Wednesday, September 03, 2008

"Foreign-Born" Would Be The Phrase You're Thinking Of?

Since when does a news-talk station give two hours to a candidate running for Congress...and allow him to say whatever he wants? Free? I'm talking about two free hours disguised as a talk show.

Since today's Dave Congalton show on 920AM KVEC, when Matt Kokkonen discussed his chosen political issues. He had the microphone for two full propagandistic hours. Could not believe it!

One topic that prompted me to call in and disagree with Matt was the so-called "illegal immigrant" issue and its related one, that of granting benefits, including US citizenship to those born while on US soil.

Matt took some time to question the application of the 14th amendment, which states, in part: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside..."

He points out the line, "subject to the jurisdiction thereof..." and says it means if an alien resident crossed the US border (in an unlawful manner) with an intent to apply for social benefits, then that alien and any of its children born in the US should be ineligible for any social safety net dollars. No school lunch programs. No public health services. Nothing.

I told him that it is pointless to use a phrase such as "illegal immigrants." Kokkonen responded that he prefers the term, "unauthorized aliens." Same difference, eh?

Whatever term of residency status you want to apply, have we forgotten a person (in the US) is "innocent until proven guilty?" Until a legal judgement has been rendered otherwise in some court of law, any person as far as I know, is here lawfully.

And these foreign born deserve to be treated as I'd like to be treated, in fact, enjoying the same equal protections of the law as anyone else. Betcha the spirits of my immigrant forbears are smiling.

So, out with the name-calling phrases that imply something not proven!
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