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Dueling Letters To The Editor
By Greg L | 20 July 2007 | Prince William County | 26 Comments
The immigration debate is generating a wide array of letters to the editor in the local and regional newspapers, where activists on all sides are attempting to get their message out and respond to their critics. Pretty often you can tell a lot about how solid the respective positions are by the content and tone of these letters, and that’s certainly true in today’s editions of the Washington Times and the Manassas Journal-Messenger.
First up we have a rather bizarre letter to the editor by Robert Settle, who apparently believes that since it actually took a couple of extra weeks for Help Save Manassas to reach it’s 500 member goal and become the largest advocacy organization in the region that it has somehow failed. Similarly, that since the leadership has one member who is not a resident of the City of Manassas, it’s somehow a collection of outsiders trying to impose their will on the City of Manassas.
A few months ago, a man came to my city from outside (20109) and told me that I needed his help. It seems that my city needed to be saved. So I went to his meeting. He started off by telling everyone there that he needed 500 members to join his little organization.
As of July 4, he hadn’t reached his goal. This does not sound to me like a mandate for change, a ground swell of support or thousands of suffering citizens crying out for help.
I’d say that an organization that goes from nothing in April and attracts over 500 members by mid-July does have a pretty powerful mandate. Has this ever been done before in the Manassas area? Has any organization ever founded in the area succeeded in having it’s legislative agenda actually enacted by local governments within a few months of being founded? During the short time Help Save Manassas has existed, a troubling problem with unlicensed street vendors has been virtually eliminated, Prince William County has enacted one of the strongest measures in the nation to combat illegal aliens, and our success is inspiring similar efforts in Loudoun, Chesterfield, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpepper, Fauquier and Shenandoah Counties. I wonder what the standard of success required to satisfy Robert Settle would actually be, if this is insufficient.
Next we have Allison Kipp, who managed to pick apart in detail the comments of Walter Tejada, vice chairman of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors. It’s actually a pretty rare thing for a regular citizen to get their letter to the editor published in the Washington Times, which tends to favor those from recognizable organizations, elected officials and other high profile people. I guess Allison’s letter was just that good that it not only got published, but was the lead in today’s edition:
On July 13, The Washington Times published the article “County’s alien crackdown may spread to other areas” (Metropolitan), for which Walter Tejada, vice chairman of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors, provided the following comments: “A vocal, angry minority in their locality has manipulated the system… to convince the political leaders to enact a very punitive, anti-immigrant resolution. We now see in Prince William County an example of government-sanctioned xenophobia. If anger and divisiveness is what they intended to achieve, they have succeeded.”
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors, the social welfare group Help Save Manassas and supporters of the recent legislation in Prince William County have been accused of being racist and xenophobic. Do the accusers understand what these terms mean?
We are not xenophobic, nor are we racist. We don’t fear or hate foreigners. As U.S. citizens, comprising every possible racial, ethnic and cultural background, we do not feel we are superior to non-U.S. citizens. We simply ask that anyone who wishes to immigrate to this country follow our immigration laws and come to our country legally. Illegal aliens, regardless of race, ethnicity and cultural background, are violating our laws once they enter the United States without the permission of the federal government.
Illegal immigration and amnesty supporters cannot provide arguments against the fact that illegal aliens are just that — illegal. So what do they do? They accuse the other side of being racist and xenophobic.
The passage of the resolution in Prince William County was not manipulated by a “vocal, angry minority.” The majority of U.S. citizens do not want amnesty. We need only to look at the public outcry that took place when the Senate tried to ram an amnesty bill down our throats. The U.S. citizens spoke, and the Senate was forced to listen.
The resolution was not “punitive” — it simply denies certain services to illegal aliens who have no legal right to those services under federal or state law. The resolution is not “anti-immigrant” — an immigrant would be in the United States with the authorization of the federal government and would be entitled to certain services. The resolution is not “government-sanctioned xenophobia” because U.S. citizens do not fear non-U.S. citizens.
The only truthful word Mr. Tejada used was “angry.” We are angry because our federal government refuses to enforce our immigration laws. We are angry because the taxpayers pay the enormous burdens that illegal aliens have placed on our communities, states and our country.
The citizens have spoken, and we fully expect our local, state and federal government representatives to enact legislation to solve the illegal alien problem plaguing our great nation.
ALLISON CARMAN KIPP
Manassas
There doesn’t seem to be much question here about which side in the debate is armed with the facts and reason.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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26 Comments
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Way to go Allison!
YES, YOU GO ALLISON! And as far as Mr. Settle’s letter, Is that what they mean by “ignorance is bliss”?
