Letters page

Welcome to the OFIR Letters and Op-Eds section.  Here you can read Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds that have been published in various newspapers and news sources.

Letter author:
varied
Letter publisher:
varied
Date of letter:
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Letter body:

Nogales International

Reader likes Trump, but not the NI

October 4, 2016

I read the editorial by Jonathan Clark (“On big flags and patriotism,” NI, Sept. 30) with absolute amazement and disdain. Donald Trump is not a racist and his statements are taken out of context.

Clark wrote: “It’s especially good to do so in times like these, when a major-party presidential candidate, as part of a campaign to ‘make American great again,’ exploits divisions and stirs up nationalist resentment by suggesting a ban on people of a certain religion, and by labeling immigrants from Mexico – the same country that many kids’ parents and some of the kids themselves came from – as criminals and rapists.”

Trump suggested a temporary ban on Syrians, not a religion. (Editor’s note: A statement released by the Trump campaign Dec. 7, 2015 that’s still posted to the candidate’s website says: “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”)

The NI doesn’t report on the people being murdered by refugees or “illegals” coming into this country. Your paper does not report on the babies being murdered and ripped apart by Planned Parenthood. Your paper does not report on the Americans being murdered by Mexican illegals. That is what Trump was talking about. If you reported on those things, you would have so much more credibility. The Nogales International is a useless tool for getting out the truth.
How much credibility would your paper have if they printed the absolute truth about Hillary Clinton and her scandals, past and present?

Oh yes, about the flag and patriotism. I have lived down here 12 years. I go to the parades and I see more Mexican flags than American flags, not patriotism for the country that offers opportunity and potential to everyone willing to work for it.

You (Manuel C. Coppola), as a publisher, are doing a disservice to the community you serve by withholding the truth from Americans or Mexicans (legal or illegal). You printed a story several years ago of a man who had waited 20-plus years to become a citizen, yet you think because we want legal immigration we are racist. I wonder how that man feels about “illegals” jumping line? Would you consider him racist? It is unfair for the people who do not break the law to suffer because of the ones who do.

That is my opinion on this Trump hit piece by Mr. Clark and your recent piece on immigration, or lack of it. My family were legal immigrants from Germany. I am neither racist or anti-immigration, I am anti-illegal immigration.

Dana J. Hayes

Lake Patagonia

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/reader-likes-trump-but-not-the-ni/article_7771271c-89c1-11e6-9413-83a7bd8669fc.html

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MDJ
ONLINE.COM
THE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL

Gonzalez left out important facts about immigration

October 3, 2016

DEAR EDITOR:

The recent MDJ “Around Town” article in which Jerry Gonzalez of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials was quoted left out some important facts.

In addressing “birthright citizenship,” Gonzalez stated that, “There is a long history of the … branches (of government) interpreting the (14th) amendment as saying, in essence, if you’re born here, you are a U.S. citizen, although there are a few exceptions.”

A respected immigration authority, Numbers USA, quotes Supreme Court cases which point out the true intent of the 14th Amendment. “A collection of Supreme Court opinions on birthright citizenship during the first decades after the 13th-15th Amendments were adopted. These opinions suggest that the amendments apply primarily to freed slaves.”

The majority of developed countries around the world do not have “birthright citizenship.” Excessive immigration has a negative impact on the environment, precious resources, tax burdens and unemployment. In essence, out-of-control immigration is unsustainable.

Continuing to encourage illegal immigration is also dangerous. Americans for Legal Immigration PAC stated:

“The Office of Immigration Statistics reported that of the 188,382 deportations of illegal aliens in 2011, 23 percent had committed criminal traffic offenses (primarily driving under the influence). Congressman Steve King, R-IA, estimates that illegal alien drunk drivers kill 13 Americans every day — that’s a death toll of 4,745 per year.”

According to the Fox News article “Feds crack down on ‘birth tourism’?”:

“Birth tourism is big business. An estimated 40,000 babies are born to couples posing as tourists each year. The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world that automatically grants citizenship to any child born here, regardless of the parents’ nationality. While it is not against the law, lying to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. under false pretense is illegal … (They) tell hospital admission officials they’re indigent, sticking U.S. taxpayers with the cost of their babies, ‘which often exceed $25,000,’ according to court records.”

It is time to eliminate “birthright citizenship,” and take away the lure to come here illegally. America cannot afford it.

Jan Barton

Marietta

http://www.mdjonline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/gonzalez-left-out-important-facts-about-immigration/article_a19c85f6-89c9-11e6-8f90-6b921fe8dd94.html

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Portland Press Herald

October 3, 2016

Letter to the editor: Immigration policy should serve needs of Americans

I was pleased to read 1st District U.S. House candidate Jim Bouchard’s Sept. 20 letter regarding his thoughts on immigration. Finally, the political class is beginning to think seriously about the problems of our careless immigration and refugee resettlement policies.

It’s especially encouraging to hear rational thinking about it from a Libertarian candidate. However, Mr. Bouchard fails to address the two most important questions: “How many?” and “To what purpose?” What is the purpose of our immigration policy, and how many people should be admitted for permanent settlement to achieve that purpose?

I would argue that the purpose of immigration policy should be to serve the interests and needs of the American people.

As such, with wages for the middle class flat or declining; our public finances deeply in the red; chronic unemployment entrenched among our poor, and deep social divisions that need healing, it does not serve the interests of the American people to allow any further settlement from abroad.

We have our own poor and huddled masses struggling for help. Why bring in more people to add to the social friction we already have?

The recent bombings and stabbings by immigrants highlight the problem: We’ve been overly generous and indiscriminate during the last 50 years, and a moratorium to work through the problems we’ve imported is in order.

Christopher Reimer

Arundel

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/03/letter-to-the-editor-immigration-policy-should-strictly-address-u-s-needs/

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The Post and Courier
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

Letter: Immigration laws

Oct 3 2016

My wife and I were driving home from Charlotte on the morning of 9/11 after attending a concert. Americans with U.S. flags were on almost every bridge or overpass on I-77 for several miles in both North and South Carolina.

Seeing those flags and the patriotism shown made me proud that I have made South Carolina home for the last 23 years, and even though I was born in England, I am even prouder that I now call myself an American.

One thing I am not proud of is the way our immigration laws are being enforced — or not, as the case may be. Immigration laws are fully enforced on people trying to move here legally.

If you break the law and move here and work illegally, laws are not enforced, one of the main reasons for Donald Trump’s popularity.

This issue is personal for my wife and me.

We sponsored our kids to move here from England over five years ago. The best estimate is that it will take another eight years.

Our daughter was planning to visit us in August, so we sent her resume out to local construction companies. The construction industry has a documented record of labor shortages in the Charleston area.

She interviewed and was offered a job immediately. But she cannot accept this job as she does not have a work permit.

Our daughter has a college degree in construction quantity surveying and 10 years of experience in both residential and commercial construction. This is madness, especially when illegal immigrants are flowing across the border, taking jobs, and not being held accountable to the law.

Some friends have joked that the next time our daughter visits us, we should fly her into Mexico and get her to walk across the border, or donate money to the Clinton Foundation. Unfortunately neither of these is funny.

What is Hillary’s solution? She has said that in her first 100 days she would grant legal status to all illegal immigrants.

This not only contradicts our immigration laws, but it’s an affront to people who are following the law, including our kids, who are waiting on a family- or employee-based visa.

Gov. Haley, or someone else, please help us.

Paul Jinks,

Omni Boulevard

Mount Pleasant

http://www.postandcourier.com/20161003/161009900/letter-immigration-laws

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news-press.com
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

Mailbag, Oct. 2:

Mailbag@news-press.com 8:22 a.m. EDT October 2, 2016

Illegals not prohibited from voting

We have been told over and over that only citizens can vote, but we know that just isn't true. The 20-year-old terrorist who recently killed five people in a Macy's Department Store in Burlington, Washington, was not a citizen, but yet he voted in the last three election cycles since 2014. In the state of Washington, as it is in every state, all a person has to do is certify in writing that they are a citizen and authorized to vote in order to register. We hear all the time that one must be a citizen to vote, but it is an honor system. If anyone, including illegals, certify in writing they are citizens, they can register to vote. The answer I always get from politicians is, "Why would they lie?" It should be quite obvious.

Isn't it time that we consider the rights of the citizens of this country and enforce all our laws? Because we haven't enforced our immigration laws this is becoming a big problem. While we are at it, how about making sure that voters provide good identification to prove who they are. Liberal politicians are making a mockery of our voting system.

- Bob Russell, Fort Myers

http://www.news-press.com/story/opinion/readers/local/2016/10/02/mailbag-oct-2-private-poll-experience-does-matter/91261802/

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UB
Union-Bulletin.com

Building walls is worldwide movement

R.S. Ellard [October 2, 2016] 4 hrs ago

Sitting in my doctors waiting area recently I happened to pick up a Time magazine and in it was an article regarding border fences around the world. (October 2015). 

Evidently, Donald Trump or Bill Clinton were not the first to suggest building a border wall.

Several border-wall projects are and have been under way worldwide, from India, which is seeking to fence off Bangladesh to the European Union, due to anti-migrant sentiment that runs high after terrorist incidents in Calais and the Mediterranean.

 Saudi Arabia will soon complete a 600-mile wall at their border with Iraq adding to the 1,100 miles between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Turkey is building a wall along its southern border with Syria. Bulgaria is doing the same along its border with Turkey. The Hungarian Prime Minister wants to complete a fence to curb illegal immigration from Serbia. Israel of course has long had a wall. Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Slovakia have installed “temporary” barriers as well.

And let’s not forget the Korean demilitarized zone barrier.

All of these walls have been built to control the flow of immigrants and or possible terrorists as well as smugglers. But the underlying issue is the loss of regional identity. The massive increase of immigrants into other countries has forced the regional governments to invest millions of dollars that they may or may not have to spare on support services for immigrants who want to continue their cultural way of life and not blend into the local culture.

Elisabeth Vallet, an expert on border walls from the University of Quebec, says she found that building of walls was a sort of backlash to globalization.

National identity was in crisis in a world that was rapidly eliminating barriers to trade (NAFTA, TPP), communication and cultural exchange.

“Local populations are feeling that their way of life is impacted by globalization as immigrants try to come in to access free opportunities (financial, medical, educational) and that the way to retain their regional identity is to defend themselves against the other.”

So when Donald Trump says we need to build a wall, he’s joining a worldwide movement.

R.S. Ellard

Walla Walla

http://www.union-bulletin.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/building-walls-is-worldwide-movement/article_1a08f1ca-869e-11e6-8af1-1b94f354001d.html

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The Columbus Dispatch

Letter: Legal immigrants resent lawbreakers

Sunday October 2, 2016

I respond to the Monday letter “Young immigrants live in fear” from Tara Dhungana. I am an immigrant, too, who more than 40 years ago went to a U.S. consulate (outside the United States) and applied for (legal) immigration. Then I waited for about a year and a half for my request to be approved.

I was granted a green card and permission to enter the U.S. while I was still outside the U.S. Using today’s PC terminology, I was a documented immigrant (legal alien). Let me make it loud and clear that I, together with millions of other legal immigrants, deeply resent those who break our laws and sneak into our country. There is a simple word for them: criminals.

I don’t know how to solve the problem of having millions of such people in our country, but at least let’s admit what they are.

Paul Nevai

Upper Arlington

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2016/10/02/letter-legal-immigrants-resent-lawbreakers.html

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Longview News-Journal

Letters on Syrian refugees

Oct. 1, 2016

Just pick a number

Here we go again. The News Journal editor feels the need to share a blast (Other Voices, Sept. 23) at Texas Republicans for wishing to limit the relocation of Syrian refugees to Texas.

In the minds of our Democratic leadership and the left-leaning media we must have virtually unlimited immigration. It is not politically correct for us to point out the threats that a small percentage of these immigrants pose to Americans. We are to just shut up and assume the mighty federal government knows what they are doing. They assure us that there is no threat to our safety.

The facts are that in just the past few weeks attacks by immigrants have killed five and injured or maimed at least 34 in attacks at the St. Cloud Mall in Minnesota, in New York City and at the Cascade Mall in Washington state. So I have to ask the editor and those who believe as he does: How many dead, wounded and maimed Americans are acceptable before you support more thoroughly vetting immigrants and controlling our borders? Here's a hint: You cannot say that even one is too many because that number has long since been surpassed and you still support unfettered immigration. Just go ahead and state your number, Mr. Editor.

Al McBride, Longview

https://www.news-journal.com/news/2016/oct/01/letters-on-presidential-candidates-coach-role-mode/

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CENTRE DAILY TIMES

September 30, 2016

Bold, independent thinking

This administration’s nihilistic anti-American mindset policies and rhetoric has further brought about America’s economic and moral decline. President Barack Obama exhibits blatant disregard for the Constitution and rule of law. Obama is antithesis to God, family and country. Obama divides. It’s what he does. Hillary Clinton will further this agenda.

Conceit, deceit and failure define Clinton. She classifies people by race, gender and lifestyle. It’s what she does. For Benghazi, Clinton should have been stripped of her position, for her email crimes, Clinton should be (in) prison. Clinton has a proven record.

America is truly a nation of diverse ethnics, races and faiths. It is who we are. America welcomes legal immigrants, with assimilation. Key word: assimilate. Unprotected borders endanger all Americans. Flooding our country with masses of illegal immigrants falls squarely on Obama, Clinton and Congress.

Donald Trump is intelligent, resourceful, resilient, creative and capable. Trump is a flawed but accomplished man willing to take on the tremendous task of being our next president and commander in chief. Trump’s personality is straightforward, his temperament extraordinaire and his stance on U.S. immigration exceptional. He will protect our constitutional rights, by nominating upright judges. He will safeguard our borders. He will champion all people. Trump will create jobs. It’s what he does.

America needs authentic, bold, independent thinking in leadership, guidance, encouragement and dedication to liberty, hard work, family and principles. Trump is the American dream. Trump has a proven record.

We, the people, the silent majority, the deplorable must act and vote Trump.

Katie Biega, Pine Grove Mills

http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article105327726.html

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Goshen
News

LETTERS: Serve US citizens first

September 30, 2016

Serve US citizens first

In a recent open letter welcoming Latino friends to Elkhart County, the writer made a number of misstatements. Since she focused on economics initially, so let me focus on that point. Government data shows that among the lowly educated immigrants, 60 percent are still receiving government assistance five years after coming here.

Further, the National Academy of Sciences released an exhaustive report that finds immigration redistributes income and costs the government billions of dollars every year. In one paragraph, the NAS states “...bottom line, is that immigration reduces the wages of some American workers and that this reduction creates benefits for owners of capital. But that economic benefit is almost certainly eaten up by the large net fiscal drain (taxes paid minus services used) that immigrants create.” Further the report states “... In my view, the best way to think about immigration is that it is primarily a redistributive policy, transferring income from some workers to owners of capital and from taxpayers to low-income immigrant families.”

I would suggest that with a labor shortage in the area, business would be better off recruiting United States citizens to relocate to the area from economically depressed regions of the U.S. Given the immense aid we give to foreigners, don’t U.S. citizens deserve consideration, especially considering that there are still 12 million unemployed/underemployed U.S. citizens? We are indeed a charitable country, but we should not overlook our own citizens in favor of foreigners who do not have the same history, culture or allegiances we have.

— Randy Vandegrift

Maineville, Ohio

http://www.goshennews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letters-serve-us-citizens-first/article_53b083b0-51f7-572a-ad0a-4f12dc61a4b4.html

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The Augusta Chronicle

Our system is in peril

By Thomas N. Dean
Aiken
Friday, Sept. 30, 2016

If Hillary Clinton wins the U.S. presidency in November , that could be our last free election in the United States.

The politicization of the FBI and the Department of Justice by the Obama regime is complete. They failed to prosecute Clinton for her blatant, obvious circumstantial intent not to protect classified information in the State Department as she swore to do. Her whole staff was involved in covering up, deleting and ignoring freedom-of-information requests about her private email system. She set this up to hide her pay-to-play dealings with the Clinton Foundation, thinking the system would not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Fortunately, she was wrong about that, and Judicial Watch brought it to light as part of the Benghazi investigation.

Clinton is continuing the lawless path of the Obama administration and will do so if she is elected. All over the country, boards of elections at the local and state levels have shown they are not interested in either investigating or detecting voter fraud. Whenever Judicial Watch asks for records about voter registrations or voters – data which by law is required to be available – it is stonewalled. When it sues to get the information and to clean up the voter rolls as required by law, the Department of Justice opposes its efforts. It has been disclosed that in Virginia, there are many counties where illegals are registered to vote. This information had to be obtained by court order, as usual, and as yet there is no effort to fix the problem.

It is estimated there are more than 24 million people illegally registered to vote across the United States. They either are deceased, have moved or are ineligible to vote, such as illegal aliens and noncitizens being registered. President Obama is pushing the immigration service to grant citizenship to as many immigrants as possible before November. The rush is so intent that more than 800 who were identified for deportation have been made citizens.

This is the formidably corrupt system that faces Donald Trump in November. Every qualified legal voter must turn out to elect him. He will be this corrupt system’s disrupter whom we need desperately. Without him, our constitutional republic with democratic influences will be no more.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/opinion/letters/2016-09-30/our-system-peril#

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The Daily Item
more for you!

