Don't mess with the flag

Some folks see our flag as a representation of America's collective soul, something an immigrant should aspire to and respect. Others cite it as an expression of their freedom. Some have even entered the ground wrapped in it. That's why I completely understand the emotional responses on the Mexican flag issue, such as from Virginia Rep Virgil Goode:

"I say if you are here illegally, and you want to fly the Mexican flag, go to Mexico to fly the Mexican flag!"

Some might suggest Mr. Goode should've taken a deep breath and counted to ten before commenting, but heck with em--there's simply no justification for hoisting a Mexican flag in America unless we've been secretly conquered by Santa Ana's ghost.

However, while I understand some of the emotional comments, others appear, well, idiotic:

"The millions of young men who are prisoners in our country can pick the fruit and vegetables," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California. He said Americans should be able to "smell the foul odor that's coming out of the U.S. Senate."

Using prisoners to pick fruit? He must be nuts. Of course, he does govern in the land of fruits and nuts. But his plan is no more practical than rounding up everyone without a green card.

Maddening and near seditionist comments were also made by Latino spokesmen trying to justify the protest actions. But there's not enough spin in the universe to justify a group whose overt goal is to return the American southwest to Mexico. This tends to hit people on a primal level.

Therefore insurrectionist comments of any kind must be vigorously rebuffed by American leadership, and quickly. After all, we're not talking about people's rights here--they waived them at the border. We're talking about respecting the rule of the law. By the way, it's hardly surprising the democrats are mainly coming down on the immigrant side here, after all they seem to only worry about rule of law violations when Bush listens in to al Qaeda.

Practically speaking we've got little choice but to offer some form of bass ackwards amnesty to take care of the illegals already here. There's just too many of them.
I'd support a controlled guest worker program, but only as long as it resulted in tighter border security and tougher penalties for those refusing to play by the rules. Illegals now in the country who refused to participate would be picked up and deported. Finally, if US businesses are caught manipulating the system for their personal greed the owners should be threatened with large fines.

We really need to get a handle on this. The workers might be needed, but the process must be orderly and secure. Period.

FORE! RIGHT! 4/2/06

Mayor Bloomberg praises illegal alien greenskeepers. Sounds more like a slice into the water hazard.