Reading an article concerning the Kings visit, and the rules of etiquette that were given to the members of congress, my first thought was it’s a cultural thing. This article centered on complaints from some members of congress about those rules. Rules like no touching, no hugging, and no selfies. I have never met a King but expect I couldn’t, shouldn’t do any of that without being told. That just seems like common sense to me. Not just Kings either, I wouldn’t do any of that with anyone of a higher status than myself, it’s what I think of as respect. It’s a cultural thing.

Later in the day I read where the new governor of Virginia removed tax breaks from certain groups that are associated with the “confederacy.” The state law specifically removes the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Confederate Memorial Literary Society from receiving these breaks. Seems like cancel culture to me. Isn’t that the cry when other groups are removed from breaks or entitlements based on their historical context? And I’m a Yankee!

These are just two examples of what I consider a cultural thing. Culture is defined as a practice common to many, or a particular place or class, or to an individual. Here in America, we have American culture. Whereas it’s true that we have historically welcomed those of different cultures to immigrate and settle here, we have also have the expectation that they will assimilate to our culture. Yes, to put it simply, if you weren’t born and raised here by American parents, you will always be a visitor. Visitors are expected to honor the customs and traditions of their hosts.

So, what about the King? Why isn’t he expected to honor our culture? Why should we not touch him, take selfies, and hug him, it’s part of our culture. No, it isn’t part of our culture. Would you be expected to do that with the President or any members of Congress, with anyone of a higher stature than yourself? Not without asking first you wouldn’t. or at least you shouldn’t! A pert of our culture dictates that we respect other cultures when they are guests in our home. Yes, it’s respect.

Now as far as removing tax breaks from any group associated with the confederate south, mostly property tax breaks like all churches enjoy by the way, those groups are just honoring their cultural ancestry. I hear that all the time, it’s a cultural thing when excusing or endorsing certain actions taken by a multitude of groups. Consider the recent “call to prayer” being broadcast in American cities. Well, that must be allowed because, it’s a cultural thing.

Culture is often used to defend any number of actions, it’s customary in our culture! In the city of Baltimore there is an issue of groups, mostly black folks, riding dirt bikes on the streets, in traffic, and causing all kinds of problems. The talk is that we should build a park for that activity because well, it’s a cultural thing. Somehow, the mayor himself a black man, says that it is just a part of black culture. Riding dirt bikes on municipal streets is black culture? Seems like a stretch to me.

If there is a problem with our country it is a cultural one. There’s an old saying too many cooks spoil the broth. That idiom is just pointing out when you have too many involved in the decision making process, the results can get confusing. I’d suggest it is the same with “cultures” being mixed. There was a time when America was known as the great melting pot. All cultures were being combined to create another culture, the American culture. We encouraged and supported those immigrants that wanted to be an American.

Today when people like myself say such things we are called nationalists! We are compared to Hitler and other figures in history. Nationalism is a very bad thing! That’s the narrative today: from those that want to establish a different national identity. They call themselves progressive. Hitler said the same thing, he established a new national identity, the National Socialist German Workers Party. It was very progressive.

It was a socialist program, not a cultural thing. I hear a lot of people promoting socialism right here in America today! Socialism isn’t a part of the American culture! Never has been. The progressives have been holding “no kings protests” in opposition to President Trump. Trump is promoting American culture, American interests in world politics. He’s just being mean. Yeah, so was George Washington, he beat up the British and took their colony away from them. No more King. That’s the American culture, the American way. Independence, not dependence. Capitalism, not socialism. Strength, not weakness. It’s a cultural thing!