Mexican consul draws big crowd

" As long as our government turns its head to this travesty, we will have all of Mexico here within a short time. I wonder how this president will like to go down in history as the leader who handed his country over to a third world nation? "

" Look like this would be a good place to grab a bunch of illegals and deport them! "

" Exposing The Open Border Lobby Cheap Labor? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is all about? The corporate CARTELS do not want to pay a decent wage, health benefits to U.S. citizens, consumers don't want expensive produce, Certain Senators will inform you that Americans don't want the jobs, so the bottom line is cheap labor. "The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth, a liberal spin, newspaper rhetoric, a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor." EXCEPT TO EMPLOYERS! Take, for example, an illegal Mexican, someone from Jamiaca, or Guatemala or anywhere who sneaks across our porous border with his wife and five children. Once an illegal alien pregnant mother steals into our homeland, the baby automatically becomes a citizen. (In truth, this amendment to our Constitution was never meant for this ) But as Anchor babies they are allowed the same rights as a citizen. He finds a job for five or six dollars an hour. At that wage with six dependents he pays NO income tax, yet at the end of the year if he files income tax return he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 FREE. The family qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent. The family qualifies for food stamps. The family qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care. Their children get free breakfasts and lunches at school. The county also spends a total of $316,232 annually on children’s services for illegal immigrants, including child care, medical treatment, foster care, preschool services, child welfare and food stamps. However, the county is reimbursed at least $173,683, or 55 percent, for some of these children’s services, according to the report. Their children get bilingual teachers and books. The family qualifies for relief from high energy bills. If he gets hurt, he gets Free Emergency hospital care. In many instances, the employer has him dropped off at the Institution. If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled they qualify for SSI. Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for medicare. All of this is at that taxpayers expense. He doesn't have to worry about car insurance, life insurance. The government of the foreign national aliens, has reduced their liabilities and removed millions of poor, uneducated people on America, and we get saddled with the bill. In conclusion, the disgusting anti-American Senate bill gets passed, we will be supporting between 66 to 100 million more immigrants within 20 years. This is according to the non-profit Heritage Foundation, authored and calculated by Robert Rector. In addition, the estimate for this so called comprehensive immigration travesty is estimated to cost the taxpayers approximately 90 billion dollars a year. Oh Yes! The old, tired argument that illegal aliens pay local, state and federal taxes like all US citizen’s will not hold water any more. . Billions of dollars are sent home to foreign nations every year –that’s why it’s very lucrative for their governments not to rock the boat. AMERICA enough is enough! "

" Shame on the USA for allowing this to take place. Deport all Illegals and stop them from destroying the USA. "

" The only Mexicans who need a Mexican Matricula Consular card are Mexicans who are illegaly here in the United States.Those Mexicans who are legaly living in the U.S. will already have a Green Card. These Mexican I.D. cards are a sham since nobody does a background check on those who are applying for them. The citizens should take a close look at Los Angeles. If you don't tell your Congressman that you want the immigration laws enforced and that you don't want amnesty to be rewarded to the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens already here. What your going to see is your hospitals closing, your jails over flowing, your police officers being shot and killed on the streets, your schools turning out graduates who will not be ready to join society and the quality of life in general deteriating. It happened in Los Angeles and it will happen in the midwest. "

" These consulate people should mind their own buisness. They are not legal residents here. They have no right giving out Id's or any kind of identification here on our soil. "

" It's a real shame that the Mexican "government" sees fit to assist their criminal citizens in the US, but they fail to do anything for them in their own country. Mexican citizens are dying daily at the hands of the Zetas, and the drug cartels, they are robbed, beaten and women are raped by the coyotes. The coward coyotes leave them to die here in the desert to protect their measely behinds and their illgotten money. The Mexican government is nothing more that an extention of the drug cartels so why should it citizens expect anything good to come from it. And without a backbone enabling them to stand up for themselves why do we need them to invade our schools, hospitals, jobs, our country. They have lost any synpathy I have had for their plight. "

" "Huerta said he doesn't know how many of the people seeking their services are in the U.S. illegally." It's nice to know that our city and our literacy council sanction illegal events. "

" Send them all back to Mexico. Illegals are a big drain on our resources. I mean how many of their kids are on free lunch at school? Ever been hit in a car by one without insurance? I could go on and on forever. "

