Borderline Immigration Policy - Page 2

I could also see this fascinating scenario unfold on our now better-armed border with Mexico. Given all the stories about National Guard units having to stay in Iraq for unexpectedly long tours, we could have National Guard units of former illegals sent to the border to identify and catch illegals. We slap the uniform on the person, implant a tracking chip, and he/she goes from security threat to security asset just like that. It's much better than "catch and release". This way, you never run out of National Guardsmen to round up illegals- solution by induction at its finest.

Yankee fans, the baseball ones, have already seen this transformation by uniform technique work with Johnny Damon.

I will grant that it might be confusing. One day, you’re comparing illegal immigrants to terrorists and drug dealers, the next day the same individual becomes a shining beacon of all that’s good about America, so much so that the President drags out your story three years later. At the same time, everyone’s happy. The former illegal immigrant now has a job that comes with benefits, training, and a path to U.S. citizenship. Conservatives can continue to support the war without actually risking their own children. In the meantime, no illegals are driving cars without licenses, using our public schools, or filling up our emergency rooms. It’s the ultimate guest worker program.

I can’t remember who said that the mark of genius is to hold two mutually contradictory ideas in one’s mind without going crazy. By combining a proposal for a border army to keep out illegal immigrants while simultaneously and subtly endorsing the notion that an illegal immigrant can be a great American by joining the army, the President has clearly asserted his genius.

I do find it interesting that our culture has become obsessed with both illegal immigration and foreign terrorists at the same time I say “foreign” because the second biggest terrorist action on U.S. soil was the Oklahoma City bombing and no one pre-emptively invaded say Michigan to root out the Michigan Militia.

We took our time catching and convicting Terry Nichols and Timothy Macveigh while still respecting the Constitution. After it turned out that the Atlanta Olympics bomber, Eric Rudolph, was an anti-abortion activist, we didn’t send all anti-abortion activists to Guantanamo. Has anyone ever seen some of the stories about the kinds of weapons some of these groups have been accumulating?

To me, the reason is pretty simple.We’re going through yet another stage where we are more comfortable blaming “others” for our problems. Americans don’t want to look at themselves as the source of their woes.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2 — Page 3

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • Immigration Law and Procedure in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) Immigration Law and Procedure in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series)

    This compact, comprehensive title offers an expert overview of the history, source, and structure of immigration law. Visa standards, deportation and exclusion issues, refugee and asylum issues, ...

Article comments

  • 1 - mschannon

    May 23, 2006 at 2:51 pm

    Wow. Can't believe you haven't gotten nailed over this article. I think it's great satire & well argued. Nice job.

  • 2 - chancelucky

    May 23, 2006 at 4:05 pm

    Ms.channon,

    thanks for the second comment. As for the "nailed" part, I hope that doesn't happen, disagreement "yes", but nails scare me.

  • 3 - -E

    May 25, 2006 at 3:49 am

    Congrats, this article was picked for one of this week's Ed Picks. Keep up the good work.

  • 4 - chancelucky

    May 25, 2006 at 1:23 pm

    Thanks Ed Picks. Are you related to Fred Picks by any chance? Or the AI winner Taylor Picks?

  • 5 - Nancy

    May 25, 2006 at 2:59 pm

    Very well done. Sometimes insanity works. Well - whatever works, works for me, I guess.

  • 6 - chancelucky

    May 25, 2006 at 6:49 pm

    Nancy, thanks for the kind comment. I hope insanity works, it's my only chance :}

  • 7 - Joey

    May 25, 2006 at 11:24 pm

    Yes, you can be an immigrant and serve in the U.S. military, many do. Many Mexican's do, it's inherited from the USMC victory on 5 May. It's also a good pay check, military benefits, but.... you cannot re-enlist unless you get your citizenship stuff completed. There are many educational resources in the military which will readily assist you in completing the check list for citizenship, even cut you orders to go and do it. It's good for the service, everyone has value in the military. Especially good performers. And there are many good performers.

  • 8 - chancelucky

    May 26, 2006 at 12:50 am


    Joey,
    thanks for the info about legal immigrants in the armed forces. One of the more interesting stories was what happened to soldiers from the Phillipines during World War 2 who weren't citizens or nationals of another country.

    This was really more about the way the president didn't make the distinction between legal immigrants serving in the US armed forces and "illegal" immigrants or undocumented Americans if you prefer.














































































Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Nov 29, 2009

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for October

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs