Thread: I Believe in the Rule of Law

I heard and enjoyed this audio essay on NPR's "This I Believe" series this morning. It is a very eloquent and poignant essay. I look forward to everyone's comments.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5442573

Courtesy of the University of Arkansas
Michael Mullane is a law professor and director of the Law School Legal Clinic at the University of Arkansas. He has also worked in private practice in Arizona. Born into a military family, Mullane was a Navy aviator during the Vietnam War.


Morning Edition, June 5, 2006 · For the most part, my personal beliefs -- or yours for that matter -- are not particularly important to society. On the other hand, our beliefs about some things are very important. These are things subject to the Tinkerbell effect -- that is, they exist only so long as we believe in them. One of these is the rule of law.

When you get right down to it, the rule of law only exists because enough of us believe in it and insist that everyone, even the non-believers, behave as if it exists. The minute enough of us stop believing, stop insisting that the law protect us all, and that every single one of us is accountable to the law -- in that moment, the rule of law will be gone.

So I cling to my belief in the rule of law. It is probably the single greatest achievement of our society. It is our bulwark against both mob rule and the overweening power of the modern state. It is the rule of law that governs us, that protects each one of us when we stand alone against those who disagree with us, or fear us, or do not like us because we are different. It is the strongbox that keeps all our other values safe.

The law is wonderfully strong and terribly fragile. In times of crisis and threat, there is a temptation to stop believing in the rule of law -- a temptation to think that it weakens rather than protects us. We have succumbed to this temptation more than once. Within living memory we responded to a sneak attack by interning American citizens because they, or their parents, or their grandparents were from Japan. In retrospect, those actions were not only unjust and morally wrong, they were unnecessary and did nothing to protect us.

The horrific events of 9/11 tempted me to think that interning people without due process might be the thing to do. Maybe we do need to sacrifice personal liberties to be safe, but then I remember that generations of Americans bled and died to create and protect the rule of law, and I wonder: If we ignore it now, how will we ever get it back?

Like Tinkerbell, the rule of law has been seriously injured by doubt. If it is to survive, those who believe in it must stand up and say -- I must say -- I believe in the rule of law and will not accept its being taken away. I believe that we are not so weak, so impotent, or so frightened that we must give it up or perish. I believe that those few who have harmed us, and who will do so again, are not so powerful that we must abandon the very thing that makes it worth being an American.

Very cool. I agree with every word. Thatat's why illegal immigrations bugs the hell out of me--we are basically saying it's okay to trample the border, it's okay to engage in identity theft, it's okay to work off the books, ect.

People had better wake up

Here's one job the illegals won't do: abide by America's rule of law!

Very nice. Very true.
Sadly our senate, our president have abandoned the rule of law.
There will be hell to pay. For all of us.

MJ

This has been posted elsewhere before, but it is apropo to the topic at hand. Frosty's discussion of the dis-rule of law that is endemic to many 3rd world and Latin American countries and now threatens our own rule of law is dead on. For those of you who haven't read the article before, here it is:

http://www.frostywooldridge.com/arti...2005oct10.html

Illegal Immigration's Third World Momentum
By Frosty Wooldridge, www.newswithviews.com

October 10, 2005

http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty86.htm

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION’S THIRD WORLD MOMENTUM

Part I: What It Is

Part II: What is Does

By Frosty Wooldridge

October 10, 2005

Writing about America’s immigration crisis week after week raises my blood pressure, level of depression and creates maddening frustration levels as I observe inaction by the majority of American citizens. All fifty state governors do nothing to stop it, won’t speak against it, and, in many cases encourage it. Governor Bill Owens of Colorado, Baldacci of Maine, Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Richardson from New Mexico assist it. Although, this summer, Napolitano and Richardson issued ‘states of emergency’ in their states as illegals overran them.

The majority of senators do nothing as well as the majority of the House of Representatives. Major and smaller city mayors and city councils harbor illegal aliens with sanctuary policies. Even Los Angeles, with more gangs and crime than you can imagine, continues Special Order 40 that allows killers, rapists, drug distributors, MS-13 members and other human grease to remain protected from arrest.

Have you ever wondered why Third World countries are SO desperate? Why people flee? Why most citizens are illiterate? Why corruption is standard operating procedure? Let’s compare the ‘Rule of Law’ in America to the ‘Dis-rule of Law’ in countries like Mexico.

In my book, “IMMIGRATION’S UNARMED INVASION: DEADLY CONSEQUENCES”—I wrote about Third World Momentum as seen from the seat of my bicycle as I traveled throughout the world on six continents. I saw first hand all aspects of Third World Momentum. That’s why it is SO frustrating that US citizens don’t ‘get it’ or ‘see it’ and our president and Congress ignore it on purpose as they become a part of the ‘Dis-rule of Law’ in America. But I’m here to tell you that we’re flushing ourselves down the toilet faster than a bullet train. What is happening in America is a ‘systemic’ or ‘endemic’ corrupt system from Bush right on down the federal system.