Time for major change

September 30, 2016

The article in The Daily Item about an illegal immigrant (Sept. 27) arrested after dispute has raised many questions.

What will the law do with him now? Will we put him in jail and keep him? How was he getting money before his arrest? Where did he live? Were the taxpayers already supporting him? How, if he had no green card?

I am a registered Democrat, but I have always voted for who I think will do the better job. This year I am voting for Trump because he is right on so many issues. We need a major change in Washington.

Dolores Starks,

Millmont

http://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/time-for-major-change/article_8a32988d-029e-50a7-b6ea-a43b002fce6d.html

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Yankton Daily
Press & Dakotan

Wrong On Refugees

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Charles Cvrk, Springfield

Kelly Hertz’s “Skittles” column (Press & Dakotan, Sept. 23) presumes that immigration to the U.S. is somehow a right and that there are no refugee areas in or near areas of conflict. It also presumes an unlimited budget to transport, house, feed, care for and support any and all comers regardless of the situation.

This is a patently false premise. Immigration was carefully controlled from 1924 to 1965 to assimilate the flood of immigrants from the early 20th century. These legal immigrants wanted to become Americans. We cannot say the same about the current illegal immigrants and refugees, because the Democrat Party has been busy “Balkan-izing” Americans for more than 30 years to divide us by ethnic and other means.

As to keeping refugees out of our country:

• Known as the McCarran-Walter Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 allows for the “Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by the president, whenever the President finds that the entry of aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.

• The president may, by proclamation, and for such a period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants, or impose any restrictions on the entry of aliens he may deem to be appropriate.”

And who do you suppose last used this process?

Why, it was Democrat President Jimmy Carter, no less than 37 years ago, in 1979, to keep Iranians out of the United States.

But he actually did more. He made all Iranian students, already in the United States, check in with the government. And then he deported a bunch of them. Seven thousand were found in violation of their visas, and a total of 15,000 Iranians were forced to leave the USA in 1979.

http://www.yankton.net/opinion/article_8c038ae4-86ab-11e6-b40a-1f0a1fef8b97.html

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Livingston Daily Press & Argus
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

Hillary Clinton supporters overlook the facts

letters 2:44 p.m. EDT September 29, 2016

This past week hasn’t gone so well for Hillary Clinton regarding her health and her comments categorizing Donald Trump supporters as a “Basket of Deplorables.” The backlash has begun, drawing out her sycophants to circle the wagons defending her.

Cue Gene-Gene the Lying Machine, throwback from the 70s Gong Show. Gene Lyons, the third-rate columnist from Little Rock, would rather lie from the treetops than tell the truth from the ground. His premise that illegal immigrants can’t legally collect government services, “Period,” is absurd. Apparently the “anchor babies” concept is too “hurtful” for him to comprehend. According to the non-partisan Center for Immigration Studies, illegal immigrant families receive nearly twice the amount of government benefits as U.S. natives, and do so through their children. Don’t let the facts get in the way of your false narrative, Gene.

Mr. Lyons would like to have us overlook those pesky Hillary emails by smearing Judicial Watch, “that secretly funded organization that exists purely to make bizarre accusations against the Clintons.” I guess my donations to them are now considered “secret.” The emails uncover a litany of Hillary’s pay to play efforts, her lies about Benghazi, and her outrageous “speaking fees” from those hoping to buy her influence. Regardless of who uncovered the emails, what is contained in them remains the same, and it is abhorrent!

Gene Lyons would have more credibility if he wore a paper bag over his head and went by the moniker of the “Unknown Columnist.” Gong!

Eric Havenhill

Brighton

http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/09/29/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-basket-deplorables/91279448/

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LancasterOnline

September 29, 2016

Clinton’s immigration policy will harm US

The race for the White House is underway and the verbal venom and empty promises are filling the airwaves.

Democrats boldly promise the poor and unemployed that they will be rewarded with a better and more prosperous life if they vote Democrat. In the last eight years of Democratic rule, their hollow words have failed to stop the anxiety and bloodshed in our cities.

Political activists fan the flames of discontent instead of setting an example by actually walking the forgotten streets of America and staying long enough to solve “real’’ problems. In Democratic circles, they are unaware that talk is cheap and real solutions are the only cure.

Hillary Clinton portrays herself as the quintessential humanitarian and advocates an open-door policy for America. She is oblivious to the fact that among the refugees entering America, there are likely some hardened criminals, global extremists and drug-runners who seek to destroy vulnerable Americans and their families.

Clinton and her Washington cronies expect Americans to hand over their tax dollars and naively support this policy. If Clinton practiced what she preached, she would welcome the refugees to live in her home in Chappaqua, New York, and build a sanctuary city in her neighborhood.

Liberals fail to respond when societal haters demonize our nation’s police force and blatantly disrespect our flag, pledge of allegiance, military and laws. Without all of the symbols of our freedom, we will eventually cease to be the “United” States of America.

All political parties should have a conscience and be able to truthfully tell voters that what they promise them is achievable.

Republican Donald Trump is outspoken, brash and a political nonconformist, but with the possibility of a President Clinton, I must say that Trump is looking better every day.

Kathy E. Hondares

East Lampeter Township

http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/clinton-s-immigration-policy-will-harm-us/article_405b49da-858c-11e6-8be0-374ce9190289.html

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THE MORNING CALL

America witnessing death of democracy

September 29, 2016

In 1776 a wonderful thing happened. The signers of the Declaration of Independence declared freedom for America. The signers were learned men steeped in Western culture and Christian values that were built on the ideals of Greek and Roman philosophers, holding dear the values of freedom and Western legal tradition. What followed was a democracy that has not been replicated since and has been kept alive by a good educational and political foundation.

Today some people believe we can march with our military anywhere in the world and spread this form of democracy. For democracy to work, you need learned people to follow its ideals, which is lacking in many countries. Throughout U.S. history immigrants have come here mainly from Europe, whose people were immersed in Western and Christian values of right and wrong and understood the ideals of democracy and the importance of education and hard work.

Over the last 40 years we have allowed immigrants in from a multitude of countries that do not understand these values and have watered down our form of democracy. Undocumented and refugee immigrants are weakening our ideals, which will ultimately destroy our form of democracy.

Joseph Pugliese

Lower Macungie Township

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-democracy-immigrants-pugliese-20160929-story.html

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ISD IOWA STATE DAILY

Letter: Trump is the clear choice

By Douglas Peyton, Class of 1973  September 29, 2016

Democratic Iowa State Sen. Herman Quirmbach wrote a letter to the editor bashing Sen. Chuck Grassley for supporting presidential candidate Donald Trump for his name calling. Well, senator, I am a long-time Grassley supporter and more recently a Donald Trump convert and supporter. So senator, which Hillary basket do I belong: racist, sexist, homophobe, zenophobe, Islamaphobe or a “you name it” (sic)?

While I am not a fan of name calling, Donald Trump has proven himself to be a very quick study when it comes to politics and becoming a credible presidential candidate. He met with the president of Mexico, he laid out a very detailed plan to rebuild the military, including specifying the number of ships, aircraft and weapon systems. He met with black clergy and community leaders to seek suggestions on how to help the black community and ask for their support and votes (something very rare for a Republican candidate).

When the state of Louisiana flooded, he promptly visited the area, bringing with him some financial aid, moral support, but most importantly, he brought the plight of those small communities to the attention of the entire nation.

And illegal immigration and terrorism are both issues we had better take very seriously, both of which have been early cornerstones of the Trump campaign. And senator, I am sure you are aware that these issues affect your constituents directly. Hundreds of U.S. companies employ foreign “guest workers,” who overstay their H1B visa and ultimately become illegal immigrants.

It is those illegal immigrants who we rarely talk about, but directly compete for the jobs of Iowa State graduates in the fields of architecture, engineering, mathematics, science and medicine.

Rather than be deported, those highly educated illegal immigrants will most likely be willing to work for less money and benefits, plus they don’t have student loan debt.

Most people agree that a strong workforce and family values are core components to make America Great again. Consequently, Donald Trump laid out a plan for child care and maternity leave. His goal was to do that without growing government nor creating strangling regulation and bureaucracy. His proposal not only holds the potential to strengthen the family, reduce future crime and make for a much productive workforce, but it proves his longtime commitment to supporting women who chose to be in the workforce and have a family. He calls it “just good business.”

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/app_content/article_45458c2a-7f7a-11e6-a847-1b6560519536.html

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Indianagazette.com
The Indian Gazette

Letter to the Editor: U.S. has a president, not a king

on September 29, 2016

The Supreme Court blocked President Obama’s executive action on immigration, which would have shielded millions of illegal immigrants from deportation and allowed them to work legally.

In the United States we have a president, not a king. If the executive branch could make law on its own, the consequences for our country would be disastrous. And if the rule of law becomes meaningless, the very foundation of our country begins to break down.

President Obama has routinely defended his position by saying that he acted only because Congress had not passed an immigration reform bill. That’s not a legitimate excuse.

The U.S. Constitution clearly outlines the powers and responsibilities of three branches of government. The legislative branch writes the law, the judicial branch interprets the law and the executive branch enforces the law. Nowhere does it say that if Congress does not act in accordance with the president’s wishes, then he or she has the ability to act on his or her own.

If a president believes Congress should take action on a particular topic, he or she can use the bully pulpit to pressure Congress. He or she can threaten to veto legislation that Congress passes.

But we as a nation must remember the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and avoid putting too much power in the hands of one person.

We don’t need a King Obama or a Queen Hillary, but we do need a president that wants to make America great again.

Rick Stancombe

Vietnam War combat veteran

https://www.indianagazette.com/news/opinions-letters/letter-to-the-editor-us-has-a-president-not-a-king,25049881/

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Herald & Review

Letter to the Editor: U.S. needs to crack down on immigration

September 29, 2016

Don't forget 9/11/2001 as you are talking about, "how did those foreigners receive training to fly airplanes in the U.S.?" Try to put yourself in the planes going into the buildings.

Security supposedly was raised, and 15 years later, we have more lone wolfs running loose in the U.S. How did these terrorists get materials to create bombs without being red-flagged? If you are a person who believes in "come one, come all" to the U.S., then I am sure you have forgotten.

Remember the Trojan Horse (which created total havoc), 9/11 and all the other tragedies that have been going on in our United States of America and ask yourself, "do you want any and all foreigners in your neighborhood?" Look around you, my fellow Americans, are we ready for a conflict like Vietnam in our country? Do we cut the foreigners off before they are admitted into the U.S.? We have to run a tighter ship in the United States of America or we will see more possible terrorists in our country.

Larry Auton, Decatur

http://herald-review.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letter-to-the-editor-u-s-needs-to-crack-down/article_b61d8619-f007-564c-93c5-74988fa86ddd.html

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AL.COM

Alabama sheriff: We need to regain control of immigration

By Guest Voices AL.com
on September 28, 2016

By Sheriff Ana Franklin, who lives in Morgan County, Alabama

Enforcing immigration laws is supposed to be a federal responsibility, but when the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent's hands are tied the job doesn't get done. Over the past few years the Obama administration has been actively undermining immigration enforcement, and dealing with criminal alien offenders in our communities becomes a local matter.

The policy of the Obama administration is to simply ignore the overwhelming majority of people who violate immigration laws, ostensibly so they can focus on catching and removing criminal aliens. But in reality, they have not even been doing that.  In the past two years, some 50,000 criminal aliens have been released from custody and returned to the streets of America. Even more frustrating for local law enforcement is that even when we arrest deportable aliens who have committed other crimes, we are told that the crimes for which we have arrested them are not sufficiently serious for ICE to deport them.

But my frustration as a law enforcement official is nothing compared to the grief of those who are victimized by criminal aliens who could and should have been removed from the country. All across the country, lives have been lost or shattered, and families irrevocably torn apart because the Obama administration is more concerned about protecting illegal aliens than it is about protecting the American people.

And although Alabama isn't considered an immigration hotspot yet, the state faces some real issues. The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated in 2012 that there were an estimated 125,000 illegal immigrants currently in the state, costing state and local taxpayers close to $300 million annually.

As an elected law enforcement official, I see the direct impact of illegal immigration on the state and its residents.  And that's why I'm calling on our elected officials to make the following changes:

- Congress and the president need to actually work together to establish workable strategies and funding to secure our international borders.
- ICE should be allowed to do its job. The public should not have to wait for an illegal alien to commit a truly heinous crime before ICE takes action.
- Congress must do its job and make sure that the Executive Branch carries out the laws as they are written, and to follow the "Rule of Law."
- State and local sanctuary policies need to repealed.  They result in dangerous, deportable criminals being released into our communities.

We can and should have a vigorous national debate about immigration policy and how to make it better serve our national interests. Enforcing our laws and protecting the safety of the American public from criminal aliens should not be a matter for debate. It should be a matter for action. American lives depend on us doing our jobs.

If our federal government refuses to act responsibly, then we as sheriffs and local law enforcement will do whatever we can to protect our communities and to keep our citizens safe.

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/09/alabama_sheriff_we_need_to_reg.html

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SANTA
MARIA TIMES

Guest Commentary
Rules needed for illegal immigration

Updated Sep 28, 2016

Illegal immigration is the most one-sided political issue of modern times, with the vast majority of Americans, both Republican and Democrat, opposed to our government’s policy of allowing unscreened illegal immigrants to come and remain here.

They try to stop them at the border, but once they have reached their destination, the Obama administration has given ICE orders to only pick up and deport some of the criminal types, and leave the rest alone, even if they have been convicted of having committed criminal actions here.

The main reason for lack of action to solve this problem is that well-funded pressure group lobbies representing those who benefit from illegal immigration buy off members of Congress with contributions to get what their clients want, which is little or no immigration law enforcement.

Usually it’s about certain industries maximizing their profits with cheap, illegal labor at the expense of American workers who won’t work for such low wages. Thus our corrupt government is forcing us to pay taxes to subsidize special interests.

There are about three very large Hispanic political organizations with the goal of helping illegal immigrants, providing money to buy big banners, organize demonstrations, put out information in favor of illegal immigrant rights.

Often they deliberately distort the truth. Rightly so they champion Cesar Chavez, a great American, and they march for immigrants’ rights on his birthday. But they fail to disclose that he was very strongly opposed to illegal immigration, because it lowered farm-worker wages. It was very difficult to convince him to come out in favor of the 1986 Reagan amnesty, but he finally did so, only after our politicians promised it would be the final and very last amnesty.

All valid studies have shown the negative effects on our country are much greater than any positive effects, because our recent immigrants are mainly poor and uneducated. Many are also good, honest, hard-working people, but when waving financial benefits at them, they quickly accept the welfare they receive legally to raise their American-born children.

Basically we are importing poverty at the expense of taxpayers. Also many illegals do not practice family planning, and they have many children they are unable to adequately care for. Some of these children will become the gang members of tomorrow.

I am a Hispanic American citizen, so nobody can call me a racist. I am a member of the Hispanic silent majority which is deeply concerned about the ever-increasing flow of illegal immigrants across our mostly unsecured southern border. They just keep coming, because our president wants it that way for political reasons.

Now, with the encouragement of our leaders, even recent arrivals will get amnesty with their easy-to-obtain false documents our government won’t have the resources nor manpower to verify. Thus it will be easy for them to show they were here before any established cutoff date.

In opposition to the Hispanic organizations that defend illegal immigration, there are about four fighting against illegal immigration. By far the largest is the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Everything printed in its monthly newsletter is very carefully checked out for accuracy. Their experts propose the following solutions:

Making E-Verify mandatory to eliminate the job magnet, so nobody illegally here can be employed here.

Increase or decrease legal immigration in accordance with our labor needs.

Update the H-2A Farm Workers Visa Program, so farmers will want to use it to obtain their workers legally.

Remove and deport illegals slowly due to the logistics problems, especially those taking American jobs our unskilled and semiskilled people need.

Sally Rodriguez is an activist for Federation for American Immigration Reform, and the Central California Immigration Reform groups.

http://santamariatimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/commentary/guest_commentary/rules-needed-for-illegal-immigration/article_6ced5d35-a6e6-5c81-a346-2a101a6299e2.html

Letter author:
various
Letter publisher:
various
Date of letter:
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Letter body:

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Trump trying to address illegal immigration

September 28, 2016

Like columnist Tony Messenger, I have immigrant roots “Family Bible has as insight on history of immigration” (Sept. 26). I emigrated from Belgium 50 years ago at the age of 7, similar to Messenger's family and the Somali family in St. Cloud, Minn.

However, our stories are not the same as what Donald Trump is trying to address. My family came here legally, as I presume the Somali family and Messenger family did. We went through the process. When we came here, my parents took the required classes for citizenship. When we had been here the required time, we proudly became citizens. My dad worked a menial job for low wages, but we never lived off the government. We lived within our means.

Trump is addressing the immigrants who skip the process and come here illegally. The ones who come here with ill intent. He also, in light of increased terrorism, is calling for the process to be stricter when assessing who can come into the country with diligent screening. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Messenger tried to tie two different scenarios into one. Did I face racial bias? Yes, I remember a girl beating me up because I was different. There is a difference between people being uncomfortable with the perceived racial differences, which I faced and the Muslims now face, and the issues of illegal immigration and stricter immigration processing that Trump is addressing. Two different stories.

