We've All Seen 'em, But Who Starts 'em?

Posted by: Ken_Sayers Posted date: November 13, 2009 In: Daily Journal (Opinion) | comment : 16

Initially I wrote this as simply a response to an email from a friend. It is one of those things that someone “cleverly” thought up, like “Joe the Plumber” was thought up and then it gets mindlessly passed by the thoughtless followers of the Rush Limbaugh ilk. It is time, however, to call this crap out and see it for the hateful drivel it really is.

If you cross the north Korean border illegally you get 12 years hard labor.

If you cross the Iranian border illegally you are detained indefinitely.

If you cross the Afghan border illegally, you get shot.

If you cross the Saudi Arabian border illegally you will be jailed.

If you cross the Chinese border illegally you may never be heard from again.

If you cross the Venezuelan border illegally you will be branded a spy and your fate will be sealed.

If you cross the Cuban border illegally you will be thrown into political prison to rot.

If you cross the U.S. border illegally you get a job, a drivers license, social security card, welfare, food stamps, credit cards, subsidized rent or a loan to buy a house, free education, free health care, a lobbyist in Washington and in many instances you can vote!

I really hate to see this stuff. But, OK, let’s really look at it. At first glance it is establishing what occurs in countries that the United States considers to be poor examples of how people should be treated. We have even called some of them “evil.” Some of the others are full of our troops, ostensibly attempting to change the way they treat people. However, to read the last sentence, we are made to think that we are the stupid ones and the countries listed above are doing things right. So, is the author of this drivel aligning himself with all the countries that we consider despicable in their treatment of the less fortunate? Never mind that these countries we consider despotic and/or also currently engaged in political battles wherein there are few “innocent” (immigrants) players.

Take, for example, the three “college students” who wandered into Iran. Now, I like to hike, but who in their right minds would consider hiking in a war zone where “infidels” get beheaded? I had occasion, 46 years ago, to be vacationing in an area of Germany adjacent to the east/west German border. The unmarked beach, that I frequented, was split between East and West Germany. EVERYONE knew exactly where the border was and they didn’t even go close. I am sorry. I find it hard to believe that these kids are innocent. They had to know exactly what they were doing and where they were.

Am I then to believe that anyone forwarding this drivel is aligning him or her self with the philosophy espoused by the first seven countries? It would seem so. Now, let’s examine the last sentence. “If you cross the U.S. border illegally you get a job, a drivers license, social security card, welfare, food stamps, credit cards, subsidized rent or a loan to buy a house, free education, free health care, a lobbyist in Washington and in many instances you can vote!”

What it says is true. BUT, it is true for ONLY a select few “illegal” immigrants, namely the Cubans. The treatment of these immigrants is fiercely defended by the Republican party— the same people whom I believe are pushing this hateful, despicable drivel. I think if one wants to consider the crossing of borders, look at what Europe does— people with whom we really tend to align ourselves. And please, stop the hate mongering.

‹ Previous Next ›

About The Author

Ken_Sayers

Number of Entries : 222

HenryW
I’d welcome a mass exodus of fence-builder d-bags to Saudia Arabia or North Korea. Unfortunately I feel like it would be unfair to the good people of those nations to saddle them with a pile of useless ignorant bigots.
The border is artificial. The people who cross the Rio Grande are (for the most part) the people whose ancestors have crossed those same “borders” for millennia. The “illegal” immigrants are the white people living in these areas who stole land by force of arms. Yes, I guess that includes me.

Leen
Then please feel free to leave the country at any time if you consider yourself to be an illegal immigrant, Henry W.

Elin
What happens in Europe is only serving the big money people. Don’t take us as example, it is becoming a mess here.
Jennifer
I’d be interested to research actually WHAT the true legal repercussions are for illegally entering any of the listed countries. I got one of these ridiculous forwards once regarding Mexico.. researched the actual immigration laws there and it completely contradicted what the idiotic email had stated- so I sent my friend back a reply with a copy of the current immigration laws, as in hint, hint… get a clue. (why let facts get in the way of opinions, right??? lol)
GEAH
“The treatment of these immigrants is fiercely defended by the Republican party— the same people whom I believe are pushing this hateful, despicable drivel.”
Your “belief” is at odds with the facts. Kinda funny considering you’re debunking someone else’s nonsense.

Moon
He’s talking about the Cubans, who are a right wing cause celebre.

http://myspace.com/4merlyknownasken Ken_Sayers
Thank you. Perhaps I should have set “these immigrants” off in quotes to show they are treated differently than other immigrants. I guess I am assuming an understanding in my readership that just isn’t there.
Oh Well.

