Issue 118: May 27, 2002 (Memorial Day)

+== TIME-OUT PROJECT ==+

In spite of repeated failures, the Bush Administration continues its efforts to push another amnesty through Congress in the face of strong public opposition.

Some of that opposition showed up this past week in a regular feature in the Tucson (AZ) Citizen called "Citizen Teen Columnist." In a piece titled, "The key word in ‘illegal immigrants’ is ‘illegal’," ninth-grader Timothy Workman of Tucson takes President Bush to task for his dogged siding with the anti-borders special interests.

"Bush has got some nerve," writes the young man, "demeaning the meaning of American citizenship by proposing amnesty…

"It is as if President Bush is trying to please everybody, which he must believe is his ticket to a second term, and he is doing so by embracing issues that are opposite of what is the best for the citizens of America."

In normal countries in normal times, the youth are generally the repository of radical ideas, extremism and social upheaval, and the older generation represents conservatism, stewardship of traditions, and wisdom informed by experience.

But this is not a normal country in normal times.

In today’s America, we find fifteen-year-olds writing intensely conservative lines like, "If we want to lead America into the future as a healthy political state, and as an America with upright, honest qualities, then we will start with turning away the idea of illegal immigrant legitimacy."

Meanwhile, in today’s America, the Wall Street Journal, the very essence of old and established, has repeatedly proposed a radical new Constitutional amendment that would read (and we’re not making this up): "There shall be open borders." Our own president, and nearly every newspaper editorial page in the country, likewise support open borders by advocating some type of amnesty for illegal aliens.

Even before 9-11, and certainly afterwards, open borders policies are surely irresponsible. As young Timothy from Arizona asks: "Why has our country stooped so low?" Why don’t we learn from the past?"

________________

Teen Columnist: The key word in ‘illegal immigrants’ is ‘illegal’ (Tucson Citizen)

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/opinion/5_21_02teen.html

Mass deportation effort unlikely, INS chief says (Arizona Star)

http://www.azstarnet.com/star/fri/20524BORDERPATROL.html

High School Students Worry about Immigration (Chicago Tribune poll)

http://www.fairus.org/html/09126007.htm

+== TAKE POSITIVE ACTION ==+

Two days after Timothy Workman’s piece appeared in the Tucson Citizen, INS commissioner and anti-borders ideologue James Ziglar was in Tim’s hometown announcing that official U.S. policy would be to ignore the word "illegal" in "illegal immigration."

"No one likes the idea that people came into the country illegally," Ziglar said during a joint press conference with Mexican officials at the Tucson Border Patrol station, "but it’s not practical or reasonable to think that you’re going to be able to round them all up and send them home."

Ziglar admitted that economic considerations lay behind the Bush administration’s official non-enforcement policy.

We find it mind-boggling that the head of the agency responsible for enforcing the law and political will of the American people — and securing our borders — would publicly take the extreme and irresponsible position that anyone who can get into the country should be allowed to stay, regardless of whether they arrived legally.

We find it disgraceful that the old and the powerful would be so willing to risk the futures of kids like Tim simply for some short-term economic benefit to themselves.

On this Memorial Day, and in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice so many have made, please take a few minutes and contact the White House and the Office of the Attorney General. Tell them to fire James Ziglar. Tell them the man is an outright menace. If they don’t have anyone to replace him, suggest Timothy Workman of Tucson.

White House comment line

Call Tuesday morning

(202) 456-1111

Attorney General comment line

(202) 353-1555

+== QUOTES OF THE WEEK ==+

"…let us die to make men free."

From "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (original version)

Anthem for Union soldiers during the Civil War

"All of our uncles and grandfathers who fought and died for freedom are essentially just handing America off to a mass of unlawful immigrants. They wouldn’t want that, and there is nothing they can do from beyond the grave, therefore, I take it upon myself."

Timothy Workman

High school freshman, Tucson, Arizona

+==SPECIAL NOTICE==+

For Vermonters only:

If you live in Vermont and would like to become active in your state working for a more moderate and reasonable immigration policy, please contact:

Tom McKenna

TPMCKENNA@aol.com

Tags:   Bush · Timothy Workman · Tucson Citizen · Wall Street Journal · ZiglarNo Comments