For many years, the viewers of ABC news have heard the soft Canadian accent of Peter Jennings deliver the good and the bad tidings of the day. As a journalist, Mr. Jennings has little competition, but it has always bothered a few that the maple leaf of the Great White North adorned his passport and not the eagle of the US. Last week, he announced that he had taken the oath of citizenship at the end of May and put the complaint to rest.
For a man of his background and talent, becoming an American was not as hard as it is for many immigrants. For example, he speaks English better than most of the natives, and having just completed a TV series on the US, he aced the citizenship exam. And his career has made him a wealthy man, so his money was as welcome as he was.
The question of what took so long arose next among his detractors, and he answered with a truth that will sent many scratching their heads -- the only practical reason to become a citizen is the right to vote. According to him, the rest is emotional, and after New York City was attacked almost two years ago, he felt more like an American rather than an American guest no matter how welcome.
One suspects that Mr. Jennings actually meant that he felt more like a New Yorker, but for a boy from Toronto, perhaps the distinction doesn't exist. What amuses is that nothing has really changed. He will still say "aboot" rather than "abowt" when pronouncing "about," he will still cover the big stories with his quiet competence and genius, and he will still wonder why Canada is losing ice hockey teams to the old Confederacy (as do all who love the game). Besides, he gets dual citizenship; the US lets immigrants from Canada and 100 other nations keep their original nationality. It seems being an American is a bonus according to Uncle Sam.