" in the past immagrants to this country, assimulated quickly into society. they couldnt wait to "become american". what i am seeing now is a slow steady progression towards building a country within a country. they dont necessarily want to become american, but rather setup mexico north, and the mexican government totally sanctions this. through actions like allowing the illegal aliens here, to vote in elections back in mexico, and by sending their Mexican consulate here, to issue id cards. For the city of Beloit to allow, and in fact welcome this is outrageous. "

" I cant believe this is really true!!!So whats next open the borders up so no-more mexicans die from tring to escape what is supposed to be so full of poverty?Hey great ole Pres' of the grand ole USA I didnt move to Mexico,I do not see what the purpose of this man who came into office of why this man is giving our land away,or take from our families when all we did was stand behind the grand ole USA,in case some of those have forgotten it stands for UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and is the motherland of Americans not Mexicans!!! They have a country let them work as hard as they do for their own WE NEED OUR JOBS!!!This man started two wars at once he will go down in history(I didnt ask to go!!)I AM SO DONE WITH ALL OF THIS CRAZINESS!!! "

" We are the red white and blue We are (supposed) to be true To the great old red white and blue!! HEY AMERICA WE ARE TO BE TRUE TO THE RED WHITE AND BLUE..NOT TO THE MEXICAN COUNCIL!!IF YOU CANT SPEAK THE LANGUAGE GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY DOESNT THAT APPLY TO ALL COUNTRIES? "

" Doesn't it seem like this whole immigration hubbub is really thinly disguised racism. The history of this country is to accept immigrants with open arms, but now that they are brown it gets people into an uproar. Hispanics are good for this country, and they are here to stay, so deal with it or move to North Dakota. "

" The level of racism in this city astounds me. I would like to be proud of my hometown...but some of you folks aren't making it very easy. "

" Who is this Dave and why isn't HE running for congress? All we get is Feingold and Kohl... "

" In the article it states that the Literacy council offers 6 free classes a day, Monday thru Thursday, to help improve English speaking, reading and writing. I would like to see how many actually turn out for that free program? I have never seen a line like that for those FREE classes. "

" Chas...that is because many of them are busy working their tails off 16-17 hours a day. I taught ESL (thats English as a Second Language) classes and let me tell you...they DO show up. In DROVES. And they take their books home and they learn. What you should try is packing up all your possesions, moving to a country where you don't speak the language, and see how quickly you pick up on it. Again. Veiled racism. THINLY veiled. "

" dont you all realize that it isnt just the mexicans that are here illigally? its the africans, the english, scotish, jamacans, cubans... the list goes on and on. America is one of the greatest nations on this earth why can the American people find it in their hearts to help out those who are less fortunate? Our country was built on a Christian foundation. The Bible says that we are to care for the poor, sick, and hungry people of this world. Yet all over the world people are dying of starvation, AIDS, poor drinking water, cold, you name it. and here in American people think that they are so better than the rest of the world and that we are the only people who deserve to live in this wonderful nation. a couple of you stated "shame on the american gov." well... yes, shame on America. Shame on you for forgetting the values that this country was built on, for throwing the poor, sick, hungry, needy people out in the streets just so that you can make more money have have more "stuff" Shame on you! None of us would be here today if it wasnt for our relatives imagrating here to being with. America is just a name, it shouldnt be a nationality. this is all just a case of people not wanting to "share their toys" "

" Alot of you seem to love to scream racism.Your not reading the word illegal.I know its hard for some people to comprehend the word.Lets say I only want to kill one person today.I know it's not right.But come on its only one person and it was for a good reason.What part of illegal don't you understand? "

" If all you're concerned with is their legal status, why the consistent reference to the language they speak, the heritage they practice, or their lack of "assimilation". Why do you CARE about assimilation if your only point of contention is their legal status? Sorry, I'm not "screaming" racism. Telling people to "go back to where they came from" and "learn the language" is racist. I doubt some of you even bother to discern the legality of a Mexican person before you go off on their inability to "assimilate". In addition, I doubt if you hear someone in the grocery store or mall speaking with a British accent that you automatically assume they are here illegally. Ask yourself if you make that same assumption about a spanish speaking person. I know plenty of Spanish speaking individuals who have EARNED their right to be in this country far more than many who were born here. You may not like the SOUND of the word racism, but actions speak lounder than words. If you don't want to be labled a racist, quit acting like one. If your only concern is the legal status of people who came here seeking a better life, then maybe some of you need to start becoming part of the solution rather than the problem. "

