Tuesday, June 05, 2007

He Thinks I'm a Bigot

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said those who oppose the bill are bigots: “We’re gonna tell the bigots to shut up.”

Well, Senator Graham, tell me that to my face. And while you're at it, tell me to shut up. How dare you? Yes, I oppose granting amnesty to criminals. Why don't we grant amnesty to drug dealers, carjackers, burglars, and strong-arm thieves? How about child molesters? What's the difference? No, I'm not saying that illegal aliens are any of those, but every one of those is as criminal as being in the United States illegally.

What is the definition of illegal? from
dictionary.com:

adjective
1. forbidden by law or statute.
2. contrary to or forbidden by official rules, regulations, etc.: The referee ruled that it was an illegal forward pass.
–noun
3. Informal. illegal alien.

I did not add those last two words. Look at the cite.

—Synonyms 1. unlawful; illegitimate; illicit; unlicensed. Illegal, unlawful, illegitimate, illicit, criminal can all describe actions not in accord with law. Illegal refers most specifically to violations of statutes or, in organized athletics, codified rules: an illegal seizure of property; an illegal block (in football). Unlawful means not sanctioned by or according to law: an unlawful claim to the inheritance; to take unlawful advantage of the trading situation. Illegitimate means lacking legal or traditional right or rights: an illegitimate child; illegitimate use of privileged knowledge. Illicit, which originally meant simply “not permitted,” now most often applies to matters regulated by law with specific emphasis on the way things are carried out: illicit conversion of property; an illicit attempt to control the market. Criminal most often refers to violation of the statutes of penal as opposed to civil law. All felonies are criminal as are all crimes sometimes punishable by death such as murder, arson, and kidnapping: a criminal act.

Anyone who commits an illegal act is a criminal. Period. And Senator Graham apparently thinks those of us who oppose amnesty for criminals are the "bad guys." I'm not committing a criminal act when I present my opinion that those who want to live and work in the United States come here legally.

Now what is the definition of a bigot? Again, from
dictionary.com:

a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.

and from the
American Heritage Dictionary:

n. One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

Oh, well, I guess I am a bigot. I am intolerant of people who break the law.

Homeland Security Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said those who oppose the bill want “mass deportation.” Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson said those who oppose the bill are “anti-immigrant” and suggested they suffer from “rage” and “national chauvinism.” Even the President says those who oppose it “don’t want to do what is right for America.”

And here Secretary Gutierrez, Mr. Gerson, and President Bush and I part ways. As a tenth generation American who is immensly proud of my ancestry (Irish, English and German) I am far from being "anti-immigrant". And there is no one who is more proud of being an American than I am. I stand behind no one in my pride for our military. I cry when I see our flag flying. I lose it entirely when I hear the National Anthem, God Bless America, or America the Beautiful. As an American, I want what is best for America and I oppose mass amnesty for criminals. Mr. Gerson, if I suffer from national chauvinsim, I don't deny it. Not at all. In fact, I'm damn proud of it. America is the greatest country in the world, despite what our politicians are doing to it.

Mass deportation? I doubt it will ever come to that. Only because the logistics and expense would be astronomical. Not to mention that we would never be able to find all the illegal aliens anyway. Too many people are willing to become criminals themselves and aid and abet illegals by hiding, hiring, and granting aid and comfort in all manner of ways.

Anti-criminal? Anti-illegal alien? You bet. Anti-immigrant? Not if you follow the law and come here legally. The very fact that people want to come to this country, for whatever reason, makes my heart swell with pride. They believe as I do, that the United States of America is the greatest country in the world, where you can be whatever you want to be. You are welcome to express your opinions, your disagreement with the government, and you can rally in the streets demanding the rights of legal citizens - without fear of being arrested! Even though you entered illegally, you may be using false (or stolen) documentation to work, or you are working under the table because you don't have any documentation, you still want to be here because you can make a better living here than you can in "your country." Of course, "your country" is not the US, it's always another country. Don't tell me I'm wrong. I've heard that phrase too many times.

Isn't it nice that those who call me a bigot and want to tell me to shut up and the illegal aliens who rally in the streetsenjoy the same freedom of speech guaranteed under our Constitution that I do?


Am I a bigot? When the subject is illegal immigration, illegal immigration and illegal, criminal activity, damn straight I am.

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