By Mike Appleton, Weekend Contributor
“Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me, but the one who sent me.’ “
-Gospel of Mark, Ch. 9, verses 36-37, New American Bible (Thomas Nelson, 1989)
“If kids come in my backyard, I’ll shoot them.”
-unidentified Murietta, California resident protesting the sheltering of undocumented child immigrants (July 1, 2014)
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“Collective fear,” wrote Bertrand Russell, “stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.” The ugliness in Murietta, California several weeks ago provided ample evidence, if any were needed, of the power of collective fear. But even more disturbing than the angry shouts at frightened children unable even to understand the words hurled at them has been the reaction of political leaders. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Gov. Rick Perry demanded that the President dispatch National Guard troops to the border, for who knows what purpose. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R. Texas) has been even more vocal. Most of you may recall Rep. Gohmert’s rants several years ago about “anchor babies” born in the United States to be trained as terrorists. This time around he is claiming that the Administration is encouraging the influx of unaccompanied children as part of a plot to turn America “blue” and “ensure Republicans will never get elected again.” Of course, that will require that all of these tens of thousands of children survive the various diseases with which he also claims them to be infected and carrying over the border. Rep. Gohmert could be dismissed as another congressional crackpot but for the fact that he currently serves as vice chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
Fear-mongering is such an emotionally powerful tool that it is readily grasped by nascent politicians to fast-track their own careers. Several days ago one Adam Kwasman, a Republican running for Congress in Arizona, made headlines when he photographed a bus full of children and tweeted it to his supporters with the caption, “Bus coming in. This is not compassion. This is the abrogation of the rule of law.” Twitter is a social medium particularly well-suited for those adept at making fools of themselves in fewer than 140 characters. In a follow-up interview with a local reporter, Mr. Kwasman even described “the fear” he witnessed in the eyes of the children as the bus passed, only to later learn that what he had actually observed was what I, as a sometime camp counselor, call Camp Grenada Syndrome, the anxiety universally experienced by kids on their first trip to summer camp, this one run by the YMCA.
Assuming that the over 50,000 (to date) unaccompanied minors surrendering to the Border Patrol are not junior members of the Central America branch of the Young Democrats, why have they come? Well, has anyone been to Honduras or Guatemala or El Salvador lately? Those three countries, known collectively as the Northern Triangle, occupy three of the top five spots on the list of countries with the worst homicide statistics. Honduras leads the pack, with 90.4 murders per 100,000 persons. In Guatemala, over 300,000 children, fully 11% of those between the ages of 7 and 13, work, 21% of them in dangerous jobs, and are subjected to exploitation by organized crime in the sexual tourism and pornography industries. The homicide rate in El Salvador doubled between 2003 and 2011, and rose 44% in the first quarter of 2014 over the same period a year ago. To put this in further perspective, Latin America is home to 9% of the world’s population, and suffers 31% of the world’s murders.
The governments of these countries are weak and riddled with incompetence and corruption. Efrain Rios Montt, the former head of state in Guatemala, was convicted last year of genocide and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed against his own civilian population. But his conviction has been overturned and he faces a new trial early next year. The State Department has issued travel warnings for Honduras. And it is clear that much of the drug trafficking and gang warfare in the Northern Triangle is a direct result of the shifting of the drug trade from countries, such as Mexico and Columbia, in which the war on drugs has been particularly intense. It has also been argued that much of the instability in that part of the world is a legacy of United Fruit diplomacy and U.S. support of corrupt military dictatorships in Central America over many decades.
But regardless of the historical explanations for the problems plaguing these countries, how can any rational person fail to understand the desire of poor and desperate parents to protect their children from the violence and terror they daily face? How can any rational person not marvel at a parental love so powerful that it compels mothers and fathers to send their children on a lonely, dangerous journey? And who is honestly surprised that people gripped by fear and despair will believe the lies of the coyotes who promise, for a price, to deliver their children to the safety of the United States?
In 2008 Congress passed, and Pres. Bush signed, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, named for the British MP who devoted much of his political career to the abolition of the slave trade in England. A portion of the Act establishes procedures for the processing and repatriation of “unaccompanied alien children” who come into the United States. In general, the Act requires that a minor child from a country that is not contiguous to the United States is to be transferred to the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services and placed “in the least restrictive setting that is in the best interest of the child” pending a determination of whether the child should be repatriated or granted refugee status. The Act affords such children what we as a nation believe essential to minimum due process-the right to a hearing and the right to counsel. 8 USC 1232 (2014). But the sheer numbers of children now in the country have overwhelmed the available resources. And, of course, it is all the fault of the Administration.