" Here's something from a writer in Fl. that makes sense. In Fl. it's more Cubans, but it's the same. They want to make Spanish and English both the main language of the state... pay to replace all city/county/state signs with bi-lingual ones... http://soapboxpapers.blogspot.com/ Legal is fine...illegal isn't. "

" In response to Amanda (10-23-06) In regard to those FREE Classes offered, who pays the teacher? The classes may be free to the "students" but not to the taxpayers. "

" Get into a car accident with an illegal alien. Guess what? The MAJORITY of them do not carry auto insurance and thats a fact! Guess whose car insurance goes up? Going back to Jimmy on 10-04-06, the word ILLEGAL means:1. not lawful 2.unlawful 3. criminal 4. illicit 5. wrongful. Alien means: a foreign-born who has not been naturalized. Belonging to another. When my grandparents came to this country, they went through the legal process. They were PROUD to fly the American Flag and SERVE our country. They were honored to work and pay taxes. How many of these aliens are registered for the draft? How many of them are honored to fly the American Flag? "

" jgk wrote on October 26, 2006 6:25 PM:"In response to Amanda (10-23-06) In regard to those FREE Classes offered, who pays the teacher? The classes may be free to the "students" but not to the taxpayers." ********** The teacher works on a volunteer basis...as do many people who care for and help our fellow man...rather than look for creative ways to be a bigot. I love to hear the cried of the people about flag waving and country serving. Many of these people you are so whole-heartedly against struggled harder than you ever will in your life to simply make life better for their family. If you could witness the living conditions in some areas of Mexico you would do the same. In addition, I don't put too much weight in ridiculous quotes of "fact" when they are not backed up with any kind of source, statistic, or reference. I'm not worried about "illegals" running into my car and raising my insurance. I'm worried about my country traipsing on the civil rights of others and treating human beings like animals. That is my main concern. I have no problem with my tax money going towards the education of those who fought to get to this country for a better life. I do, however, have a problem with my tax dollars going to fund a war with no reason. I guess by your estimate, that would make me not only un-American...but no better than any illegal immigrant. Like I said before. There are those who are part of the problem, and those who join in to become part of the solution. If you know English so well, I invite you to volunteer to be an ESL tutor. Put your good-ole-boy American sensibilities and supreme intellect to work! "

" I am a third generation USC of Spanish decent by way of Mexico. I am a contributor to all facets of the American Way of Life. It was a struggle for my parents (3rd grade education) as they worked the fields to feed their children (9) and provide for the family and were self-employed as business owners. I am college educated and a Federal Criminal Investigator. From reading all the different letters I want to point out there are OTM that live in your community illegaly in our country- but perhaps they are not brown; therefore no noticed. Lets all just get along and respect each other. Thanks Beloit for not being racist when I lived in your community and attended your schools- PURPLE PRIDE- '75! "

" Illegal alien by any other name is still a person who is illegal. Free classes are not free classes unless they do not involve any form of taxpayer supplied meeting rooms, reading materials, training aids or other supplies, including the time of a "teacher' that is not to be proteted by any form of worker's compensation or liability protection. "Many" who volunteer does not mean "all" Regardless of any struggle the person's initial act and any continued act are illegal, and cannot be justified. If someone attacks a family member, throws them out of their house and then tosses out the trash, does that mean they are good people because they took out the trash? If you're worried about "civil rights" of folks, the first thing is to find out for yourself what those rights are. Forget what some teacher told you in a class in junior high school, because if you took your marginal education seriously, you would not rely on a teacher, a newspaper, a news program or a friends opinion. You would verify, and reverify from multiple sources with differing view points. How much have you personally helped an illegal alien? Have you taken them into your home, purchased groceries, a vehicle or clothing, paying rent or utilities or other assistance? You can do all you want with your own money. Until that happens you do not have any standing to demand others do as much or more.You do not have the right to demand others to do it. Why does English have to be taught? In the past when others immigrated legally to this country, they had sponsors who did that for them if they did not learn it before they got here. "

