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Letters, 9/5: Mexicans are humans

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Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 - 09:00:34 am CDT

I am a white American female, and I’m married to a Mexican.  Hearing about all these immigration problems and people fighting over it makes life really hard on me. I believe the ones that are here are here.

If they are going to be sending people back to their homeland, they should look at their history.  The ones who are causing problems, breaking the law, drugs, child molestation, sure send them back. But for someone who’s been here for some years, with a family, only working hard to get food and clothes, it just doesn’t seem right to send them back.

Think of yourself in a place to where you’re really suffering, (even if you’re rich now, just imagine) working more than 12 hours a day and only getting around $300 to $350 a week.  It would be really hard for you, too!

Someone looking for a better life, wanting to feel carpet under their feet instead of concrete, to have their own bed instead of sleeping with three or four other people, and people are calling them names and saying they are trying to take over our country.  Well, we took over this country that belonged to the Natives. So we have no room to talk about someone trying to take over a place.

They are humans!  They are trying to live just like us. People left Europe and Germany  looking for a better life. Mexicans are doing the same. So where do we get the nerve to crab about them, when we did it, too!

Jessie Cobian, Lincoln

Blood boils over Walters

In the middle of a nationwide discussion on the hot subject of illegal immigration, it makes my blood boil to read Ron Walters’ “In the wake of catastrophe” (LJS, Aug. 23) opinion that people are not to blame for their own plight.

While I agree that Hurricane Katrina and some of the resultant responses were tragic, I would also like to point out that the majority of the poor, oppressed people affected have had a much greater opportunity to better themselves than the Mexicans who risk death to illegally come here for a job of any kind. Funny thing is, people from New Orleans don’t have to worry about the Border Patrol, INS, deportation or dying of thirst in the desert to get these same jobs. When U.S. citizens won’t take responsibility for themselves and their families, it becomes very difficult to feel sorry for their “plight.”

Get off your butt, get a job, pay some taxes, and all of a sudden you will be happy that “conservative U.S. governments continuously cut welfare programs.”

Christopher Farabee, Hickman

More than one Dan Scott

Re: “Muffle those motorcycles.” My name is Dan Scott also. I own a “Harley” and also work on Harleys in my shop, Dano’s Custom Painting & Show Finishes, Lincoln. I am  not the author of the letter printed in the Letters to the Editor column on Aug. 30. Thanks for clarifying my name.

Daniel D. Scott, Lincoln

Pluto’s not a planet. Boo!

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine …

What happened to Pluto?

I think Pluto shouldn’t be a dwarf planet. I learned Pluto as a planet, and now I have to learn it as a dwarf planet. Teachers have to find a new way to teach their kids. What are they going to say now?

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Non-fat yogurt?

Lexis Funk, Age 11, Lincoln

GOP makes me mad

I have to agree with Jack Ferrin’s response to the question of “What makes you mad?” (PhotoQ, Aug. 26) in regards to the Democratic leadership in this country. Any political party that opposes a fiasco like that in Iraq that has cost the United States one quarter of a trillion dollars since its beginning, when we were told by the powers that be that it would only cost $15 to $20 billion initially, and then it would pay for itself with oil, is definitely thinking only of itself.

Any party concerned with making sure that every American citizen (including Ferrin) will have adequate health care protection, a Social Security system that will be able to actually pay people when they retire, education opportunities for all our children and the rights that every one of us are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States is certainly putting its agenda ahead of “what’s good for the country.”

I suggest that if Ferrin is mad at a party that “cares more about what’s best for themselves, their power and their party, rather than what’s best for the country” that perhaps he may be somewhat confused in his choice of which party “really makes his blood boil.”

