http://disqus.com/people/9f2c4bde5981301f32e6f004ddcc6a9b/enTue, 29 Jul 2008 17:15:52 -0000http://iowaindependent.disqus.com/photos_postville_immigration_rally/#comment-1665184There are several noteworthy things about this issue.<br><br>First, these aliens (not "illegal immigrants," the politically-correct term) broke the law by entering the United States in a method inconsistent with proper, well-established and lawful procedures. On that basis alone they are criminals…period.<br><br>Second, their illegal entry is a slap in the face to those who did the right thing, both morally and legally, by following the rules, waiting, in many cases, for years.<br><br>Third, their illegal entry tells others that they have no issue with breaking the law. After all, they simply “want a better life.” Lawlessness begets lawlessness, and all such actions, whether committed by aliens or citizens, reinforce the idea that breaking the law is acceptable when it suits our own purposes; the ends justify the means. It’s “situation ethics” on a grand scale.<br><br>Fourth, their illegal entry speaks volumes about the type of citizen they might be should they ever actually become lawfully naturalized, which in and of itself seems doubtful.<br><br>Fifth, there is a lot of blame to spread around in this regard. Employers, as “good community citizens,” have a duty, both morally and legally, to see past the dollar signs and do the right thing. Aliens also have the same moral and legal responsibility to follow the law. To “want a better life” should not and does not include side-stepping the legality of their entry into the United States. Further, our own government has a moral and legal mandate to enforce the law. Their willingness to “look the other way” and, in fact, work with the national governments of one or more of these aliens’ native countries in aiding their illegal entry is a sad statement of how far both the Democrats and Republicans, especially at the Federal level, have sunk.<br><br>Sixth, I find it instructive that out of all the “Press ‘1’ for English”-type phone messages I’ve heard, not one has offered their callers the option of any language other than Spanish. Why is that? Is that because Spanish-speaking people are incapable of learning English? Are the Chinese, Koreans, Somalians, Italians, Germans, and many others for whom English is not a native tongue the only ones that can and do learn English? I think not. So, why do those who speak Spanish get special treatment?<br><br>Seventh, for all the criticism that anti-illegal immigration advocates get that they are “racist,” it’s those chanting “La Raza!” who are the real racists. Some of them go even further by telling some to take a swim back to Europe because America, or at least parts of it, belongs to “La Raza!” And this is a view that has been articulated for years, unbeknownst to many U.S. citizens.<br><br>Eighth, I find it especially disturbing that the Catholic Church there in Postville, along with some Jewish groups and others, supports the breaking of the law under the guise of how we all need to “love your neighbor,” as if to “love your neighbor” and to be lawful are mutually exclusive. I’m not sure what the church there would have to gain other than more money rolling into their coffers. Perhaps that’s not the case, but, following the money does tend to pull all sorts of skeletons out of the closets. For their part, the Jews who participated in supporting those entering, living and working in the United States illegally, the only answer I can find is, there again, that it has to do with money. It makes sense to me as the Agriprocessors plant in question is owned by Jews. And like any business, lower labor costs can only add to the bottom line.<br><br>Shame on all of them, aliens included, I say.NoteTakerTue, 29 Jul 2008 16:08:39 -0000http://iowaindependent.disqus.com/christopher_reed_takes_a_stand_in_immigration_debate/#comment-1665701There are several noteworthy things about this issue.<br><br>First, these aliens (not "illegal immigrants," the politically-correct term) broke the law by entering the United States in a method inconsistent with proper, well-established and lawful procedures. On that basis alone they are criminals…period.<br><br>Second, their illegal entry is a slap in the face to those who did the right thing, both morally and legally, by following the rules, waiting, in many cases, for years.<br><br>Third, their illegal entry tells others that they have no issue with breaking the law. After all, they simply “want a better life.” Lawlessness begets lawlessness, and all such actions, whether committed by aliens or citizens, reinforce the idea that breaking the law is acceptable when it suits our own purposes; the ends justify the means. It’s “situation ethics” on a grand scale.<br><br>Fourth, their illegal entry speaks volumes about the type of citizen they might be should they ever actually become lawfully naturalized, which in and of itself seems doubtful.<br><br>Fifth, there is a lot of blame to spread around in this regard. Employers, as “good community citizens,” have a duty, both morally and legally, to see past the dollar signs and do the right thing. Aliens also have the same moral and legal responsibility to follow the law. To “want a better life” should not and does not include side-stepping the legality of their entry into the United States. Further, our own government has a moral and legal mandate to enforce the law. Their willingness to “look the other way” and, in fact, work with the national governments of one or more of these aliens’ native countries in aiding their illegal entry is a sad statement of how far both the Democrats and Republicans, especially at the Federal level, have sunk.