The problem wrote on Jan 8, 2008 1:42 AM:The problem, in my opinion, of why there is such resentment with the current crop of immigrants is because 1) They are not really immigrants at all, but merely illegal aliens; 2) Most of these illegal aliens are from Latin American countries, and have absolutely no desire to assimilate into the collective mainstream of American culture; 3) Most Americans are sick to death of the sheer numbers of illegal aliens with which we have to contend with as a nation; 4) Most Americans are sick of Political Correctness and he disregard of law-- particularly by individuals who are not supposed to be in this country anyway; 5) Many of the shortcomings of illegal aliens could be forgiven, if not condoned, IF they would show more willingness (and respect) by learning to speak English; 6) The misapplication of the 14th Amendment by MILLIONS of illegal aliens; 7) The social clash between the archaic values of a third world country and its host nation (read into that what you will); 8) And finally, I am persuaded that many Americans simply do not like Mexicans as a people group. Whether that is right or wrong, it is their right as Americans to feel that way within their own country. Many Americans (myself included) feel the immigration policies practiced by Mexico reek of hypocrisy, and we are sick of their double-standard when it comes to the ideal of national sovereignty. Even if mass illegal immigration were a good thing, too much of anything.... well, if you know how that saying goes, then you have common sense--- something sorely lacking by our so-called "leaders" today who refuse to deal with the illegal immigration problem head-on.

Twisted wrote on Jan 8, 2008 2:19 AM:Crew mistakes pop culture for American culture. I grew up with an American culture of honest government, civil tranquility, faith, sacrifice, and hard work. Now our culture is being twisted by Mexican nationals waving Mexican flags to the beat of drums while calling Americans racists and pining for the reconquista of the American Southwest. At the same time, the Mexican constitution is loaded with xenophobic policies directed against foreigners, and fails to protect Mexican citizens from government corruption and government inflamed anti-American bigotry.

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 8, 2008 2:34 AM:Misunderstands American culture?...I think the comment is just being nice....Sams comment make him look like an idiot IMHO...His comment are clearly anti-Mexican and that is the undertone to spread more mass hysteria amongst those who can't thinhk for themselves.

True American wrote on Jan 8, 2008 4:28 AM:J. Howard Crews cites well but remains oblivious. He uses the word 'countrymen.' Sam Abed is a 'countryman.' He reminds of my mother, a German who became a US citizen as soon as possible after coming here as a WW2 warbride. We do have a culture that has a host of influences. There is a balance. No one contributing culture has supplanted or stiffled another. THAT IS THE KEY! Balance. Sam was born Lebanese, my mother German, but each wanted to be American.

True American wrote on Jan 8, 2008 4:29 AM:J. Howard Crews cites well but remains oblivious. He uses the word 'countrymen.' Sam Abed is a 'countryman.' He reminds me of my mother, a German who became a US citizen as soon as possible after coming here as a WW2 warbride. We do have a culture that has a host of influences. There is a balance. No one contributing culture has supplanted or stiffled another. THAT IS THE KEY! Balance. Sam was born Lebanese, my mother German, but each wanted to be American.

Vistan wrote on Jan 8, 2008 6:09 AM:Mr. Crews, the trouble with your argument is that Mr. Abed is correct in what he is saying. I believe all of the people you mention above, with the exception of Gibran Khalil Gibran, are citzens of this country, pay there taxes and have worked to become Americans in every sense of the word. The issue, I think, Mr. Abed is / was making is that the "Illegal" immigrants do NOT want to become Americans and contribute to this country. All they are here for is to take everything they can from this country, while only contributing their labor. They are more then willing to take free education and free medical care and live without paying their share of taxes owed BUT that is all. It is way to easy to imply that people are xenophodic or racist just because you disagree with their opinions. I, for one, applaud Mr. Abed's willingness to stand up and take a stand.

fedup wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:02 AM:let's call a spade a spade here folks.