Michael Gerhart, Lincoln


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Lisa wrote on September 5, 2006 12:29 am:
" A lot of people are trying to come to America because they want to better themselves, but they are doing it legally! These immigrants follow our laws, learn the language, and assimilate. I feel for the legal immigrants who are still waiting their turn to become citizens. Many have stories about hardships and want better lives. Those who choose to disrespect this nation by entering illegally, and then demanding rights don't deserve the any respect or special consideration. They broke the law, continue to break laws if working under false documents or driving a vehicle without a license. Illegals are thieves - they steal from the system. "
Locklear wrote on September 5, 2006 1:17 am:
" It's a hard thing to admit when you are wrong, but science is always open to new and more refined ways of thinking. The publicity surrounding the recent change in status of Pluto might be considered a learning experience illustrating how science is an iterative process of refining how humans try to interpret the universe they observe. In the case of Pluto, the words describing Pluto have changed, but its orbit remains the same. Take heart, Lexis, because this change in language may pique your interests and cause you to pursue a deeper understanding of the ways in which we describe the universe. Perhaps someday you will contribute, and the rest of us will benefit from your thoughtful endeavors. "
Peg L. wrote on September 5, 2006 1:47 am:
" I can't deny that my ancestors benefited from unfair laws that favored White people over Native Americans. Nebraska was settled based on these unfair laws. But the position taken by Jessie Cobain that maintains that our current system of law is unjust flies in the face of 230 years worth of democracy. We have set law, and these laws we must follow, as heartbreaking as it must be for some people in true desparation. I agree that more must be done to improve the economic status of our neighbors to the south, but to do so by short-circuiting our laws is also unjust and counter to a democratic republic. We must set policy that holds our border strong and not play favorites in immigration policy simply due to proximity. Imbedded illegal behavior is not a defensible position in this situation or any other, and I would hope that our Senators and Representatives in Washington would continue to recognize that those who have the wherewithall to legally apply for immigration status are just as valuable as those who are crafty enough to cross an imaginary line in the desert. "
Jack wrote on September 5, 2006 2:13 am:
" I apologize for not having read of Ron Walters' opinion, so these comments may be misdirected. I don't disagree that the hardships facing American citizens may not be as difficult as those facing people born in Mexico or Latin American countries. But as a country, we have a responsibilty to deal with our problems of poverty first before with deal with the poverty in other countries. The act of cutting welfare programs in and of itself only works if the the public education system is of a sufficient level to produce proficient workers from the children of those who cannot or will not find means without government assistance. Involved and invested parents are the key to procuring an adequate education, and a good education will lead to productive citizens. How does one do so when parents are poor and uneducated? The answer is not easy, and but the President's No Child Left Behind is a start. "
connie wrote on September 5, 2006 5:20 am:
" Jessie, Europeans came here looking for a better life. The first ones came here to total wilderness. They died from starvation, and cold, and illness. In spite of that they, and the settlers who came after them, carved out farms, and homes and businesses, and formed a government from nothing! The ones who came later, forged further west. They built towns, and churches, and fought wars to keep the country they built safe. To compare them to people who walk across the border, into a country so hard won by it's citizens, and reap the benefits, having done none of the work, nor shed any of the blood, is an insult. It doesn't come CLOSE to being what the Europeans did. Then, when they get here, a large number of them end up being fed on the backs of the European's labor. Oh, and when the European's came, the Danes, the Germans, the Swedes, the Norwegians, etc. the first thing they did, was LEARN ENGLISH! "
Hjalmer wrote on September 5, 2006 5:59 am:
" Connie, that is a common myth that everyone learned English as soon as they got here. In our Swedish community, the kids often went to school with little English, but learned English in school and brought the language home. The truth is, Latinos are picking up English at about the same rate as our ancestors. "
Joe wrote on September 5, 2006 6:52 am:
" "Jessie" I disagree with what you say in your letter and fully agree with Lisa, Peg, Jack, and Connie. You say in your letter that the ones that are causing problems and breaking laws should be sent back, well the first law broken was to come here illegally, and to not send THEM back is just a slap in the face to the people that do come here and go through the long process to become an american citizen. Just because they are just across the border and can walk here DOESN'T give them special priviledges. And think of all the money we as taxpayers have had to pay to make so many documents written in spanish just so these illegals can understand them. I shouldn't have to press 1 to hear anything in english! "
connie wrote on September 5, 2006 7:10 am:
" I know what you say ie true, hjalmer. English was a second language for both my parents, and they did learn it in school, but no one offered them any services in their own language, so the process was much faster. Grandpa HAD to learn English to conduct business, He couldn't 'press 1 for Danish' "
ed wrote on September 5, 2006 7:13 am:
" Stay in Mexico, apply for the papers, wait until you have the proper papers to come to this country then come on in and welcome to the United States we are a country of immigrants from around the world. We need to stop the people from entering illegally and we need to jail the employers who hire them. Close down the business if illegal people are found working there. Zero tolerant for this practice. The world has laws about changing the place where we live. Try moving to Canada they have rules and laws and to go there without first following them is wrong and if caught they will send you back home. Stay in Mexico and fight for changes there. "
Brandon wrote on September 5, 2006 7:31 am:
