Thomas Paine called some who fought for American Independence in the Revolutionary War "Sunshine Soldiers and Summer Patriots" for limiting their service to when it was easier and more convenient. Many of the so-called immigration activists of today are "Sunshine Immigration Activists."
America has on its conscience the fact that we did not expand immigration for the Jewish citizens of Germany and Austria in the 1930's when it was clear to the world that these people had been systematically deprived of all rights of education, profession, property, citizenship and dignity solely because of their religious belief. They were the victims of state persecution and ultimately state extermination.
There are people in the world today who have fallen victim to political, religious or tribal warfare, famine and drought but unlike the people who live to the south of our sovereign border these people, whose very lives are at risk, cannot walk across an ocean to enter the United States. Yet our "Sunshine Immigration Activists" do not spend their time as champions of people whose very existence is at stake, but rather for a group who seek a higher standard of living than they have in their own country. One group seeks literally to live, while the other seeks only to live better.
These "Sunshine Immigration Activists" have encased themselves in a cocoon of self-righteousness and self-admiration seemingly oblivious to real human need. Thomas Paine would have a few choice words for these activists of convenience.
Roger Chagnon
East Cobb
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You are either an illegal immigrant or a Howard Zinn trained student.
You deny all that La Raza has stated, printed and blogged over the years. You deny the death threats by American professors in LA and Texas about taking back "their " country. You deny the existence of a group that wishes to claim the southwestern USA as theirs. You deny "reconquista".
You are either a "plant" or the most ignorant person in America.
What I read is that Roger is saying that those who defend illegal immigration yet turn their backs on people who are fleeing serious persecution and most probably death and/or imprisonment are the "sunshine immigration activists". Further I read that Roger is saying that the motivation for many of these people is not indignation at oppressive governments" but the opportunity to reach "down below the border" for cheap labor.
Either I need "Reading Comprehension I" or a few of these other posters do.
Help me out here.....
Roger????
And what is with you guys and La Raza? In context, "la raza" doesn't mean what you think. The organization began to counter the casta system of colonial Spain. It was meant to bring all Spanish speakers together to speak for unity and justice (crillos, mestizos, cholos, etc). Oh, never mind...
How about this: Can we have an amnesty program now?