Maria Billings  • Ballwin

http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/mailbag/trump-trying-to-address-illegal-immigration/article_6e5d32dd-5730-5e1c-b44e-0a39dff289fd.html

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THE DAILY
Evergreen

Letter to the editor: Conservative opinions

MARIO VEGA September 28, 2016

As Americans we aren’t unfamiliar to stress caused by the topic of politics. Division is nothing new to elections, and this one has been particularly contentious. However, it’s been getting out of hand at WSU.

In guest columns and letters to the editor, College Republicans are accused of being bullies and standing for white supremacy, highlighting many of the reasons why I and many other conservative students will be standing together in the coming weeks for the Trump Wall.

These pieces show a real and growing problem, not just at colleges but American society — ideological bigotry.

I, the son of Mexican immigrants, am no stranger to bigotry. I have been bullied and profiled because of my race, yet the judgment I receive because of my political beliefs, as a proud conservative, has been far more oppressing to me because we conservatives are shown no sympathy.

We’ve kept our beliefs and voices silent to avoid the glares, prejudice, and the slanderous accusations of racism, sexism and all other pejorative labels which make us social outcasts.

We aren’t silent anymore. I leave with a quote from famous WSU alumnus, Edward R. Murrow:

“We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men — not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes that were, for the moment, unpopular.”

http://www.dailyevergreen.com/opinion/article_bb41262a-850e-11e6-a4dd-63cb1a13058e.html
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The Fountain Hills
TIMES
fhtimes.com
Your news and information source for Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Obama's America

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Dave Dean

Before the smoke had cleared from multiple homemade bombs, terrorizing the two-state area of New York and New Jersey, by another Sharia Muslim immigrant from Afghanistan…

And before the wounded had been attended to by yet another Sharia Muslim immigrant from Somalia, going on a knife-wielding killing spree in Minnesota (while working as a Security guard)…

Another type of bomb was dropped on the American people, by the most “non”transparent administration in history, by the Inspector General for DHS. Our Homeland “In”security Department mistakenly gave citizenship to 858 persons, who were slated for deportation, as found to be linked to terrorism, but somehow passed Obama’s thorough vetting process, now running free in America.

To make matters worse, they also suspect the same happened last year, with an additional 953 terrorist-tied individuals who were given citizenship instead of deportation! So far, having located a few of them, working in jobs where they can harm the most Americans like police, airport and maritime security, and three with high security clearance.

As discovered in the Holyland Foundation trial, the memorandum of understanding for “Civilization Jihad,” Islamic Jihadists know how easily they can overtake America, simply by using our generosity and political correctness against us.

Obama has already begun bringing his next batch of Sharia Muslims to our shores, another 110,000 from terror states, beginning next month. His actions show more like a jihadi sleeper cell aiding the Islamic Caliphate, rather than POTUS.

We have enough problems with the few races foundational to America, watching the constant display of violent protests, turned to riots, in many cities across the country. Bringing the world’s problems to our country will devastate what is left of America – this is Obama’s United States of Islam.

http://www.fhtimes.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/obama-s-america/article_85b06efc-84dd-11e6-b1b0-63198e597f1a.html

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Los Angeles Daily News
OPINION

How much do you fear terrorism? More readers answer our question: Letters

09/27/16

We asked readers, How much do you fear terrorism?

Act with conviction to stop terrorism

Anger, arrogance and sometimes an odd, heavy-lidded malice is what I see when I look into the eyes of the militant murderers that now too often ply their hateful craft among the freedom-loving peoples of the world.

Do I fear them? Yes, because they embrace extreme Islamic Sharia law and in their self-righteous surety would gleefully kill me and everyone like me, given the opportunity.

Why? Because I do not practice their religion. Tolerance and coexistence have no place in their hearts. In their minds, they are the ones offended and subjugated by the countries and institutions of us infidels, and it is the Muslim world that has been grievously offended by the existence of Israel, and America and the United Nations must be destroyed.

So, what must the peace-loving, non-homicidal people do? Just as we did 75 years ago with the suicide killers and genocide practicing leaders and followers of the Axis countries: unite and destroy this incessant, cancerous plague at its source.

Radical Islam has declared war on everyone not like them. The civilized world cannot afford to tolerate their murderous, genocidal intolerance. My greater fear is that the leaders of the free world will passively take half-measures and hope the problem goes away.

San Bernardino, Paris, Nice, Boston, Orlando — it won’t stop unless we act with conviction to stop it.

— Richard Key, La Verne

http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20160927/how-much-do-you-fear-terrorism-more-readers-answer-our-question-letters

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Los Angeles Daily News
OPINION

How much do you fear terrorism? More readers answer our question: Letters

09/27/16

We asked readers, How much do you fear terrorism?

Fear the PC do-gooders

I fear having a conversation with a politically correct diehard. The PC do-gooders are more inclined to put little chocolate candies on the Islamic terrorists’ pillows at bedtime. These are the same people who believe by standing in their little safe spaces, the bomb debris can’t hurt them.

They say that Trump is a recruiting tool for ISIS. Those jihadists were at war with us since Bill Clinton’s administration. Remember the attack on the USS Cole? The “failed” bombing of the Twin Towers in the 1990s? Then 9/11.

Compound those facts with all the other acts of terrorism prior to Trump’s announcement to run for president and he winds up with the scapegoat’s award as a recruiter for ISIS?

We need to decapitate the snake’s head (ISIS) once and for all and stop putting little chocolate candies on their pillows at night. By destroying ISIS, the fear of terrorism will drop immensely. Any new upstart terrorist group thereafter would then think twice about it.

— Lou Solo, Gardena

http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20160927/how-much-do-you-fear-terrorism-more-readers-answer-our-question-letters

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Los Angeles Daily News
OPINION

How much do you fear terrorism? More readers answer our question: Letters

09/27/16

We asked readers, How much do you fear terrorism?

We’ve let power slip away

I fear terrorism, especially with this present administration who consider political correctness their first priority, and that includes Hillary Clinton who has shown that she has no foreign policy achievements to qualify her for the presidency.

Recently, about 800 illegal immigrants entered the U.S. and were given citizenship by “accident” because no fingerprints could be found or matched, and false names were given to authorities. We have no idea who they are or if any terrorists were included. This is unacceptable and whoever is responsible should be held accountable.

The U.S. is no longer regarded as a power due to our leadership. Obama has threatened continually that there is a “red line” and if anyone crosses it there will be consequences. Our enemies cross this red line at will and know there will be no consequences!

— Pamela Franklin, Granada Hills

http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20160927/how-much-do-you-fear-terrorism-more-readers-answer-our-question-letters

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Las Cruces Sun-News
PART OF THE USA TODAY NEWORK

Letters to the editor: Sept. 28

Story on border wall irrational and biased

The recent article in the Sun-News, “Border bristles at talk of new wall,” by Rick Jervis of USA Today, presents an irrational and biased perspective. It states that the current 18 foot wall is ineffective because interlopers smuggling drugs can easily climb over the wall with ladders or tunnel under it. The article then claims it has broken up the continuity and goodwill between Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico.

The comparison of an 18 foot ineffective fence to the proposed 40 foot wall is completely illogical, because scaling a 40 foot wall with ladders would be a formidable task. Also, if Mr. Jervis had made the effort to do a little research, he would know that there exists the technology to detect tunneling. For example, SureWave Technology’s Tunneling Alert System can detect tunneling at depths to 1,000 feet and surface distances of 1,500 feet. These systems are passive, undetectable and have the capability to transmit to a command and control center. They can also connect to cameras or other security/alarm devices.

The influx of illegal drugs and immigrants are detrimental to the United States and must be stopped. Many thousands of Americans are dying in record numbers directly from overdose of these illicit drugs. These numbers, while high, are deceptive in that they don’t include deaths from driving under the influence, or the murders related to the drug trade.

The biggest problem with illegal immigrants is that we currently have zero control over who is entering the country. They could be terrorists, criminals, drug mules or other undesirables. We simply don’t know, and common sense says we should know exactly who they are.

The concern over continuity and goodwill with Mexico is minuscule compared to the problems we have encountered due to our unsecured borders.

Larry L. Hassenpflug,

Las Cruces

http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/opinion/letters/2016/09/27/letters-editor-sept/91170374/

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THB
TheHeraldBulletin.com

Letter: Islamic immigration policies defy logic

September 27, 2016

What’s going on with more terror attacks recently taking place in Minnesota, New York and New Jersey? Thousands of Somalis, Syrians, Afghans, and others continue to be resettled in America from radical Islamic states. Further, Hillary Clinton has vowed to bring substantially more thousands of these so-called refugees into America if she’s elected president. It’s seems to me that it’s pretty logical to conclude what’s really happening.

This massive Islamic immigration is part of the globalist elitist policy to destroy the fabric of this nation, along with other western nations. Our Islamic immigration policies are so ludicrous that they could only be done if purposely planned. One with any common sense could not possibly do these plans otherwise.

Please realize that the populations of Germany, Sweden, England, France, Germany and the United States reject their governmental polices of Islamic immigration. Yet, their governments enforce these globalist policies.

Why settle all these Islamic immigrants in western nations vice Islamic nations? Other Islamic nations share comparable beliefs while western nations do not. These are not racist comments by any means, just logical deductions.

In America, Sharia law does not mix with our Constitution. Islam and Christianity have vast differences. The Koran clearly states not to take Christians or Jews as your friends. Based on this verbiage alone, there are already keen concerns.

It is the current Democratic leadership, and those Republican Party leaders who follow along, who have “purposely” brought these destructive policies upon America.

Vote Donald Trump.

Michael Imhof

Aurora, Illinois

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letter-islamic-immigration-policies-defy-logic/article_a902fb17-68a1-592b-b5ed-1ef66c6ac215.html

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The Tennessean
PART OF THE USA TODAY NEWTWORK

September 26, 2016

Readers sound off on politics

Excessive political correctness

Re: “Editorial: Refugees are people, not Skittles, and merit compassion,” Sept. 21.

Once again excessive political correctness rears its ugly head.

It has often become a way to obscure the intent, derail the message, and obliterate the truth.

In no way did Donald Trump Jr. refer to immigrants as Skittles. Rather he used creative, figurative language in an effort to point out the dangers of not adequately monitoring, or intelligently enforcing our existing laws as they pertain to our current, very serious immigration dilemma.

He is also, I believe, illustrating the dire need to guard and protect our sovereignty as a nation.

I, an older, white male, of somewhat below average stature, have no problem being compared to a Skittle, M&M, or even a Tootsie Roll Midgie!

Seriously folks, let's deal directly and cooperatively with the "real" problems of this country like grownups, and not take, or look for, offense at every little thing.

David M. Blackburn, White House 37188

http://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/09/26/letters-editor-sept-26/90917982/

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BUCKS COUNTY
Courier Times

Heroin and immigration not mutually exclusive

By SEAN SHUTE  September 26, 2016

It affects tax spending, the U.S. job market, and crime statistics. And now, illegal immigration is contributing to a deadly epidemic in America: heroin addiction.

In the form of prescription medication, opiates are already one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs available on the black market, but now Mexican drug cartels are taking advantage of our open borders and weak immigration policies by using illegal immigrants to smuggle heroin and other illegal drugs across the border. Drug cartels in Mexico aren't simply threatening illegal immigrants to smuggle drugs, they are using them as expendable couriers to carry drugs in exchange for safe passage.

The Drug Enforcement Administration's National Drug Threat Assessment of 2015 says that Mexico is the primary supplier of heroin to the U.S. The report also says that Mexican drug cartels "pose the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States..." There is a surge in supply because there is a surge in demand for heroin which is cheaper and easier to make than it was 40 years ago, so the cartels sought out a ready-made avenue for their product: illegal immigrants pouring through our unsecured borders by the thousands.

"Coming across the border is the easiest way. You cannot imagine how easy it is to cross the border," says Hector Garza, president of the Laredo, Texas, chapter of the National Border Patrol Council. "Every single illegal alien that comes into the country goes through the hands of a drug cartel."

Heroin equals crime. According to the Department of Justice around half of federal criminal cases were located around the U.S.-Mexico border. About 38.6 percent of federal convictions were immigration related, while drug related crimes were about 20 percent. This means drug smugglers make up some 20 percent of illegal immigrants and those numbers only include those caught and convicted. While illegal immigration is not the cause of the rise in heroin use, heroin use and production is overwhelmingly increased by illegal immigration.

Bucks County has some of the highest drug overdose deaths in the country because of its unfortunate location between two of the largest drug trafficking cities in the country, Philadelphia and Trenton. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from opiate overdose in the U.S. have nearly quadrupled from 2002 to 2013. The Department of Homeland Security has seized 75 percent more money, 31 percent more drugs, and 64 percent more weapons, but also claims to have seen a 36 percent decrease in illegal immigration as measured by Border Patrol apprehensions.

If this last statistic is true, then the illegal aliens coming over are more dangerous, but more likely the cartels are just getting smarter and thus bolder because they're evading capture. This was proven by a more recent Homeland Security statistic from 2015 that put the border detection rate at a mere 1.5 percent. There is something dangerously wrong with this picture.

The choice this November when it comes to border security and drugs could not be any clearer. If the voters of Bucks County are concerned about the heroin epidemic and the well being of our kids, they will vote for Donald Trump. While some of Trump's words may offend people, Hillary Clinton's actions, or lack thereof, will have dire consequences. Her policies will further contribute to the drug epidemic in Bucks County and across the nation; just look at her immigration and open borders policies, this isn't an opinion, it's a fact written in black and white for everyone to see -- more illegal immigration with unsecured borders equals more drugs, higher crime, and more families dealing with the grief of addiction and death from drug overdoses.

This has affected my family personally. Where I come from actions speak louder than words. The Border Patrol, who witnesses the drugs and violence on the border every day, have never endorsed a presidential candidate before, and yet this election cycle they have endorsed Donald Trump for a reason. It's time for the voters of Bucks County to put their bitterness and hurt feelings aside and do the right thing for our children and loved ones -- vote for Donald Trump.

http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/opinion/guest/heroin-and-immigration-not-mutually-exclusive/article_6d1bc01a-8777-5ccb-bba2-236fb121b93f.html

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NewsOK

THE OKLAHOMAN

Root out immigrants that harm America

by Your View -- Letter to the Editor Published: September 26, 2016

Since 1620, we have always been a nation of immigrants. People started coming to the shores of this country to get away from oppression, practice their religious beliefs and build a better life for themselves and their families. Our Founding Fathers were wise enough to create a Constitution and Bill of Rights to ensure freedom and religious liberty.

We're still a nation of immigrants, and this country has been gracious and kind enough to let people of all lands (legally) settle here. However, many of those who settle here aren't satisfied that they have the best life and living conditions they could ever imagine. The freedom, the right to choose and to live a life that could only be imagined is not good enough for some. They choose to harm the country that welcomed them.

It's time to root them out and send them back to whence they came; never ever to return to our shores. This should also apply to their families. If you cannot come to America's shores, embrace our culture while still retaining your identity and be a part of the giant melting pot, America does not want or need you.

I am a first-born of Russian immigrants and am blessed every day that I live in America. There is no better country in the world.

Donald M. Cohen, Edmond

http://newsok.com/article/5519446

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fo fayobserver

Letter: GOP fights 'sanctuary cities'

September 25, 2016

Thank you, GOP state legislature and Gov. Pat McCrory, for enacting state-wide legislation banning "any policy that interferes with the enforcement of federal immigration laws." The new law will force several N.C. cities (e.g. Charlotte, Durham) to change their "sanctuary city" policies.

The nation was outraged last summer when Kate Steinle was murdered in San Francisco by an illegal alien who had been deported five times. Her killing led to legislation in Congress, known as Kate's Law, to crack down on "sanctuary cities," like San Francisco, that provide safe havens to illegal aliens.

It was disgusting that U.S. Senate Democrats sided with radical activists and filibustered Kate's Law. Such legislation is popular; indeed, some 60 percent of the public supports cutting off federal funding to sanctuary cities. When the GOP House of Representatives wanted to amend the budget "Omnibus" bill to cut off funding to "sanctuary cities," Democrats howled, and President Obama even threatened to veto the whole budget, which would have resulted in a federal government shutdown.

The Democrats chose between the majority of citizens versus illegal aliens and groups like the NAACP, which adamantly support "sanctuary cities." Thankfully, at our state level we are getting action. However, Obama has intentionally failed to deport even illegal alien criminals. Hillary Clinton said she'll give amnesty and extend Obamacare to all illegal aliens. Democrats of this ilk (including Attorney General Roy Cooper, running to be our next governor) won't enforce the laws. Don't vote for Democrats.

Effie Parsons

Fayetteville

http://www.fayobserver.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-gop-fights-sanctuary-cities/article_0c52af43-5223-5e9d-9807-6c6ddf6d6527.html

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The Pueblo Chieftain

Letter: Trump defended

Published: September 24, 2016

Ms. Dolores Sanchez Maes, when exactly did Donald Trump attack your culture?

Trump has advocated the closing of our borders, just as most countries already have done, and advocates using the current immigration and border security laws to deport the criminal elements that have migrated from south of the American border.

If your culture is one of murder, drugs and mayhem, then, yes, he has attacked your culture.

And denying the existence of illegal aliens who are murderers, drug dealers and rapists is akin to sticking one’s head in the sand, right up until the time you become a victim of one of them.