" Locklear -- I applaud you! Lexis == I know that it seems hard to change, but that is exactly what science is all about. If something is shown to be incorrect, it should be corrected. Yes, it's confusing, but that is how it works. Scientists don't keep things around for sentimental reasons (even though they can be sentimental too). Someday, when you are a college graduate, you too could make a fundamental contribution. And, if it is fundamental enough, everyone might have to change the way THEY think because of something that you did. "
Jody wrote on September 5, 2006 7:49 am:
" Mexican immigrants are among the hardest-working of people. Across the country, I have seen them doing incredibly difficult jobs, such as hard outdoor labor in 100 degree heat. I hope they also value education, so they can pull themselves up the economic ladder. Having said that, it is a fact that this country has finite resources. We cannot absorb the entire populations of Latin America. There must be limits. Immigration must be done in a legal and controlled manner, whether from Europe, Asia, Africa or Latin America. The much-cited European immigration was legally done. They did not come sneaking by the thousands across the borders. "
Tim wrote on September 5, 2006 7:51 am:
" Employers who continue to make excuses for illegal practices and politicians who allow employers to keep illegal employeees are also breaking the law and border patrols aren't dealing with them. INSTEAD THE ILLEGAL PRACTICES HAVE BEEN IGNORED AND A PROXY AMNESTY GIVEN BY fORTENBERRY, hAGEL AND OTHER MEMBERS OF cONGRESS. Heineman is grating de facto amnesty, as there is no coordinated homeland security effort to use resources to arrest employers or illegal immigrants. If these politicians are weak with Mexicans they also may be weak in ability to deal with terrorists if they would appear. Unable to deal with "illegal Mexicans" isn't a show of strength, it is a red flag showing dysfunctional leadership of those we've already elected and need to replace at the electios. "
immigrants wrote on September 5, 2006 7:59 am:
" Our country was founded on immigrants -- all of whom came without permission. As for the jobs of today that the mexican immigrants are taking, this is not even a valid arguement. The only jobs available to these people are the dirtiest, hardest, and most degrading -- none of which our pompous citizens care to work. As for drugs and gangs -- we have plenty of our own problems with this. Deal with the issues at hand. One more thing -- for all of you jumping on the bandwagon to deport all of our illegal immgrants, just remember you might be the victim of a big redirection of focus so you won't be harping on the Iraq war. How about live and let live? How about not judging a man or a woman until we've walked a mile (or a block) in their shoes? None of us really know what life is like for the immigrants who come here. I just thank God that I never had to suffer through what they may be. "
Jade wrote on September 5, 2006 8:04 am:
" The radical ideology that illegal should be igored, granted amnesty or avoided during electio season is a sad reflection on our elected officials, they are not winning a battle against illegal activities that are a part of their obligation to secure our homeland and uphold laws. Whether in Washington or in Nebraska, elected officials who don't provide tactical or logistical support to enforce existing laws and processing of illegal activists...those active in the work places illegally...are "with the law breakers" and not the rule of law. Either elected officials should stand with and by the law or step down. "
Josh2 wrote on September 5, 2006 8:26 am:
" A new CNN poll shows that 29 percent said that when asked how things in this country are going, 29 percent said "pretty badly" and 25 percent -- up from 15 percent a month ago -- answered "very badly." That is 54 percent. Too bad that folks like Jack Ferrin and his party don't seem to get it. "
David wrote on September 5, 2006 8:32 am:
" Lexis------Try; My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos. "
Thanks Immigrants wrote on September 5, 2006 9:07 am:
" We are so fortunate to have Mexico as a neighbor and Mexicans as immigrants. Not only do economic studies show that we all benefit from illegal immigrant labor (except those on the lowest rungs, whose losses are more than made up for by the general economic benefit) we have been blessed by geography to share a border with a people that are not terrorists. It doesn't take alot of imagination to envision how bad it could be. We should count our blessings that we have Mexico as a neighbor. This right wing feeding frenzy over illegal immigration is just one more attempt to refocus attention away from all the failures of this government over the last 6 years. From the sound of the national discussion, and the comments posted on this blog, it seems that they have been successful once again playing to lowest common denominator fears. All hail big brother! "
No Thanks Illegals wrote on September 5, 2006 9:47 am:
" illegal immigration was a problem prior to this administration, and previous administrations didn't do anything about it either, altho some tried more than others! Get it into your thick liberal heads that IT IS NOT A PARTISAN PROBLEM, IT IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM! And thinking that terrorists are not coming in through the border is to have your head in the sand. If you get caught doing something illegal (pick a crime, any crime) but are a hard worker, does this mean you are innocent? "
Gary B wrote on September 5, 2006 9:50 am:
" To "immigrants", you are correct in your assertion that our country was founded by immigrants...the 'Native' Americans were immigrants themselves. I'm sure the megafauna that went extinct shortly after their arrival didn't welcome them...but the megafauna didn't have laws against illegal immigration...neither did the Native Americans. Today, our society has a set of standards and rules by which you may, or may not, enter this country. If any person is unwilling to follow said rules, then why do we want them here? Are we now willing to say that it's okay to obey some laws, but ignore others? That is a slippery slope, my friend, one I'm not willing to climb. BTW, the last time I checked construction, picking fruit, etc. are not degrading jobs, I did them growing up...lucky for me, I wasn't replaced by an illegal immigrant willing to work for half of the $5/hour that my pompous-self was making. Additionally, you refer to them as "our illegal immigrants"...how did they become OURS? The are NOT U.S. citizens, therefore they are certainly not "ours". And while we may have plenty of our own gangs and crime, can you explain to me how that is justification for allowing even more? Oh, that's right, "they" are actually "ours"...so they're crime becomes ours to deal with. You want to live and let live? Me too...I certainly don't think they should be executed for their crime, and I've yet to hear people shouting "Death to Immigrants!" I am not unsympethetic to their plight...but I would bet that a LOT of people would like to come to America from SE Asia and Malaysia...but I don't hear people clamoring to let them in! Why is that? I actually have a pretty good idea of what life is like for those who wish to come here...it sucks. No way around it, life is hell for many immigrants, but again, I must reiterate the fact that life is hell for many people around the world...are we supposed to just let them all in...or just the Hispanics because of their geography? "
