Comments on: AFA Blogger: Undocumented Immigrants Like Prison Escapees

By: Robert Steinback

Robert Steinback — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:17:06 +0000

To Dick Lancaster,

Do I understand you correctly? You feel Jesus would scold me for criticizing people with whom I disagree politically? Didn’t Jesus himself criticize the people — read, the Pharisees or the money changers — with whom he disagreed?

And in the contemporary world, you believe Jesus might be raising money to “help Mexicans return to their homeland,” as the biblical Jews returned to theirs. Let’s see… the Jews sought the Promised Land after being liberated from enslavement in Egypt. Mexican immigrants are here largely at the invitation of U.S. employers who happily pay them low wages to do backbreaking work few Americans would do at twice the price. There certainly is an element of exploitation of Mexicans here, but for many undocumented immigrants, this, not Mexico, has been the Promised Land.

You have a curious view of the Bible if you believe Jesus — whose parents, according to the Bible, were emigres themselves who were compelled to return to their native Bethlehem for the Roman census when Jesus was born — would be a nativist sympathizer.

Robert Steinback
Deputy Editor, Hatewatch blog
Southern Poverty Law Center

By: Ruslan Amirkhanov

Ruslan Amirkhanov — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:01:06 +0000

Very simple Dick: A house is private property. The country is not your private property.

By: Dick Lancaster

Dick Lancaster — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:05:32 +0000

Leave your doors and windows open THINKWORLDPEACE. There are a lot of needy American families that would love to share your lifestyle, groceries, money, booze (or drugs as the case may be), and maybe even your wife and kids. And for heaven’s sake, don’t let that anger boil up in you to where you ever consider kicking your guests out. If you did, you’d become just like me.

By: THINKWORLDPEACE

THINKWORLDPEACE — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:18:59 +0000

I find it curious that people are capable of anything when threatened including crafting and passing racist laws to cleanse their states of “those people” all the while callously and maliciously campaigning against the targeted group by labeling them as sub-human with every despicable term imaginable. Here’s the problem with racist hate campaigns: they irreparably harm all people–legal and illegal–who fall into their supposed target group. And I for one, as part of that group, am ENRAGED at the vulgar, obscene hatred and ignorance of those Americans who not only fiendishly craft these laws but those who also support these laws. I am resisting with all my might the hatred welling up inside of me for “those people” who have made my life, my family’s life, my ancestors’ lives a living hell filled with racism and discrimination and have been permitted to treat us like second class citizens for centuries. I can no longer brush-off the condescension and contempt that belies their “compartmentalized illegal-only” hollow and deceitful rhetoric. In the end, HATE BEGETS HATE; to claim otherwise in the name of Christ is blasphemous.

By: Dick Lancaster

Dick Lancaster — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:54:22 +0000

Did I read Robert Steinback asking what Jesus would do?
He might start off by scolding you for criticising your brothers that don’t agree with you politically.

But in a contemporary world Jesus just might organize a fund raising campaign to help the Mexicans return to their homeland. Lord knows they’re not treated well here and Jews certainly know the value of returning to a homeland.

By: Roberto

Roberto — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:40:35 +0000

Hate has fueled our country into division and I am not surprised that we have Christian people acting like Satan . The bible has already warned us ( followers of Jesus) about them being ungodly and worldly. Lord Jesus have mercy on the U.S.A

By: Walterius

Walterius — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:00:05 +0000

As a conservative, I stand opposed to the Alabama law directing LEO’s to indefinitely detain anyone for “questions as to their immigration status.” I have no qualms with law abiding people of any race, creed, beliefs or status who simply seek a better life for themselves. However, considering that approximately 27 percent of those incarcerated in the US prison system are illegal immigrants (Procon.org), the issue of immigration status has become a political morass of panicking politicians desperate to deflect the public’s attention away from the real issues of the day.

The only way to keep illegals out of the US is the ensure that economic and social issues around the world are solved or at least moderated to give these “illegals” reasons to freely live and work in their native countries. Until then, the States and Federal government need to work out a real solution to this problem. Perhaps these “illegals” could register their status with a State, without fear of detention, pay a small fine for their “status crimes” to continue on with their lives. At least in this manner, the governments would know who these people are and why they are here. Let the lawyers handle the remaining details later. People need to feel safe from unwarranted government intrusion into their daily lives.

Furthermore, my fellow Americans consider this, what constitutes “proper identification?” I, for one do not drive, and therefore have no need for a driver’s license. The rules for obtaining state ID cards somewhat capricious at best. Ask any homeless person or certain criminal elements within our society how easy it is to obtain “legal” identification. Are the issuance of national ID cards in the works? If so, it will be a very sad day for our Nation.

Oh, and just for the record, I carry my US passport and Veterans Hospital ID cards with me at all times to prove that I am a citizen.