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Pledging allegiance to a new flag in ‘Citizen U.S.A.’ By Jacqueline Cutler © Zap2it When immigrants say, “I love America” and “God bless America” in accents from other countries, those words take on the ring of poetry. To watch people who desperately want to become Americans is to be reminded of some of the country’s basic ideals. If you need a break from televised fireworks, watch HBO’s “Citizen U.S.A.: A 50- State Road Trip,” airing, most fittingly, on Monday, July 4. Alexandra Pelosi’s film is an unapologetic valentine to the United States. “I genuinely believe the U.S. government could not pay anyone to make a nicer docu- mentary,” Pelosi says. “Every documentary ever made is about something wrong with America.” This, indeed, is about what is right with America, why mil- lions flock here, to be free in every possible way. The one-hour film opens with Pelosi’s very personal reason that inspired the film. Her husband, Michiel Vos, a Dutch TV correspondent, who co-produced this documentary, had come here legally, mar- ried Pelosi, and once they had sons, decided to become naturalized. “I have to become a citizen because I can’t be a foreigner in my own family,” he says. Vos is shown reciting the pledge with President Barack Alexandra Pelosi directs “Citizen U.S.A.: A 50-State Road Trip,” premiering Monday on HBO. Obama. Pelosi, a daughter of former House Speaker and current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, took her hus- band to the event so he could meet the president. “After my husband went through this process, he felt like something really changed in him, and that he was no longer a foreigner,” Pelosi nar- rates in the film. Over lunch in a Chelsea restaurant, Pelosi explains how she spent a year on the film, plotting trips on a giant map of the country and leaving her sons occasionally with her sis- ter in Texas. Pelosi set out to capture the essence of why people from all over the world would renounce Stutzman MOTOR SALES , INC. 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US 33 West, Goshen • 533-1166 Watch for 4-H Tab coming July 21st only in 8 The Goshen News • Viewer’s Choice • Saturday, July 2 - Friday, July 8, 2011 their birth land to adopt this country as their homeland. To become a citizen, one must be a permanent resident for three to five years; read, write and speak English, be of good moral character; pass a civics test; and take an oath of al- legiance to the United States of America. Considering the vitriolic dis- satisfaction endemic among many born here, it’s refreshing to watch those who desperate- ly want be a part of the nation. Pelosi hopes Americans who watch “feel a little grateful and just realize how good we have it here,” she says. The film shows various cer- emonies in different states and how genuinely thrilled people are once they take the oath of citizenship. What emerges is a reason for hope. Pelosi chronicles new Americans such as Pimpreya June George, born in Thai- land. She lives in Sioux Falls, S.D., and invented a smart- phone application called “Intro to Math.” There’s Harinderjit Ahluwali from India, who has tobacco stores, despite the fact that they’re restricted in his religion. “I have to do something,” he says. Famous naturalized citizens include Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state. Originally from Prague, she came to the United States in 1948. “My father used to describe the difference,” Albright says. “When we were in England, people couldn’t have been nicer. They said, ‘Your country has been taken over by a ter- rible dictator. You are welcome here, but when are you going home?’ When we came to the United States, people said, ‘Your country has been taken over by a terrible system. You are welcome here, and when will you become a citizen?’ ” Some newcomers revel in freedoms many Americans rarely consider. Roy Correia from Portugal marvels at the clean, available water. When he became a citizen, he cel- ebrated by flying a U.S. flag on his front lawn. Sam (no last name given) from Afghanistan says what he likes most about America are “girls! You can take her hand and kiss on street, and no one asks what you are doing.” Hossein Alizadeh says, “I stay here because I am a gay man. I cannot go back to Iran because of my sexual orienta- tion.” Straight and gay couples walking together without fear, he says, “is the most beautiful thing, and most people don’t realize what a blessing that is.” Only when pressed will new citizens say what they don’t like about being here, and it is never a problem with the principles or laws of the country. Rather it’s often won- dering why those born here do not appreciate what they have. After traveling around the country and meeting so many new citizens, Pelosi considers what surprised her the most. “You expect to find immi- grants in New York and Cali- fornia,” she says. “You don’t expect to find them in Mon- tana, Mississippi and Utah.” She has traveled around the country for other docu- mentaries, but this one ham- mered home a few points. S PECTRU M EYEWEAR GALLERY Can also be seen in Syracuse. To make an appointment call • GLASSES • CONTACTS • EYE EXAMS • SUNGLASSES David Britzke, O.D. is no longer at the Vision Center in Goshen. Please call 574-970-7444 to schedule your appointment. 56028 Parkway Ave., Suite E Elkhart • 574-970-7444 574-457-4476 Allergies? Asthma? We Can Help! See us for help with: • Headaches • Sinus Pressure • Congestion • Cough • Shortness of Breath Yatin J. 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Get caught up at www.mtv.com/ shows/teen_mom/season_3/series.jhtml “Flipping Out,” Bravo’s reality show about designer and house flipper Jeff Lewis, returns on Wednesday. Find out what “Team JLD” has been up to at www.bravotv.com/flipping-out CBS’ surveillance-camera reality show “Big Brother” returns for a 13th season on Thursday, trapping more contestants in Deborah Ponce, RN, MSN, NP-C Nurse Practitioner Our friendly staff is ready to help you!

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