" sounds like amanda is in love "

" Do you think the people that are here illegally don't want to be legal? The government makes in almost impossible for people to petition and become legal residents. You either have to have a legal/blood relationship with a citizen/resident or be sponsored by an employer. But even that has no guarantees. Oh and it does cost a lot of money. 10 years ago, when I petitioned for my husband, it cost us about $2000.00 and 2 years of interviews and appointments. My brother and sister-in-law were going to be sponsored by an employer. The employer spent over $6000.00 in application and lawyers fees and was then denied. They tried to do it the right way, but the employer ended up paying $1500 to a coyote to bring my brother-in-law to Texas. So my vote is to less up the criteria for application to be a resident and I bet the lines would be longer for that then the lines at the Consulate. "

" Sra. G - your comments show that you must have recieved your grammar education at a teacher's union dominated school. Were you talking about your brother and sister-in-law or brother-in-law you seem to have mixed up which criminals to whom you were refering. Just asking, but how long did it take the very many legal immigrants who suffred through Ellis and Angel Islands? "

" Hey Highwayman, it is pretty ironic that you insult Sra. G's grammar and then say something like: "you seem to have mixed up which criminals to whom you were refering" which is a grammatical nightmare and misspells referring. Maybe you should worry less about others mistakes and read a book every once in a while. "

" I've been following these posts and thought I'd re-read the article. I have a question and maybe someone can answer. According to Huerta, "Many people seek dual citizenship so they can have the rights of a Mexican in Mexico and the rights of an American in the U.S." Now correct me if I'm wrong. I guess I always thought when a person became a citizen of the US they pledged their allegiance to the American Flag and the United States. So this statement by Huerta confuses me. Also, do illegal Americans in Mexico have rights in Mexico? These are just questions I have and have asked because I would like to know. "

" Highway man...Thank you for pointing out my typo..... sometimes even with a Master's Degree, I make mistakes..omg, I must be human. And yes you can have dual citizenship with US/Mexico....Now don't all go running to the border...and as far as your rights in Mexico..you have the same rights as everyone...the more money you have the more rights you have. "

" per the note of "Sra Garcia...November 06, 2006 4:58 PM:"...I must be human. And yes you can have dual citizenship with US/Mexico....and as far as your rights in Mexico..you have the same rights as everyone...the more money you have the more rights you have. " that's partially true unless you are Anglo and then its totally false. You have a Master's Degree? Online education is wonderful isn't it!!! "

" Sra Garcia, A simple question. Are you a U.S citizen? "

" Nice to see that adults can completely miss the point and start taking personal pot-shots at eachother at an attempt to win an arguement. Brilliant. "

" Yes, I am...and now if you'll excuse me I'm on my way to vote. Hope you all have done the same..... "

" Send them all back to Mexico where they belong. They are the ones who are eliminating the middle class here. The people who hire them should face the penalties as well. They sure don't deserve what we and our forefathers have fought and died for in this country. If they want to be here draft them and see how many will fight for this country and the right to be her. "

" Wow.....it is amazing to see the response in this forum. I am equally amazed to see that it takes a topic like this to spur such a response from our locals. Maybe we should agree to live as neighbors and put our efforts into topics such as the drug and crime problem in this city. Then we might truly see something AMAZING. "

" Nice, whats your point? "

" I agree with Rocknbye, employers and landlords alike should be held accoutable for hiring and renting to illegals. If they have LEGAL documents, no problem. Its the illegals we have problems with. This is the point that some of you are missing! Presidents Hoover and Eisenhower dealt with this problem head on. "

" I'm embarassed to not only be a life long resident of Beloit but of the United States...We have much bigger problems on the rise like loosing our youth to drugs, gangs and immoral values, than who lives where. Where do you think these "illegals" shop, or where do their children go to school? Some of you are treating the hispanic community like 2nd class citizens, WOULD JESUS TREAT YOU LIKE THAT, nope... "

" Again, point missed. Refugees who come to this country seeking political asylum or because of religious persecution is one thing. People sneaking in illegally is another. Jesus would not condone illegal acts. "

" So tell me Sam, What would Jesus do?? I think you've missed the point.... "