Meyah
So two wrongs make a right? Not what I was taught growing up. I didn’t take anything away from anyone. Neither did my ancestors. Some of them are indigenous to this country. Having lived among and seen what happens among illegals from the south, not just Mexico, it is important to take a look at this issue in the here and now. Get off the “white man” guilt trip and really start looking at the issue. People are breaking our laws, here and now, they are costing us billions, here and now, they need to go fix their own countries, here and now, instead of messing ours up, here and now.
Mialmasoul
Amazing how willing people are to repeat what they read and hear without educating themselves. It is not right to enter this country without permission from immigration authorities, but it is not the criminal equivalent of murder, rape, arson, theft, child pornography or any other number of “illegal” activities that deserve jail time when the perpetrator is caught. I WISH people would STOP comparing border crossers with criminals.
And PLEASE do some homework to get a bigger understanding of WHY border crossers can’t just “go home” and enter with the blessing of the US Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS, no more INS)
Read here:
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/WhyDontTheyGetInLine03-08.pdf
Why Don’t They Just Get In Line? The Real Story of Getting a “Green Card” and Coming to the U.S.
Read here:
http://www.helium.com/items/1670290-cause-of-illegal-immigration
One of the causes of illegal immigration into the US is America’s own oppressive trading practices around then world. Look for example, at the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Because of the treaty, American produced agricultural goods, which are heavily subsidized, were able to compete with agricultural goods produced by small farmers in Mexico.
Most of these small Mexican farmers were put out of business by the US competition. The treaty also brought big corporations like Wal-Mart to Mexico, with their cheaply produced Chinese products. This created more desperate people by driving Mexican small manufacturers out of business.
It is these Mexican people who could no longer make money out of their farms or sell their manufactured goods, and second to Mexico are other Latin American countries.
Asia is the number three contributor, followed by Europe and Canada. (This is according to 2004 figures). People are streaming into the US because the US stripped them of their wealth and gave it to American people. They are just following their wealth. The US should learn that it has to deal fairly or face the music.
Africans account for a small share of the illegal immigration cake, but everywhere in Africa, American corporations are ripping the continent of its precious resources and bringing the loot to the US to enrich American people. It is American multi-national corporations which are violating the human rights of Nigerian people to get oil.
In Asia, American companies abuse workers, overworking them while paying them peanuts to produce cheap goods for American people. If a government goes on voyages of occupation around the world, stripping other people of their wealth, that government should not complain when the people it has impoverished come knocking at its doors.
Mialmasoul
Something else to bear in mind is that the 9/11 terrorists entered this country with visas and the blessings of the then INS.
http://myspace.com/4merlyknownasken Ken_Sayers
It took me a minute to realize you were writing to the audience, as it were, and not to me. Upon figuring that out, I laud you up to a point. That point being, where your point collides, head on, with one of my favorite rants.
“…because the US stripped them of their wealth and gave it to American people.” [snip] “American corporations are ripping the continent of its precious resources and bringing the loot to the US to enrich American people”
You have got it almost right, except the American people are not getting rich. First, the American people lost their jobs, TOO. When these products are brought back to this country, from where ever they were made, they are sold at the same price as if they were still made here. Show me a product that was made in Sri Lanka that reflects its true cost. The benefits are not being passed to the “American people” as you put it. The benefits of NAFTA et al are going to the CEOs and whatever is left, to the few who are lucky enough to own stock in the company.
The corporations, no longer under a watchful eye, take advantage of the poor people in the third world, working them in sweatshop like conditions and doing nothing to help raise their standard of living.
The big point that everyone seems to be missing is that the corporations, the government, and the media have focused our anger on the “illegals” and away from THEM, the true thieves of this tragedy in which we find ourselves.
As for the border patrol, what a joke. Given the amount of drugs that come into this country everyday, one can only conclude that they walk around with their eyes shut.
While it seems everyone has some reading to recommend, may I suggest anything by an astute, young woman named Arundhati Roy. You might start with An Ordinary Person’s Guide To Empire, 1994, South End Press, Cambridge, MA, ISBN: 089608728-1
Mialmasoul
Here here Ken! Sorry about the confusion. I was referred to your post by a link from the director of an organization that daily battles the misinformation and demonizing of people who have come into the country “without inspection.”
The information I cut and paste came from a blog written by an African country, which could explain the views she expressed. It is a misperception by many nations that all Americans are incredibly wealthy because of our obsession with our material goods, and the care and regard we place on how our material things look.
I will eagerly look up your recommended reading.
Thanks.
Mialmasoul
I meant to say “a woman from an African country.”
Patricia
Mialmasoul I would just like to point out that the word “criminal” and “illegal” go hand in hand. And I would also like to suggest that you do the same research on the other side of this issue. I realize that it makes no sense to even try to defend the law to “some” people because you have your minds made up and “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still”. I just want to say though that things CANNOT just continue as they are. This illegal immigration has to stop. Things need to be done right and legal. Other than that this country is going to go down fast and then all the reasons that people WANT to come to this “terrible capitolist country” (all your views not mine) will be gone because all those people from those other countries that we don’t agree with will just move in an take over!!! Get a clue everyone. That is what is trying to be done under your very noses and you are so bent on protecting your political views you can’t see the forest for the trees. Let me ask this question cause it is one that has always puzzled me. Why is it that MOST of the RICHEST people in this country are Democrats and own and run businesses and yet they put all the blame on Republicans. Get a clue. Use your brains. Stop accepting all the propaganda they are feeding you. They will do it until YOU open your eyes. Do your research on both sides and then THINK look at history of countries that have not been aware of what the strategy of these people is. Look at the history of Socialism. It doesn’t end good for the people. We won’t have to worry about illegal immigration because people won’t WANT to come here anymore. Enough!! You people need to think about why people want to come here. It’s BECAUSE they DON’T like THEIR country. THEY don’t like socialism … they don’t like communism … etc. They WANT capitalism!! They want a country where they have a future. Capitalism does that for a country. Socialism wants us to depend on the government so that they can control us. Starts out in small ways and increases over the years until one day WHAM we don’t have any more rights. We don’t have the opportunity to make a better future for ourselves and then people here will try to illegally immigrate to other countries and the cycle goes round and round. Hope you enjoy the ride!!!

Leen
Thank you for your excellent and well-written remarks, Patricia!

Linniemae
Just got one of these emails and was looking for a good reply to the sender to let him know I don’t agree with the hate talk. I usually ‘reply all’ with a blistering answer. That usually works to stop the emails, but I’m trying to be more diplomatic. Thanks!