Posted on 02/11/2005 10:55:36 AM PST by Jim Robinson
The shot heard around the Internet has been fired on FreeRepublic.com The owner Jim Robinson and his moderators have launched a sniper style purge against members that disagree with the President’s ‘guest worker’ amnesty or support more control of illegal immigration. Free Republic is an amazing tool for those looking for a good debate and news from around the country.
The problem for the administration of the site is that their creation is allowing the participants to learn that the Bush immigration record and plans are shockingly out of line with the views of most conservatives. The management’s answer to this conflict between the majority of conservatives and the influence of the White House on their Web site has become electronic executions and censorship.
Members and readers of Free Republic would be surprised to know that many members of their community have fallen silent on the discussions about illegal immigration lately because free speech is an illusion on FR.com. They are silent because they have been banned from the Web site without warning, cause, or explanation in most cases. For weeks the moderators have been suspending and banning new members that chimed in quickly on the immigration debates.
Now this trend has broadened as the first groups of long-term users were suspended or banned this past week. Although Robinson and his staff removed many members of the Free Republic community in the first few days of the purge, those that religiously support President Bush’s immigration plan, open borders and approve of public benefits for illegal aliens remain on the forum. Those that were banned were the members that wanted more done to control illegal immigration and a strict observance to the President’s Oath of Office.
Poor baby.
Not just Spanish - when I first moved to California, I went to the local DMV to pick up a booklet so I could study up on the rules of the road before taking a test for my new driver's license. Well, guess what. They didn't have a single booklet in English. Not one. All out. They had Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese (I have no idea which dialects, or how many) but none in English. I was furious. My tax dollars at work. I had to call the DMV in Sacramento and have them mail one to me.
As you said, no need to learn English, we'll accommodate ya.
It's not rational to expect others to assimilate when they have no right to be here in the first place. Sorry, but you can't use imminent deportation as an excuse to lambast those who do not assimilate.
Your solution?
But they consider themselves first Americans. If we all were FIRST Americans, it seems we'd get along better, than if we were hyphenated Americans....because, really, that's what we've become. (And that can apply to other things than just one's ethnicity.) It's a shame. What made our country so strong in the past is part of what's been fracturing it. (That is also not to say that the "new kid on the block" was well-treated. But over time, it's no longer an issue and we learn to respect each other because we're Americans, First.....the Irish are no longer treated badly, like they first were. Nor are the Germans. Differences in view points help everyone. But being united in a country because you are proud of the culture in which you live is what gives one patriotism, and all the things that go with that, IMHO.
I'm not talking about those who are here illegally assimilating; I'm talking just about the resentment of those who are here, from another country, and we have to, it seems, bend over backwards to change everything for them, including the language printed on DMV manuals. For gosh sakes, they're going to have to drive their vehicles on roads that are only in English. They should be able to read English to the test to drive. That's what I'm talking about as far as resentment building up with non-native born, legally in this country.
I'm not whining.
I don't have a better plan that would not be more a drain than a benefit.
My solution is to pay close attention to what President Bush is proposing, since I am unburdened by irrational fears or lopsided ideologies or loony ideas, and I do not recoil at the prospect of hearing what he has to offer, nor do I foolishly think the man is corrupt, or in the pocket of Fox, or is being blackmailed, or is pandering, or is blind or stupid, or is a traitor to his nation (or his race) who should be impeached, or whatever else these one-issue ideologues care to whine on incessantly about.
Long ago, I used to participate in the immigration threads, to some extent, but haven't in quite some time because of the heated discussions and no solutions in sight. So, sorry if I'm not up to date on what the most current thoughts/threads are about.....I don't agree with open borders or amnesty to those here illegally. From what I understand is Hannity's viewpoint, I agree. There are plenty who've been standing in line, waiting to get in, legally. They should be the ones rewarded for following the rules and laws. The ones who haven't been, when, then I say, what's the point of having rules and laws if there's no negative consequences? Even my children knew how much they could get away with when/if I didn't follow through with consequences when they violated rules.
I see..
Multiple languages is not really an issue about illegal immigration. If you don't like the languages which your own DMV prints literature in then file a complaint, or work to outlaw the speaking or publishing of non-English languages in government offices.
And when people do that (i.e., California and Mexico), those people are called rascists, etc., when that's not true. And because of that kind of name-calling, few people want to step forward, vocally, because they'll be castigated as "hating" Mexicans, or Chinese, or Koreans, etc. If you don't want bi-lingual education in schools, the liberals have invented ways to show how it improves learning. But I have seen/read studies where that show just the opposite. The liberals control California's purse. They're the ones, historically, who've pushing for all this "anything but" America First crap.
Outstanding post.
Outstanding post.
that should have read (i.e., California and Arizona--as pertains to Mexicans in those states)
BRAVO!!!!!
DITTO!!!!!
AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!
Usually we see the anal-retentive types smugly driving at the speed limit in the fast lane, imperiously demanding that any law-breaking speeders maneuver around them.
I was discussing, illegal immigration and the problems it's causing, not terrorism and what should be done.
Yet it is 9-11 which is driving President Bush's call for immigration reform.
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