I’m not sure I want to keep blogging about politics, but sometimes I’m dumb that way. Here I go again.
U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann from Minnesota was recently speaking in Monticello and had this to say about immigration:
“We’re losing our country,” she said. “People are not assimilating themselves to America. They’re not speaking English, and you must speak it if you want to succeed here in this country.”
Losing our country? What? Assimilation and speaking English are not requirements of being an American (reminds me of an uproar over a Spanish version of the national anthem). Seems like our basic freedoms cover that one, and practicing our freedoms is about as American as you can get.
Then she goes on to talk about the U.S/Mexico border fence in response to a question about it:
“Exactly. The money is there. It’s our [Congress’] fault. We aren’t doing our job here,” Bachmann replied. “And the argument that fences don’t work doesn’t hold water. Look at Israel and Palestine Fences work. Maybe people have too much interest or benefit from open borders.”
The separation barrier Israel erected to deter Palestinian terrorists is her example? Wow. Whether or not that fence is effective is debatable. Some say it’s been very effective, others say reduced terrorism is due to other measures. Some point to rocket attacks as proof that if you build a fence, they’ll find a way around.
But that’s kind of besides the point. We’re talking about immigrants, not terrorists. Invading countries seems to be an effective anti-terrorism method. Should we try that next?
I realize she’s not intentionally comparing immigrants with terrorists, she’s trying to compare effective methods. It’s just unfortunate that her comparison quickly leads to equating immigrants with terrorists. Maybe I should cut her some slack. But not on her first point—we’re not losing our country to people who don’t speak English and refuse to watch baseball and eat apple pie.
Though this comment on MNSpeak really made me laugh:
I agree with Bachmann. The wall around Palestine is doing great job at keeping out the Mexicans.” –Kurtis Scaletta
(link via MNSpeak via Minnesota Monitor)
I just can’t help but wonder why many of the folks who want to claim/make America a Christian nation are so fanatical about ending illegal immigration (not that Michele Bachmann is one of those or not). It just frustrates me that some of the most impassioned speeches/emails/blogs against illegal immigration seem to come from those folks.
That’s a pretty outrageous string of non sequiturs she is giving there. It would be funny if she didn’t have a position of power.
As a side note, Kevin, you say, “Invading countries seems to be an effective anti-terrorism method.” I know it’s not central to your post, but I was wondering what cases you had in mind.
I can’t think of any off the top of my head. In fact, all the cases I can think of where one country invaded another, that lead to more terrorist attacks, when it had any effect at all.
Good point, Tim. I think Afghanistan was the country I was thinking of, and now that I look at it, that’s singular, not plural. ;-)
Invading Afghanistan hasn’t eliminated terrorism, but it has removed a terrorist safe-haven to some extent. More than anything it’s probably limited terrorism to Afghanistan. That’s not a total success, but it does make us here in the U.S. feel better and safer. (sorry Afghanis)
Her comments bring up a whole slew of things that don’t really have anything to do with each other.
1) As a legal immigrant, whose 1st language is not English, I think that people who move here should learn to speak English proficiently. If you move to the US then you should expect that at work, government offices, schools, etc. you will need to speak English. I think that it’s arrogant to move to another country and then expect the people there to learn your language. If you want to speak another language at home, with your friends, in a restaurant, at the store etc. I really couldn’t care less.
2. Legal immigration is not the same as illegal immigration. Being against illegal immigration is not the same as being against immigration period. Illegal immigrants are, by definition, breaking the law. They are criminals and should be punished accordingly. There is also nothing wrong with working to prevent criminal activity, such as illegal immigration.
3. The comparison of the US/Mexico fence and the Israel/Palestinian wall is moronic. The two have nothing in common, they do not serve the same purpose and they were not created to prevent the same problems.
Bachmann’s arguments for the US/Mexico fence and against illegal immigration, are poorly worded and poorly thought out, to say the least. That doesn’t change the fact the illegal immigration is a threat to our national security, and a burden to those of us who pay taxs. I am frankly offended by people who claim that they are for “immigrant rights”, when they are really for illegal immigrant amnesty. I also don’t like being lumped together with criminals. I
As a follow up to my first comment, I received this email just a day or so after your post…
(I’ve shared a link to the full story from Snopes below)
America …..
Needs A Leader Like This!
Prime Minister John Howard – Australia
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques.
Quote: ‘IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whe ther we are offending some individual or their culture.
Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.’
‘This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom’
‘We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any ot her language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!’
‘Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you,
then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.’
‘We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.’
‘This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and
OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
‘THE RIGHT TO LEAVE’.’
‘If you aren’t happy here then please LEAVE.
We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted’
Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.
If you agree please SEND THIS ON
I have seen this same type statement floating around here in America’s e mail, but I don’t recall it quoted from any of our ‘leaders’.
The rest of the story