The Lectern: Immigrants, White Christmas, and God Bless America

I normally try to keep this blog away from national politics, but I can't help writing about how upset I am about the outpouring of mean-spirited, sometimes racist sentiments about immigrants that has arisen in connection with this year's presidential campaign. It makes me ashamed that so many Americans feel this way. Can't we all agree with John McCain that immigrants are God's children too?

Do I need to repeat the cliché' that American is a nation of immigrants, and that immigrants have in the past and continue to build our country?

This holiday season we should all recall that the song White Christmas -- what could be more mainstream American? -- was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish immigrant, born Israel Baline, whose parents emigrated to the U.S. from Russia to escape religious persecution when their son was five years old.

This same immigrant wrote God Bless America, the song that Americans everywhere spontaneously sang after 9/11.

Best holiday wishes to all. This will be my only blog post this week.