Guiberto wrote on September 5, 2006 9:51 am:
" Mexicans and other human beings don't like the dirtiest and lowest of jobs, who started the myth they do? Next generation immigrants won't fill those jobs, who wii? Innovation and technology upgrades are needed now, immigration may just be delaying a greater problem...lack of ingenuity. Illegal immigrants should not be the lazy nations excuse for having rotten jobs and acting as if they are jobs any human wants. The condescending attitude is infectious and Republicans look down on immigrants, legal or illegal they are cheap labor treated cheaply. "
Timmy wrote on September 5, 2006 9:51 am:
" Mr. Farabee, one hopes that your blood also boils over the prospect that the jobs you're exhorting others to get may not pay anything approaching a living wage, but instead $5.15 an hour. For those lacking in talents and skills (not always something individuals are in control of) needed for higher paying jobs, the substandard wages being paid in many low-skilled, though demanding jobs, in the U.S. makes solutions like "get a job" meaningless. Many American employers prefer to hire illegal workers rather than pay a living wage to American citizens, and it is those businesses and the politicians on their payrolls who do not push to enforce labor laws and refuse to raise the minimum wage that we should look to first when pointing blame rather than the desperate individuals arriving here to find whatever jobs they can to help their families. IBP meat packing used to have a labor office in Mexico City, air commercials on Mexican radio, and send busses to the Mexican border to give illegal workers rides back to their packing plants. We wish to blame desperate individuals seeking to help their families rather than the businesses seeking to exploit them? Further, many European immigrants who came here did not learn English, as I can attest from my German-speaking great grandmother. In the early twentieth century there were hundreds of foreign language newspapers in the U.S. Typically, it's the children of immigrants who learn the new language best, and the parents may learn it piecemeal. The case where a parent must learn it well for business is an exception, not the rule. The President's No Child Left Behind program, although a shining example of the sloganeering that the Bush administration does so well, is a false start in solving that nation's education and equity problems. It may be directed at solving the enormous problem of educational inequality in the US, but in practice it has meant little more that standardized testing and curriculum adjustments to teach to those tests. Such "back to basics" approaches came under scrutiny from progressive educational reformers like John Dewey in the early twentieth century because they were proving inadequate for the nation's needs already then, and one hundred years later they are many times more inadequate. In addition, the administration’s lack of federal funding for the program puts even more pressure on already over-stressed local property taxes. Finally, the idea of the triumphant European settling of North America is outdated by a number of interesting recent histories that have exploded such myths. One work that is a good starting point in dispelling the notion that the first Europeans arrived to nothing but a vast wilderness is Daniel K. Richter's "Facing East from Indian Country." "
cm wrote on September 5, 2006 10:08 am:
" immigrants legal or illegal obviously are benefiting us as much as we're benefiting them. they wouldn't keep coming if there wasn't a place for them here. i appreciate they should be legal and it's not fair for those who do go through the process that their are so many who don't. BUT instead of trying to figure out how to "keep them out", why can't we focus on getting more legalized? wouldn't that be time better spent? "
Jim wrote on September 5, 2006 10:22 am:
" I happen to work right along with many mexican immigrants who came here legally. we are 'ditch diggers' we do the horrble work that no one else wants to do, I am not their boss, but a coworker. And, they have all made it a point to learn english. These are the kind of immigrants that I want in this country. As far as not being a valid argument, that is wrong, it is valid. What if I worked for a company that went through and fired me to hire an illegal immigrant for cheaper. There are many companies like that through out the country and I am glad I don't work for one. "
JoePublic wrote on September 5, 2006 10:25 am:
" Mexicans are human, so are retired folk who own property and are paying high taxes to educate illegal immigrants children. Fortenberry, Smith and Terry haven't justified this tax and education issues, neither has Ricketts. Excessive property taxes are a hidden subsidy for employers of illegal immigrants who are able to "offer" expensive educations as a benefit without having it show up on corporate balance sheets. "
juanita wrote on September 5, 2006 10:51 am:
" Too many people think Mexicans all want to be US citizens...why would they want to? Mexican property is in the sunbelt and a great place to live/retire. Humans look after their children, they get good education and different opportunities in this state. It is easy to put up with some hardship and bigots here, many dream of returning to Mexico and never be a citizen, so amnesty has little importance to many. "
Helen wrote on September 5, 2006 11:03 am:
" Saying immigration is just a social problem ignores the reality of it entering the political theater, laws are a political product, not the result of a social process. Muslims in Palestine do't like poor living conditions and abuse from Jews anymore than Mexicans enjoy discriminatory practices by Americans in the USA. Mexicans are not only human, they are also Americans living in the same hemisphere. Political solutions are needed in both the Middle East and MesoAmerica (that is where the US is) in middle of Canada and Mexico. Mexicans and Muslims are indiginous to their regions, they have both a social and political connection that should not be ignored. "
Xenophile wrote on September 5, 2006 11:10 am:
