The difference between most muslim and most other expats….

This is from a man who was naturalized US citizen at a young age from Canada. He was in the U.S. army during the 60’s


During my U.S. Army service, I met many other expats from Germany, Russia, various Latin American countries, etc. all enthusiastic new residents, excited that following their service they could become American citizens.

I don’t recall hearing individuals from a foreign country living here utter a negative word about his or her newly adopted country, not once.

I’ve only heard that recently, oddly enough from foreign-born members of the U.S. Congress, e.g. Ilhan Omar, from Somali, Pramila Jayapal, who was born in India, etc. These are people who should be heaping praise on America for providing them opportunities they could never have imagined much less experienced in their native countries. Their negative attitudes are as incomprehensible to me as they are repulsive.

Following my father’s death my mother moved us to Tampa, where I was introduced to another community of expatriates, Cubans, who fled Fidel Castro’s communist dictatorship. Despite leaving many of their family members, homes, and fortunes behind, I don’t think I’ve ever met a happier, more welcoming group of people. Families gathering in their yards, eating, singing, and laughing were common as I biked through Tampa neighborhoods. It was rare when I wasn’t called out to join them.

Whenever I was invited into a home by one of my new Cuban pals, no matter what time of day, there was always a pot of something simmering on the stove. I was inevitably asked if I was hungry, and no matter my answer I was given a steaming hot bowl of whatever was in that pot and told “¡Come!” — “Eat”. I did as I was told, explaining to my frustrated mother later that evening that I wasn’t hungry for dinner. To this day I love Spanish bean soup and chicken with yellow rice.