" You tell me HK where in the Bible does Jesus condone sin? "

" HK, I don't know what Jesus would do but what ever it would be, it would be right because as you know, he was perfect and made no mistakes and was without sin. "

" I don't recall anywhere that Jesus told his followers to undertake illegal actions. I'm sure that someone will provide the details if I missed and all will be enlightened. Now I'm going to honor those who sacrificed all in order to let those who whine practice their specialty. Take time today to read the item entitled "In the Arena" and you just might get a bit of a clue to what I am honoring. If you dont like what I honor - go to mexico where you have so many rights. "

" In regard to Amanda 10/27/06. We the tax payers pay the teachers! There are grants the state offers for them to take classes. While they are taking those classess we are paying someone to watch there kids also. I for one do not agree with that. My grandfather is Mexican...and he didn't teach any of his children spanish. He said you are in America and you speak ENGLISH. I don't feel any non-citizen from any race should be getting WIC or any other state funded program at tax payer expence when they are not a United States Citizen. Things need to change!! "

" You're right, things do need to change. We need to start clearing away the red tape and help these people become citizens instead of using hatred and bigotry to keep them down. They deserve an opportunity at a good life, just like all of us do. Like I said before, why not be part of the solution instead of the problem? Right now, it can take up to six years and thousands upon thousands of dollars to gain citizenship to this country. In addition, getting a work visa is no easy task. These people are coming from the type of poverty you and I will never have to see. This is not just them coming over to take our work. They are escaping poverty to try and feed their kids. As fellow human beings we owe to them to help them. And THAT is what Jesus would do! He wouldn't stand by slinging insults while another human being starved. Christian brotherhood and love, indeed. "

" I don't know what God you serve, but the one I do would never condone illegal activity. There are ways for these people to come here and work legally. What they are doing isn't legal. If we open our doors to them as you suggest, every terriost in the world will be coming here via Mexico. We have laws for a reason. Too bad America doesn't enforce the laws that are in place. There was an interesting article in yesterdays online BDN's how one town in Texas voted to handle illegals. Maybe this will once and for all set up a precedent. One can only hope. "

" :"I don't know what God you serve, but the one I do would never condone illegal activity ******* Well, its a good thing your invisible friend doesn't make our laws! Have you READ your Bible? "Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me" Hypocrite doesn't look good on anyone, Sam. "

" Civil war is coming. When the law is not enforced and the government ignores the will of the people, then war is unavoidable. No bible, no allegedly lofty ideals can stop it. "

" Its pathetic, the Americans that are so prejudice about immigrants. Since the marches, the sentiment of the American people has turned into a witch hunt. Come on everyone, the Mexican people are doing all the jobs that you will not do. You would not do the hard work that they do. Not to mention, that most do not even get paid like they should. We were all immigrants at one time, and not very long ago. There is not one person that is here that is not an immigrant. Did we forget? The immigration laws need to be changed. Give accountability to the workers. Who cares if they are illegal, let them work and support their families. They are here already. Find a friend. "

" To the American Girl! You must not have been paying attention on Sept. 11th when terrorist killed so many of our people. Please have some common sense when letting people into our country illegally. Who's to say Osama doesn't come into our country through Mexico. You sound like a student because you obviously don't pay taxes yet! If you did you wouldn't be so quick to let people come into our country illegally and abuse our education and medical system as they do. I have nothing against people who come into our country legally, but whats next? Do we make murder legal? No matter how you explain the immigrants coming to the USA for work it is illegal any way you slice the pie!!! "

" american girl, how much should and uneducated illegal alien, who doesn't speak or read English be paid? "

" This certainly cuts through to the basic principles of the whole issue... A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!! It explains things better than all the baloney you've been reading here or have heard on TV. Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say,"I've made your beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest(except for when I broke into your house). According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family(my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for the breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know. And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me. Why can't people see how riduculous this is?! Only in America. If you don't see the value in this, blow it off along with your future Social Security funds, and a lot of other things. "

" I did not know we were spending 30 grand a year for college so our children can work at McDonalds and cut the lawn.The truth is that everyone that is against immigrants just need to look for a solution I think ALL immigrants that commit a felony crime being need to be deported as for the insurance issue well if they could get a license we would not have this problem and just a quick note the state spends so much money on illegals I checked 15 of my family members taxes the dont file but they pay the paid over 40 thousand dollars where does the money go because whoever is getting it it is for free Lets find a solution and quit paying for your kids to work on my lawn "