All one needs to do is use his/her eyes and ears to see and hear what is going on in all parts of our country. It truly is an invasion. We need to call a spade a spade. All sides know that this is the truth. Facts are facts. The race argument only comes into play when the opposition has no facts to back up their case. How can they refute the invasion facts? I would like for them to back up their claim that it is not an invasion.
Nothing works better than to confront the fear mongerers with cold, hard facts, and then watch them sputter.
Good job Allison.
Exactly! Facts are facts…period!
Here are some more facts (population growth due to immigration legal and illegal). You will be shocked to say the least! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2RKBxR3BTI
Come to your own conclusions.
This is off subject, but it was funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dittrVB2QVo
Way to go Allison!!
It’s too bad we have to wait a couple of weeks for your next letter. We all love them over here.
I found Mr. Settle’s letter, to be a little unsettling.
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352061062&path=!opinion
Boy, this guy needs an education on where he lives!!!!!
“500 members to join his little organization.”
Hey, Greg, that is almost TWICE the size of the Republican and Democrat Parties in PWC combined!
Goes to show that you have a real issue that people care about.
Lafayette,
What a wack, I just thought about it. My adress is Manassas, Va 20110….( not to menttion the zip code change years ago)you know I bought my parent’s home that I grew up in and we always called it Manassas ( yes, it’s the county)WHAT IS THIS GUY TALKING ABOUT, I FIND IT FUNNY.
And by the way PLEASE DON’T WAKE THIS GUY UP!:
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351653731&path=
OK, here is my OPINION OF this article in the MJM:
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352061062&path=
MR. SETTLE:
“I am a 30 year resident of the City of Manassas. That’s city (20110). Not Manassas Park (20111) or other Manassas mailing addresses (20108, 20109, 20112, etc.) When someone tells me that they are from Manassas, I think City of Manassas (20110), my city.”
REDAWN:
I am a 30 yr resident of Prince William County and I share the zip 20110.
( note:other mailing addresses…, ETC ,) KEY POINT.
MR. SETTLE:
“Anyway, he told us — those of us there who were actual residents of my city (20110) — that we had an overcrowding problem. OK, let’s hear some more. I went to another meeting and lo and behold, he apparently cleaned up that problem in short order, because we apparently now had another problem”
REDAWN:
AGAIN, I LIVE HERE AT 20110, THE COUNTY, SAME ZIP CODE AND YES, WE DID INFACT CAUSE A HAULT TO THE PROBLEM OF CLEANING UP VENDORS, ETC.
MR. SETTLE:
“It appears that several long dead Mexican revolutionaries named Zapata and Pancho Villa have risen from the grave and are recruiting thousands of Mexicans and sending them over the border to come to my city (20110) to spread anarchy and revolution in the streets by disguising themselves as push cart vendors and the Good Humor Man.”
REDAWN:
MY FIRST THOUGHT IS, WELL, HITLER IS DEAD TOO, BUT YOU HAVE GROUPS OUT THERE THAT STILL SUPPORT HIS CAUSE ( AS WITH OTHER, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE)
AS FAR AS THE PUSH CART VENDORS, YES! THEY WERE ILLEGAL OPERATING BUSINESS’ AND WERE ON OUR STREETS 3 TO 5 @ A TIME ( NORMAL SIDE WALK, RUN OF THE MILL SUBDIVISIONS)
MR. SETTLE:
“I am totally confused.”
REDAWN:
I BELIEVE HE IS. WE NEED TO HELP THIS GUY INSTEAD OF LAUGHING AND WONDERING ABOUT HIS STAEMENTS. ( which I did, and now, have had time to absorb his letter and try to figure out where he is coming from)
PLEASE NOTE :http://mexicanossinfronteras.org/ , ARE NOT JUST IN OUR VA ZIP CODES AND THERE IS REASON TO HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF GROUPS LIKE HSM OR LEGAL US CITIZENS.
OK, EARLIER , I SAID THIS GUY IS WHACK AND QUESTIONED WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.
I THINK WE NEED TO HELP EDUCATE. HE IS ON THE RIGHT PATH @LEAST HE IS ASKIN G QUESTIONS AND ATTEMPTED TO COME TO SOME MEETINGS TO TO SEEK THE TRUTH.
LESSON LEARNED AGAIN, TAKE TIME AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING AND DON’T DISCOUNT IT, JUST LIKE TRYING TO BE PC, POLISHED, ETC . IKNOW I JUST DID.
From: Thetruth.
I am a 30 year resident of Prince William, zip 20111, if I join or become affiliated with your organization, am I illegal? Seriously, what do I have to do to belong. Would also send along thanks to the Washington comPost for alerting me to your organization, finally something worthwhile to read with my morning coffee. I know it has been said a million times (at least) on your blog or others, but what part of the word “illegal” do your detractors no understand. Final question: Are you aware that illegal aliens are exempt from the “Virginia Driver Fees?” Thank you for your public service, your blog is now in my “favorites.”
