Boot's Byword

Sitting here listening to Dave Brubeck’s “Take 5″ as I try to teach myself a bit about HTML. That’s so I can work on my web page at home.gforcecable.com. Dunno whether I am relieved or frustrated over the Dubai ports deal.  In a way I’m really glad that the deal flopped, because I think that it is not a great idea to sell American business to overseas companies.  I don’t think Dubai has any nefarious schemes to undermine our port security, nor do I think that security in general would be compromised by the purchase.  I just don’t like selling off chunks of America to furriners.

Nope, I don’t hate furriners, I just think there’s a right way and a wrong way to do things.  If a person from another country wants to immigrate legally, and jump through all the hoops require to achieve citizenship, more power to ‘em.  After they raise their right hand and take the oath, then they can start buying up properties, and put as many hotels as they want on Boardwalk and Park Place.

The part that really aggravates me though, is the huge fuss that was made over the whole thing, as if the terrorists were going to start pouring in by the thousands through our already leaky borders (and ports).   The fact that the Dubai outfit are Arabs doesn’t say anything about their character, honesty, loyalty to friends, or business-like diligence.  They are probably smart, forward-thinking fellows just trying to make an honest buck, and I don’t blame them for trying.

OK – now go out and get a life!    

As I woke up this morning, I remembered dreaming about a gathering of people I have cherished.  It was entirely a fantasy, as I have never been able to get more than a few friends into a room at one time, but it was great.  All the people in the dream were real people I have known and cared about, and have not seen for years.  Maybe if I say their names here you will recognize a name and perhaps I will see some of them again some day, God willing.

Marie Magill – Franklin High School, class of ’65.   Played clarinet.  We used to do our homework together sometimes.  Marie was planning to be a nurse.

Sharon Mannon – disappeared from my life after 5th grade – we sometimes walked home from school together, discussing all sorts of strange things.

Carol Unruh – Lost track after 6th grade.  Last time I saw Carol, we had spent a day at Green Lake, for which I had walked 15 miles and got a bit of a sunburn.  I have no doubt Carol is an artist somewhere, as she was incredibly talented.

Bill Rooks – gave me my first real motorcycle ride.  Bill, wherever you are, thank you so much for opening that door to me – I have been riding 40 years and just love it.

Joe D’Andrea – the spelling might be wrong – if so, forgive me, Joe – perhaps Joe was my first boyfriend – perhaps I didn’t realize it until after I wrote to him in ‘Nam and told him I had met a guy – Joe stopped writing.   Joe sent me jump wings from Fort Benning, GA as he accepted assignment to 82nd Airborne.  Joe, if you are out there, please get in touch.  I owe you on a bet we made when I was 16 – remember?

Frank Lill – Frank, if you remember me, you KNOW why I remember you!  Keep your beautiful smile on!

If any of you very special people sees this blog, do email me on yahoo – if you, the reader, know any of these people, let them know that I still care and would love to hear from them.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, and uses some very strange tools!  Be one of them.

I am dismayed to see that the media are treating the criminals who sneak into this country as immigrants.  An immigrant is a person who, for whatever reason, goes through the proper legal process to enter this country, and who wants to become a productive, contributing member of our nation and culture.  Immigrants are hard-working people who want nothing more than a chance to live in a free society, raise their children safe from religious persecution or police-state oppression, and earn a good life – they want to live the American Dream and are not afraid or ashamed to work hard for it.

I note that in many news media stories, both in the papers and over TV and radio, illegals are termed "immigrants", and the counter-protesters are termed “anti-immigration”.  This is entirely wrong!!!  I don’t know anyone who is anti-immigration — this country was founded on and built by immigration, and immigrants have always been the strength of this country.  They have been entrepreneurs, loyal employees, dedicated participants in local government, and outspoken forces for improvement in the American way of life.

Those who have entered this country illegally have already shown their disregard for law and order, and their disrespect for authority.  They spent yesterday calling for justice, but have no concept of what the term means.  They have already gotten a better deal than “justice” would have given them.  Justice would have sent them home in chains and shame, never to return.

Real immigrants get respect from most Americans, as we know the history of this country and its dependence on immigration to keep our country the wonderful "melting pot" that it is.  The illegals have only increased the anger quotient in this country — perhaps that is what was intended.  Wouldn’t it be ironic if the backlash from their attempt to intimidate real citizens (and those dedicated to becoming citizens) resulted in enough civil unrest to destroy the progress all imigrants have made over 200+ years?   America cannot afford to rescind its invitation to the oppressed and downtrodden – we would be much less if we did that.  We also cannot afford to welcome into our bosom the anti-American wavers of foreign flags who demand, rather than earn, the rights of citizenship here.

I hope our national leadership will take serious note of the inflammatory rhetoric seen on May 1, and realize that it was backed by people with no intention of contributing to this country.  I sincerely hope that our national leadership will take a strong stance to stop illegal entry into this country and control the flow of hate that crosses our borders daily (and nightly).

True immigrants come here to love and strengthen America – I salute them.