[Grovenet] illegals

[Eric Canon]

Tom, this post shows so much caring and kindness,
and I'm so glad you followed your original piece
with this. Sometimes it's tempting to lump people
into categories, and I was about to do that to
you on this issue. Now I'm glad I did not, and
you have also renewed my faith in the basic
goodness in people. I still don't understand your
support of this administration, but here you have
an open mind and compassion that is so often
absent from the R party these days. Saying that
says a lot about me, I know, but your openness is
inspiring and uplifting. Thank you!

I do have some views on this issue. And my views
are going to rattle Krystof, Steven and Ron all
at once. That's a formidable group to confront! I
have no choice on this one.

I think it's interesting how people spend their
time. Most of us don't have much extra time, but
it's clear this issue has made activists of a lot
of people. They find the time for this. 

Krystof complained about John Schrag at the
NewsTimes, that there has been only one article
on the demonstrations at Centro. I thought about
the incredible coverage my group has had, as we
have tried to raise funds for family shelters and
change the face of the homeless from lazy drunk
males to real live children who don't have a bed
of their own in which to sleep. John and the NT
have been so helpful to our effort and we are so
grateful. Their reporters have dug into
homelessness deeply, writing about the twelve
year old girl who washes for school in a filling
station rest room.

I was thinking about Krystof's complaint, and it
made me respect John even more. This minute man
movement isn't about helping our neighbors. It's
about keeping what belongs to the citizens of the
richest nation on earth all to themselves. Is it
not ironic that our country, with all our
"things" and wealth and privilege and good
fortune, when a third world country happens to be
on our boarder and they want some, too, we
respond with this sort of vigilantism. I'm
utterly contemptuous of this sort of response to
these people.

I completely agree laws are being broken. Jesus
broke the laws, too. We crucified Him. Now let's
get the Latinos. How despicable!

When I was in Mexico, I was welcomed and treated
with respect. They are a wonderful people who
live in the poverty you were considerate enough
to inquire about. There is no opportunity there.
There is only desperation. Why do we think they
come here in the first place, risking death,
deportation, insults (they are a proud people),
discrimination? Do we think they have another
option?

I love these people. They learn English quickly,
and they are proud to use it in my experience. I
have hired many, and they work like no American
(sadly). I engage them, as you did Tom, and they
are friendly and warm. I care about them and they
care back. 

When I first pick them up, they sometimes are
suspicious. They are frequently stiffed, or paid
much less than fair wages. Once they sense I will
be respectful and fair, they give their all. Such
wonderful people.

Some are illegal. Some work on construction crews
and they go down for a days work when they are
laid off. I don't inquire about their legal
status. I give them work when I have it, and I
will again. They are human beings. When the law
conflicts as it does in this case, I say change
the law. 

The minute men are patriots. How do I know? What
could be more in keeping with our nations
Independence than the minute men of the
revolution from which they take their name? They
wave American flags, too. They fight the
invaders. Ready to come to battle when the bugle
sounds.

I wonder if any of the minute men can say they
declare all their income?

This is a winner, though. This is the American
brown shirts, and this issue will unite the
bullies (excuse me, patriots) and inflame them
like nothing else. Are they concerned with others
suffering? Absolutely not. They care only for
themselves. What a great way to blow off their
anger and frustration.

I see JJSaw has returned to us. This is the
perfect issue for him. Welcome back JJSaw.

Ed, I watched some of the videos that Krystof
shared with us. I want to say how proud I am
about Paul Rubinstein, the chief of the Cornelius
police. Did you see the clip of the two sides,
the Hispanic supporters on one side of the
street, and the minute men on the other side of
the street? The minute men, bullies that they
are, wanted to cross over. The chief asked them
not to do it. It's an interesting clip.

I know some of you are indignant that the laws
are not enforced. But they are enforced! The
scale of the problem is huge! These hard working
people who raise quiet respectful children and
take care of their parents are the reason I
overlook the law in this case. I look to a law
the bully boys know nothing about. Do you think
Jesus died so you could have a gun? Do you see
your role as confronting a man who only wants to
work? How dare you! How dare you! How dare you! 

--- "a_tom_51 at juno.com" <a_tom_51 at juno.com>
wrote:

> Hey, 
> grovnetters are getting my posts and I'm not
> seeing mine except when someone replies. What
> gives?
> I did not mean to make my question about Centro
> complicated or to set up additional comments
> from me I was thinking how when I look at the
> "big picture" I wish that our borders were not
> so open. When the world gets down to
> individuals, the perspective can change. My son
> was riding the bus a while back and met a guy
> who had worked all night and was heading to
> Centro to pick up some extra work. He had not
> had anything to eat for about 20 hours.
> I have used workers from Centro on four
> occasions over the years. The deal is you
> negotiate a wage (present day is about $10/
> hour) and provide a meal. Usually I get two
> guys and because I don't speak Spanish I always
> ask for at least one who speaks English. I have
> had pretty good luck with guys who work hard.
> One was a clinker. This past Saturday we went
> over there around mid-day. My son, Nate speaks
> fluent Spanish so I didn't need to worry about
> language. 
> If you drive up there on a Saturday morning it
> can almost be intimidating. They almost swarm
> your car. Last Saturday there were about a
> dozen guys. This time I only needed one. A
> couple were calling out "choose one, choose
> one!" Before I knew it one hopped into my
> vehicle. His name was Juan. I wished I had work
> for all of them. 
> Juan's story is that he is married and has two
> kids in Mexico. He plans to be here a year and
> earn enough money to buy a house. At home he
> makes about $10 a day. Here he gets about 40
> hours a week at $10 an hour. He usually gets
> that most weeks. An off week he may only work
> 20 hours. Still alot better than what he earns
> at home. Nate was wondering if he could keep up
> with Juan. Juan did well. Nate said Juan paced
> himself with whatever pace Nate was working.
> Nate works a good pace. I've had some guys from
> Centro who have really worked a hard pace.
> I have no idea about Juans legality to be here.
> I didn't ask nor would I want to. I got to
> thinking about the controversy and assumed that
> the buildings at Centro were paid for by some
> governmental programs and assumed that most of
> the workers ther were not legally here. I
> figured that someone on the grovenet would have
> an idea or two about Centro. Thanks Bob.
> Buildings that size are expensive. Any idea how
> much of the cost was covered by tax money.
> Now, anybody know why I can't see my own posts
> on grovenet?
> Tom Alexander
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