One more comment. By using the word “racist,” Sr. Tejada intends to stifle debate. This has long been a favorite tactic of those on the losing side of an issue, it has worked wonderfully in the past but since the word has been so misused and abused, it has lost it’s ability to shut-down discussion. Now, in discussion and conversation about the devestating burden illegal aliens are having on communities, illegal alien profiteers have taken to using the “X” word, hoping to strangle debate because their position is morally and legally indefensible.
Thetruth: just log on to www.helpsavemanassas.org and click on Membership Form. Welcome.
Some more facts…Not exactly the type of people that make good citizens!
A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center reveals the following:
(1) Hispanics are 3 times more likely than non-Hispanics to receive welfare
(2) Hispanics account for 3/4 of the increase in poverty in the USA
(3) 45% of Hispanic children are born out of wedlock
(4) Hispanic women are 2.54 times more likely to than white women to have abortions
(5) Hispanic men are 9 times more likely than white men to beat their partners
(6) Hispanics are 3 times more likely than whites to die of AIDS
(7) They are 4 times more likely to die of tuberculosis
( Hispanics are 2 times more likely to be incarcerated than non-Hispanics
(9) They are 3.8 times more likely to be in prison for murder than non-Hispanics
(10) Hispanic youth are 19 times more likely to be in gangs
(11) Hispanics are 3 times more likely than non-Hispanics to drop out of high school
(12) 55% of Mexican-Americans consider themselves to be Mexican first
How could such statistics be overlooked by the liberal media? Intentionally. They are inconvenient. They contradict the myth that liberals and neoconservatives wish to propagate: the “proposition nation.”
Since the liberal Enlightenment, liberals and (more recently) neoconservatives have championed the idea of a “proposition nation,” which is a radical break from Western Civilization. What is the proposition nation? It is an abstraction with no real place in culture, time or history. It is the view that by merely believing in a few abstractions (e.g. the American flag is good) one can achieve national identity. If Sanchez believes in X, Y, Z, then, By God, he can be a citizen too!
You people are not necessarily racists; you are just nuts. You are spending way too much time on a NON-ISSUE. There have been Hispanic immigrants both legal and illegal coming into thsi country for ages. Why is it amajor national issue now? Because Sean Hannity tells you it is.
Your issue ought to be between productive versus non-productive people. The hispanics I know are productibve and hard working. I will gladly have my tax dollars used to help make them a little more comfortable rather than spending my money on non-productive welfare recipients who just happen to be born here.
Your federal government is ripping you off on every pay check with the scam known as social security. Where is your outrage? Your federal and state governments are ripping you off daily with an unfair tax system. Where is your outrage? Local governments are using eminent domain to take property away from citizens and give it to corporations in order to increase the property tax base. Where is your outrage? The McCain-Feingold act has created the most blatant censorship of free speach this country has ever known. Where is your outrage? The Bush administration has championed the largest civil rights violations in history. Where is your outrage? This country is on the verge of having socialized medical care. Where is your outrage.
No, I get it. Your outrage is focused on the immigration status of brown people. You all must be quite proud.
I read the “facts” spouted out by BL (see above) from a “recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center”. However I couldn’t seem to find the recent study anywhere. Can you help us out BL and send us a link or something?
PW, you are obviously fact impaired, and because you do not want to become informed, you attempt to divert the issue to civil rights, or McCain Feingold or socialized medicine. These are all issues worthy of discussion but not on this venue. Why don’t you visit a school, any school, in PW county and see the amount of resources required to support the children of illegal aliens? Visit Westgate for instance. the burden is becoming unbearable. I do not want my grandchildren to be limited to 10 or 15 minutes of computer lab time a day because children of illegals need equal time, I do not want our teacher’s time diverted to help non-english speakers keep-up which in fact keeps the rest of the class down, especially when these children get no help at home because the parents are not interested in learning english. Pray you or your family never need emergency room services, illegals use the ER as their primary care giver. You ask why this issue suddenly becomes a critical national issue? Well, because it is becoming overwhelming 12-20 million here and 2-300,000 more every year. no end in sight. Ask yourself why 78% of Americans opposed the recent illegal alien amnesty bill. Most of those opposed including myself could have choked down amnesty if felons and other criminals would have been exempted from citizenship. Most of us would have held our nose and accepted the guest worker program, although there are already six programs in law. We opposed this bill because we knew that congress would not enforce the border security aspects of the bill, the river of illegals would have continued unabated. I do not care that most illegals are brown, that is a vile charge, I would ask you to be ashamed but you are probably not capable of that emotion.
