[Reactionary]

I guess it's time for the left-wing Stalinists to outlaw another word.

[BenLurkin]

Local talk radio KFI 640 has a pair of 'gadflies' called "John and Ken". A caller the other referred to himself five times as an "illegal citizen" and they never called him on it.

[Marine Inspector]

'Illegal': Slur or accurate label?

Accurate.

Ping.

Marine Inspector

[cripplecreek]

According to Websters.

Illegal : not according to or authorized by law : UNLAWFUL, ILLICIT; also : not sanctioned by official rules.

whats the problem?

[psychoknk]

"I don't think it's illegal to come here, work hard, and live in peace," [Victoria Chacon] said.

This is a relatively tricky bit of rhetoric. What she meant, but not what she said, is "I don't think it should be illegal to come here..." She clearly knows that these people are breaking the law, and therefore are here illegaly. However, by phrasing things in this manner, she is far more effective. As Mark Twain said, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." I believe that if anyone really wants to make a difference, they need to take a lesson from people like her (Arabs are particularly good at this game).

[Gefreiter]

If someone broke the law to get here, or breaks it now by working under the table or engaging in identity theft and fraud, they're illegal aliens. Not a terrifically complicated legal point.

To think that someone can even imagine equating the factual term, "illegal alien", with the truly nasty word, "nigger", is astonishing.

Such an attempt at comparison demonstrates the comparer's grotesque ignorance not just of history, but of the English language itself.

[Howie66]

ILLEGAL ALIEN is neither "SLUR", nor "ACCURATE".

It is H O N E S T. Plain and simple. H O N E S T.

[henderson field]

Too many Latinos are illiterate in two languages. "Illegal immigrant" is a precise word use. It does not imply a value judgement, it's just a description, and an accurate one at that. Are we supposed to use corporate mush because they're unhappy about it?

[WayneM]

Gee, to me and most other American citizens this phrase "illegal immigrant" is not very difficult to decipher.

I don't believe anyone is disputing the word immigrant. As long as I have been speaking the English language (and remember, we are talking English, the language spoken by most Americans) the word immigrant has referred to someone who came from another country to make his home here in the USA.

That leaves just the word illegal. Either you do something within the bounds of the law or you don't. If it is within the bounds of the law, it is illegal. If it is outside the rule of law, it is illegal.

Sorry, but the painful truth is that if you are an immigrant and are not here legally, with the proper visa and other legal papers, you are an illegal immigrant. And if you find the term "illegal immigrant" insulting or demeaning or hurtful, feel free to go back to your country of origin.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

We've already agreed to not use the wetback anymore. I think they are pressing their luck.

[Steve Eisenberg]

Chacon has adopted "undocumented workers" as the term of choice.

What about the ones who don't work? For example, criminals? If somebody is a forger, I guess he would be a undocumented document creator.

[sweetliberty]

"Similar to the way the n-word was used to dehumanize African-Americans."

Well, it's obvious where this is going. Personally, I don't care how they dress it up, I refuse to use any other term than illegal alien, because that is exactly what they are! If that makes them feel bad, maybe that's a good thing. A person'ts conscience should condemn them when they are commiting crimes and usurping privileges not rightfully theirs. If they don't like it, tough! I'm not going to try to make them feel better about stealing from my country.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

You know George Orwell had it right on the language thing. Control the language and you control the ability to express thought. And those who control the past control the future. When confronted with an ethical issue the solution is to change the terms in order to make it palatible. Pervert becomes Queer becomes Gay. Baby becomes Fetus. Yada yada yada. poopie.

[sweetliberty]

"A good comparison would be to say a bank robber simply made an unauthorized withdrawal,"

LOL! I'll have to remember that one.

[Peace will be here soon]

In La Vision de Georgia, the Spanish language newspaper she publishes Monday through Friday, Chacon has adopted "undocumented workers" as the term of choice.

---

What then do you call those who do not work, the "undocumented non-workers"? How about the ones who are here stealing cars, "undocumneted car thief"? OOPs, sorry, can`t use the word thief. "undocumented car-jacker" , darn, can`t use car-jacker either huh. Crook ? No. Bandit? No. Robber? No. Filcher? No. Defrauder? No. Lawbreaker? No. Sneak ? No. OH , I give up......

[Robert Lomax]

If that's the case then I'll bet ya "wetback" really pizzes him off.

[sweetliberty]

"But Mexicans who make illegal border crossings for job-rich cities like Atlanta "have no choice" but to break the law"

HUH? Does this mean that Vincente is actually driving them to the border and forcing them at gunpoint to cross and then making sure they can't turn back. Give me a break! How stupid does this bimbo think we are?

[maxwell]

I thought that we are all supposed to call 'em undocumented now...

How long before we gots to start calling 'em something else? What's the next term, non-notaried or something? I reckon damp-posteriored is out...

[Political Junkie Too]

But Mexicans who make illegal border crossings for job-rich cities like Atlanta "have no choice" but to break the law, said Victoria Chacon, founder and president of the South East Hispanic Media Association.

...

"I don't think it's illegal to come here, work hard, and live in peace," she said. "They come for their family, risk their lives to find a better lifestyle."

Why don't they consider the "choice" of staying in their country and trying to improve the conditions there?

What is fundamentally wrong with Mexico that staying and improving the conditions there is not considered a more moral choice?

-PJ

[sweetliberty]

""I don't think it's illegal to come here, work hard, and live in peace," she said"

This b***h isn't terribly literate is she? Hello!!! Illegal means unlawful which means it is against the law as the law is written....and guess what. Just because YOU don't think it's illegal doesn't make it any more legal. Bless your heart, you are dumber than a box of rocks aren't you?