ILLEGALS, go home.

thanks Mr. Crews wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:07 AM:You expressed my feelings too as I read Mr. Abed's Sunday forum. Having grown up in the American southwest, I am clueless as to the feelings against Mexico shown by people who claim to be Californians. Spanish is an amazing language and is part of my culture. Mexicans are warm and friendly people. Most of the Mexican-looking people that seem to drive these Minutemen types crazy when they see them are here legal and proper. I have yet to hear how people can tell by looking whether someone is "illegal" or not. Obviously you can't. So lately we see the demonizing of an entire nation and culture. The problems of our society are not the fault of Mexico. Or China. Or Iran. Or North Korea. Or Venuzuela. Maybe we should blame ourselves for our problems?

Taxes wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:13 AM:Hey folks, I agree with much of what is being said about illegal immigrants, but they PAY TAXES. Not only sales taxes, but they are mostly paid by check which includes withholding. Only a small portion of these folks work under the table for cash, and as someone very close the general contracting world, I can say it is very, very difficult to pay people under the table anymore without getting into some serious accounting trouble. The bottom line is the guys you see on the corner looking for work or living in the canyons aren't representative of the 12 million that are here.

sdraoul wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:09 AM:Crews is right but not right enough. He is too kind to Abed. Abed simply cannot intepret what he sees based on his very limited world view. If he was right there would be no Mexicans in our Marines, our Army, Navy and Air Force. But they are there. If he was right Italian flags would be disapproved on Columbus Day or Irish flags on St. Patrick's day. He would be incensed that entire regiments in the Union Army were Irish with Irish flags and Gaelic slogans and war cries. He would be enraged that German speaking soldiers and their families pressured Abraham Lincoln into appointing German speaking generals who were incompetent and cost us thousands of dead soldiers for no reason other than the generals spoke German. There are no such demands by Mexican immigrants, legal or illegal. He would be further enraged that German communities in the Midwest taught all students in public schools in German. Abed would be a very unhappy man if his limited view prevailed any further than it does. What the Lebanese immigranty doesn't understand is that his view is overcome by America, by its Constitution and by the contributions of all immigrants, legal or illegal. Some groups, like many in his own Arab community refuse to assimilate or to blend in at all. There are large portions of San Diego and El Cajon where Mulsim women proliferate with their abayas and covering clothes that are foreign to our eyes and sensibilities, but few people write Op-Ed pieces complaining about the situation. Those who are offended usually stay quiet because they realize that this is a free country. That is something Abed hasn't yet figured out. The key is that we don't demand covered women prove they are here legally, that they speak English or dress like any other American. We can frown at Abed-like Arabs but we leave them alone; we can frown when we know that many of Abed's fellow Arabs cheered 9/11 but it is a free country and they are entitled to their opinions, despicable as they are. Abed's thoughts are rejected by many but it is a free country and those Mexicans in Iraq and Afghanistan and at Camp Pendleton wear the uniform to protect Abed's right to his opinion, that is more than can be said about Abed hismelf.

ed wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:14 AM:Why all the anger towards people looking for work? You would do exactly the same in their predicament. Direct your anger at the Bush administration for keeping the borders open and the businesses and American citizens that hire them.

Good Job J. Howard Crews wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:39 AM:Good analogy J. Howard. Funny how some folks forget where they came from!!!!!!

Jaque wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:55 AM:TAXES, what's your point?

I appreciate Mr. Abed wrote on Jan 8, 2008 10:13 AM:I appreciate Mr. Abed's actions to improve the plight of Escondido. Escondido used to be a growing, thriving city were young American families wanted to live. Now because of all the illegals and their gangs, people are fleeing Escondido at record numbers. Just take a look at the Mission District. It is very sad!

Dual Nationals wrote on Jan 8, 2008 11:24 AM:Mexicans who claim to become American citizens while retaining dual nationality, and then claim that Mexican illegal aliens are great people while Americans against Mexican illegal immigration are despicable, do not pass my Allegiance to America test.

labels wrote on Jan 8, 2008 2:02 PM:'Terrorist' and 'insurgent' are labels given by this inept administration to try to justify our failed occupation of Iraq. In Afghanistan, when we were supplying them arms in their fight against the Soviet army, we were proud to call them 'freedom fighters'. Iraqis are trying to kick out their occupiers: the US army.

