Definitions and language in the debate over illegal immigration
Re: “Solving immigrant woes,” June 27 Ed Quillen column.
Ed Quillen provided an interesting discussion of the various terms used to describe those who are in this country illegally. The one term he avoided is “illegal alien.” He went to the trouble of providing the dictionary definition of “immigrant.” I wonder why he didn’t consult his dictionary for the word “alien,” one definition of which is someone “owing allegiance to a government of a country other than the one in which they are residing.”
Another interesting definition is that of the term “fifth column”: That term is also used in reference to “a population who are assumed to have loyalties to countries other than the one in which they reside.”
Given all the Mexican flags we have seen recently, sounds like a pretty accurate description of illegal aliens and maybe some citizens and legal immigrants.
Gordon J. Johnson, Broomfield
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There are as many remedies to the illegal-immigrant problem as there are proponents. Some of these have proposed that all immigrants should learn to speak English before any recognition.
You’re darn right! How could we possibly put up with folks who don’t speak the language that we have had in these United States for centuries?
Right here in Colorado, we have folks from all over our state who know of no other language than English, and they are proud of their heritage of such a pure language. They come from such diverse cities and towns as Pueblo, Salida, Trinidad, Monte Vista, Del Norte, Alamosa, San Luis, Cortez, Ignacio and many more.
C’mon, guys! Rally ’round and let’s get rid of these funny-sounding words these immigrants speak. Let’s have nothing but Inglés.
G.H. Gilbert, Denver
War in Iraq: Is it time to start getting out?
Like most liberals, I believe we should not be in Iraq – but we are, and our “turning tail” in another confrontation will prove disastrous for the United States, and in this case, the civilized segment in Iraq. In the past, I have thought of myself as a citizen of the world, not just an American. I was wrong. These subhuman creatures, with their goofy ideologies, are not my brothers.
Our outrage at the horrific acts perpetrated against our American children is diminishing with each new atrocity. Are we getting used to it? We must explain to the amiable Iraqis that, if they see insurgents in their midst, they should stop harboring them and help us take them out – or run, and tell their women and children to do the same, because we are going to erase the spot where the rabid animals (terrorists) stand.
We will not gain the world’s respect any other way, and if the respect we garner is based on fear, so be it.
David King, Erie
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The latest Republican mantra is that Democrats are known for cutting and running. Excuse me, but it was Richard Nixon, a Republican, who pulled American forces out of Vietnam. Yet, strangely, you don’t hear Republicans accusing him of cutting and running. Nixon finally realized the effort was futile, and not worth the cost in lives, money and resources. George W. Bush would be wise to learn from his predecessor, and make plans for leaving Iraq, now.
Michael Kanarish, Parker
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