Jedediah Bila

On Coca-Cola & the Melting Pot.

I was dismayed by a Facebook post this morning that insisted that anyone who was offended by the Coca Cola ad featuring the singing of America the Beautiful by people of varying ethnicities in multiple languages was clearly a racist. The poster insisted that the ad illustrated the American Melting Pot and celebrated the diversity of our nation. Well, my Facebook friend, you are wrong. First, you misunderstand the concept of the Melting Pot and second, your attitude is divisive rather than uniting.

Ask yourself this question: Why do people immigrate to the United States of America? Yes, they come to escape oppression of one kind or another but in the end they all come here TO BE AMERICAN! This has been the motivation since the founding. To come to a land that offers the freedom to be your own person and pursue your own interests. To live the American Dream.

Now realize this! America has over the past two centuries, evolved her own unique culture. A blending of customs and lifestyles from around the globe into something that is strictly American and universally recognized as such. You know and the world knows, we eat hamburgers, play baseball and we speak English! It’s also true that ours is a lifestyle that is emulated by the peoples of all developed nations, at least to the point their governments allow it.

Our nation is not and should not be a collection of minority groups each with it’s own customs and interests simply sharing space. We can recognize and celebrate our individual heritages and still be uniquely American. America is special. Never feel guilty about that. Take pride in the fact that the United States is the vanguard of freedom for the entire global community. This is the Melting Pot.  This is America. One Nation. Under God. With Liberty and Justice for All.

My Mayflower Ancestors

Here's the line that begins with America's First Couple and runs through me.

-Geo. E. Adams was my grandfather on my mother's side.

This was compiled by my mother and relationships are from her perspective.

Birth date

1913     Grandfather George E. Adams

1880   his father, Carl Adams

1862    Carl's father William Adams, Jr.

1823    Wm.'s father William H. Adams, Sr.

1792     Joseph Adams, Sr. (William H.'s father) (Jos. is gr.great grandfather of my Dad)

1832      George W. Adams son of Jos.Sr.  and brother of William H. Adams, Sr.

1872    Clara Adams daughter of George W.

 1868     Clara married James Alden Healy

1831    Seth Alden Healy father of James Healy

1787    Seth Alden Sr. father of Seth Alden Healy

1792    Martha Alden (married to Seth Alden, Sr.)

1759    Barnabas Alden, Jr. father of Martha Alden

1732     Barnabas Alden father of Barnabas Jr.

1691    Daniel Alden father of Barnabas

1667    Rev. Joseph Alden father of Daniel

1627    Captain Joseph Alden father of Rev. Jos.

1599    John Alden father of Capt. Jos. (Mayflower Compact)

1600    Priscilla Mullins wife of John Alden (Mayflower Compact)

World Series Game 3 GIF

I guess I had it wrong.

Captain Picard speaks of individual freedom.

Alaska meteorologists plead for pay.