Thanks to Sam wrote on Jan 8, 2008 3:02 PM:To Sam Abed: If you are reading these posts, I want to thank you and others who see where Escondido and this nation are headed and trying to save them. My grandchildren will be thanking you some day also. The open-border types will never understand (or admit to)the difference between legal immigration and sneaking into our country. The waving of their Mexican flags while disrespecting ours says a lot about their culture and their desire to become true Americans.

To The problem wrote on Jan 8, 2008 4:37 PM:Good points, but you left out three big reasons for the resentment of illegal aliens:
1. Taxes, fees and premiums being raised to help educate, medicate, and feed families that have no legal right to reside in this country. Just think of the millions alone California is spending to educate illegal aliens and ... children of illegal aliens.
2. Wages being depressed by workers with no legal right to work in this country.
3. The attitude by illegal aliens that they are somehow entitled to live and work in this country anyway, ahead of immigrants who abide by our laws.

TheWorldisWhatWeMakeIt wrote on Jan 8, 2008 5:38 PM:Crews noted that some immigrants, like Mr. Abed, bring (cling to?) cultural traits from their formative years abroad, especially in a relatively free, relatively open society like the US. We all bring our past, our heritage, and ideals into what we do and how we live. As Americans, we HAVE gotten really rusty on 'knowing history so we don't repeat it.' That takes effort, but what could be more important, really? Otherwise we spin our wheels endlessly, bickering on blogs and changing nothing. While Sam scored some editorial space to vent, the fact is he was elected as a city councilman. What can he actually accomplish in that position to benefit the whole city? Does he want glory, a bully-pulpit and does he indulge in self-congratulation too much? (Yes.) Or would we benefit from council members working diligently and in a civil fashion on things that only city-level, at-large-elected officials can do. All municipal positions such as his should have to submit an annual report on their accomplishments for the permanent public record! Focus on your elected position, Sam: address potholes, libraries, parks, streamlining City spending (e.g. pension obligations!), encourage broader civic participation, court good employers and make the infrastructure in Escondido so superb that people are lining up to move here. Get to work, Abed! Zip the xenophobia and find some things all your fellow Escondidans CAN agree on. That's what you're elected to do, not wave your fist in the air to start a riot.

Sam is Dean On! wrote on Jan 8, 2008 6:21 PM:Crews makes a horrible argument against American hero Sam Abed. Sam is the perfect example of a patriotic American immigrant who feels personally insulted when criminals sneak into our country and cut in line. Their lack of respect for American (and Crew's lack of respect) is why all Americans are DEMANDING secure border and enforcement of the rule of law against the Mexican invasion! Native born Americans should fight as hard to preserve this county as "immigrant" Sam Abed does.

workforce wrote on Jan 8, 2008 6:24 PM:if they are working here then it's obvious we need them here

Gingo wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:21 PM:Crews: "There is no concrete American culture or religion."
Spoken like a true liberal.
It used to be that America's culture was stoic self-determinism and rugged individualism. As the left wins inroads through it's dumbed down education system, however, the culture that made America great is lost to the mommy state.

Nick wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:05 PM:The same drivel from Illegal loving "RaouL' and Roberto". You 2 guys are tired and played out! Talk about ignorance, haven't you 2 knuckleheads figured out that AMERICANS are fed up with ILLEGALS and their supporters?

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 10, 2008 11:28 AM:Lookie here nickelhead...you obviously have lost touch with reality. No one said they are in favour of illegal immigration. Obviously your solution on illegal immigration is an obsessed fantasy. Based on your hate filled drivel...you should probably get informed on the issue before you open your pie-hole.

True American wrote on Jan 12, 2008 12:02 PM:There are people leaving northern San Diego county in droves. As for me I am one of them. For us we became fed up with the back & forth finger pointing between Americans & the liberals that support the illegal alien criminals. We have not since regretted leaving Calif. We now go shopping & feel like we live in the United States. Spanish is NOT spoken or tolerated here. We are Americans here, some whose families immigrated from foreign countries (myself Germany) & assimilated into the American culture, speak English, pay our taxes & contribute to this great country of ours.
My only regret. R.I.P. California the newest mexican territory.