" Entitlement to amnesty or blanket pardons for illegal activities is not an option if we believe in the institution of government and laws. Do employers show consideration for members of the KKK who may not break laws? Amnesty has great consequences, as does allowing illegal practices to be pardoned while legal beliefs and associations are not. "
out of the mouths of the ignorant.... wrote on September 5, 2006 12:15 pm:
" I can't believe so many people say "I'm not against immigrants, but why can't they do it legally?" Please do your research before you open your mouth to criticize people who have no other way to get here than illegally. The restrictions for Mexicans to come here legally or legalize their status are far stricter than those for people of countries in the Eastern Hemisphere, especially from Europe and Asia. That is why you see far more undocumented Mexicans – that is why so many people target this bash-talk towards people from Mexico. Please do your research before you make ignorant comments. I sincerely cannot understand where people get the idea that illegals don't pay taxes? They may not be able to report their earnings (MUCH LESS GET ANY OF THAT MONEY BACK COME TAX SEASON TIME nor benefit from Social Security although they’ve put their share of money into it) but they do get taxes deducted, unless they are being paid "under the table" with cash by employers who are breaking the law by not reporting their employees. People, open your eyes and see that they are here to work, to earn a living, to provide a better life for their families. Maybe if they were allowed to work in better paying jobs, if they were able to show their competencies, you would realize that they are VERY capable and intelligent people. Maybe if they didn’t have to work 12 hour days in 100 degree heat they would be going to school to learn English, to better prepare themselves. Maybe if they could work without being afraid that their employer would “choose” to NOT pay them for their honest and hard work. If they were treated as equals and not inferiors, if they were given a chance, they would teach you a thing or two about loyalty, hard-work, intelligence, perseverance.. but above all things they would teach you to love one another and have compassion for one another rather than to try and destroy one another’s livelihood just to get to the top. "
sarah s. wrote on September 5, 2006 12:20 pm:
" Why are we comparing illegal immigration to American exapansionism? The so-called native Americans didn't spring up from holes in the ground. They migrated here from Asia. No one asked Mother Earth if she wanted a bunch of savages and cannibals to inhabit her innocent Western Hemisphere! They're no more entitled to "native" status than I am. And my evil white ancestors didn't just take away Indian land. Much of it Indians stupidly traded for wampum and other junk, simply because they were too STUPID to comprehend the concept of owning land. And furthermore, they didn't "care" for the land the way our PC history tells us. The nomadic tribes ravaged an area and moved on to another in order to sustain their pathetic lives. The more property-oriented tribes mostly died out from their own incompetence long before America was even a nation. If you want to blame someone, blame Spain for their demise! I hate Spain too, the lousy coward-backstabbers! Maybe if illegal aliens started blaming los conquistadores for their current social crises, then maybe they'd embrace American Society, learn English, take a shower once and a while, and have a much better chance at sneaking across the border and blending in. "
LW wrote on September 5, 2006 12:44 pm:
" Finally, a voice of reason, and from all people, an 11 year old! PLUTO IS A PLANET! E'nuff said! "
Justin wrote on September 5, 2006 12:48 pm:
" Mexico has more natural resources, more tourist potential, more ports for import-export, more labor, more arable land, and a better climate than most of the developed nations of the world! Yet, more than 60% of the population lives in abject poverty. Our country has done much more, with less! Why is this? Mexico lacks a stable, honest government. We should insist, as a country, by whatever sanctions necessary, that they take decisive steps to correct this. Before you all say another country's government is none of our business, it became our business when the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants fleeing that sorry situation started draining our finances to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars annually! Kind-hearted though we may be, we simply CAN NOT take care of all these people. We have enough homeless of our own. We have legal citizens dying everyday because they can't afford medical treatment, or medicine. We have elderly who eat dogfood because it's all they can afford, and some who freeze to death in the winter! How can anyone say that anyone here illegally has ANY rights to suck resources away from our own citizens. Mexico, stay home and get your own house in order. We'll do the same, if you'll let us! "
Mark M wrote on September 5, 2006 12:57 pm:
" Bush has totally ignored enforcing our immigration laws. There hasnt been an arrest anywhere period "
Susana wrote on September 5, 2006 1:38 pm:
" "Get off your butt, get a job ..." Someone who works full time for minimum wage earns slightly less than $11,000 a year, before taxes. Could you raise a family on that? How about supporting yourself? Didn't think so. "
Jody wrote on September 5, 2006 1:44 pm:
" I'm curious if the pro-illegal immigration folks could answer a question for me. Given the natural birth-rate population growth in the U.S., how many million illegal immigrants can this country hold before our resources become strained? Isn't there a practical point at which we have to say enough, slow down! Or do you feel that we have infinite resources of clean air, water, transportation, etc, so that we can easily support the additional equivalent of a Mexico City and a Bombay right here in the U.S.? "
J.K wrote on September 5, 2006 1:59 pm:
" Immigration isn't just about jobs. Do you want your kids to go to an overcrowded school? How much does it cost us to teach their kids how to speak english? There are millions of people all over the world. Most would jump the the chance to come to the us. What make people from mexico so special that they deserve to come to america. We might be the worlds richest country but that doesn't mean we can save the world. There's no doubt that illegals are driving down wages for poorer americans. The only reason employers hire illegals is greed. Illegals work for half of what americans do. I've heard people say immigrants are harder working, more productive. If they're so much better workers than americans how come so many immigrants need healthcare, housing and food stamps? "
Think about it..... wrote on September 5, 2006 2:04 pm:
