Matt quotes the inscription which labels immigrants as a "wretched refuse". In my dictionary this is a "despicable trash". The late NY US senator Patrick Moynahan objected to this language. They were also presumed to be "tired". Quite some job did those "tired" people accomplish! Tatjana In a message dated 4/25/2005 9:09:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << Subj: Re: [CROATIA-L] family discussion Date: 4/25/2005 9:09:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: [email protected] (palocat) Reply-to: [email protected] To: [email protected] Our ancestors came to the US or Canada because they did not have enough to eat -- it is as simple as that, period. No one leaves their home region (or country) without a reason that is usually tied to economics. They were dirt poor; they were peasants with a life so difficult that we cannot imagine it today living in the mostly comfortable conditions of our times. Sure, they were recruited, but because the reward was enough food to eat and generally an absence of the Crown that made life so harsh -- we sometime like to glamorize their difficult journey, but please always remember those words on the Statue of Liberty -- they say it was like it was -- miserable and oppressive in their home area. People do not leave their home if everything is comfortable and economically well -- our ancestors had the guts to try to better themselves!!! Matt PS -- The above does not only refer to Croatians, but to all those who came here in the past and to those that are still coming by the thousands each and every day -- legally and illegally. And, yes, I have been to Croatia (I speak the language), and to most of the rest of Europe and Asia.