An example of it shows you the incompetence of Michael Brown at FEMA and his horrifically incompetent handling of Katrina. At the height of Rome's decay, emperors appointed unqualified candidates to high office. Caligula appointed his horse to the Senate, where the horse enjoyed the reputation as the wisest and least harmful of that “august” body.

Last week, a reader wrote the exact aspects of Third World Momentum. After his interview, you will be offered a half dozen stories from U.S. citizens that bring it home as to how fast this country is spiraling into Third World status.

Heath Boatwright, Athens, Georgia understands what I have been trying to convey to the American public for years.

“In the last few years, I have found myself in a world where many refuse to discuss openly and honestly the issues that the United States is facing,” Boatwright said. “Hearing you on Coast to Coast with George Noory was refreshing to say the least. Although, I will tell you that it did not make me sleep better, and in fact I had to wake up and ponder for a moment all that you had said.”

“When you discuss Third World Momentum I know first-hand what you are talking about,” Boatwright said. “However, sadly, few Americans can grasp what you are talking about. I attended college at The University of Georgia. I received a BA in history, with a focus on Latin American history and I speak fluent Portuguese. I have traveled to South America many times and visited some of the most destitute and impoverished people there. Unfortunately, when I discuss this issue with most people, they call me a xenophobe, a racist, a bigot, and an ignorant person who does not appreciate other cultures.”

“Yet, how can I fit this description if I have ventured out into the world, bothered to learn another language, and reached out an open hand to the poor in far away places?” he said. “Also, how can I be a racist if the very person I chose to marry is not even an American (my wife is from Brazil)? While my love for the people and the region of Latin America runs deep, I would not trade my fate for theirs. I would also not trade my fate for nearly anyone in the Middle East, China, India, and so on.”

“Why is it that in the United States, to appreciate a culture you must also want to live like it?” Boatwright said. “I have dedicated much study to that region of the world, and I can tell you flat out that there is another mentality that exists in most Third World nations, and that mentality is manifesting itself here in the United States, daily. Many say that Latin America is "laid back". I have pondered on this observation and realized that you could also put it another way. In Latin America, if it is good enough for today, it is good enough. In Latin America, if you want to get something done, you will have to circumvent law. This is the type of Third World Corruption that you speak of.”

“So many in Latin America circumvent the law, that they rarely bother to realize that here, in the US, circumventing the law is the worst way to get things done,” he said. “Corruption is so rampant in those regions that it becomes a mechanism by which the society functions. This is why so many illegals come here--reproduce fake Social Security numbers, register their cars from one state to another to avoid mandatory auto insurance, go to the hospital using a fake name, buy items on credit using their brother's name is who now back in Mexico, refuse to learn English, and bear several children with no means of supporting them. They do this because they are modeling what they do in their culture.”

Boatwright continues, “Here is another fact about Latin America, and I believe most other Third World nations: those who reside there rarely bother to take accountability for their country’s problems. In Latin America, problems are blamed on corruption, foul government, and in certain intellectual circles-”past colonialism”. I have yet to encounter one single illegal person in the United States who is willing to admit that he is contributing to the detriment of my nation. In Latin America, you live side by side with abject poverty, illiteracy, hunger, and disease. You do this daily and it simply becomes part of the landscape. Latin America, and again most Third World countries, has a problem of what I call ‘mobilization.’”

“This is a situation where thousands mobilize and figure out methods to get things done, either by circumventing the law, or based on the current corrupt system they face, but few ever mobilize to truly resolve the issues they face,” Boatwright said. “I do not find it ironic at all that once one illegal alien discovered that he could come here to the US, work illegally, get healthcare, and generally avoid any type of legal prosecution, he later found himself surrounded by millions of his fellow countrymen. Again, this is my point: in Latin America, you have no problem getting people to mobilize in a way that ignores the current law, because people in that region do not live in fear of the law, it generally does not function anyway, and now they have seen that it also does not function in the United States.”

“Perhaps I sound harsh in my description, but I know exactly what I am talking about,” Boatwright said. “I know that region of the world well, I also know so well the manner of thinking that many bring with them when they enter the United States illegally. This manner of thinking, I believe, is the greatest threat that we face in the future. Finally, I have a deep interest in appreciating and understanding other cultures, but I also have an appreciation for my own. I want to let you know that I understand fully what you are talking about. I would like to ask you if you have ever considered going to our nation’s college campuses and discussing this issue. I mention college campuses because I do not know if you are aware that on the American campus it is virtually a universal opinion that illegal immigration is okay. Geography is a required course in most curriculums, and most people grasp the concept of overpopulation, but few can connect that to illegal immigration.”