John Largent

Pueblo

http://www.chieftain.com/opinion/letters/5175512-120/culture-trump-border-advocated

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NJ.com True Jersey

Trump will do what Hillary won't | Hudson Voices

By Jersey Journal Guest Columnist
September 24, 2016
BY KEVIN STANLEY

Hillary put this great country at great risk by sending/receiving classified information on her private email server. She was reckless and has put her interests first, instead of the interests of the American citizens. She has also deleted over 30,000 emails. Was there a reason why she deleted her emails?

It was also reported that an aide to the Clintons said that several of her 12 phones were smashed with a hammer. Why was that done? She raised tens of millions of dollars from foreign governments towards her foundation while in the State Department. Let's be real. These foreign governments gave to her foundation because they wanted something in return. Many foreign governments who gave to her foundation have mistreated their women terribly, so therefore why would they be so willing to give to  the Hillary's "Slush Fund Foundation"? Because all of a sudden they care about people?  They've given so much money to her slush fund, they basically own Hillary and Bill.  And she had the absolute audacity to refer to many of Trump's supporters as deplorables  Her actions alone as secretary of state were deplorable.

I've never seen or heard  in recent times a presidential candidate such as Hillary have contempt for her opposition's supporters by calling them deplorables. Some of her supporters are "deportables." Electing Hillary will be an Obama 3rd term.  He wants to bring in over 100,000 refugees from countries where the vetting process isn't good -- notably countries that sponsor terrorism, or third world countries whereby refugees will bring many diseases into this county such as Zika. Many ISIS thugs will sneak in covertly with Obama/Hillary's porous open border policy. Bringing in these refugees will put a strain on our school systems, our medical care. They will also overwork and overburden our law enforcement agencies more than what they are encountering now with fighting terrorism.

Over 30% of incarcerations in the U.S. are from illegal aliens. Islamic radical Jihadadists have attacked us on 9/11, more recently Orlando, Boston, Chelsea, NY, Paris, and Belgium, yet Obama and Hillary seem to be more angry at Trump than they are angry at the terrorists who have declared war on the U.S. and Europe. We cannot wait for another 9/11 to occur. Does anyone see the pattern that keeps increasing with these terrorist acts here and abroad? Trump sees the pattern. Obama and Hillary find it difficult to identify the source, so how can we go after these Islamic radicals if we cannot identify the source of their hatred?  Their solution is to let hundreds of thousands more refugees into this country with no borders. Very scary. The economic growth in the U.S. under Obama has been stagnant, hovering around 2%. Many middle class folks have lost their good paying jobs to temporary, contract positions. Obamacare penalizes companies from hiring employees full time, otherwise they will have to pay their medical benefits, so instead they hire employees temporary.

Electing Hillary will be more of the same we've had with Obama. Hillary could care less about minorities; all she wants is their votes. The main reason for them wanting a 100,000 refugees is for their votes and to change the entire  landscape of the U.S. at the expense of this great country.

A big question I have is, are people better off today under Obama since he took office 8 years ago? The answer is no. Crime in the inner cities is rampant, unemployment is high among minorities. Trump the outsider will seal our borders; he wants to let immigrants in our country who love it. Whether the immigrants are from Italy, France, Poland, Germany, China, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, etc., Trump wants them; he doesn't want refugees who come from countries that sponsor terrorism. Most importantly, he is concerned about innocent people here in the U.S. falling victim to Islamic terrorism. He cannot be bought, and he is an outsider who will protect this great country.

We have nothing to lose with Trump. He will bring back jobs, he will protect our borders, and he will support our military and our police. He will not apologize to foreign leaders. We must elect Trump, to avert a disaster that will be created by Hillary. We cannot afford a hundred thousand refugees, we cannot afford open borders, we must protect every life from the wrath of Islamic radical terrorism. The establishment Jeb Bush-types, Romney-types and the other sore losing Republicans who cannot stand Trump fear him, because their gravy train will be in jeopardy. Bottom line, Hillary can't even manage "classified information" entrusted to her, so how can she be trusted to manage our great country? We cannot take that chance.

Editor's Note: Kevin Stanley is a Jersey City resident. For more Hudson County Voices brought to you by The Jersey Journal, visit www.nj.com/hudson/voices.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2016/09/trump_will_hudson.html

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THE MORNING CALL

Trump will fight back against globalism

SEPTEMBER 24, 2016

Corporatism is a social, economic and political system where government intervenes aggressively in the economy, typically with political instruments benefiting corporations and harming smaller businesses and private citizens. It is also a global form of fascism, controlled through big business, government and crony capitalism to create a world run by global elites.

The Clinton Foundation and Hillary Clinton's above-the-law "pay to play," along with Apple's moving some operations to Ireland to avoid $14 billion in taxes, are clear examples of its existence. It battles sovereignty of nations — such as the United Kingdom, the USA and those in Europe destroying borders by flooding countries with immigrants — outside normal laws and historic cultural norms, as well as trade agreements like Trans-Pacific Partnership, banks that are too big to fail, etc.

It also uses racism, class envy and other issues to divide ordinary citizens, and yells at religious fundamentalism and populism as concepts of the ignorant and dangerous. Remember President Obama's negative quote about people of our nation who "cling to their guns or religion." Well, he has done it again in a more sophisticated way at the United Nations. It is time to name and fight this new form of coming tyranny. It's time to vote for Donald Trump.

Elizabeth Wetzig

Allentown

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/

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The Des Moines Register
PART OF THE USA  TODAY NETWORK

Undocumented workers shouldn't get drivers licenses

Dennis Pine, Johnston, Letter to the Editor 12 a.m. CDT September 24, 2016

You have to love how letter writer Madeline Cano [Undocumented Iowans need action, not promises, Sept. 20] glosses over the real issue. Undocumented Iowans are illegal immigrants. Since they are here illegally, why should we give them a legal drivers license? That’s like giving a car thief a new car right after he just stole one.

— Dennis Pine, Johnston

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/09/24/undocumented-workers-shouldnt-get-drivers-licenses/90749824/

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Miami Herald

September 24, 2016

Cubans for Donald Trump

We are a group Cuban Christians living in the United States, who are united in our support of Donald Trump for our next president of the United States.

▪ We support Mr. Trump because he wants to bring back to the U.S. factories and industries that were sent overseas, leaving millions of Americans without jobs.

▪ We support Mr. Trump because he defends our Second Amendment right to arm and defend ourselves against criminals and terrorists.

▪ We support Mr. Trump because he wants to do away with President Barack Obama's immigration policy that allows terrorists to make their way into our country.

▪ We support Mr, Trump because he wants to raise the country’s border security and build walls to protect us, just as we support Israel’s construction of walls to stop the infiltration of terrorists into it’s territory.

Because of our agreement with Mr. Trump’s proposed policies, we support Donald Trump for president of the United States.

Napoleón Vilaboa, Gilberto Gonzalez Tena, Nolis Mesa, Angel Gonzalez, Jose Gil and Rosalia Alea

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article103823986.html

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Voices NEWS.COM
The online edition of Voices® and Voices® Weekender

Trump President U.S. Needs

Saturday, September 24, 2016 6:00 am

To the Editor:

Donald Trump is a proven leader. The only question is are his leadership qualities, skills and instincts what we need for our next U.S. president?

He has articulated visionary policies, both domestic and foreign.

In a broad sense he has identified globalism as something that must now be re-considered.

Globalism was identified decades ago as a trend which could profit our business communities.

However, now we are witnessing the negative impact on our country as jobs have gone overseas due to cheap labor and as other countries became increasingly savvy technologically.

The 1990 technological revolution has allowed different and dangerous enemies and threats to emerge.

To Trump’s credit, he has strategically identified these threats using campaign slogans such as Making America Great Again and Americanism, Not Globalism.

Strategically, he understands that we must make America competitive again in this new world by revising international trade agreements.

He instinctively began with controlling illegal immigration, whereas Hillary Clinton has been promoting open borders, which Democrats feel is to their advantage to increase their voter base.

The Clinton-Obama failed foreign policy has created the largest mass migration since WWII.

Trump has proposed policies dealing with foreign threats, immigration security, improving domestic economics, reducing regulations, neighborhood safety, improving inner cities, education and is about to produce a healthcare plan to replace Obamacare.

Trump’s campaign strategy and tactics have indeed been unconventional, but to his credit as a non-political candidate, he has emerged as the top vote getter to win his party’s nomination. He is currently tied with his opponent Hillary Clinton.

She has yet to identify her policies and seems to spend all her time trying to trash Trump personally, which is ironic considering her personal issues.

Donald Trump is the president we need today to lead from the front and make America Great Again.

Paul von Hardenberg

Southbury

http://www.primepublishers.com/voicesnews/opinion/letters_to_editor/trump-president-u-s-needs/article_458cd288-81c3-11e6-876e-2730e385e7a9.html#user-comment-area

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TEMPLE DAILY TELEGARM
tdtnews.com

Letter to the editor
Immigration plan

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Here is an immigration plan Donald Trump should look at and implement in the United States if elected. This would solve the immigration problem this country is facing. Welcome immigrants who would be useful to our society; immigrants may be barred from the country if their presence upsets “the equilibrium of national demographics.”

The Secretary of State may suspend/prohibit admission of foreigners when it is determined to be in the national interest or when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country. The Secretary of State must keep track of every immigrant in the country. Foreigners with fake papers may be imprisoned.

Those who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned. Those who are deported and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization will be imprisoned for up to 10 years. Those who violate the terms of their visa will be sentenced to up to six years in prison. Those who misrepresent the terms of their visa, such as working without a permit, will be imprisoned.

Non-citizens will not be allowed to participate in any political life. Equal employment rights will be denied immigrants, even legal ones, in the public sector. Immigrants will never be treated as real citizens, even if they are legally naturalized.

Oh, I apologize; these are some of the requirements to immigrate to Mexico.

Don’t believe it? Check out: https://factreal.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/mexico-vs-united-states-mexican-immigration-laws-are-tougher/

Charlie R. Lewellen

Temple

http://www.tdtnews.com/news/letters_to_the_editor/article_2185c8d2-81c2-11e6-868c-8f3b6f69654d.html

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The Bismarck
Tribune

St. Cloud attack hits too close to home

Ron Carlson, Bismarck Sep 24, 2016

It puzzles me that the elected officials after three devices were found, two of which exploded, would not state anything about illegal Islamic terrorists. Now is that “responsible” or does it indicate a head in the sand?

And are we going to continue to do what Hillary Clinton desires and allow hundreds of thousands of Muslim immigrants into our country? I find it incredulous that we would allow people into our country that hate us, desire to kill us and find it impossible to assimilate into our culture.

Now you say, it is a small percentage of Muslims that are radical. What percentage is that? Five percent? Ten percent or as high as 25 percent as experts have estimated? You pick a number that is acceptable and take that times 100,000 and what is the result? 5,000? 10,000? 25,000? Are you willing to live with that number? I, for one, am not.

If you are of the like mind, please write Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp along with Rep. Kevin Cramer and let your feelings be known. After all they work for us and not us for them.

If you are of a different mind write a letter to the editor and inform me of my error in thinking. Whatever, please don’t just sit there — lives are at risk. St. Cloud is way way too close for comfort. This no longer is over there some place, it is in a bordering state.
 

Letter author:
assorted
Letter publisher:
assorted
Date of letter:
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Letter body:

DAILY BULLETIN
OPINION
Letters:09/16/16

Insecure borders put everybody in danger

I am the “woman” Donald Trump is hugging in the photo on page 6 (Sept. 1). My only son, Ronald da Silva, 29, was murdered on April 27, 2002.

The article states: “killed by a person living in the country without legal permission.” The person who murdered Ronald was an illegal immigrant who was deported and re-entered our country illegally.

It is a problem when the media doesn’t use the appropriate words to describe a persons legal status, trying to make it look and sound better.

My family left Hungary during the revolution and we legally immigrated into the United States via Brazil. We followed the rules and laws, and assimilated into the culture. But most of all, we respect this great country.

The liberal media doesn’t want to bring attention to the huge illegal immigration problem. My son, along with thousands of others killed by illegals, including all of those from The Remembrance Project on the stage at the Phoenix Trump Rally, fear everyday that we may lose another child or loved one because of open borders.

The irony of legal immigration issues is that my family “legally” immigrated to the U.S. and an illegal murdered my child.

Agnes Gibboney, Rancho Cucamoonga

http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinion/20160916/charter-schools-have-no-monopoly-on-success-letters

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Livingston Daily Press & Argus
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

Trump will stop illegal aliens and help American workers

September 16, 2016

As I reflect upon Labor Day, I urge workers, both union and non-union, to consider supporting Donald Trump for president. Mr. Trump is the only candidate who will stop the flow of illegal aliens into our country. This influx of cheap labor is taking American jobs and depressing American wages.

The influx of illegal aliens disrupts the labor market, altering the balance of supply and demand. As the supply of illegal labor goes up, the price of all labor goes down. This means stagnating wages and a lower standard of living for all those here legally.

Wages of the American middle class are under assault from an odd political coalition. The Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with union bosses to open the illegal labor floodgates. Under pressure from the Chamber, establishment Republicans feign resistance to illegal immigration while actually doing nothing to prevent it. Beholden to their deep-pocketed donors, establishment lawmakers can’t afford to cross a primary source of campaign funds. The other coalition partner, union bosses are joined at the hip with Democrats. Union bosses push the open borders policy on the hope of recruiting more dues-paying members. They push the open borders policy in spite of the damage it does to the wages of their current members.

With Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, the American worker finally has an opportunity to vote for someone who will stem the flow of illegal labor, thus protecting the economic interests of the American middle class.

Wes Nakagiri

Hartland Township

http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/09/16/donald-trump-illegal-aliens/90500138/

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The Register Guard

LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG
The view from the ‘deplorables’

SEPT. 16, 2016

Thanks to Hillary Clinton, I now know how to identify myself.

Because I want our immigration laws enforced and our borders secured, I am “deplorable.”

Because I use the term “radical Islamic terrorists” to describe the Muslim extremists who threaten the civilized world, I am “deplorable.”

Because I am alarmed at the doubling of the national debt under President Obama’s watch, I am “deplorable.”

Because I support traditional marriage, I am “deplorable.”

Because I hold in contempt rioters, looters and those who advocate murdering our police officers, I am “deplorable.”

Because I advocate personal responsibility and accountability, I am “deplorable.”

Because I oppose letting into the U.S. tens of thousands of so-called “refugees” from countries that hate us and whose ranks the Islamic State has vowed to penetrate, I am “deplorable.”

Because I am angered at some of my relatives being devastated financially because of Obamacare, I am “deplorable.”

Because I’m not politically correct, I am “deplorable.”

I’ll give Clinton credit, though. In labeling millions of Americans “deplorable,” she was at least honest about her true feelings, probably for the first time during her campaign.

JERRY RITTER
Springfield

http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/34803483-78/the-view-from-the-deplorables.html.csp

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MILWAUKEE˖WISCONSIN
JOURNAL SENTINEL
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

September 15, 2016

Today’s letter writers discuss immigration.

Violating immigration laws?

Phil Reesman gave us some great perspective on immigration in his letter in the Sept. 11 Crossroads section (“Control melting pot,” Letters).

Immigration laws have been on the books for many years. Those laws were working just fine. Our government officials enforced them and obeyed them for a very long time. Then they violated these laws, failed to enforce them and allowed about 12 million immigrants to enter the United States illegally. Until then, we had been a nation of laws.

It has been said that these officials broke the laws to satisfy a need for cheap labor, to get second generation votes in future years from the children who are born here and to allow privileged people in the public and private sectors to make tons of money when the 12 million illegals entered the U.S. Some of that money went to the political parties and PACs. Congress could have repealed the existing laws and enacted new ones, but it took the quick and illegal way.

Which laws will be violated next? Follow the money and find out. It’s been going on somewhere. There’s too much involved.

Pete Luehring

West Bend

http://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/2016/09/15/letters-friday-sept/90429864/

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Missoulian

Illegal immigrants are lawbreakers

September 15, 2016

Driving without a license is driving illegally. Illegal drivers are lawbreakers, not undocumented drivers. Likewise, immigrants who enter the United States without following the law are illegal immigrants. They are lawbreakers.

Therefore, liberals who whitewash illegal immigrants as undocumented immigrants do not lessen their status as lawbreakers. That is why immigrants find the term “illegal” offensive. They want to be respected in their lawbreaker status.

Perhaps, instead of whining about the term “illegal,” they should to do the right thing. The right thing is to voluntarily leave the United States, and then re-enter legally. If not, they should stop whining and quietly marinate in their illegal and lawbreaker sauce.

Kevin Palmer,

Martinez, Georgia

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/mailbag/illegal-immigrants-are-lawbreakers/article_8bd98360-cb3e-5797-99b9-118c89e2a638.html

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The News-Gazette

Election chance to set U.S. straight

09/15/2016

This 2016 election is a vast decision-maker. Our deadlocked Congress needs to listen to Americans.

The media are luring voters minds toward Hillary Clinton. On Aug. 23, columnist Jim Nowlan said the Illinois presidential race has been ceded to Clinton. Who promised this? King Madigan?

Some elite Republican Party members refuse to back the people's Republican nominee and are joining Clinton's campaign train. What an embarrassment to conservative Republicans. Do they believe the present government will not remain the governing body created to self-serve them? Americans, beware.

Congress needs to recognize we Americans have spoken.