In one of the videos of the Murietta protests, a woman can be seen shouting, “Not our children. Not our problem.” In Vassar, Michigan, two weeks later, demonstrators, two carrying semi-automatic rifles, assembled in front of a social services facility selected to provide temporary housing for some of the children. The organizer of the protest, Tamyra Murray, was quoted as saying, “We must save America and stand up against this invasion.” Collective fear at work, one rope short of a lynch mob.
Nevertheless, I do not believe that the woman in Murietta, California or Ms. Murray in Vassar, Michigan truly believe what they are saying. If they do, they are wrong. It has also been suggested that this humanitarian crisis is Pres. Obama’s Katrina. That is also wrong. Hurricane Katrina was our Katrina, just as Hurricane Sandy was our Sandy. And these children, at least for now, are our children. While they are here, they deserve to be treated as part of the herd.
Sources: Bertrand Russell, Unpopular Essays (Simon & Schuster, 1950); “El Salvador Grapples With Upswing In Drug Traffic,” http://www.npr.org (May 31, 2011); “El Salvador murder rate up 44% as gang truce falters,” http://www.irishtimes.com (April 4, 2014); U.S. Department of State, “El Salvador 2013 Crimes and Safety Report,” http://www.osac.gov/pages/contentReportDetails.aspx?cid=13875; “Murders in El Salvador spike to record high for May,” http://www.mobile.reuters.com (May 26, 2014); “Honduras, Central America still lead the world in murder rates,” http://www.ticotimes.net (April 14, 2014); Human Rights Watch, “Honduras still # 1 in 2013,” http://www.m.hrw.org/world-report/2014; “Federal Agents With Riot Gear Arriving In Murietta To Subdue Immigration Protesters,” http://www.dailycaller.com (July 6, 2014); “Gohmert: Obama Is Flooding Texas With Immigrants To ‘Turn It Blue,’ ” http://www.breitbart.com (July 7, 2014); “Murietta Residents: Obama Admin Flooding Our Streets to Force ‘Immigration Reform,’ ” http://www.breitbart.com (July 8, 2014); “Murietta immigration debate: Should they stay or should they go?” http://www.america.aljazeera.com (July 11, 2014); Francis X. Donnelly, “Possible housing of Central American children meets with protest in small Michigan town,” The Detroit News (July 14, 2014); Igor Bobic, “GOP Candidate Mistakes YMCA Kids For Migrants, Describes ‘Fear In Their Faces,’ ” The Huffington Post (July 16, 2014).
The views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays of art are solely their decision and responsibility.
Nick wrote “I was told @ least 200 times, ‘Why don’t you leave,’ or ‘You’re free to leave’ pre 2014, as were others. I don’t remember it happening here once since 2014”
Actually it happened to me once or twice on the “Former Utah Attorneys General Swallow and Shurtleff Arrested” thread. And Samantha called me a few choice names.
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OK, hold it right there sport. Put your money where your mouth is. I have never said anything remotely like that to anyone regarding the spam filter.
Second, the weekend writers are not anyone’s employees except our own. There is no rule, written or unwritten, that we have to go through the spam dump looking for lost comments, trollish or otherwise. We sure as hell aren’t on call to do so on demand. In fact, AFAIK no spams were retrieved until Mike Spindell and Gene Howington started the practice.
The University of Texas El Paso did an analysis in 2012. They predicted this huge wave of children from Central America. They and the Border Patrol presented this information to WH. It was ignored.
Paul,
Just because I said my feelings weren’t hurt that doesn’t mean I think what you did was okay. Accusing people of doing things with no evidence to back up your claims is pretty low. Larry and I will call you and Nick out every time you do it if we are aware that you’re making those types of accusations again.
Elaine – my evidence is anecdotal, which in this case is solid gold. As I said before, now that I know it is not part of your job description, I will find a work around. However, I am very tired of you denigrating my character with your baseless accusations and demand an apology!!!!
OT The whole thread seems to have gone off topic but I’m going off that topic too.
Center for Constitutional Rights
We are accepting applications for legal internships for the fall 2014 term. The application deadline is Friday, July 25. Please pass these opportunities along to law students in your networks!
Nick,
You made accusations about Larry, Chuck, and me with no evidence or proof to back it up. Keep it up. Keep accusing people of things for which you have no proof. Keep impugning their character and integrity because you don’t like them and because you take issue with their stances on issues. With you, it doesn’t matter whether it’s hot, cold or temperate. Your accusations and nasty comments continue throughout the year. Evidently, Darren hasn’t retrieved all of your comments. Maybe he’s part of the conspiracy too!