If I could give you Heath Boatwright’s or my experiences up close and ugly, every single American today would call the White House, Senators and Congressmen as well as governors and mayors—and DEMAND our immigration laws be enforced and deportations begin immediately for 20 million illegal aliens. But if you don’t or won’t, part II of this series will show you Americans living with the consequences that reach into every sector of our country. This ‘thing’ is moving faster than most Americans realize, and once it’s imbedded, I fear that large scale civil violence will be the result.

If the signers of the 1965 Immigration Reform Act could see today what they rained down on America 40 years later, not one single senator or congressman would have signed it. But why won’t they rescind it? Why won’t they stop it? It’s their country and their children’s future, too.


(http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty87.htm)


ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION’S THIRD WORLD MOMENTUM

Part II: What It Does

By Frosty Wooldridge


How does Third World Momentum manifest itself in America? Again, let’s review Boatwright’s definition: “Corruption is so rampant in South America that it becomes a mechanism by which a society functions.”



Look at the corruption at the Federal level in the U.S. today. The majority of senators and congressmen refuse to uphold their oaths of office by aiding, abetting and assisting illegal aliens by the millions. Kennedy and McCain lie through their teeth with their latest guest worker amnesty bill for 20 million illegal aliens. Did Bush not lie about weapons of mass destruction to wage his cowboy war in Iraq? Has he not submitted a totally unqualified lawyer for a supreme court justice in Miers? Didn’t he learn from Michael Brown’s incompetence with Katrina? Congress supports the corruption of the H-1b, H-2b, L-1 visas affecting over one million American jobs. What about Congress’ complicity in corruption of outsourcing, insourcing and offshoring over three million American jobs? How about Bush’s blatant disregard for his oath office as he allows millions of illegal aliens to invade and remain in our country? Our own president is in violation of Federal law—USC 8, 1324—274, 275, 276, 277. Bush is not alone because both sides of the aisle assist him against American citizens.



At the state level, we’ve got governors like Bill Owens of Colorado endorsing a booklet in Spanish helping illegal aliens to imbed themselves into our welfare and workforce systems. All contrary to Federal law! Governor Baldacci of Maine, Napolitano of Arizona and Richardson of New Mexico do everything in their power to help illegals—contrary to their citizens. Most other state governors say nothing! Local mayors in Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Boulder, Detroit, New York, Miami and dozens of other cities support ‘sanctuary policies’ that allow illegals to work and live in America—CONTRARY TO FEDERAL LAW.



These actions typify Third World Momentum: When laws of a country are not enforced and lawlessness becomes the norm. The United States races toward Third World status because of this ongoing erosion of our once lawful society.



I could give you dozens of examples from my own experiences in Third World countries, but the following constitute American citizens writing letters describing it in their own communities—so you’ll see their responses to show you what’s happening in the United States.



Dane said, “I used to live in El Paso, Texas and the same thing has happened there. Unchecked border crossings, population uncontrolled, schools trashed and litter everywhere. El Paso used to be a city you could brag on, now it is just the opposite. I left, as many have done and do not intend to return. We are even looked down on if we can't speak Spanish. These people are taking over and crime rules the streets of El Paso. I also foresee a huge water shortage some day. Before long El Paso will hit one million for a population and by then the place should be a complete nightmare.”



Dirk of Nevada said, “Even more dangerous than the incoming disease, crime and even terrorism is the fact that most immigrants don’t have an appreciation for the freedoms outlined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Illegals are being taught in public schools with taxpayer money. The fact that Bush supports the illegal invasion; opening our country to possible terrorist attack, and NEVER remarks about the importance of learning the Bill of Rights, proves that he is a traitor.”



Guy of LeHigh, OK said, “I am NOT racist, so understand please, I am NOT knocking anyone, but I am stating FACTS.



“I live in southern rural Oklahoma, and I can say that even legal immigration is bad here. Local large scale companies have NO problem hiring illegal aliens at all. We have a plastics producing plant 40 miles from where I live, and they have been busted NUMEROUS times for employing over 50 percent of their workforce, who are illegal aliens from Mexico. The reason they were caught the last time was easy as this: The Social Security Administration noticed that the workers who were illegal were sharing social security numbers of dead residents near where I live.



“Oddly enough, the company (Solo Cup) somehow did NOT notice the 100 illegal aliens had the same social security numbers. You worked four twelve hour shifts a week, sometimes five days a week, and I got paid on the upper scale of a respectable $7.00 an hour. By allowing them to work there, the company kept their payroll wages down. Of course, almost NO ONE WANTS to work there anyway, a job of last resort one might say. Long hours, bad pay, no benefits. But then again, that is true for many Oklahoman communities now.



