Thread: Choices and consequences

What kind of a nation have we become?

Activist groups argue about how the Swift Co. will have to pay millions because of the raids. Families were torn apart. Human rights groups want help for illegals crossing into our country through the desert. People say the death penalty is inhumane and that prison is not a viable punishment for certain crimes. IT'S NOT FAIR!!! IT'S RACISM!!!

One of the greatest threats to any society is the idea that crimes should go unpunished. Even worse is the idea that we should not pay for our mistakes. We all make mistakes and pay for them in whatever way. I don't need a psychologist to tell me I am not perfect. Some mistakes are greater than others. Some are crimes. We must be, and will be, held accountable for them, whether in this life or in the one to come. If you don't believe we should be punished, chaos will ensue.

For those of you that are whiners about the ICE raids and the affects of illegal immigration enforcement, here is a story for you:

Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley. There he fasted, and on the third day he decided to test himself against the mountain. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders, and set off to climb the peak.

When he reached the top, he could see forever, and his heart swelled with joy. Then he heard a rustle at his feet. Looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke: “I am about to die. It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing. There is no food, and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.”

“Oh, no,” said the youth. “I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite me, and I will die.”

“Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.”

The youth withstood for a while, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass. Suddenly, the snake coiled, rattled, and struck, biting him on the leg.

“But you promised—” cried the youth.

“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it slithered away. (From Iron Eyes Cody, “But You Promised,” Reader’s Digest, June 1989, p. 131.)

The boy knew the snake was poisonous and could kill him, yet he ignored the threat the picked it up, anyway. These illegal immigrants know the risks of crossing, and yet they cross and stay, regardless. Don't commit the crime if you know the devastation of the consequences. We should never be fooled into thinking these illegals are ignorant. They know what they are doing, and they know it is a crime. When caught, there should be punishment, and they know it.

You may get sympathy from some, but you won't get it from this Texan.

I lOVE that story ( a slightly different version). I use it often to illustrate the same point. Thanks for reminding me of it.