How does thetruth know that any children requiring resources of PW schools are children of illegals? If the federal gov’t prohibits schools from knowing the legal status of students parents, how did thetruth get this information? Where did this data come from? Since when does resources required by students, determine the legal status of their parents? How does thetruth know that students don’t get help from their parents because the parents “are not interested in learning English”? There’s data related to who may or may not be “interested” in learning English? A survey was done? I concede that we do have many issues related to illegal immigration in this country, and HSM is trying to enact local change. But don’t make such gross generalizations that schools are being burdened solely by students of illegals. It’s not true.
ateacher,
My daughter attends PWCPS, and the students almost brag about their family and friends being here illegally.
Are you listening to what your students are saying?
My daughter had an excellent teacher last year for the first three weeks of school, until they determined they needed more ESOL teachers!!! What a crock! The teacher lost his full time teaching position, only to go back to long term substituting. The ESOL students disrupt the instruction of English speaking students(of all nationalities). I haven’t had the heart to do the math 10 minutes per class times 7classes, times appox 60,000 students, times 180 days of instruction! Now, that alot of education going right out the window, wouldn’t you have to agree?
Ateacher, visit Westgate and then return and tell me children of illegal aliens are not overwhelming th system, Consider this a dare! Talk to the teachers there and see how much help students are getting at home. Consider this a dare. After taking that little dip into the pool of reality, visit Mullen. Just wishing something isn’t true does not make it untrue.
I never said teachers weren’t burdened or that more and more students don’t need services. What I said was untrue, is that you can’t assume every one of these students has an “illegal” parent. There are plenty of students of legal parents as well that require services. And there are PLENTY of students of US born parents that misbehave in school. I don’t dispute that there are parents that don’t help their children at home (and many of them), what I dispute is the assertation that this occurs ONLY because these parents are not “interested” in learning English. Don’t ask me to go to Mullen or westgate. I work for the City of Manassas and last year 78% of my grade level population was ESOL, and 95% of them spoke passable English even if their parents did not. A school must have an ESOL teacher per every number of ESOL students. It is not a school requirement but a gov’t requirement. My school added another ESOL teacher midway thru this year, but not a single teacher was displaced because ESOL in my school is done thru a pull-out method. Schools get additional funds for ESOL teachers from the gov’t. Many ESOL teachers are not even necessary. My children attend a county school that has a high amount of Asian and middle eastern students who speak english. There is also about 5 hispanic students and they, and their parents speak English. The principal told me that she was told to hire a part-time ESOL teacher for the upcoming school year because a certain percentage of parents indicated that a language other than English is spoken at home. So even if all of these children speak english as well as you and I, the gov’t still labels them as ESOL and the school is required by law to hire an ESOL teacher even when there are no students to actually service.
WAY TO GO DAN, THANK YOU
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352117915&path=!opinio
THANK YOU JAMES KEPPLER:)
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352128374&path=!opinion
Brother Bruce
This is Luis Padilla originaly from Honduras but now a proud legal citizent of the greatest country on earth!
I watched the article at Fox channel tonight and I am excited about your work.
I often send letters to the editor and I’m sending the next letter tomorrow.
” Brother Dan, (letter 7/23) you are passionate like me and we share the same passion! I also get a lump in my throat when I hear the National Anthem. I pledge allegiance to the Flag with my right hand over my heart, my hat in my hand and tears in my eyes. Brother, I want to meet you and together celebrate our freedom that many others take for granted.
Yes! God has blessed us with brave men and women that have given their lives to gives us freedom!
And I could not agree more with you because I came from another country and now I enjoy my life here!
And I have the right and I am proud (but humble) to wave the American Flag on the back of our deck.
Why having a flag? Because APPRECIATION! But let me explain to those who do not understand…the American Flag does not take the place of God in my heart, does not take the place of my family or my neighbor but I can tell you this…the American flag has a special place in my big heart and I want to share with you my appreciation and my passion for this country!”
I also working with the Republican Party of the Rockingham Valley and I’ve asked to start a Hispanic Republican Chapter.
I want to hear from you
Luis Padilla
Mr Padilla
I’m so pleased to see you here on bvbl. I speak so often of having lived my entire life on the same block, and living next door to legal immigrants(now U.S Citizens. I have known you since kids around here could ride their bikes to Ben Lomond. Mrs. P, is who convinced my mom to allow me to go peddle to the pool. I hate it when people think we on here are racists/bigots etc. You are one of many great civic minded neighbors I frequently speak of on here, and at PWCBS meetings in the last couple of months. Please, get a hold of me stop by or you know I’m not shy you could see me at you front door anytime, and always ya’ll make me feel welcome. I hope to speak with you before Thursday, you are just the man who can me out with a little something regarding this cause. Talk to you soon. Thank you, for being a fine example for me.
I don’t like to use my name too often on here, but I think you know who it is.