We desire someone who will tell us the truth, reduce taxes, stop corruption, secure our borders, bring jobs home, reduce dependence on government, clean up the medical insurance fiasco, take care of our vets, stop illegal immigration, get rid of sanctuary cities that protect bad illegals, and build our military to where it was eight years ago -  someone to help working-class Americans, not give the rich more riches.

Obama pledged to transform America. Americans didn't pay attention to how he was doing it. And corruption followed him from Chicago to Washington.

A vote for Clinton will continue this transformation. We don't need more taxes. We need to have God in our lives. We only want legal immigrants working in America.

We want extremely vetted refugees, not refugees who are self-radicalized terrorists.

Our country is going in the wrong direction. Wake up, America. This may be our last chance to make it right.

JANI MELTON

Philo

http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-editor/2016-09-15/election-chance-set-us-straight.html

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Los Angeles Times
Readers React
Letters to the editor and readers' opinions..

Opinion Is there a compromise between religious freedom and assimilation for Muslim Americans?

September 15, 2016, 5:00 AM

To the editor: Shadi Hamid’s thoughtful article on Islamic faith and politics does not attempt to resolve the obvious contradiction he highlights. Hamid says that Muslims’ willingness to struggle for full religious freedom and nondiscrimination in the USA makes them “fully Muslim and fully American.”

(Re “Why Islam isn’t like other faiths,” Opinion, Sept. 11)

But he then goes on to explain that a theocratic state is a premise of the Islamic faith, so that if Muslims were in the majority nobody else would have freedom of religion or from Islamic religion. While focusing on the undoubted sincerity of the Muslim Americans who want freedom to wear religious garb in our society and in Europe, he ignores the theocratic intolerance and morality police of Islamic states.

Thomas Weiss, Woodland Hills

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-le-islam-20160915-snap-story.html

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Los Angeles Times
Readers React
Letters to the editor and readers' opinions..

Opinion Is there a compromise between religious freedom and assimilation for Muslim Americans?

September 15, 2016

To the editor: Hamid wrote an interesting and informative article concerning his Islamic faith, but he seems to miss the point. It’s not that Islam has failed to secularize. It’s that Islam has failed to allow others to secularize.

Conservative Islamic countries seem to have an inability to live in a society that contains non-Muslims. Forced faith is no faith at all.

Michael Harold, West Los Angeles

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-le-islam-20160915-snap-story.html

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Los Angeles Times
Readers React
Letters to the editor and readers' opinions..

Opinion Is there a compromise between religious freedom and assimilation for Muslim Americans?

September 15, 2016

To the editor: At church on Sunday, we discussed how to be more welcoming to Muslims. Afterward, I drove home - glad to live in a “secular” country where I can worship God without fear(and drive because I don’t live in a “religious” country like Saudi Arabia).

Still with warmth in my heart toward Muslims who decide to risk all and come here, I picked up this opinion piece. I could feel my heart growing colder.

I’m not so sure that Islam is “more complicated.” What I regret is when it becomes too simple. Sometimes it seems like thinking is not allowed. As an educated, intellectual Muslim, it is Hamid’s job to make Islam “look better” � show me how one can follow “every single letterr and word in the Koran” and keep from the aggression we have come to fear.

Hamid’s parents passionately claim this as “their country,” because they enjoy the fruits of the thoughtful “liberalism” that caused our founders to break away from European theocracies. Christians learned the hard way that a state dictating the religious beliefs of its citizens is unbearable.

So, as Hamid suggests, I will, sadly, call this “a difference” between our faiths.

Lynn Aldrich, Glendale

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-le-islam-20160915-snap-story.html

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Los Angeles Times
Readers React
Letters to the editor and readers' opinions..

Opinion Is there a compromise between religious freedom and assimilation for Muslim Americans?

September 15, 2016, 5:00 AM

To the editor: The opinion piece was thought-provoking. If I understood correctly, Islam is inherently incompatible with ongoing religious interpretation and with the separation of church and state, two core values of America. I hope to read scholarly articles from Muslims with differing views.

If Hamid’s article is accurate, then I wonder why do Muslims come to America? Fleeing deplorable situations at home, quality education and economic opportunities are possibilities.

Assimilation, another one of America’s core values, would be abhorrent to the devout. By definition, assimilation is not eliminating one’s heritage, but it does mean layering something new onto what one has. The negation of these values has me deeply concerned.

Carole Spencer, Chula Vista

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-le-islam-20160915-snap-story.html

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Aiken Standard

Letter: Illegal immigrants breaking the law

Sep 15 2016

Driving without a license is driving illegally. Illegal drivers are lawbreakers, not undocumented drivers. Likewise, immigrants who enter the United States without following the law are illegal immigrants. They are lawbreakers.

Therefore, liberals who whitewash illegal immigrants as undocumented immigrants do not lessen their status as lawbreakers. That is why immigrants find the term “illegal” offensive. They want to be respected in their lawbreaker status. Perhaps, instead of whining about the term “illegal,” they should to do the right thing. The right thing is to voluntarily leave the United States, and then re-enter legally. If not, they should stop whining and quietly marinate in their illegal and lawbreaker sauce.

Kevin Palmer

Martinez, Georgia

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20160915/AIK0203/160919708

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TRIB LIVE

Crack down on criminal aliens

Letter to the Editor | Sept. 15, 2016

According to a March 2, 2015, “ICE Weekly Departures and Detention Report” obtained by Center for Immigration Studies expert Jessica Vaughan, there were 168,680 convicted criminal immigrants who had final orders of removal but who remained at large in the U.S. Another 179,018 convicted criminal immigrants with deportation cases pending also remained at large.

Over 20,000 more were released in 2015.

Not reported in mainstream media: “The IRS has discovered more than 1 million Americans whose Social Security numbers were stolen by illegal immigrants, but officials never bothered to tell the taxpayers themselves, the agency's inspector general said in a new report released Tuesday (8/2 716).”

“Employment-related identity theft can cause significant burden to taxpayers, including the incorrect computation of taxes based on income they did not earn,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury inspector general for tax administration, whose office issued the report.

There must be thousands who have successfully registered to vote online. In Pennsylvania, all you need is the last four digits of a Social Security number and your address at http://www.pacast.com. The website even asks “English or Spanish”?

It is actually harder to get a driver's license or personal I.D., as you need your Social Security card - not just the number.

If Donalld Trump is elected, these 1.1 million scofflaws must be found and immediately deported along with the rest of the criminal aliens as they, themselves, are criminals. Moreover this report proves citizens should have to show their identification when voting.

Frank Kushner

Delmont

http://triblive.com/opinion/letters/11117331-74/criminal-report-security

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The Post and Courier
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

Letter: Immigrant ban

Sep 15 2016

In 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter used the authority granted to him under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (aka the Macarran-Walter Act) to ban Iranians from entering the United States during the Islamic Revolution’s Iranian hostage crisis. In November of that year, he gave all Iranian students in the United States one month to report to their local immigration office and, ultimately, thousands of Iranians were deported.

The act states that “whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”

Carter’s criterion was that, unless Iranian nationals were opposed to the Shiite Islamist regime or had a medical emergency, entry into the United States was verboten.

In fact, no less than six presidents, including Barack Obama, have acted on the authority granted by this law to exclude certain groups from entry into the United States. I do not recall Carter and Obama being represented by the mainstream media as jingoistic racists, so why is Trump being portrayed as such? Oh, I forgot for a moment, he’s a New Yorker given to bombast who rubs people the wrong way, but worse yet he’s a Republican.

Joseph Schachte

Logan Street

Charleston

http://www.postandcourier.com/20160915/160919644/letter-immigrant-ban

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Oakland Press
OPINON

09/15/16

Citizens will suffer with Clinton in White House

What if Hillary Clinton should win in November? You can expect a huge influx of migrants, immigrants, legal and illegal and others who do not plan to leave this country.

Welfare costs will skyrocket. To feed, house and take care of medical needs of thousands of migrants, legal and illegal.

Crime rates will increase with undesirables coming for free everything.

All welfare offices, etc. will be swamped with people looking for hand-outs.

The unemployment rate will jump as U.S. workers are laid off from their regular jobs to make room for the immigrants.

The legal U.S. citizen will suffer.

This is just the beginning. And the list goes on. Those of us who can pay will shoulder this huge expense.

I ask you, is this what we want for our future? If you do not like this, vote Republican.

Bruce Jacobsen

Lake Orion

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/opinion/20160915/letters-to-the-editor-presidential-candidates-and-questions

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THE MORNING CALL

Border security lax under Obama

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Sometimes I wonder if some readers realize what biased reporting does to the average voter.

In a recent letter to the editor, the writer seems to not understand the idea of legal immigration. The immigration department requires immigrants to read, write and speak English.

What does this mean to average citizens? How do you feel about "press one for English," and the millions of dollars it costs to print your bills in several languages? Why do we need several languages for our driver's license test, at a cost of millions of tax dollars? What's next? Traffic signs in different languages? For all you environmentalists, think of how many trees we would save by printing everything in English only.

Newspapers should report the news, instead of making it up. A headline after Trump's visit to Mexico said it was a failure because Trump did not bring up the cost of building the wall. Trump is only a candidate. He can't tell Mexico's president who will pay for the wall.

The real question is why President Obama hasn't enforced border security. Why hasn't Hillary Clinton approached the Mexican president to voice her opinion on illegal border crossings? Is it because she wants more border crossings?

Press one for English.

Frederick Klem

Allentown

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-legal-immigration-trump-clinton-klem-20160914-story.html

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New Haven Register
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What is the acceptable number?

09/14/16

The New Haven Register editorial “10,000 is not enough” (Sept. 5) makes me think. As an engineer I like to apply logic to problem solving. With the proposed influx of immigrants from countries with active terrorist movements and our inability to vet large numbers of undocumented, there will certainly be some terrorists that get through the system and into our country. (Isis has told us so.)

o my mind asks the question: “What is the acceptable number?” Is it 10, 50, more? Logic says there will be some, and the best minds in government agree, so I would ask those endorsing large resettlement programs to give us the number of terrorists that they feel would be acceptable?

In the many radically inspired terrorist acts we have seen there is an average number of deaths per event. For example, 9/11 with 3,000 deaths and 19 terrorists, the average was about 160 per terrorist. Orlando had 49 by one. San Bernardino, 14 killed by two, for an average of seven. Ft. Hood, 13 by one. Nice, France, had 84 by one. So, overall, there would be an average number which might be 30 or more deaths per event.

If we take the acceptable number of terrorists times the average number of casualties per act, the result is the number of dead that supporters of high numbers of immigrants from countries riddled with Isis and al-Qaida will find acceptable. Your example of the influx of Vietnamese and Cubans is out of place since it was a time before terrorism, as we know it, existed. I would really like to have these numbers studied by those actively promoting the resettlement. Hillary, since you have favored accepting 600,000 in your first term, what, in your mind, is the acceptable number of terrorists and casualties?

Just give us the numbers!

EEd Cowern

North Haven

http://www.nhregister.com/opinion/20160914/letter-to-the-editor-what-is-the-acceptable-number

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The Columbus Dispatch

Letter: Immigration woes felt here

September 14, 2016

In college, I was required to read “How to Lie with Statistics,” published in 1954. It immediately came to mind in reading the WKSU article “Immigration has traction, but why here?” in Monday’s Dispatch.

I am not suggesting lies in this instance, but the sample study, the tabulation method, the interview technique, and the way the results are derived from the figures are used to fulfill rather than to inform on the facts.

The U.S. census is the only source listed. How many illegal immigrants would respond? As with other situations in their daily lives, they tend to live in the shadows in a cash economy. It is possible that the greatest numbers in central Ohio are Asian and African, but for the most part they came here legally.

By the writer’s own admission “when counting unauthorized immigrants, Latin America moves up to a strong No. 1.” These individuals tend to come here over the southern border.

Reanne Frank, a demographer at Ohio State University, said that immigrants have little to do with any of these communities’ issues, but the article skimmed over the fact that this is a national issue, and what affects other areas has a negative effect on the entire country, including our area.

To me, this explains the traction.

George Fleshman
Westerville

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2016/09/14/1-letter-immigration-woes-felt-here.html

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Portland Press Herald

September 14, 2016

Letter to the editor: Politicians should focus on citizens, not immigration

I am weary of the “everything immigration” headlines.

Our presidential candidates’ platforms should address how they are going to make sure that all American citizens are going to be taken care of.

Our political leaders need to make the well-being of their constituents their focus.

All American citizens need to work together to make sure that we are all able to participate in the American dream.

All American citizens deserve to have some form of government-provided health insurance.

All American citizens deserve to earn a decent living wage for the work they do.

All American citizens deserve to have access to an affordable college education.

All American citizens need to make sure their senior citizens, veterans and the disabled are well taken care of. An annual, sensible benefit raise would make a difference.

We all need to work together to make sure these needs are met. Maybe then we will not feel like second-class citizens in our own country that we love.

Brenda Pooler

Portland

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/14/politicians-should-focus-on-citizens-not-immigrants/

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THE DAILY NEWS
tdn.com

Letters: Legal citizens first
September 14, 2016

Legal citizens first

I’m curious as to the amount of federal dollars, if any, Cowlitz County received for becoming a sanctuary county. Shouldn’t an issue such as this be run by the residents of the county? I don’t recall a vote on the decision or even being notified that we are now a sanctuary county, a safe haven for criminals. It boggles the mind how such havens exists in America. To defy federal law and treat illegal aliens in a manner that Americans aren’t, is outrageous. Part of being a sanctuary county is to release illegal aliens that commit other crimes before ICE has a chance to deport them. The arresting agency will not hold them for the feds. The murder of Kate Steinle in San Francisco by an illegal is a good example. He had been arrested and deported five times thanks to a sanctuary city. It’s time for the citizens (legal) of America to come first, way past time.

From the basket of the Deplorables,

Steve Moline

Castle Rock

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-legal-citizens-first/article_f2e0d853-cc95-5aff-a37a-94e299d53d02.html

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THE MORNING CALL

Terrorists, drug dealers fear Trump


SEPTEMBER 13, 2016, 6:27 PM

Remember 9/11? Then how can you possibly even consider a candidate, any candidate, that would even consider allowing tens if not hundreds of thousands of un-vetted Muslims, Syrians and Mexicans into our country? This is not paranoia or fear-mongering. ISIS has announced that it will infiltrate the Syrian refugees with their terrorist bombers. Still feel like rolling the dice with Hillary Clinton?

It could be you or your kids, friends or relatives who get blown up at the next bombing. Think about that seriously before you vote.

Donald Trump scares the hell out of terrorists and drug dealers who depend on lax borders and lax immigration laws and corrupt politicians.

Trump (the outsider) is being portrayed very negatively by the mainstream media but he wants to build a wall (no matter who pays for it); halt all illegal immigration until we can figure out who's who with proper documentation; double the number of border patrols and give them the power to do what they were hired to do; make our country strong again by building up our decimated military.

Let's all truly remember 9/11 like it was yesterday and do the right thing on Nov. 8.

Tom Heigl

Allentown

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-trump-immigration-statements-heigl-20160913-story.html

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GrandRapidsMN.com
HeraldReview

DANGERS OF CULTURAL IMMIGRATION

September 13, 2016

Immigration has given us a rich and diverse culture. Previous immigrants came to assimilate into the American culture and way of life adding their culture and traditions to the rich tapestry of the American culture. They came to offer their talents, labor and efforts to their adopted country. They came to offer their allegiance to one country, one flag, one constitution and one way our way of life.

However, not all immigrants are alike. There is a current group of immigrants that choose not to assimilate; they do not embrace our constitution, do not tolerate other religious beliefs, and regard women and LGBT as second-class citizens.

Freedom of speech and religion become at risk. This group arrives seeking humanitarian tolerance. They portray themselves as peaceful and victims of misunderstanding. As their numbers grow, they seek to criminalize free speech that might be critical, and threaten legal action for perceived discrimination. They begin to demand accommodation from their host country. They pursue consolidation of power in government, schools and courts.

As they gain influence and power, they begin to intimidate citizens to create fear and submission. They begin intentional efforts to undermine democratic government and culture. They reject and defy the host country’s secular law. They destroy churches and synagogues and establish their “one true religion”.

Do the research; get the facts. For the sake of equal rights and freedom, become informed on both sides of “diversity”.

John Nelson
Bill Mager
Lance Huebscher
Ken Haubrich

Grand Rapids & Cohasset

http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/dangers-of-cultural-immigration/article_20471ace-79fd-11e6-80e2-fb16eb6d5d85.html

 

Letter author:
Stephen A. Moser
Letter publisher:
SJ Statesman Journal
Date of letter:
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Letter body:

Another bombing in New York and a mall stabbing in Minnesota.

“Don’t worry, folks, we will find these despicable ‘people.’”

What good does that do? There are lots more to replace them to keep on blowing us up. The body count mounts and folks maimed for life, and we just keep finding them. Good job!

Despite the fact they scream Muslim sayings and ask, “Are you Muslim?” before stabbing people and use typical Islamic terrorist devices to blow things up, progressive politicians refuse to even say it’s “international terrorists.” They hold out until they know for certain it’s not a radical group of Amish, unhappy the rest of us don’t go back to horse and buggy. It could also be white Baptists who terrorize because we “dance.”

Obama just let in 10,000 more Syrians. The FBI says there’s no way to vet them because of lack of records.

Hillary wants to increase that by 500 percent.

