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Letter: The USA is based upon ideas, not ethnicity — just witness the Olympics. Let’s hope it stays that way.

(Gabriela Bhaskar | The New York Times) A pyrotechnic display on the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro stadium in Milan, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

One of my favorite things about the opening ceremonies of the Olympics is the parade of nations. Hey, there goes Japan and it’s all ethnic Japanese. And there goes Sweden and it’s all ethnic Swedes. And here comes the USA and it’s a polyglot of races. This is because the USA is not based on ethnicity, but based on an idea. We are probably the only country in the world that is based upon an idea. That fact really makes me proud of my country. We have attracted some of the world’s best because of the promise of our country’s ideas.

The foolishness of believing that we are founded, not by ideas, but by the false narrative of white Christian nationalism is a dead end. If that were to be effectuated by the pogroms of Stephen Himmler, oops I meant Stephen Miller, we would ultimately become a relic of a nation.

Michael Loring, Cottonwood Heights

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