" American Girl said: "We were all immigrants at one time, and not very long ago." Ummm...not everyone. Some people were here before it was "discovered" by the first waves of immigrants. Soem were "legally" brought against their will. My ancestors were here, some came through Ellis Island, and some moved (legally) south from Canada. Not everyone immigrated here. "

" FREEDOM FIGHTER...I hate to say this, but I find it funny that you...and those of your ilk..chastise the immigrants for being "uneducated" yet you yourself cannot seem to form a complete sentence, not to mention punctuate a paragraph. Yet what makes you so much better than those willing to fight tooth and nail for a better life? The good fortune that you just happened to be BORN here? Obviously intelligence and education has little to do with our WORTH as Americans. "

" Yes I am Mexican not the most educated one but I do have a thing called common sense, please keep in mind that I am legal and some of the issues affect me just as they affect you! Lets get this strait, Hispanics have the lowest education level which means we don’t go to school therefor we cant possibly be taking advantage of your children's schooling right? The majority are illegal but yet they are forced to pay taxes which they cant claim back, we have never protested or complained about "Americans" not speaking Spanish you do have a choice what language to speak no one is forcing you to speak Spanish, we will make effort to learn English but not if you keep providing your stupid "SE HABLA SPANOL SERVICES" Ha! yes the DL and ID issues, you want to control your country keep track of every one give them ID'S and DL'S so you know who’s in your country but I’m sure you already though of that cause your "Americans" and as far as the social security goes I am gonna let you on a little secret, where Mexicans we don’t plan for retirement and we don use social security it is consider a shame in our culture to depend on those things and not our family's. Now the protestors heres the deal you’re the one who gets up early in the morning to grab your sing and stand out side a building or street and protest for what you believe in, what do you gain nothing but you probably missed out on your family and other great things life has to offer. I see a lot of accusations of us getting all these great benefits of tax payers money, How do you get them, I wanna know? Let me guess you don’t know how you get them, all give you a clue, "Community" that’s what it comes down to certain communities have services that others don’t a better community has better services, you want a great country start taking care of your community by getting involved in a positive way and proving you are better and we need to meet your standards! And please do not compare us or involve us with Mr.Bin Laden his is an animal, disgusting individual because who believes he’s country should only be one way, if you think about it he is just like you. What are you fighting for? you want to talk about wasting tax payers money there it is nock your self out. Your fighting a war that you already lost, your in their home at their mercy just like we are at your mercy at your convenience, yet we still welcome you in our country because we are nothing like you, we have morals and we have culture, Nobody is asking you for anything, So why ask for a conflict! "

" It's interesting that so many people whose families came to the United States when immigration restrictions were almost nonexistent are so quick to condem people who enter the country illegally today, when it's almost impossible to immigrate legally. How many of our grandparents and great grandparents would have had the courage to enter the United States through the back door if the front door had been slammed in their face? Would the country be a better place today if my Norwegian and Welch forebears who came to the United States in the early 1900s had been denied entry? Would it be a better place today if my English forebears, who came to the colonies in the 1750s, had been denied entry? Native Americans might say so. And, to expand on the theme of several comments, would Jesus have slammed the door on my family's immigration in the 18th century or the 20th century? Or, if they had been illegal immigrants then, would they have been forgiven? "

" Yes, Amanda, Christians do serve an “invisible friend.” But, He will NOT remain invisible. 1 John 3:2b “…but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Revelation 1:7a “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth…” Matthew 24:30b “…and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” If you really read your Bible (or God hadn’t been kicked out of our schools) you would realize America’s founders used Scriptures in forming our government and laws. (“Well, its a good thing your invisible friend doesn't make our laws!”) “At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches. He discovered this model of government from the Perfect Governor, as he read Isaiah 33:22” “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” “Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other. The divine law, as discovered by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of both.” (James Wilson, Signer of the Constitution) “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [Patrick Henry May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses] "

" Rich, When most of our ancestors came to this country, they had to go through Ellis Island and be documented. Also, the threat of terrorism (back in the early 1900's) was nonexistent. "