ISIS openly uses the refugee program to slip terrorists into countries. Look at Europe.

What is wrong with this administration? They don’t prioritize the interests of American citizens. Hillary will continue filling our country with folks who hate our way of life.

Letter author:
varied
Letter publisher:
varios
Date of letter:
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Letter body:

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL RJ
Monday, September 5, 2016

September 4, 2016

Trump trip to Mexico a diplomatic coup

From our Readers

As an undecided voter, I watched Donald Trump’s speech in Phoenix following his trip to visit Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto. I think he made several valid arguments in regard to Illegal aliens in the United States. Mr. Trump discussed our government’s refusal to deport criminal aliens, its support for sanctuary cities, the promotion of widespread amnesty and the issue of turning a blind eye to Americans losing their jobs to illegal aliens who are driving down wages for everyone.

Interestingly enough, Democrat Hillary Clinton that night readied a TV ad criticizing Mr. Trump’s visit to Mexico, saying he had failed in his first attempt at diplomacy. But who really failed diplomacy? Donald Trump, who accepted President Nieto’s invitation to discuss the most serious issue dividing our two nations, or Hillary Clinton, who spurned that invitation?

Edward Skinner
Kingman, Ariz.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/letters/trump-trip-mexico-diplomatic-coup

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Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
                                                  
2014 TAPME NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

Letter: Investigate firms hiring illegals
September 5, 2016

A lot of attention has been directed toward methods to decrease illegal immigration. What would the impact on illegal immigration be if we investigated the companies which are suspected of hiring illegal immigrants and enforced existing employment laws?

RUAN REAST / Lubbock

http://lubbockonline.com/editorial-letters/2016-09-04/letter-investigate-firms-hiring-illegals#

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El Paso Times
PART OF THE USA TODAY NEWORK

Schickedanz: Organ wilderness adds to border danger

Jerry G. Schickedanz - September 3, 2016

Recently, I read in the Las Cruces Sun-News that the international border fence along the railroad tracks at Sunland Park was not adequate and needed to be replaced by a higher and stronger fence. The current chain-link fence had holes and people could cross without difficulty.

What about the border fence as you go west from El Paso? Is it adequate to keep drug couriers and illegal immigrants from crossing? The border fence degrades into just a barbwire fence that may or may not even keep cattle from going back and forth across the international border.

Homeland Security personnel report that the border is safe and secure, apprehensions are down, so the border must be safe. It is not safe just because they tell us it is safe.

They answer to the president, who has said the border is safe, and do you think they are going to go against their boss and tell you the truth? They all want to keep their jobs and get promoted.

Ranchers along the border will tell me that there are all kinds of traffic crossing with drugs and people. There are ultra-light airplanes dropping drugs at night. They fly to sidewalk solar powered lights placed in remote areas to make the drops for pickup.

A rancher has found numerous abandoned carpet booties that go over shoes to make tracking more difficult.

A party of several illegal immigrants was left in the desert by their guide and they camped on a high spot for the night. An armed and masked man came to their camp and stayed all night, but would not talk to them and he left in the early morning. They were terrified and turned themselves into the first law enforcement officer they encountered.

The list can go on and on. This activity is occurring right now in the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument.

Currently, the sheriff and Border Patrol can do routine patrols on roads, routes and ways in the national monument and Wilderness Study Areas.

They can use 72 miles of routes that the Bureau of Land Management has recorded and allow to be used under the “non-impairment” clause of managing Wilderness Study Areas. However, if these same lands are designated by Congress to become wilderness, these same 72 miles of routes will be off limits for routine patrol by law enforcement, ranchers, hunters and visitors to the national monument.

The Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument will become even less safe for the people who live within the monument and for visitors.

Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have introduced the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks Conservation Act which, if passed by Congress, will designate 241,067 acres along and near the international border to become wilderness.

This will create the same problems that Arizona has with their wilderness along the border of illegal crossing and not being able to do routine patrols in the wilderness designations.

Currently, the border lands are not safe and secure and will become more dangerous if this bill is passed by Congress.

Jerry G. Schickedanz is a distinguished chair of the Linebery Natural Resource Policy Center.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/opinion/2016/09/03/schickedanz-organ-wilderness-adds-border-danger/89841852/

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BARABOO
News Republic

LETTERS
Promised transparency is not practiced

Sep 2, 2016

Promised transparency is not practiced

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-2nd) wrote in The Capital Times on Aug. 23 that Hillary Clinton belongs in the White House because she would create 10 million jobs during her first term.

What he doesn’t mention is that like him, Clinton supports the doubling of annual legal immigration and guest workers to 2 million each plus amnesty for 11 million illegal aliens. Pocan co-sponsored the House version of the 2013 Senate amnesty bill that the Congressional Budget Office said would have resulted in 33 million new foreign workers and continued depressed wages in just the first 10 years. My limited grasp of mathematics tells me Clinton would have a lot of explaining to do to the remaining 23 million new foreign workers added to our already bloated labor pool.

Pocan supporters also should know that on June 8 he and 41 other House members sent a letter to the IRS asking that it hide from organizations like NumbersUSA the voting records of members of Congress, most notably those dealing with immigration.

Mr. Pocan is part of what President Obama promised would be the “most transparent” administration in United States history. Why would he want to keep his voting record hidden?

Dave Gorak, LaValle

http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/opinion/mailbag/article_73b5e50a-5d4b-5e29-ae02-5e8729fd710c.html

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The Augusta Chronicle

Curb radical Islam

By Roger L. Eden
Martinez
Friday, Sept. 2, 2016

Zia Rehman’s July 23 letter to the editor (“Put Sharia in perspective”) was, I think, a masterpiece of taqiyah, the deceptive practice of concealing one’s religion.

Under Sharia law, there is no true freedom of religion, speech, the press, thought or creative artistic expression. There is a double standard: one for Muslim men, and another for women and nonbelievers. Equal rights do not apply to women. In some countries, they must submit to female genital mutilation. Their testimony in court is equal to half that of a male witness. In cases of inheritance, a woman is entitled to half that of a male. If a woman is raped, under an Islamic-law court she must present four witnesses to successfully convict the rapist.

There are no Islamic countries that practice democracy in the same way as the United States. I think Islam and democracy are mutually incompatible. Under a true democracy, a Muslim and a non-Muslim are considered to be equals. Not so under Sharia law. According to some Muslim believers, the U.S. Constitution is superseded by Sharia law, as the Constitution was conceived by man and must yield precedence to Sharia, which some Muslims believe is the sacred law of Allah.

We have two congressmen and several other federal employees who are practicing Muslims. I think they should not have been allowed to fill their respective offices, because to do so, they had to swear an oath to uphold the Constitution. The fact that they did so is, in my opinion, further evidence of the practice of taqiyah. Sharia law is advocated by many educated Muslims all over the world. Many of the proponents of Sharia law in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and elsewhere are extremely well-educated. Osama bin Laden and his 9/11 homicide bombers are good examples of this.

I think immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries should not be allowed into the United States, except for those who wish to assimilate and become loyal citizens, thankful for the opportunity to improve their lot and to be a blessing to the United States – not to commit heinous, barbaric acts of terrorism. I believe Sharia law already has taken root in some parts of Michigan, Texas and New Jersey.

Our leaders at every level of authority must get off their politically correct butts and put a stop to all this before it is too late. May God bless America in spite of herself!

Roger L. Eden

Martinez

(The writer is a retired U.S. Army sergeant major.)

http://chronicle.augusta.com/opinion/letters/2016-09-02/curb-radical-islam#


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The Berkshire Eagle
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter: Sheriff is a hero doing a necessary job

The Berkshire Eagle

09/02/2016

Sheriff is a hero doing a necessary job

To the editor:

On Sunday, Aug. 28 The Eagle printed a Washington Post editorial demeaning Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He is a hero doing his job in protecting our border since our federal government under Barack Obama has decided not to uphold the laws they swore to uphold. Does the editorial suggest the sheriff just turn a blind eye?

We need more Sheriff Arpaios here. Maybe then our sanctuary city of Springfield will also uphold our immigration laws. They call him a "profiler." Profiling has always been a key element of policing. If you are looking for criminal elves, you don't spend your time checking out elderly grandmothers. I bet the majority of illegal Mexicans pulled over had other things that would lead one to think that they were illegals. Things like stolen plates, erratic driving and too many passengers.

I pray that day does not come where our open border allows a terrorist cell to enter with a weapon of mass destruction. Then you would wish that we had more dedicated public servants like Sheriff Arpaio.

Irwin Moiseff, Pittsfield

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/letters/ci_30321762/letter-sheriff-is-hero-doing-necessary-job

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The Commercial Appeal
                                                                                                                                

PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK MEMPHIS

Letter: On illegal immigration, punish the right people

Sept. 02, 2016

David Maybry

Memphis

As the issue of illegal immigrants takes front page in our news and with our politicians, it’s necessary to note the hypocrisy involved in this matter (“To build a wall?” Sept. 1 article).

Yes, as so many point out with much vigor, these people are breaking our laws. However, there is another group of people breaking the law that no one is talking about: the “law-abiding” people and businesses that hire undocumented workers.

As the U.S. Code states, “Any person or entity which engages in a pattern or practice of violations of subsection (a)(1)(A) or (a)(2) shall be fined not more than $3,000 for each unauthorized alien with respect to whom such a violation occurs, imprisoned for not more than six months for the entire pattern or practice, or both, notwithstanding the provisions of any other Federal law relating to fine levels.”

Crack down on this group with heavy fines and jail time, and you dry up the jobs.

Morally, who should we punish more, people trying to feed their families or people trying to feed their bank accounts?

http://www.commercialappeal.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/Letter-On-illegal-immigration-punish-the-right-people-392110691.html

----------------------------------------

USA TODAY

We need a border fence, and more: Opposing view

Dan Stein September 1, 2016

Instead of enforcing our immigration laws, we provide incentives for people to violate them.

Sixty-five countries have built security fences and other barriers to protect themselves from large scale migration and the infiltration of terrorists. Fences do not guarantee security, but they are an integral tool for securing borders.

In 2006, Congress acknowledged the need when it approved the Secure Fence Act. The legislation called for secure double-layered fencing along 700 miles of the border, augmented by manpower and technology to maintain overall control. Notably, both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act.

A decade later, the bill’s promise remains unfulfilled. Given the growth in worldwide migration and the emergence of new terrorist organizations, it is essential that the fence be completed and other security structures — including a wall where appropriate — be fully implemented.

While completing the fence is vital, we must not lose sight of the fact that our porous border is not the problem; it’s the symptom of the problem. Instead of enforcing our immigration laws, we provide incentives for people to violate them. Under the Obama administration, those incentives have become more enticing — on purpose.

While virtually everyone acknowledges that jobs are the primary magnet for illegal immigration, we do virtually nothing to prevent illegal aliens from working here. The Obama administration has abandoned meaningful enforcement against employers who hire them. Congress refuses to make E-Verify mandatory for all employers, despite the system’s proven track record.

The administration has also made it clear that it will not enforce immigration laws, unless an illegal alien has been convicted of other serious crimes. In addition, some 300 jurisdictions around the country shield illegal aliens through a variety of formal and informal sanctuary policies. Other jurisdictions readily provide the full panoply of taxpayer benefits and services.

If we truly want to control our borders, we must not only have physical barriers that make illegal entry difficult, we must also discourage illegal immigration by making it clear that it will never be rewarded.

Dan Stein is president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/08/31/border-fence-federation-for-american-immigration-reform-editorials-debates/89680352/

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The Daily Eastern News.COM
Tell  the  truth,  and  don’t  be  afraid.

Letter to the Editor: Good fences make good neighbors

September 1, 2016

Said Nigel Farage recently: “I would not vote for Hillary Clinton if she paid me to.”

On June 23, 2016, the voters of Great Britain declared independence from the European Union. Rule Britannia! Nigel Farage helped voters to understand the issues. The Brits no longer wished to be under—yes, under– the rule of the EU. The Brits wanted to decide their own immigration policies. They wanted their own trade policies and better fishing rights. In short, they wanted their own representative government to govern with the consent of the British people, not by a tangle of rules from the EU. Similar themes are a part of American politics as American voters approach the November election. Which of the four candidates should we choose? With Clinton, we would have a centralized government with its EU style diktats. Elections would become a bare fig leaf of tiny window dressing as representative government shrinks. Donald Trump’s immigration policy begins with “good fences make good neighbors,” or at least a step in that direction. A good fence insists we respect each other. How can there be peace if we do not respect each other?  Two other candidates? Who knows? They do not seem to know how government can be a blessing and a curse.

Leonidas Miller, Mattoon resident

http://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2016/09/01/letter-to-the-editor-good-fences-make-good-neighbors/

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The Washington Times

Exit the way you entered

By THE WASHINGTON TIMES - - Thursday, September 1, 2016

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

To be an immigration restrictionist today is to reside in a political Groundhog Day where sensible enforcement strategies of yesteryear have disappeared into a black hole. According to the press (and Donald Trump), there are only two choices for dealing with illegal aliens: Round them up to be deported or allow the long-termers — those with anchor babies and lengthy periods of job thievery — to stay. Really?

Instead, why not turn up the heat on existing programs, such as e-Verify, to make illegals’ lives so difficult that they are forced to leave on their own, the same way they got here?

Mitt Romney was roundly criticized for suggesting illegals “self-deport.” Apparently it was too sensible a suggestion for mainstream media to abide. But Mr. Romney was right: Deportation expenses for job thieves shouldn’t fall on American taxpayers.

Behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner taught us that negative reinforcement reduces undesirable behaviors, but America’s current practice of rewarding illegals with jobs, food stamps and first-world healthcare trains them to sit and stay. Democrats apparently want culturally big-government foreigners to remain and vote.

After decades of permissiveness, the government must demonstrate seriousness about immigration enforcement if we are to ever again imagine ourselves as “a nation of laws.”

BRENDA WALKER

Berkeley, Calif.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/1/letter-to-the-editor-immigrants-exit-the-way-you-e/

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The Times-Tribune

Letters to the Editor 9/1/2016

TIMES-TRIBUNE READERS / Published: September 1, 2016

Restore greatness

Editor: This should be an election of change. Instead, one party asks the electorate to continue the status quo by advancing its same failed policies, including Obamacare, illegal immigration, depressed wages, welfare abuse, civil unrest, terrorism and usurpation of legislative power. Consider Middle East chaos, nation-building and the situations in Syria, Iraq, Iran and Benghazi. Libya.

The system is broken and blame lies with the establishment and political hacks of both parties. The old-boy network will not go away by itself. We, the electorate, must fire them.

This is not the typical Democrat vs. Republican battle, but insider vs. outsider. Let us put aside ideologies and come together and correct the mess in which we find ourselves. Let’s reverse the creeping socialism that has infected our system. Let’s reject another self-serving insider whose greatest success has been her acquisition of personal wealth and power at the taxpayers’ expense.

Witness the insider piling-on of Donald Trump, not only by Democrats, but also by establishment Republicans who fear a loss of power and shamefully contribute to the media barrage against him.

Let’s elect an independent businessman who is not beholden to any political party or outside interest — free to serve his constituents and “make America great again,” bringing back jobs and rebuilding the economy. We can be assured he will protect life from the “womb-to-the-tomb,” control immigration, provide for the national defense and most importantly, appoint Supreme Court justices who will interpret law and not rewrite it.

DON FLYNN SR.

GREENFIELD TWP.

http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-9-1-2016-1.2085464

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The Mercury News
LETTERS

Piedmonter/Montclarion letters:

The Piedmonter and Montclarion

Posted:  08/31/2016 10:19:31 AM PDT | Updated:  about 12 hours ago

So just whose fault is it if families are broken up?

If your parents moved and left you behind, wouldn't that be child abandonment?

If illegal immigrant parents are deported and don't take their children, isn't that child abandonment? Who, then, is breaking up a family?

John Holmes

San Lorenzo

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_30312437/piedmonter-montclarion-letters-kaepernick-anthem-protest-black-lives

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NOOZSHAWK
the freshest news in Santa Barbara

Letter to the Editor: Free-Trade Deals Bad for America, Americans

By Diana Thorn | August 30, 2016 | 7:30 a.m.

Pres. Obama, Hillary Clinton and the socialist Democratic Party are determined to pass several so called “free trade’ deals that are bad for America and American workers. (NAFTA-TPP-TTIP) These trade deals would result in loss of American jobs, America’s sovereignty would be usurped, and power would be given to international organizations and courts to carry out and enforce the deals. Not Congress and the executive branch. Is this what you want America?

Even more frightening, we are learning about a sweeping, secretive trade deal called TISA (Trade in Service Agreement) that was recently exposed in WikiLeaks by Julian Assange. This trade deal would undermine citizen’s privacy, governments’ sovereignty, and allow the free flow of foreign labor. That means cheap labor would replace American workers.

What is TISA? Fifty-one countries would be governed by it, including the US, the European Union, and 22 other nations representing 70% of the world’s services’ trade. If passed, it would cover 80% of the US economy that falls under the heading of “services.” Included would be shipping, air travel, e-commerce, tele-communications, the internet, healthcare, financial services, engineering, landscape services, construction, sanitation, hotels, restaurants, and so on. We would be governed by international, not American laws and policies.