" "The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding." Albert Camus You have to put yourself in the immigrants shoes (or in your own ancestor's shoes for that matter) in order to understand the difficulties that arise in the process of legally coming to the United States, especially for Mexicans. Please don't say "why, don't they do it legally" without doing an in depth study of what it really takes to "do it legally". Do some research and compare the immigration requirements for people of European or Asian descent, and compare it with those imposed upon the Hispanic population, especially for people of Mexico. I don't get angry at people's comments (although I am an immigrant) because I know their comments come from ignorance. It is impossible to feel compassion for the hardship of others and actually make a difference, without the knowledge and understanding of what hardships they must endure to obtain something that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to have - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (NO ONE SAID that right only belonged to AMERICAN BORN citizens, that right is given to everyone by God) If He doesn't deny that right to us, why must people? "
Think about it..... wrote on September 5, 2006 2:09 pm:
" "The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding." Albert Camus You have to put yourself in the immigrants shoes (or in your own ancestor's shoes for that matter) in order to understand the difficulties that arise in the process of legally coming to the United States, especially for Mexicans. Please don't say "why, don't they do it legally" without doing an in depth study of what it really takes to "do it legally". Do some research and compare the immigration requirements for people of European or Asian descent, and compare it with those imposed upon the Hispanic population, especially for people of Mexico. I don't get angry at people's comments (although I am an immigrant) because I know their comments come from ignorance. It is impossible to feel compassion for the hardship of others and actually make a difference, without the knowledge and understanding of what hardships they must endure to obtain something that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to have - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (NO ONE SAID that right only belonged to AMERICAN BORN citizens, that right is given to everyone by God) If He doesn't deny that right to us, why must people? "
Gary B wrote on September 5, 2006 2:14 pm:
" Unless I missed something here, no one is saying that a good portion of the illegal immigrants are not good people...I genuinely believe that a good portion of them are good people, and they certainly have a right to elevate themselves from a miserable existence...but please, do it in accordance with our laws! That is all I, and many like me, are asking! The argument that 'the laws are too tough' is ridiculous to me...are we supposed to start accommodating the criminals with our laws? Come on! That's akin to saying it's okay to steal and rob banks, since the law makes it too hard for me to make money. "
DR wrote on September 5, 2006 2:29 pm:
" right on lexis and LW! its common sense that pluto is a planet but those self important scientists had to look like they were doing something important so the government grants would keep rolling in. i'll bet two bits it gets changed back before i kick the bucket, and i'm no spring chicken "
Pluto is a regular Planet wrote on September 5, 2006 2:30 pm:
" I learned the names of the planets like this: " My Very Energetic Mom just served us Nine Pancakes" And that's how it should be w/ Pluto as a regular planet. "
Dick wrote on September 5, 2006 2:46 pm:
" If god really wants mexicans to have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, why doesn't he put it in mexico? "
Terry wrote on September 5, 2006 2:47 pm:
" All illegal immigrants need to be sent back where they came from no mater how sad the story is. There is not enough room for everyone with a sad story. "
Geraldo wrote on September 5, 2006 2:51 pm:
" Most Mexicans are legal Americans...born and raised in North America. To call USA citizens American and imply Mexicans or Canadians or Guatemalans are not is just ignorance. Is crossing a border any more damaging than running a red light or shooting an attorney as the VP did? "
Brandon wrote on September 5, 2006 3:11 pm:
" Something that seems to have been missed on this thread is the idea that immigrants have to come to the US to have a good life. My great grandfather grew up in a sod house working an 80 acre farm. Now virtually all of his g'grandchildren have college degrees. Why must they come here to have a good life? I realize that in a nation like Iraq, with no homegrown democracy or rule of law, it would be difficult to change the system or fix the problems of a nation. But, Mexico is a long time democracy. If the Mexican people want a better life for themselves they should make one. Yes, it will be difficult. Making the US the nation it is today was not easy. Should the US help? Certainly. But, they need to take responsibility for their nation and make it better, rather than coming illegally to ours. I don't think that immigrants make the US worse, but when the law is broken to get here and then demands are made to ignore that fact, I don't think it makes it better. And despite some of the comments on this thread and in the editorial, I don't think that anyone is suggesting that illegal immigrants are not human. People are saying that coming to a nation illegally and then demanding the same rights as the citizens of that nation is ridiculous. Consider how Mexico would react if they suddenly had 15 million US citizens within their borders illegally. People in support of amnesty or guest worker programs ask those of us who don't support amnesty to try and walk a mile in the immigrants shoes. Well, I would suggest that they do the same and think about how Canada or Mexico would react if the situation was reversed. "
Jan wrote on September 5, 2006 3:27 pm:
" I think I heard in the news recently that the U.S. allows 19 million legal immigrants a year from Mexico and the congress wants to raise that to 66 million a year. That should fix the problem. Shouldn't it? "
Sean wrote on September 5, 2006 4:40 pm:
" The fact is, that good or bad, farm worker or drug smugler, an illegal immigrant is BREAKING THE LAW. "Think about it..." claims that the present requirements for becoming a legal immigrant are discriminatory towards Hispanics. Sorry, they don't pile fertilizer that high even on farms. Illegal immigrants, the majority of which are Hispanics, received a general amnesty during the Regan administration. No other immigrant group has ever been so priveleged. If anything, the system is biased in favor of Hispanic illegals who the largest group of offenders. I grow tired of the constant whine that "Illegal aliens are hard working, wonderful people." Reality check: A criminal is a criminal...period. "
