CNBC Reporter Darren Rovell thinks that a recent sports headline "American Wins First NYC Marathon since 1982" isn't as "good as it sounds."   Why?  Because Mr. Rovell doesn't think that Mebrathom Keflezighi, the 2009 NYC Marathon winner, is American enough to be described as such.   He says that Mr. Keflezighi is only "technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998" and contends the "fact that he's not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies.  

Rather than embrace Mr. Keflezighi as a fellow American, Mr. Rovell would rather disavow him for the good of the sport -- as if naturalized citizens are tantamount to free agency.   Sadly, numerous readers who shared Mr. Rovell's preference for natural born citizens, although, as pointed out by the NYT, it is doubtful that many of these individuals would deny the gymnast Nastia Liukin her stature as an American.    

It is remarkable that Mr. Lovell blithely proceeds unchecked by his editors and offers racist and anti-immigrant viewpoints which are, however unintentional, embedded in his analysis.  Without conducting much. if any, research, he attempts to distinguish "our Americans" from those who live in other countries who see "in the same winner's check a lifetime of riches."  Mr. Kefezighi. however, does not live in other countries -- he has lived in the US for 22 years. 

In contrast to Mr. Lovell, Time reporter Paul Cuadros acknowledges in his book, a Home on the Field,  the value which immigrants add to our communities and America's nearly universal appeal.   

America has always been an idea. It has nothing to do with papers, documents or immigration laws. It has a lot to do with ideals and dreams. And our country needs Americans like these (immigrants). It makes a stronger nation."

I would add to that, being American has nothing to do with who got here first. 

And, of course, we are proud that Mr. Kefezighi is one of us. 

NOTE:   Mr. Lovell made a "technical" attempt to apologize.   Perhaps next time he thinks before he writes?