How would it affect us? TISA would globalize markets, functionally destroy national borders and create new corporate friendly rules and regulations in e-commerce and financial services. Simply put, TISA would seek to privatize public services and prevent countries from having any control over international corporations. It would be "profits over people.” Furthermore, it has “standstill” clauses to freeze regulations in place and prevent future rules for professional licensing, qualifications or technical standards. And a “ratchet” clause would make any broken trade barrier irreversible. Finally, no restrictions could be placed on foreign investment, corporations could control entire sectors.

And what about our privacy? According to The New Republic, this deal would allow banks and e-commerce outlets such as Amazon to send individual’s data out of a TISA country for processing, regardless of national privacy laws.

How would immigration be affected by TISA? Greatly. TISA is a backdoor attempt to allow unrestricted immigration into the US. Congress and the president would be powerless to regulate or stop the free flow of labor, work permits and other immigration requirements would be affected, and foreign workers could work without applying for citizenship. As a result, cheap labor would replace the jobs of American workers. Finally, there would be no limits on those entering our country and Pres. Obama and Hillary Clinton would have their permanent open border.

Wake-up America. TISA is a big deal. It is bad for America and Pres. Obama wants to fast-track it. Get informed and call members of Congress. If passed, it would be the final nail in the coffin of our Democratic Republic.

Diana Thorn
Carpinteria

https://www.noozhawk.com/article/letter_to_the_editor_free_trade_deals_bad_for_america_americans

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The Jamestown Sun

Letter to the editor: It’s not a difficult choice for president

By MARK SCHUTTENHELM from Jamestown Today [August 30, 2016] at 6:41 a.m.

For folks who are still on the fence regarding the upcoming presidential election, I offer some help. If you wish to have every aspect of American life continue to be ruled by political correctness, vote for Hillary Clinton. If you are obsessed with global warming and agree with Secretary of State John Kerry that air conditioners and refrigerators are as big of a threat to life as Islamic State terrorists, vote for Clinton. If you think it’s acceptable to have your ability to protect yourself and your family with a handgun challenged by politicians who enjoy 24/7 taxpayer-funded, armed security, Hillary is your gal. If you’d like to see more left-wing fanatics like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a former American Civil Liberties Union attorney, on the U.S. Supreme Court, vote for Clinton. If you think more diseased illegal aliens and refugees are a good thing for the United States, you should vote for Clinton. If you stand with the cop haters and cop killers instead of the actual cops, you should pull the lever for Clinton. If you think the taxpayer should cover sexual reassignment surgery for transgenders in the military while our vets sit around and rot waiting for basic medical procedures, Clinton is your candidate.

If you think more wide open borders and an unlimited invasion of illegal aliens is a good thing, vote for Clinton. If you have no problem with confused men and predators sharing the bathroom with your daughters, wives, moms and grandmothers, you should vote for Clinton. If you want middle-class wages to continue to be depressed by illegal and legal immigration and bad trade deals, cast that ballot for Clinton. If you think a million more Muslims, many from terrorist-friendly nations, and the associated terrorism, is a good thing for the United States, pull the lever for Clinton. If you’re a fan of sanctuary cities and you think dumping more than 20,000 criminal illegal aliens on our streets each year is a good idea, vote for Clinton. If you want to see your president pandering to an anti-police group like Black Lives Matter, stand with Clinton. If you’d like to see every illegal alien currently squatting in the U.S. made legal within 100 days of the inauguration, then vote for Clinton. If you’ve enjoyed watching the country decline toward Third World status, vote for Clinton to see that decline continue. Finally, if you like the direction things have been going in Washington, D.C., where lobbyists, donors, cronies and special interests rule the roost, vote for Clinton, for she will surely continue the corruption. As you can see, it isn’t such a difficult choice after all.

http://www.jamestownsun.com/letters/4104495-letter-editor-its-not-difficult-choice-president

 PROVIDENCE
Journal

George B. Viau: Illegal immigration is the real problem

Posted Aug. 29, 2016 at 6:30 PM

I always enjoyed Mark Patinkin's articles until he composed his Aug. 25 column, “Consider our Rio Olympians before closing the US borders.” It’s not the content of the article but the title. Neither of the candidates running for the office of president ever discussed closing the borders. Yes, building a wall has been mentioned. What Trump did was strongly declare he would stop illegal entry into the U.S. There is a major difference between the two and I thought that an intelligent man like Mark would know the difference.

Yes the Olympians mentioned in his article deserve the congratulations from all U.S citizens for their performances, but I seriously doubt that their parents entered this country illegally.

Mark, just to make it perfectly clear, closing the borders to all people from foreign countries is not the same as stopping illegal entry.

George B. Viau

Providence

http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20160829/george-b-viau-illegal-immigration-is-real-problem

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THE NEWS TRIBUNE

August 29, 2016 12:19 PM

Immigration: If you want to come here, apply for visa

Richard Radford, Anderson Island

Is it true that the only solutions to the problem of undocumented workers lie in legalizing all of them or deporting all of them? No! The solution already exists. It is for an immigrant to go back to one’s home nation, making one’s way to a U.S. consulate and applying for a visa. One may then return to the U.S. and apply for citizenship.

By the way, the visa itself makes one a legal resident for the term of the visa.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article98636382.html

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The Augusta Chronicle

Taxpayers are slaves

By Sam Arrington
Louisville
Sunday, Aug 28, 2016

Who is it the Democrats think are working, paying taxes and producing in America? Working-class people.

Michelle Obama is disgusted that slaves helped build the White House. Today, we still have slaves – taxpayers. The taxpaying slaves are trying to keep America afloat but are struggling. A huge portion of our tax dollars go to the people who are too sorry to work; don’t want to work; say they can’t work; or the ones who think they are owed something or entitled. These people are domestic slaves to the government and don’t even realize it, and the government controls every aspect of their lives.

The taxpaying slaves are outnumbered by our domestic slaves and freeloaders. There are people who really need, and have trouble getting, benefits while others who are too sorry to work get them easier than veterans get their earned benefits.

With President Obama allowing illegal immigrants and Syrians to flood our country just as the flood waters devastated Baton Rouge, La., how can there be enough money to support these people when the Democrats put them on the government’s payroll and automatically give them benefits that we taxpaying slaves have worked for?

Taxpaying slaves will have to work a little harder and longer to pay for these illegals who will vote for a liberal Democrat just to keep their checks flowing. The people not working outnumber those who do work. If Hillary Clinton is elected, the floodgates will open to millions more illegals who will get government checks, and the United States will end up just like Greece and Venezuela – broke.

I do not want to work for the government and neither do my friends. The government was intended to work for us.

Come on people, let’s elect a patriot for president who will pave the way for better jobs and economy, and will rebuild our military. We don’t need and can’t afford another lying politician in the White House. Donald Trump is my man.

Sam Arrington

Louisville

Letter author:
MARGARET THUMEL
Letter publisher:
The Register Guard
Date of letter:
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Letter body:

John Zupan, a prominent Portland businessman and friend, was left to die in a ditch. Abigail Robinson, age 4, and Anna Dieter-Eckert, age 6, were “bumps” in the road and were left to die after a felony hit-and-run in Forest Grove.

It warms my heart that they have not been forgotten. There is hope. Edy Reynoso-Ramirez and Cinthya Garcia-Cisneros, respectively, will be sent home permanently and not left to roam the streets of Oregon’s sanctuary cities.

Neither President Obama nor Hillary Clinton cares about the loss of life or grief these illegal aliens have brought upon our citizens of Oregon. I, for one, am grateful a man has been found who does.

To Donald Trump, I say thank you!

Letter author:
Paul Nachman
Letter publisher:
BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE
Date of letter:
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Letter body:

Even when I disagree with their conclusions, I typically find the Chronicle’s editorials on local topics informative. But when the subjects venture farther afield, as with your recent editorial about bringing Syrian refugees to Montana (“No place for fear in Montana politics,” Aug. 26), it seems that your editorial board members often know next to nothing about the subject and won’t stir themselves to learn.

For example, you assured us that the Congolese refugees recently brought to Missoula “had been vetted for three years before being admitted to the United States, the same vetting process other refugees granted asylum in the U.S. must undergo.” This overlooks several salient facts about the U.S. refugee program that are well known to people who do their homework:

1. Processing time isn’t investigation time. As Kelly Gauger of the State Department’s Refugee Admissions office explained last October, “We’re not spending 18 months doing security checks. … At any given time, we’ve got something like a quarter-million people churning through the system.” So it’s actually like everyone’s experience at the motor vehicle department—you’re in line for an hour, yet your own business takes just a few minutes.

2. In the administration’s mad dash to import Syrian refugees, they’ve chopped “vetting” time to a scant three months. Coupled with routine federal incompetence (e.g. recall TSA airport screeners’ 95-percent failure rate at detecting test contraband), that’s appalling.

3. Last fall, FBI Director James Comey flatly told Congress that his agency can’t screen Syrian refugees, since relevant databases are essentially non-existent.

The editorial goes on to comment that, “Immigration is a serious issue that demands serious attention.” Yes, indeed, and that requires a serious editorial board.

Letter author:
Jim Elvin
Letter publisher:
SJ Statesman Journal
Date of letter:
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Letter body:

President Obama’s idea of ignoring our immigration laws and encouraging those who break them makes me think we need to take his thoughts a step further and legalize bank robberies.

This plan would require all banks to give money to any thief who asked for it and have the taxpayers cover the cost to the banks. This would be similar to the guidelines that Obama and many others in our government are now using concerning illegal aliens: letting the taxpayers take care of all the cost.

Any bank that refuses to cooperate with such a plan would be referred to as “un-American” for wanting to deny thieves a better life for themselves and their families.

The cost to the taxpayers in this plan might be similar to the cost for the illegal aliens.

This plan may sound a little ludicrous, but Obama’s guidelines on the illegal aliens have a similar tone, and Hillary Clinton seems to be planning very similar plans as Obama’s. Or maybe even worse.

Our immigration laws no longer exist, nor will our country as we know it.
 

Letter author:
Stuart Dick
Letter publisher:
East Oregonian
Date of letter:
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Letter body:


The prophet Ezekiel was told to set a mark on those that “sigh and cry for all the abominations” (9:4). Americans that love and cherish our land, our heritage, our Constitution, and our liberty are grieving over the rampant corruption and high level treason (abominations) that have infected our precious republic.

Confusion, deception, duplicity and sophistry have replaced integrity, justice and morality in America today. The national press and media do not objectively report the news — they manipulate, censor and shield news to promote their liberal agenda. The Obama Justice Department shields corruption, as evidenced by Hillary Clinton’s lies and deceit. The Supreme Court is now politically controlled, as evidenced by Obamacare. One more liberal (globalist) justice will destroy the foundation of the American republic and the liberty and freedom of the American people.

The next presidential election will determine the fate of the American republic. What the national press and media will not report is this election is about globalism vs. the American people.

Globalism means a one-world government authority over American national sovereignty. Globalism means open borders and unlimited immigration, especially Islamic. Globalism means the shredding of the Constitution and dismantling of the Second Amendment. Globalism means slavery for all except the elite.

Who are the globalists? Primarily the Democratic Party under the Clintons and Obamas, the Republican establishment, and the national media (CNN, MSCNBN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Time, Newsweek, 90 percent of newspapers and 90 percent of Hollywood). This is the reason the Bush family, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Glen Beck, Megyn Kelly and other establishment Republicans will not support Trump.

The vast majority of contemporary politicians are globalists. Their allegiance is to a global one-world government, not the American republic. This is the reason Donald Trump is so hated, so maligned, and so ridiculed. His presidency would destroy the globalist conspiracy to ruin America. He is not a politician. He is not politically correct. He is not bought and paid for like Hillary Clinton. He is not corrupt to the core like Hillary Clinton.

Is Donald Trump without flaws? No man/woman is, but I will tell you what the press will not. He has sacrificed his wealth, his strength, his reputation, his honor, and his family to save the American republic. The least you can do for your country and our liberty is vote for him.
 

Letter author:
varied
Letter publisher:
various
Date of letter:
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Letter body:

Letters to the editor for August

Nation changed since Lincoln’s days

Jason Silverman says in his Aug. 7 column the GOP has lost its way on immigration because of its “tone” but does not say how in actuality. He lightly dismisses the fact that we live in a vastly different world than Abraham Lincoln and that immigration means something altogether different now. He brushes off the concerns of crime, jobs, borders and the rule of law as if they are irrelevant to the issue. He does not even consider the problem of immigration of our enemies.

He cites, but fails to grasp the pragmatism of, Lincoln’s immigration view. The nation needed workers. He would import them. There is nothing wrong with this but Lincoln recognized that the immigrant should have something to offer his new nation. The Democratic view is something different. The immigrant is seen as a source of votes, and who, duly offered entitlements, whether he is a citizen or not or here legally or not, will be all but guaranteed to vote Democratic. I suspect the pragmatic Lincoln would have balked at this notion, especially when understood in light of the fact that joblessness is the current problem, not the surplus of jobs that Lincoln was countering. Certainly his pragmatism would not have extended to buying votes from illegal aliens.

Further, I cannot tell from the article if Silverman actually looked at the GOP platform on immigration, because it reads much the same as Lincoln’s. It acknowledges that immigration is good for the nation. It agrees that at times it is a tool for providing sanctuary. The clincher of course, is that it also demands that immigration be conducted by the rule of law, that our borders are recognized as borders and that those who break the laws of our nation and ignore our borders will be treated as criminals.

I suspect that Lincoln would not approve of the tone and demeanor of Donald Trump (nor do I), but there is little in the Republican platform on immigration with which Lincoln could have found fault. In this regard it seems to me that Silverman is confusing the unpleasantness of Trump with the practical approach to immigration offered by the GOP. He also seems to conflate Mr. Lincoln’s better nature with the calculated and exploitive view of immigration outside of the law as proposed by the Democrats. That is a bridge too far, Dr. Silverman.

George Barron
Rock Hill

http://www.heraldonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article95670512.html

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Poughkeepsie Journal
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

Letters to editor

August 12, 2016

U.S. must secure border and enforce laws

The Poughkeepsie Journal’s recent editorial repeated its previously stated position supporting porous borders, as well as support for our current illegal immigration and amnesty policy (“Valley loses with immigration reform in flux,” July 19).

The Journal makes weak arguments for passage of the so-called “comprehensive immigration reform” legislation, which was defeated by Congress because it would continue the current and past illegal immigration problem. The result of this legislation would be amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrants, as well as no end to the illegal immigrant flow into the United States.

Instead, we need a proven over-time, secure, southern border first, rather than continuing the policy of an uncontrolled border. Candidates that advocated for a secure border first - no amnesty - were swept into office all across the U.S. in the 2014 election.

Besides erecting a secure southern border, people that enter the U.S. on a visa must be forced to return to their country of origin prior to the expiration date specified for that visa.

Currently, an unknown, large number of foreign people remain in the U.S. illegally because the federal government allows this lawless policy.

A sovereign country needs to control its borders in order for that country to continue its existence.

Helmut M. Gartner
Hopewell Junction

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/opinion/2016/08/12/letters-editor/88631072/

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Star-Telegram

Letters to the Editor

AUGUST 11, 2016

Immigration

All the wonderful stories about immigrants are uplifting and heart-warming. But given the world situation, they’re not applicable now.

A pause in immigration is long overdue. The most pressing reason is national security, and to allow for assimilation.

It does not show a lack of compassion, nor is it selfish, to be realistic in setting immigration policy by seriously taking into account world and domestic conditions in perilous times.

To do otherwise is to consign our brains to the nearest trash can.

Harlan Wensel, Fort Worth

http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article95149867.html

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S savannahnow
Savannah Morning News

Opinion

August 11, 2016

Stop issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants

According to the AJC.com (Aug. 8) Governor Nathan Deal is issuing driver’s licenses to illegal (immigrants) - 2,753 in May and June alone. These do not include Prresident Obama’s DACA (illegal children brought by parents) illegal (immigrants).

When illegal (immigrants) get driver’s licenses they bring down the wages of Americans. How many young people in the Savannah metro area with low skills are unemployed? Fifteen to 20 years ago, young guys that didn’t finish school or were not going to college could easily get construction jobs and learn skills if they were willing to work hard. But that was before the illegal (immigrants) left the onion fields and took over construction with low wages.

Georgia has about 10 million people. It is estimated there are 400,000 illegal (immigrants) in the state. In response to an open records request, the Ga. DDL admitted that as of mid-2015 they had issued 15,000 drivers licenses to illegal (immigrants).

These driver’s licenses look just like yours. Illegal (immigrants) have voted in North Carolina using licenses like these. Do you want your vote diluted by illegal (immigrants)?

There are two political parties that want this to happen. Democrats want the votes, and establishment Republicans want the cheap labor.

Where does that put you, the working American?

With driver’s licenses, illegal (immigrants) can get employment benefits and other state and federal benefits.

Governor Deal doesn’t care how upset this makes you; he can’t run for re-election, but you can let your state representatives know what you think about it.

PHIL SNIFFEN
Savannah

http://savannahnow.com/opinion-letters/2016-08-11/friday-letters-editor

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DAILY BULLETIN
LETTERS

Torres not representing the right interests

Who does Rep. Norma Torres represent? Who does she work for? Members of the Congressional Central America Caucus, a group founded and led by Ms. Torres, recently met with the president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez. It was all to push a letter signed by Ms. Torres and 76 other Congress members requesting that President Obama grant temporary protected status to individuals from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras who are fleeing their countries due to violence.

