Thread: Hazelton - Outsiders just don't get it

http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.ph ... 3&Itemid=9

Outsiders just don't get it
Friday, 08 September 2006
“Understanding of any phenomenon decreases in direct proportion to the observer’s distance from the phenomenon.”

We don’t think Newton, Einstein or any other physicist ever formulated that theory as a law of nature, but maybe they should have.

Put in the context of Hazleton’s fight against illegal immigration, our newly devised theorem means, simply, “Some outsiders just don’t get it.”
In the months since Mayor Louis Barletta unveiled his plan to control illegal immigration in the city, Hazleton’s struggle has been written about daily in newspapers and magazines across the country, and even overseas.

Virtually every national television network has done stories about the Illegal Immigration Relief Act.

Barletta now has name recognition from coast-to-coast, thanks to his many appearances on TV (up next, an appearance with CBS News’ new anchor, Katie Couric).

Although almost all of the reaction from ordinary citizens across the country has been favorable to Barletta’s efforts, much of the commentary from the mass media has been critical. Critics have viewed the city’s fight against illegal immigration as intolerant, xenophobic or even racist.

We think those who characterize the ordinance as a product of bigotry might feel differently if they lived here.

According to the theorem we postulated above, those who do live here should have a better understanding of the situation.

And here was the situation before the illegal immigration ordinance was proposed:

o Hazleton wasn’t as safe as it used to be.

o Hazleton was dirtier than it used to be.

o Hazleton area school officials were struggling to keep up with a huge unexpected influx of new students, many of whom did not speak English.

o The police department was struggling to control an increase in crime.

o Social service agencies and the local medical system were stressed.

How much of this could be blamed on illegal immigration? To be honest, Mayor Barletta never provided a good answer to that question.

It’s also unclear how or even if the city will ever enforce the ordinance. Interestingly, it may never have to.

Since city council approved the first draft of the IIRA, Wyoming Street (which was develping a reputation as a trouble spot) is much quieter. While no one has dependable numbers, it’s clear that many people have left town and it’s a fair assumption that many of the departed weren’t contributing anything to the community.

Naturally, the problems we itemized still exist. However, there has been a refreshing change that is obvious to both longtime residents and new arrivals.

Regardless of how legal challenges to the new city law turn out, an unmistakable message has gone out to illegal immigrants and potential troublemakers: You’re not welcome here.

Insisting that the law be obeyed is neither unreasonable nor intolerant. Any self-respecting community that wants to keep itself healthy, safe and attractive to newcomvers can do nothing less.

Outsiders may not get it, but we do.

Insisting that the law be obeyed is neither unreasonable nor intolerant. Any self-respecting community that wants to keep itself healthy, safe and attractive to newcomvers can do nothing less.
And it takes people of courage to get the job done

Outsiders may not get it, but we do.

NO.......any intelligent, reasonable thinking person understands this.

.

Excellent article and it demonstrates why we need to have more control by government locally. Decisions are being made at the federal level by persons that are ignorant of what is really going on in my neighborhood.

I picked up a book of "beat" poetry back in the 60's. I read a line in that book that has stayed with me.

Man's confidence in his ability to make a decision is inversely proportional to his actual ability to do so.

This explains Congress on domestic issues methinks.

This article resonated to me too. I sent a copy last night to my mayor and aldermen. They don't even have to follow through and look what may happen. I also sent them a copy of the article about the Escondido alderman who owns the gas station. Pro-illegals set up a demonstration around his station, won't buy his gas.... Didn't matter, Americans are coming from miles away and he's selling more gas then ever. At one point the protesters threw cups at the cars -scattered before the police came.