Data dispute–national heritage crisis looming?
So, I’ve recently read two fundamentally opposed statistics on the same thing. An article in a Spanish newspaper calling Spain “the new Promised Land” was talking about how Spain has the highest proportion of immigrants in the EU (something close to 10%.) It did, however, also mention, just by comparison, that the U.S. has a proportion of 30%. However, an American journalist (Bill Bryson of Notes from a Small Island fame) claims that we only have 6% immigrants while the average European country now has about 10%.
So, which is it? 6% or 30%? I’d really, really like to know, you see. Because all this talk of Spain as “the new Promised Land” has got my hackles up, and if Europe really has surpassed the U.S. in terms of immigrant population, we need to do something quick, because I view that as a serious threat to my national heritage. (Especially if Bryson is also right that the average European country has a concentration of 250-300 people per square mile, while the U.S., on average, has 62.) So heads up, everyone: we cannot let the Europeans steal one of our nations proudest and most long-standing titles!!! (Especially not Spain. Please, not Spain. The only thing worse than that would be being surpassed by France.)
Hopefully that Spanish newspaper just has access to better statistics than Bryson. I wonder how they’re measuring “immigrant population”? Number of people born outside the country? Or number of residents who aren’t citizens? Because if it’s the latter, that would explain why Europe has a higher percentage than the U.S.–it’s a lot harder to get citizenship over here! That would make me feel a lot better. But how to find out for sure?
Mom said,
November 5, 2007 at 2:02 pm
There is this little-known institution called the U.S. Census Bureau that would have official statistics, I would think! lol
http://www.census.gov/
Mom said,
November 5, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Besides - that looming national crisis is nothing compared to Lute Olson’s unexpected leave of absence! The entire country is buzzing….
Mom said,
November 5, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Oh - and the Hollywood writer’s strike - what will happen to Heroes and The Office????!?
manveri said,
November 5, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Yes, it’s the amount of wing-flapping that goes on over “crises” like those that give me such faith in the future of my country. Ah God, what’s ever going to become of my children?!?!
And I hate to break it to you, Mom, but Lute Olson’s unexpected leave of absence is only a crisis for the _UA_. Most of the _rest_ of the country is probably crying tears of joy. Assuming they care. Keep in mind, in _most_ places, _football_ is the big sport. It’s just that we _happen_ to have a great basketball team in combination with a _lousy_ football team, so it’s basketball everyone pays attention to. (Like that great Fitz comic: “Son, it’s like your mother says…behind every dark cloud, there’s always basketball season.”
Dad said,
November 6, 2007 at 4:45 am
What title is it that we’re in danger of losing? Most emigrated-to nation on earth? The whole of the US is 100% immagrants!! Our surnames are from all over Europe and Asia. No, we’ll never lose that title.
Dad said,
November 6, 2007 at 4:45 am
oh, and Happy Guy Fawkes Day!!!
manveri said,
November 6, 2007 at 12:37 pm
The _title_ we’re in danger of _losing_ is the “Promised Land” title, the title of the country that Everybody Wants to Move To…and nobody cares if your ancestors were immigrants 200 years ago or if the population is 98% immigrant-descended: what matters is the Fresh Blood. Inbreeding is dangerous. Look at the French.
manveri said,
November 6, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Oh, and I can’t believe you even know when Guy Fawkes’ Day is. Where do you pick up this stuff?
Mom said,
November 7, 2007 at 4:52 am
There’s this little-known website called wikipedia…..just made for geeks like your Dad!
Rufus said,
November 7, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Remember remember the 5th of November,
Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
I know of no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot!
יוחנן רכב said,
November 17, 2007 at 4:52 am
The French aren’t dangerous because of inbreeding. They’re dangerous because they’re French. (hehehe…
Wait until you find out about the differences between the Gauls and the relatives of the Greeks and Latins living in southeastern France, let alone the Bretons and the Franks on top of that…inbreeding, not a chance, but they do retain their distinctives very well…
Something that showed up in AVIATION WEEKLY some years ago — a saying that dates to the era of transition from props to jets, and then current in the American aviation industry (it was fully confirmed by photos):
If it’s ugly, it’s British.
If it’s weird, it’s French.
If it’s ugly AND weird, it’s Russian.
Change a few national names, and one could almost say the same about cars these days. I suspect that the French still hold the title for World’s Weirdest Trucks (thanks to Citroen).
I’ve been seeing quite a few headlines (via Yahoo! Alerts) on immigration to the EU (and within the EU), and the challenges that poses. (Read Daniel 2:43.) I believe the 10% figure refers to the percentage of total emigres to and/or within the EU within a certain period of time, and that Spain receives all by itself. (European Snowbirds: no big surprise there.) The other 10% probably refers to the total current population in the average EU nation that is non-native — Muslims make up a high percentage of that 10%. I have no idea offhand what the U.S. figures refer to, but here is a classic example of how statistics taken out of context can be confusing and even misleading (cf. the classic “How to Lie With Statistics”). But Europe is indeed becoming the New Promised Land for a lot of people, and lately that’s including an initiative to draw highly skilled people to the EU at the expense of the US.
I wish I could go over and see firsthand some of the things I’m reading about. It will be a challenge just to take stock of Jerusalem in three to six days.
Love,
Uncle John
manveri said,
November 17, 2007 at 3:16 pm
No, the figure was definitely that Spain’s population is nearly 10% immigrants. I’ve seen it elsewhere, too.