Interestingly, Ms. Torres recently held a gun violence community roundtable to “share ideas to address the growing gun violence epidemic.” The National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention was an idea formed and supported by the Democratic Party. She wants this topic to be handled as a vote on “common sense for widely supported legislation.”

Well, Ms. Torres, most Americans have had enough of lost American lives, law enforcement officers, plus businesses and communities being destroyed by thugs and terrorists. The legislation that is widely supported by American citizens and that is our national heritage is all based on the U.S. Constitution. Our Founding Fathers were brilliant men of vision and common sense, therefore any solution would have to be constitutionally based.

So Ms. Torres wants temporary protected status to more illegal immigrants? At the rate our country is declining it won’t be long before American citizens will have to request such an honor. Our Founding Fathers understood the danger of tyranny, that is why they presented the argument for the Second Amendment; it is our given right, nature’s God to protect ourselves. Americans have to protect themselves! Support the U.S. Constitution!

Lorena Masonis, Ontario

http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinion/20160811/rep-norma-torres-not-representing-the-right-interest-letters

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LEXINGTON
Herald Leader

Letters to the Editor

August 11, 2016

Liberalism lacks concern

Donald Trump’s wall seems to give Democrats a big laugh. So imagine how hard I laughed seeing the no-scale fence stretching nearly five miles around Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Convention. Who did she need to keep out: illegal aliens, cops or maybe her husband’s old flames?

Our citizens along the southern U.S. border would love that kind of protection, but they have to fight for their land and their lives all by themselves.

Neither Clinton nor President Barack Obama has any concern or respect for our citizens.

When Obama strutted into the memorial for the murdered Dallas police officers, his priority was the two black men killed by policemen the week before. The memorialized officers had nothing to do with those two deaths. I was embarrassed. Who’s Obama gonna call when he needs help? Ghostbusters?

I’ve always known that liberalism is a form of mental illness. After eight years of Obama as president and four of Clinton as secretary of state, I’m positive I’m right.

Karen Hall
Lexington

http://www.kentucky.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article95144922.html

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CantonRep.com
CONNECTING  STARK  COUNTY

Letter to the Editor: Voters no longer accept status quo

Posted Aug. 10, 2016
Updated Aug 10, 2016

It was both amusing and insightful to read the Aug. 5 letter, "Where do Republicans draw the line?"

The writer covered issues of "foreign policy to international anxiety to national security" to highlight Donald Trump's "personality disorders and character flaws." Implicit in its content is the premise that our current politicians are doing an acceptable job dealing with these issues. This is exactly why Trump has gotten this far - we are sick and tired of &quoot;politics as usual."

We are frustrated with all the lies, corruption, and weakening of a great nation. We are angered when the government takes more of our hard-earned money and gives it to people who don't work. We are angered when more than 30,000 illegal aliens amass nearly 80,000 convictions, including 250 homicides, 186 kidnappings and 373 sexual assaults (2014 data), but are then released into the general public by the U.S Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We watch in disbelief when a presidential candidate continues illegal activities and is not punished. There are so many more examples, but I can't do it in less that 300 words.

Suffice to say Trump is not perfect. His "shoot from the hip" style is disconcerting, but the voters appreciate his candor and inability to be politically correct. He says what we feel and we, too, want a change to the status quo. His opponent will be just more of the same.

DICK KAUFMAN, PLAIN TOWNSHIP

http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/20160810/letter-to-editor-voters-no-longer-accept-status-quo


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BattleCreek Inquirer
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

Opinion

Letter: Immigrants already have path to legal status

Linda Huckfeldt, Letter To The Editor 12:07 a.m. EDT August 10, 2016

This is in response to the Aug. 4 story, “Immigrants help Boost Economy.” Just how do you think that’s going to happen?

The story, quoting the report, “The Contributions of New Americans in Michigan,” goes on to say that many of the 126,000 undocumented immigrants in Michigan should be made legal. Why? Undocumented means “illegal” - they are here illegally. If they want to stay, let them go through the process legally.

Undocumented immigrants take what jobs are out there for the Americans that need them. They buy our businesses, make money on them and send it overseas to their families. How is that helping “our” economy.

I don’t care what the White House says or Gov. Rick Snyder says, we do not have to have them in our country.

They are getting benefits that we earned. If anybody gets that money, it should be our veterans, not illegal aliens who come here to try to change our country to fit their needs.

Linda Huckfeldt
Olivet

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/08/10/letter-immigrants-already-path-legal-status/88464756/

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Lake News Online

READERS' MAILBAG: Trump's rise due to failed leadership

Editor's Note: This letter is in response to a Washington Post column by Michael Gerson entitled “It's not too late to repudiate” that ran in the Aug. 3 Lake Sun edition.

By Vicki Steadman,
Lake Ozark
Posted Aug. 10, 2016
Updated Aug 10, 2016

Michael Gerson (“It’s not too late to repudiate,” Lake Sun 8.3.16: A4), in a dudgeon over Donald Trump’s careless remarks, misses the pressing Constitutional crisis of our day: the lawlessness of our political leaders. Trump’s rise to presidential candidate is largely due to the failure of leadership in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our national government. The men and women who occupy these positions swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the U. S. Constitution. With increasing regularity, we see that oath shamefully disregarded. Personal and party preferences replace allegiance to the Constitution. These public servants have treated our constitutional republic, where we the people are the sovereigns, as their own personal fiefdom where they make the rules.

Take illegal immigration, Trump’s signature issue, as one example of our leadership’s flagrant lawlessness. Our Constitution is a social contract between the citizens of our country. Within that community, American citizens have equal rights, privileges and immunities, and, in order to preserve the character of the American regime, they also have the right to agree to the membership of individuals wanting to be a part of that community (see Hillsdale College’s online course Public Policy from a Constitutional Viewpoint, “Immigration”). To accomplish the latter, we enact immigration laws through elected representatives, which are then to be enforced by the elected executive. The failure of the President, with the complicity of Congress, to enforce the written law does indeed contribute to a change in national character. Moderation, respect for the rights of others and for one’s own rights, and courage to defend these rights when necessary are basic character traits required of citizens to maintain a self-governing republic like ours. The majority of the world’s people grow up under regimes that do not practice these values. Illegal, indiscriminate and unlimited immigration into our country from such regimes provides these people no incentive to practice new ways, assimilate and thrive. Most of them will remain unchanged, but our republic will not.

Mr. Gerson rightly acknowledges Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., as admirable leaders. Alas, we are no longer in the time of Lincoln or King, both of whom fought their battles guided by the high principles in the Declaration of Independence within the framework of the Constitution, but we should expect no less of current leaders. Gerson rejects Trump as a presidential contender because he concludes from Trump’s remarks that he is racist and chauvinistic. I find that a most unreasonable conclusion given that for over forty years Trump has been a highly successful businessman in the quintessential cosmopolitan city. Many of the policies he supports would actually be good for the nation. On the other hand, Trump’s opponent has proved lawless, dishonest and unfaithful in her discharge of high public office. No contest. Trump was not my pick in the primaries, but he has my vote now.

http://www.lakenewsonline.com/opinion/20160810/readers-mailbag-trumps-rise-due-to-failed-leadership

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OregonLive.com

Op-ed about immigrants never mentions the word 'illegal': Letters to the Editor

By Letters to the editor The Oregonian
on August 10, 2016 at 3:20 PM

Where's the word 'illegal'?: In her response to Cynthia Kendoll's Aug. 2 opinion piece, Nancy Haque never acknowledges the all-important adjective, "illegal." Instead, Haque extols the achievements of her parents, herself and her siblings, none of whom entered this country illegally. It would seem that, despite her master's degree, the co-executive director of Basic Rights Oregon could use a refresher course in basic reading skills.

Gary Miranda
Southeast Portland

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/08/an_article_about_immigrants_wh.html#incart_river_home

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THE MORNING CALL

Khan used as pawn by Democrats

August 8, 2016, 8:38 AM

I watched the Democratic National Convention and heard the commentary by Mr. Khan, who criticized and tried to demonize Donald Trump for his perspective on illegal immigration.

This, of course, was Mr. Khan's right to do so. I think, however, Mr. Khan dishonored his war hero son by trying to leverage him into the fray on immigration.

If I had a family member lost to radical Islamic terrorists, I certainly would not advocate the mass invasion of people coming from countries that host and support terrorists into our country.

Mr. Khan, in my opinion, was and continues to let himself be a pawn in the Democratic Party's agenda.

Louis Lutterschmidt
Allentown

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-dnc-khan-pawn-agenda-lutterschmidt-20160808-story.html

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INFORUM

Letter: At least Trump hasn't killed anyone

By By Jay Sandt  August 8, 2016

I write with a few comments about the recent letter to the editor from Larry Larsen, who says Trump is like Harry Potters' Dementors characters that suck the happiness out of a person. Interesting analogy because at least Trump hasn't killed anyone like the four people in Libya, stood idly by when they asked for a rescue, then blamed it on a movie being made in the U.S., only to later rescind the comments, and then finally say, 'What difference does it make?" when questioned by Congress.

I have to ask if Trump supposedly sucks the life out of someone, how much more vile is a person that actually allows people to be murdered while they idly sit by? These are the facts, and maybe before going to the ballot box, as Larry says, he and others that think Hillary is a better candidate, should stop reading fantasy novels and find out some of the vile and villainous things that she has done in her 30 plus years of politics.

At least Trump doesn't have blood on his hands, he hires people from all races and genders�especially woman, wants law and ordder to be brought back in by ensuring cops aren't killed in the streets, protect the borders of the country, ensures all religious freedoms are equally protected, ensures immigration policies are adhered to and people are vetted correctly, better trade that benefits USA and not other countries, and stops giving hundreds of millions of dollars to other countries that hate America - no matter what the reason.

Sandt lives in Moorhead.

http://www.inforum.com/opinion/letters/4089971-letter-least-trump-hasnt-killed-anyone

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The Gazette

G LETTERS:

By: Letters August 7, 2016

Lights, cameras, action - spin

Newspapers, TV and radio bombard citizens with opinions. At the DNC convention, Khizr Mazzam Khan made great press to report that his son, a Muslim, was killed fighting for the U.S. Donald Trump rose to the bait and made a poor choice to be critical.

Gazette readers might appreciate these facts: The son died June 8, 2004, but Khan chose 2016 to complain on national TV. Khan is a lawyer specializing in immigration law to help Muslims enter the U.S. He is part of the Journal for Muslim Minority Affairs, where an editor is Syed Zainul Abedin, curiously the father of Huma Abedin, whom we all know as Hillary Clinton's private secretary and wife of the famous and sometimes overexposed New York Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner. Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive! - Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Jack Flobeck
Colorado Springs

http://gazette.com/letters-look-at-the-rest-of-the-story-exceptional-example-of-a-better-angel/article/1582138

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app.com ASBURY PARK PRESS
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

LETTER: Trump puts spotlight on uncomfortable facts

August 7, 2016

It is unfortunate that the DNC used their recent convention as an opportunity to conveniently package the grief and pain of the Khan family into an elaborate audio-visual display in order to portray Donald Trump as an anti-Muslim zealot. Mr. Khan used his right of free expression to accuse Donald Trump of not having read the Constitution, and to disdainfully state that Trump has sacrificed "nothing." Yet when Trump used his right of free expression to respond to Mr. Khan's accusations and motives, he was accused of grossly disrespecting a Gold Star family.

No rational American would ever question Captain Khan's heroism, or the entitlement of his parents to the respect and gratitude of our nation. The Khan family in every sense of word best reflects what makes this nation great. That being said, what was overlooked was the fact that Trump has never advocated the removal or deportation of legitimate U.S. citizens, be they Muslim, Mexican or otherwise.

Speaking as someone who has also shed blood for this country, I would remind Mr. Khan that the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution also gives each citizen the right to confront their accuser, which is what Trump did. The bluntness of Trump's speech can sometimes make people cringe, but he puts a spotlight on uncomfortable facts about both illegal immigration and terrorism. If these facts are ignored, the "dark and dismal" future the Democrats accuse Trump of painting may very well become a self-fulfilling actuality.

Bruce R. Meigs
Brick

http://www.app.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/08/07/letter-trump-puts-spotlight-uncomfortable-facts/88179668/

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Fontana
Herald News
Your Community, Your Newspaper

Letter to the Editor: DNC filled with fraud, deception

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Dear Editor:

The 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia was the most blatantly offensive display of fraud and deception I have witnessed since the Watergate cover-up.

First, promoting illegal aliens to plead their case as law violators to the assembly and millions via commercial television was an insult to any and all Americans who have earned the privilege of citizenship. Gee, if I robbed a bank, would these DNC organizers let me explain my case to those delegates? Ha. Ha. Ha.

Then, the mother of a felon who assaulted a police officer and paid the ultimate price for it was dragged before delegates to blab on about justice and sympathy for her cause (whatever that was). Totally offensive to the sensibilities and respect of ANY American who has obeyed laws of society and those who enforce it.

I predict this November election will be loaded with fraud, especially after that fool Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, initiated federal suits against 16 states that passed voter ID requirements prior to the 2016 primaries. Here again, another case of rigged democracy.

Now I understand why Bernie Sanders and his pledged delegates were so mad before AND after the Wasserman emails were revealed.

The Democratic Party has become a party of unruly Bolsheviks who demand government to do for Americans what we would do better, much better, for ourselves at any cost.

Such a sad, pathetic chapter in the political life of this country.

Jeff Griffith
Fontana

http://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-dnc-filled-with-fraud-deception/article_7bc4f332-5c05-11e6-b630-d3865e38e972.html

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SunHerald

August 6, 2016

Stop the political correctness

The July 25 article about Border Patrol Agent Anthony Anderson’s act of bravery is commendable but bears correction.

“Immigrants” enter the United States through ports of entry by presenting passports and visas and are then lawfully admitted to reside permanently in the U.S. while maintaining their immigrant status.

Enough of the political correctness! Anderson didn’t rescue “immigrants.” The people rescued were aliens attempting to violate federal law by entering the U.S. illegally, a crime punishable by six months in prison for the first offense and up to two or more years for subsequent violations.

Kudos to the agent for his courage.

Doug Sullivan
Gulfport

http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article93548222.html

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Idaho Statesman

August 5, 2016 7:26 PM

Laraway letter: Quoting Scripture

Regarding July 26 letter from Connie Grover titled “Quoting Scripture.”

Ms. Grover fails to comprehend the fundamental differences between the Quran and the Bible. It is true that some Old Testament passages describe brutal treatment of nonbelievers, but this is nonprescriptive. Christ urged his followers to obey the Golden Rule and to love their neighbors and even their enemies, whereas Muhammad admonished Muslims to follow his example, including the subjugation and forced conversion or killing of the Kuffar (unbelievers). Since Muhammad was considered to be the Perfect Man, the last and the greatest of the prophets, it is the duty of every Muslim to emulate him as closely as possible.

It is no wonder that nearly all the acts of terrorism today are being conducted by followers of Muhammad, and are being waged against men, women and children. The reward for pious terrorist martyrs is 72 virgins and 24 young boys in heaven, and this “reward” is a powerful motivation for devout Muslims.

European countries are rapidly experiencing greater attacks by Muslim radicals and the U.S. isn’t far behind. It is imperative that all non-Muslim countries strictly “vet” all immigrants from Muslim nations to assure they will accept the countries’ laws.

Melvin R. Laraway, Boise

http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article94074652.html

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SCNOW MORNING NEWS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: We are on the road to oppression

Dear Editor, August 5, 2016

How does a nation that loves freedom get to this point?

First the country must be willing to let its rights and freedoms be dictated by a government and some of its people who say they both only want the best for all of our citizens.

Some of our people for decades now have been working to gain control of our legal rights and freedoms. This has not just happened over night.

While we were asleep at the switch, most of our newspapers and other media have been acquired by people who are against the things that have helped to make our country great. To me, this is like the Russian newspaper Pravada that tells its citizens what to do and how to think. In other words, mindless people who follow the Russian government rules without any disobedience. Are we nearing or at this point yet?

Hillary Clinton and some of her people have been slipping into their speeches of how guns will be controlled. Controlled my foot, for if she and others like her are elected, they will make it so hard to have a firearm that we will not be able to have a slingshot. We can see now how many states and their politicians have banned guns and /or parts so that their legal gun owners can not legally own them. They suggest banning guns will do away with crimes and/or murders. I say show us the proof. Not only should Republicans be afraid, but Democrats and others should be also.

Think about this: These people do nothing or very little to rid gangs of guns. They only want to mess with the legal citizens. Why do they fear legal citizens? Is it because we will obey their illegal and stupid laws that will do away with our rights and freedoms if we will let them and the gangs and illegals will not obey their laws?

In some countries where the government has taken away freedoms, liberties and peoples rights are being enforced by their military, their law enforcement and other agencies. The people have one of two things to do. The first is to become the pawns who mindlessly follow their governmental rules. The second is to rebel against all of the people who want to oppress them. When governmental officials oppress the people, all government officials, law enforcement agencies and the military and their families will become the enemies of the state. If or when this happens, they will be fair game for repercussion.

We are following the road that many of other countries have taken, so I ask you which road do you want to follow before it is too late?

JOHN H. BETHEA
Marion

http://www.scnow.com/opinion/article_7f397b3e-5b3b-11e6-8b4c-5fdc92319088.html

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