and ferries and stuff. Plus how big is the island?
The chunnel and ferries go to France - See my second post in this thread
haha fair enough. I know that it takes me 5 hours of straight driving to get outta florida, and I live in the middle of florida. I don't wanna even think how many hours it is to canada from florida
well, the bit about isolating themselves is true, I was debating the issue regarding most americans have not left the state they grew up in. I don't think I ahve ever met another american who has not been to at least a few states by the time they reach adulthood.
damn the lack of a quoting feature.
When this Noo Yawker lived in Florida I hung out with the Cowboys at Davie Junction Country and Western and shopped in Griff's.
I in no way tried to create my own little Noo Yawk sub-culture. I bought myself a pair of cowboy boots, a stetson, learned to talk Florida-speak and blended right in!
[Comment was edited by lil peeper on November 08, 2005 at 04:21:15 PM]
No one really wants to go to Mexico unless your underage so you can drink and Canada is just like being in the US but cold. I'm a military brat so I have been over seas...I would move to Germany if I could find employment there...
I notice that too. For most Americans the world amounts to their city and their favorite vacation spot. Pretty isolated.
Perhaps for people who cannot afford to travel but not for those of us who can.
No, these people are all pretty well off. They just prefer to go to Vegas rather than do any overseas travel. It's just not something they care about.
The French government needs to act quickly and decisively to take back their country "Muslims see the French as a weak link that can be conquered".
I would rather beat the Towel-heads to the punch! A few pellet guns and a loud speaker should make the leaders cringe in fear and give up the country!
The US remains wicked and racist. This Muslim leader was under the torture of George Bush to have stated anything like this.
Yup, we definately are racist. If people who "make over reaching statements to provoke a reaction" are a race of course.
thebaron
Muslims need to learn what our new people have learned: try to adapt to the local area that you move to (even if it takes a generation or two).