Kenneth H. Zike wrote on September 5, 2006 4:56 pm:
" Illegal means your husband is in our Country illegally. EACH DAY HE IS HERE, HE IS VIOLATING OUR LAWS. I feel no remorse, nor do I hestate to state. I will vote for the politician who runs on the plank, " he will attempt to get congress and the Senate to pass a law ordering the round up and deportation of all illegals". I am all for legal immigration. You are knowingly giving aid and confort to an illegal.. I would prosecute you and let a jury decide your fate. What is it about illlegal you dont understand?? "
Brandon wrote on September 5, 2006 5:28 pm:
" DR -- I'll take that bet. I don't blame people for being attached to Pluto as a planet. However, it really doesn't fit in as one. Heck, folks, it is smaller than our Moon. Is the Moon a planet? How do you define a planet? "
JAC wrote on September 5, 2006 5:30 pm:
" Seems to me if immigrants have no other way to come here other than illegally maybe they shouldn't come. What is it that is not understood about illegal..This people broke the law the minute they took one step into America. I couldn't care less if they are hard working, wonderful people. My apartment building is overrun with them. I hear nothing but screaming, yelling, fighting, harassment of the few of us who are not Hispanic, and yes drug dealing all in Spanish 24/7 and its been that way for for 2 years and this is the 3rd group of these "fine upstanding" illegals to move in here. They should all be evicted within 6 months if the landlord follows his previous pattern and then the remaining tenants can prepare themselves for the next group. I don't go out after dark. I haven't used the on site laundry room since I walked in on 2 of my honest hard working neighbors breaking into the washers and dryers to get the money out of them, and yes I'm moving in less than a week. I'm tired of paying for their groceries, their babies which come with great regularity. Inidentally God does not give people the right to come here illegally and if the immigration laws are stricter for Hispanics maybe its for a reason. I'm tired of pressing 1 for English. "
JJ wrote on September 5, 2006 5:59 pm:
" What bothers me is this lumping of "Mexicans" into a group of people who are illegally entering the United States and working lousy jobs for lousier wages. Stop stereotyping! There are people of Mexican descent who have been living in the United States for generations, who are as "American" (used in the context of "United States American") as any European-descent person. There are people of Mexican heritage who are smart (as smart as smart white people) and hard-working and who are just like the "average" person who has grown up in the United States. I do not support illegal immigration. But one must consider why illegal immigration has become such a problem. The "system" is difficult to negotiate, and often resources aren't available in a way to make them easily understood. I also think there have been some difficulties for people who are resident aliens (meaning they live and work here, but choose to maintain citizenship in another country.) If we are going to go back to how "wonderful" the European settlers and all were, it seems to me that there were some pretty impressive civilizations in Central and South America that were ruined by Europeans. Might doesn't always make right. "
Rb wrote on September 5, 2006 6:32 pm:
" I don't think Jessie ever mentioned the immigration status of her husband. Don't spouses of U.S citizen automatically get permanent legal resident status? If not, we need to do something the defend the sanctity of marriage. "
BAH wrote on September 5, 2006 6:40 pm:
" Jessie's letter to the editor brought up "Mexicans". She is married to a Mexican and her discussion was on Mexicans only - no other group of illegals. She is promoting the stereotype!! I'm not shocked illegal immigration is associated with "Mexicans" and other Latinos when they are the ones shown on tv, waving flags from their country, protesting. Pretty disgusting when these protestors, demanding their rights in the USA, need the help of translators when being interviewed on tv. Other illegals from other countries blend into society - they aren't so "in your face, America" as our spanish speaking neighbors! "
Kendall wrote on September 5, 2006 6:40 pm:
" Those pretty impressive civilizations demonstrated population control by sacrifice and migratory wars. Citizens and legal residents of Hispanic origin are outside of the discussion of illegal entry and failed immigration policy. There are costs associated with uncontrolled spending and uncontrolled immigration and citizens are fed up with the exploitation of culture, heritage and economic effects that have become a burden. Citizens aren't anti-immigration, they are mostly against disregard for laws and process and failure of government to provide controlled governance and lawful leadership. "
Andy wrote on September 5, 2006 8:14 pm:
" Even if someone is suffering they still don't have a right to anyone elses property. Everything else is irrelevant. By being here illegaly, they are stealing. What is so hard to understand about that? They steal from all of us who pay for the benefits of living here. So, treat them like we treat all thieves, arrest, convict, and punish. "
Not Ignorant wrote on September 5, 2006 8:43 pm:
" The process of receiving a visa, or permission, to enter the U.S. is the same for everyone from whatever country they're coming from. The difficulty for those coming from south of the border lies in the numbers. Congress annually sets the number of visas to be made available. Limits are placed on certain countries so they won't continually flood the system and take all the available visas. Without the limits on numbers, our immigration pattern would be skewed to allowing in only people from a few countries, Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines, into the U.S. at the expense of every other country in the world. "
Ron wrote on September 5, 2006 9:20 pm:
" Jesse if you love your husband and he is illegal pack your bags and go back across the border with him. Illegal is illegal. As dubya would say it means against the law. "
Keith Rockefeller wrote on September 5, 2006 10:08 pm:
