I recently renewed my U.S. passport (and do this early if you have to do it — there’s a major backlog right now). Leafing through my new one, I noticed that there are now little quotations at the top of each page, from ex-presidents and other historical figures, and from the Declaration of Independence. For example, “Let’s raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair,” from George Washington.

Then, near the end, I came across this one, described as an excerpt from the Thanksgiving Address, Mohawk version.

We send thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are glad they are still here and we hope it will always be so.

Not long ago I wouldn’t have thought twice about this, thinking it just a polite gesture to American Indian culture and to lovable animals everywhere. And that’s probably all it is, indeed. But with everything that’s going on, my first thought was: Even here, in my formerly staid old U.S. passport, the creeping cult of Mother Earth is making its presence felt. It’s not enough to just print some sturdy patriotic quotes — now we have to read paganistic exhortations to the animals too.

Is it possible I’m getting over-sensitive? I guess so. But now it’s off my chest and I can move on.

And one more thing about passports: I wish that when you were going through immigration that they would put the visa stamp in the earliest possible blank spot, instead of just stamping it haphazardly wherever it falls open. Then you’d have a neat chronological record of your overseas trips. Is that so much to ask for all the time spent standing in line and answering questions? But bureaucrats must bureaucrat according to their fancy, I suppose.

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