“For example, did you know that besides Arkansas, we have one of the lowest high school graduation rates? We have a very high teen pregnancy rate. And that in the county I live, we have the HIGHEST unemployment rates in the USA, coupled with the highest welfare rates. Not only that, not one but over five companies locally have left to go overseas because of the cheap labor, and one of the companies (Wrangler Jeans) up and left for Mexico.



“Why pay us $5.00 an hour when you can pay $5.00 a day in Mexico and India?



Mark from Ocean Shores, WA said, “As merchandiser I travel about in the coastal towns of Washington. I have seen first hand an intensification of illegals. They are taking the few jobs we have here in an already depressed economy--those that aren't roaming the streets in gangs. Now, Washington is a long ways from the Mexican border. I see the congress and senate as being totally corrupted. I can't help but feeling the golden era of the USA is over and done. However, we got to give them hell.”



George of Sacramento, CA said, “There are so many ways that we're being taken advantage of. When a lot of people come over here and become legal, they send for their parents who come here, haven’t worked a day in their lives here, and apply for SSI at $700 per month. So, just because Mom and Dad are seniors they make about $1400 per month together. And they laugh up their sleeves at us all the way to the bank! I know that some of them go back to their country of origin and because of their SSI being deposited directly into their bank accounts, they can spend that money from anywhere. I'm sick of it. Talk about Third World corruption in our own country!”



Shelli of Glendale, CA said, “I'm a payroll auditor who audits a lot of construction companies, ranging from sole proprietor to corporation. I see so much underground economy it makes me want to scream. Contractors are constantly using illegal immigrants for their slave labor. Contractors pocket all the money. For example, it's not unusual to see a business owner's wife on the payroll making more in a week than an illegal employee in their employ makes in a month.



“What angers me is when a business owner hems and haws about the high cost of workers compensation insurance, but then hires illegals and doesn't report their payroll. "They only worked for a day or two" or "They're not a regular employee, they only worked a few weeks." Yeah, a couple weeks like that and a hardworking LEGAL American could've used the money to help support his family. Let's talk about watering down wages! These guys are working for $10/hr in jobs that used to start at $18 -- and that was years ago.”



George of Fountain Hills, AZ said, “I have been teaching part time at both the Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University for the past five years. The discipline that I teach is mathematics. For the past five years I have been telling students and friends that the United States is the new emerging third world nation. Few people understand what this nation faces. Fewer people care what is happening.



“What I would like to tell you is my experiences in the higher educational system here in Arizona. I can frame the whole attitude by the statement of Chuy Carreon, Mathematics chair of Mesa Community College. Chuy once said that MCCD is NOT here to educate, just here to give out information.



“It should be noted that the remedial courses represent about 50 per cent or more of all the mathematics courses taught at the community colleges here in Arizona.



Jack of Denver, Colorado said, “We have sanctuary cities in Denver and Boulder. Last spring, Officer Don Young was killed by an illegal alien, Raul Gomez, who had been stopped for three traffic violations. He had no license or insurance and was NEVER arrested, before he killed Young with a shot to the back of the officer’s head. It shows two levels of law enforcement and one is corrupt. Last month, an illegal alien, Francisco Montero of Boulder, driving on a revoked DUI license and having been arrested nine times with three phony ID cards, killed a Lafayette motorcyclist, Dale Englerth, by turning into the cyclist. Montero should have been deported long ago, but now, he’s killed a father and husband.”



You can multiply these examples of Third World Momentum by millions of cases of rape, fraud, burglaries, stealing jobs, loss of IRS income taxes, prison costs, judicial costs, schools bankrupting, language chaos, spreading diseases and worse. How can continued illegal alien migration serve this country when it creates so much harm?

Write for that 20-point action letter to stop this nation-destroying madness at (http://www.frostywooldridge.com.) Check out Mark Edwards’ "Wake Up America" talk show on 50,000 watt KDWN-Am-720 10:00 PM to midnight PT, or on the worldwide Internet at (http://www.thewakeupamericafoundation.com.) Also, check out (http://www.alipac.us) at 1 866 329 3999; (http://www.theamericanresistance.com) ; (http://www.numbersusa.com) ; (http://www.frostywooldridge.com) ; (http://www.ccir.net) ; (http://www.carryingcapacity.com) (http://www.teamamericapac.org) ; (http://www.projectusa.org) ; (http://www.unitedpatriotsofamerica.com) To order my CD report from the border: ‘ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION—OUR TROJAN HORSE’—PH. 1-800-248-3061

Thank you for the post Concernedmother,

I'll have to paraphrase 'cause I don't know the exact quote:

Rulers rule with the consent of the ruled.

We must continue to demand that our country was founded on and has been strong, because of the rule of law.

With the forseen Balkanization of our country, IF we don't prevail, those who DON'T consent..i.e. those who don't acknowledge our laws, will destroy us.

Everyone, NOT just citizens and LEGAL immigrants, MUST obey and respect our laws.

And that includes our gov't.