Immigration

[Violet]

[tackattack]

My overall point (other than to start up a general conversation in which I really have no drive to discuss because I said I would) was that it's counter-productive for Mexicans (illegal and legal citizens) to protest entry to and equal rights in good standing with the US while demonstrating their lack of concern for America (ie. burning an American flag, attacking peaceful protesters, etc.). If they want asylum from persecution/life because you're born someplace you prefer not to be, or you just seek better opportunities, wouldn't disrespecting it's inhabitants warrent a deportation? Should there be a difference between citizens that are , naturalized, native or have 2 citizenships?

[Anomalocaris]

You sound like a total bigot.

That's my opinion.

...... In our case I'm only for letting people in when there is a genuine shortage in skilled labor in the specific area, they can bring their culture with them all they like, in fact I welcome it.

ditto

[Shell B]

I think we should just blare Lady Gaga at the Mexican border. Whoever can make it through without their brain bleeding is strong enough to be an American. Alternatively, we could just make a really complicated maze there. That way, we only get the smartest Mexicans. As for the Canadians, they need to stay on their side.

[tackattack]

I just used Mexicans as an example because when Sae asked me to post something serious the news channel had a story about mexicans protesting by burning a huge American flag, spitting on it and stomping it. I could really give a rats ass if anyone here things I'm a bigot. I'm not without some degree of prejudices (because I think they're impossible to escape) but I'm far from the bigoted asshole people would like to make me out to be, take it or leave it. I started up a serious conversation and I'm willing to rationally discuss it when baseless assertions aren't being thrown at me. If I'd have said Chinese imports or Islamic terrorists you'd probably have the same opinion so wtf ever.

[Shell B]

I just used Mexicans as an example because when Sae asked me to post something serious the news channel had a story about mexicans protesting by burning a huge American flag, spitting on it and stomping it. I could really give a rats ass if anyone here things I'm a bigot. I'm not without some degree of prejudices (because I think they're impossible to escape) but I'm far from the bigoted asshole people would like to make me out to be, take it or leave it. I started up a serious conversation and I'm willing to rationally discuss it when baseless assertions aren't being thrown at me. If I'd have said Chinese imports or Islamic terrorists you'd probably have the same opinion so wtf ever.

Tack, I didn't use the Mexican example because you did. I used it of my own accord, not as a judgment against your assertions.

Personally, I think we all have our own prejudices. I try to avoid them like the plague and rethink my stance whenever I find myself basing an opinion on a prejudice (even when it comes to Christians ).

I think immigration needs to be controlled and it is. Illegal immigration is really the issue here, I think and that needs to be controlled as well. That being said, I am not entirely sure that every cook I worked with during my ten years in a kitchen was legal and I liked nearly all of them (except the bitch that could never stop talking and caused me to take a fucking chunk out of my thumb with a chef knife).

Do I think we should shoot people when they cross the border? No, I do not think that is necessary, unless they start shooting at border patrol agents.

[tackattack]

I know shell, but Chuck was probably using it to support his view of me being a bigot, when it was merely happenstance. Immigrations is controlled, poorly. Illegal immigration isn't and you're right that is part of the issue here. I like lots of different people who are here on a green card or not legally at all. All of them though are just as appalled at those (some illegal and some legal, simply extremist) who would disrespect the country they're either hiding out in or looking to get into. Do I think we should start shooting illegal immigrants? not as a first (or even second or third in my example) resort but a line's already been drawn and we're just not enforcing it.

[Shell B]

Here's the thing, illegal immigrants aren't the only people "disrespecting" the country. However, it is the right of any person to disrespect whatever they want. I don't think that a few represent the masses. Nor do I think that disrespect is justification of deadly force.

[tackattack]

I agree ignorance is everywhere. Rednecks piss on the flag because it's the "North's " flag, and get very offended when you see the confederate flag and ask "didn't the south lose that war?" But to get the unalienable rights you should at the very least be a citizen, which makes the disrespect easier to swallow rather than it coming from a foreigner, whatever the nationality.

It may seem like I'm using one as ammo for the other, but Border enforcement is really a separate topic for me than national civil rights. I'm probably just not conveying it well because I'm tired and irked (not about anything here). I agree disrespect is not just cause to shoot someone.

[Shell B]

I don't consider the rights I have national. I consider them the rights of every human being. Just because their government may not give it to them doesn't mean that I will not, to the best of my ability.