<br><br>Sixth, I find it instructive that out of all the “Press ‘1’ for English”-type phone messages I’ve heard, not one has offered their callers the option of any language other than Spanish. Why is that? Is that because Spanish-speaking people are incapable of learning English? Are the Chinese, Koreans, Somalians, Italians, Germans, and many others for whom English is not a native tongue the only ones that can and do learn English? I think not. So, why do those who speak Spanish get special treatment?<br><br>Seventh, for all the criticism that anti-illegal immigration advocates get that they are “racist,” it’s those chanting “La Raza!” who are the real racists. Some of them go even further by telling some to take a swim back to Europe because America, or at least parts of it, belongs to “La Raza!” And this is a view that has been articulated for years, unbeknownst to many U.S. citizens.<br><br>Eighth, I find it especially disturbing that the Catholic Church there in Postville, along with some Jewish groups and others, supports the breaking of the law under the guise of how we all need to “love your neighbor,” as if to “love your neighbor” and to be lawful are mutually exclusive. I’m not sure what the church there would have to gain other than more money rolling into their coffers. Perhaps that’s not the case, but, following the money does tend to pull all sorts of skeletons out of the closets. For their part, the Jews who participated in supporting those entering, living and working in the United States illegally, the only answer I can find is, there again, that it has to do with money. It makes sense to me as the Agriprocessors plant in question is owned by Jews. And like any business, lower labor costs can only add to the bottom line.<br><br>Shame on all of them, aliens included, I say.NoteTakerTue, 29 Jul 2008 16:46:32 -0000http://iowaindependent.disqus.com/both_sides_of_immigration_debate_agree_employers_should_be_held_accountable/#comment-1665207There are several noteworthy things about this issue.<br><br>First, these aliens (not "illegal immigrants," the politically-correct term) broke the law by entering the United States in a method inconsistent with proper, well-established and lawful procedures. On that basis alone they are criminals…period.<br><br>Second, their illegal entry is a slap in the face to those who did the right thing, both morally and legally, by following the rules, waiting, in many cases, for years.<br><br>Third, their illegal entry tells others that they have no issue with breaking the law. After all, they simply “want a better life.” Lawlessness begets lawlessness, and all such actions, whether committed by aliens or citizens, reinforce the idea that breaking the law is acceptable when it suits our own purposes; the ends justify the means. It’s “situation ethics” on a grand scale.<br><br>Fourth, their illegal entry speaks volumes about the type of citizen they might be should they ever actually become lawfully naturalized, which in and of itself seems doubtful.<br><br>Fifth, there is a lot of blame to spread around in this regard. Employers, as “good community citizens,” have a duty, both morally and legally, to see past the dollar signs and do the right thing. Aliens also have the same moral and legal responsibility to follow the law. To “want a better life” should not and does not include side-stepping the legality of their entry into the United States. Further, our own government has a moral and legal mandate to enforce the law. Their willingness to “look the other way” and, in fact, work with the national governments of one or more of these aliens’ native countries in aiding their illegal entry is a sad statement of how far both the Democrats and Republicans, especially at the Federal level, have sunk.<br><br>Sixth, I find it instructive that out of all the “Press ‘1’ for English”-type phone messages I’ve heard, not one has offered their callers the option of any language other than Spanish. Why is that? Is that because Spanish-speaking people are incapable of learning English? Are the Chinese, Koreans, Somalians, Italians, Germans, and many others for whom English is not a native tongue the only ones that can and do learn English? I think not. So, why do those who speak Spanish get special treatment?<br><br>Seventh, for all the criticism that anti-illegal immigration advocates get that they are “racist,” it’s those chanting “La Raza!” who are the real racists. Some of them go even further by telling some to take a swim back to Europe because America, or at least parts of it, belongs to “La Raza!” And this is a view that has been articulated for years, unbeknownst to many U.S. citizens.<br><br>Eighth, I find it especially disturbing that the Catholic Church there in Postville, along with some Jewish groups and others, supports the breaking of the law under the guise of how we all need to “love your neighbor,” as if to “love your neighbor” and to be lawful are mutually exclusive. I’m not sure what the church there would have to gain other than more money rolling into their coffers. Perhaps that’s not the case, but, following the money does tend to pull all sorts of skeletons out of the closets. For their part, the Jews who participated in supporting those entering, living and working in the United States illegally, the only answer I can find is, there again, that it has to do with money. It makes sense to me as the Agriprocessors plant in question is owned by Jews. And like any business, lower labor costs can only add to the bottom line.<br><br>Shame on all of them, aliens included, I say.NoteTakerTue, 29 Jul 2008 17:15:52 -0000