Immigration problems
Dear editor:
First, let me say I fully support a huge overhaul of immigration policy. A few weeks ago, Rick Cherry, in a letter, said I had advocated "open borders." Not once, ever, in these letters, have I written anything closely resembling his accusation. I challenge him to go back and find it. He can't, because it simply doesn't exist. His hero, Donald Trump, is often outraged at what he deems "fake news," but that is exactly what Rick is doing.
We have major immigration problems, and what Rick doesn't like to point out is that under the Obama administration, ICE deportation numbers were actually higher. Not many know that, because it was done in a professional, quiet, nonpoliticized manner, unlike this weekend's idiotic advance notice raids, which were nothing more than a publicity stunt by a carnival barker turned president.
Yes, ICE agents served deportation notices after Trump announced them two weeks in advance, even telling the illegals what cities they would be conducted in. That's not only the definition of stupidity, it could have also put these law enforcement officers in danger. Not to mention basically inviting mass protests in these cities, which their own local law enforcement had to allot resources, time, and money to oversee, rather than fighting real crime.
Who announces raids in advance? Does the DEA publicize upcoming sweeps? Does ATF post the location of their next raid? Even locally, our police department (who always loves the publicity a big operation brings) is smarter than that.
I'm anxious to hear Rick's response to this, and please, Mr. Cherry, include the date and wording of my previous letter where I advocated "open borders."
Noah Little
Hot Springs
'The Squad'
Dear editor:
I am saddened that "The Squad," consisting of Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Ilhan Omar (MN), Ayanna Pressley (MA), and Rashida Tlaib (MI), have, to steal a phrase from Bradley R. Gitz, "made such asses of themselves to such great applause." For some unexplainable reason, the mainstream media is providing both the platform and the applause.
And to attribute President Trump's remarks to "racism" is typical, but untrue. Two ideologies are incompatible with the U.S. Constitution: socialism and Islam. These women are bent on destroying our democratic republic which has allowed America to become the greatest country in the history of the planet. If they have their way, the enormous achievements of the past 243 years will be largely forgotten. Among others, this will include what "the greatest generation" accomplished in World War II, defeating the attempts by Germany, Italy, and Japan to establish a one world order. We recently commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day, once again celebrating their achievements. A few veterans from that war are still alive to remind us; will our children and grandchildren remember in 25 more years?
Contrast the behavior of the Squad, and many other Democrats, with the hard work that our Congressman Bruce Westerman is doing. Instead of having a press conference to bash President Trump and draw attention to himself, Congressman Westerman is working on common-sense legislation to improve health care (The Fair Care Act -- HR 1332) and to reduce the vulnerability of forests to fire and disease (Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2019), among other things.
I can only hope and pray that the American people will see through these attempts to obstruct President Trump at every turn, without proposing alternative solutions to the problems he is trying to solve. Reelecting President Trump in 2020 may be our only hope for keeping America great!
Ellen Varhalla
Garland County
Editorial on 07/20/2019