Ann Coulter appeared with Kennedy on Fox Business Network tonight and said that there are a lot of people getting the history of that flag wrong, as well as ignoring the Democrats’ history with the Confederacy, the flag, and African-Americans.
At one point, she said, “I’m appalled by––though, I really like to like Nikki Haley since she is a Republican. On the other hand, she is an immigrant and does not understand America’s history.”
Kennedy asked, “Immigrants can’t understand history?” Coulter responded, “Well, she doesn’t!”Governor Haley was born in Bamburg, South Carolina, which means that she is just as much a natural-born citizen as Ann Coulter.
On May 3, 1988, President Reagan made these remarks on signing the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week Proclamation
Our country draws special strength from our rich cultural heritage and the shared values that unite America. Asian-Pacific Americans represent the full breadth of the American experience. For some, their family roots reach deep into American history and the building of this nation. Even before the American Revolution, the first sailors from the Philippines were settled here. Other citizens have only recently come to our shores. They're among our newest Americans—who, like immigrants before them, have a unique appreciation for the freedom and opportunity this country offers.
Citizens of Asian and Pacific heritage have enriched America in irreplaceable ways, but at the same time each person's story is distinctly American, each is a reaffirmation of the kind of country we are and the values that make us strong and free. I think of Wendy Gramm, whose grandfather came from Korea as a contract laborer to cut sugarcane in Hawaii. Wendy's father went on to become vice president of the same sugar company that her grandfather had worked for in the fields. And last February, Wendy was confirmed by the Senate as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and I can't help but note that one of the commodity futures she now oversees is cane sugar. [Laughter]
...
Americans of Asian and Pacific heritage are one of the most successful groups in this country. What they've achieved is a great reaffirmation of the American values of work, education, family, and community. They've made this country the land of opportunity. They've distinguished themselves in many fields, from science and medicine to agriculture and commerce. They've contributed to our public life through the arts and literature, and also in government. Asian-Pacific Americans are part of the rich tapestry of American life. It's a tribute to the unifying power of America that such a diverse group whose members often have different national heritages, religious faiths, and historical experiences all come together to celebrate this occasion and to reaffirm our common bond as citizens of the United States. Let me give special praise to the Asian Pacific American Heritage Council, whose help brings people together—or, whose work, I should say, helps bring people together, and makes this special week of celebration a reality.
And now it is my Irish-English— [laughter] —privilege to sign the proclamation.