I have made this claim several times in the past. There was once when Chuck was actively commenting on the thread sometime last year. I asked him @ least 2, maybe 3 times and it was ignored, even though he kept commenting. I don’t remember the thread. That time, and other times, my accusations were ignored, a sorta “Yeah, what you gonna do about it.” Oh, I’ve gotten the “We have lives” which I understand. But I complain when GBers are actively commenting on the thread and the request is ignored. At least admit it, Darren retrieves the bulk of the comments. I obviously hit a nerve this time w/ you folks. Curious it never struck a nerve like this previously. Maybe it’s the heat?
Nick,
Once again, you can’t help but insult us again. The only dishonest tactics are your false and outrageous claim that we have conspired to keep your comments in wordpress limbo. When you malign my character or the character of Elaine and Chuck, I have no choice but to call you out on it. You created this with the false accusations and you know how you can stop it.
Elaine, HOLD ON!!! Nowhere did I say delete, NOWHERE!! That is a flagrant flop and dissembling. I don’t need an apology for you dissembling about what I’ve said. I just call you on it and that’s it! I can dish it out and I can take it. Read what I said in my last paragraph of my 3:04p comment. I’m not whining or crying for an apology on the McCarty comparison. I called it stupid and leave it @ that.
I’m a lowly commenter and I’ve tried a couple times to end this like adults. The two GBERs and minions are trying to escalate this and using dishonest tactics in that regard. Pitiful.
Nick,
No one called you Joseph McCarthy. It was the quote that I felt was appropriate. You and Paul and Karen have called Chuck’s, Larry’s, and my integrity into question. It has been implied that we have colluded to delete or not retrieve your comments. You can dish it out. You continue to criticize us on a regular basis. When we respond to your accusations, you cry foul. Why don’t YOU stop the incessant carping about us…and let it go?
No Nick. You are the one who made the spurious accusations about Elaine, Chuck and myself. An apology is what an adult would do when they have tarnished the integrity of someone with no proof. What is stupid is the fact that you are stating, without hesitation, that there is a conspiracy against you. This will be resolved.
rafflaw – you really have your underwear in a twist. I do not know why the rant is continuing. Elaine contents her feelings were not hurt so I am sure yours were not. Chuck does not seem to be around, so what is the big deal here?
Paul,
You must be an admirer of Ann Coulter.
Elaine – I am not making the Ann Coulter connection. Why do you think I must be an admirer of hers?
Exactly Elaine, it’s bizarre.
Elaine, Hang in there. As you have said, just consider the source. I find your contributions well researched, well thought.out, timely and interesting. Keep up the good work.
Annie,
I find it interesting how some grown men get their jollies by constantly carping and casting aspersions on the character of people they’ve never met–people who have different political views than theirs and with whom they disagree. These fellas need to get a life.
LOL! It’s on the record rafflaw. It was civil pre 2014 FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE. It was vile if you weren’t a member of the club. “Sociopath, liar, homophobe, sexist, racist, STFU,” and many more epithets were a daily routine. I have directed some new commenters to read the archives. They are shocked @ the depravity. There were some real mean and nasty people here. The record reflects that and makes your assertion “This blog was not an echo chamber. It was however mostly civil” laughable. Your bias is so strong it clouds your entire world view. That’s what I mean when I call you intellectually dishonest. It is exponentially more civil and diverse since January 2014. The record supports that. I believe JT believes that, but I do not speak for him. We have seen JT very diligent here since January, making sure we do not go back to the dark days. I was told @ least 200 times, “Why don’t you leave,” or “You’re free to leave” pre 2014, as were others. I don’t remember it happening here once since 2014. Ironically, some old timers accused me of wanting Elaine to leave. That’s untrue. But it is classic projection.
Once again. We are not going to resolve this. Can’t you just let it go? Can’t we just agree to disagree? I was just called Joe McCarthy. I’m not going to whine or ask for an apology. It’s stupid. Let’s end it w/o having JT have to intervene.
Elaine, just more of the same bullpoop.
Paul,
I consider the sources of the critical remarks–so, no, my feelings were not hurt.
And because there might have been some communists serving in government, that gave McCarthy the right to ruin the reputations of innocent people. After all, witch hunts can be exciting…and fun–except for the innocent people whose reputations are ruined
Elaine – there not only were some, there were a lot and they were sending secrets to the Soviets. The only reputations that were ruined were those who deserved it.
Oh, dear…the barrage of criticism continues. Blah…blah…blah. Some guest bloggers have integrity–but some are evil liberal scum who are passive aggressive and collude with one another to delete or refuse to retrieve conservatives’ comments. It’s a conspiracy!
Elaine – did your little feelings get hurt?