" I have been an evangelical Christian for a number of years and have had formal theological training. I am a Christian first, but I am also a registered Republican. I joined the Republican party for a number of reasons, but the main reason was the Republican party most closely shares those values I hold to most dear as a Christian about abortion, gay marriage, capital punishment, public education, and religious expression in public. The Democratic party has consistently shown itself to be antagonistic to those values. I do not feel that God is on the side of the Republican party, but the Republican party seems to be on God's side most of the time. I cannot say I agree with President Bush or the Republican leadership all the time, or that I do not agree with the Democrats on certain issues. When I make my decisions for whom to vote for I have to ask myself the question, "Whom would God have me vote for?" The answer usually is, "vote for the Republican." Since I do not see any significant effort on the part of the National Democratic party to moderate its positions to build bridges with Evangelical Christians; I feel I have no choice but to continue to vote for Republican party candidates. That is why I am a Republican. "
Just wondering wrote on September 5, 2006 10:32 pm:
" I understand all of this came from the "illegal Mexican immigrants" controversy, but has anyone thought of the many other nationalities that are sucking money from us. It is not only Mexicans who take advantage of housing, medicaid, ADC, foodstamps, etc. How about African, Asians, Arabians, and all the other ethnic groups who use what is available in the United States. What gets me even more than that, is the single mothers in this country! Anyone thought of that lately. I am a single mother, and I don't "live off the government"! So many stupid and worthless women are out there having children and not doing ANYTHING to take care of them. I know so many females right now who sit at home on their butts. They are taking the free money, the free housing, the free food, the free medical benefits and do nothing for themselves or their children. Now I believe that is something we need to think about. We all want to blame illegal immigrants for money problems, maybe we also need to look at our own people and point a finger or two at Americans! I can see both sides of the immigration topics, but nobody wants to be on the outside looking in at ourselves and see what is wrong with us! I guess it is easier to blame somebody else for EVERYTHING! "
To Rb wrote on September 5, 2006 10:55 pm:
" Spouses and children of US citizens have visas automatically available to them, and there are no limits. However, to avoid defrauding the system, marrying for a green card, if the marriage is less than 2 yrs old, the spouse is given conditional permanent residence. They then must file to remove the conditions 2 yrs later and prove that the marriage is bona fide and wasn't entered into for the sole purpose of gaining an immigration benefit. "
hattie wrote on September 6, 2006 9:12 am:
" First and foremost, Is an illegal alien commiting a crime? YES Send them back if they are in our country illegally. No If, Ands, and butts. Protect and seal our borders. Post a force their for that purpose. If we really are the place to come to, our ancestors worked very hard to get what we have today, and they were immigrants LEGAL. "
sg wrote on September 6, 2006 5:07 pm:
" How is it that we offer all the free services to persons coming into our country these days??? My tax dollars at work, especially since I have to work 60+ hours a week at 2 jobs to make ends meet....gee if I win the lottery I might just be able to afford cable....I know I have the right to vote and do....but it just doesn't feel like it is doing any good....I have no problem with those who want to come to America to have a better life, but why do I feel like it is at my expense, and not appreciated, translating the American Anthem into Spanish.....hellloooo....it is the American Anthem, not the Mexican or Spanish Anthem....protesting imigration laws but lets wave your country flag of orgin....come to America and complain about how things are.....go back home "
illegals wrote on September 6, 2006 10:01 pm:
" So someone whose husband is from Guatamala, who sneaks out of that country and through Mexico to come to the US and also to leave the US to visit his family isn't a citizen? Of course he's not, and he and others like him are what burden society with supporting and providing for. Why does the US continue to allow this to happen? Lock down the borders and send them packing.. come here illegally, leave quickly without question! "
Mexicans wrote on September 7, 2006 9:15 am:
" As a Hispanic and third generation American I was puzzled by your comment that the “ones that are here are here” How would it work if I cheated on my taxes and forged documents in order to make more money for my family should I be pardoned after breaking the law or should it be just let him be he already did it and he just wanted to take care of his family. The same thing with car thief's should they just be allowed to keep the stolen vehicle. Yes I am against illegal immigration legal immigration is fine illegal is not, and if you can’t see that it’s creating a culture that has no respect for our laws you are not being very honest. I have seen what Illegal immigration does first hand when I worked at a hospital in San Diego that closed down from so many illegals that were unable to pay for there bills. No mam our is not here to only take care of the poor and uneducated of Mexico and the world. "
Bob H wrote on September 7, 2006 11:54 am:
" Nothing gets Nebraskans jacked up like illegal immigration. Oh yeah its illegal now but laws get changed all the time. In 1998 early 1999 Nebraskans were all jacked up about hearing a little Spanish and seeing folks with skin darker than a European. So they got the government to "enforce the law" INS rumored to be checking SSN's sent about %70 of the packing house workers out. Then a funny thing happened. Ranchers couldn't quite understand how but cattle prices went....down. Two weeks later they hired then lawyer Ben Nelson to fight "Operation Vanguard" get the plants back running so buyers could buy. About half of Nebraska thinks the "N" on the helmet is for NOWLEDGE so I guess we have to get reducated. I bet behind the scenes the ranchers and the contractors and the restaurant owners have already figured this out. This is fun to watch. "
Louise wrote on September 7, 2006 1:17 pm:
" We all want the same opportunities, in a civil manner. Mexicans should not bully or manipulate anyone. There are many people waiting to enter the USA, why should they be penalized for those who brought the law and that is criminal. "
Kisa wrote on September 7, 2006 1:20 pm:
" "Bob H needed to read "Mexicans" comments before posting his uninformed dribble. "Mexicans" clear message speaks for ALL OF US who are against illegal immigration no matter who you are, what color you are or where you are from!! "
Becky wrote on September 7, 2006 2:32 pm:
" Mexicans are awsome people "

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