It’s been a long time since I posted anything, and I feel bad about that. There is so much going on in the world today that it’s hard to remain attuned, which I try not to. I am too old to worry about certain things anymore, and you sure can’t rely on anything coming from the mouths of the MSM. And life has been quite busy here at the CP.
Before I post my message, let me wish all my friends a very Happy 4th of July. We, of all people, know what this day means other than a day off from work. Enjoy tomorrow, and please remember its significance.
Now for the post. All the hype going on with immigration and the rounding up of the thugs and scum that crossed the river illegally has produced some unintended consequences. And I hope none of my readers are guilty of what I intend to describe. We must remember that millions of people came to our shores legally and went about the arduous task of becoming US citizens.
I received an email, as I always do every weekday, from my good friend and roomie aboard the USS Chicago, Doug Horan. He subscribes to the WSJ, which I do not, so he sends me articles that he believes would be of interest to me. Most deal with stocks, as we are both avid stock traders, and we share investment ideas. However, this one was an op-ed by an immigrant and should be read by all Americans, as it presents an opinion from someone with whom I am going to speak. Please stop and read it at:
https://wallstreetjournal-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=348675c25_134fa73
We have two women who come and clean the house every other week, and they do a fantastic job. Nancy hired them several years ago. Recently, Nancy got into a discussion with the older one, and it proved to be a real eye-opener to both of us. She came to America about eleven years ago on a work VISA. After several years, she started the lengthy process of applying for citizenship and was finally successful. She flies back to Mexico periodically to visit her parents. She had to go back recently due to her dad’s passing, and it was upon her return that Nancy and she spoke about the trip back home and life in the US.
She related some of the horrific experiences she is having now with all the hype about illegal immigration. She recounted one incident as she was driving out of our driveway and a pickup truck drove passed and the driver yelled, “Go back where you came from Spick!” This woman says she has never taken on a penny from our government, no food stamps, welfare assistance, or anything that was available during her early years when she was scrambling to make her way in this new country, working several jobs to simply survive. She learned the language, married, had children who speak English, and is so thankful that they have been able to get a good education.
Yet she now experiences prejudice daily everywhere she goes, as do her children. So much so that she intends to work a few more years and will move back to Mexico. Her oldest son has already moved back, even though a US citizen; he couldn’t handle the prejudice anymore.
My point in all this is simple. The immigration hype has created a world where anyone who looks like they may be from another country is being categorized as an “illegal” and chastised and slandered when, in fact, they are a hard-working US citizen contributing to our society and economy.
We need to be careful of whom we place in that category of “illegal.” They haven’t all come wading across the river. We have become very close to her and consider her a good friend and fellow countrywoman. She would never join a demonstration against what is going on today in the immigration arena; she hates what she sees on TV. She condemns those who came here illegally and are soaking up everything they can from the government.
She is an American, period. End of discussion!
Colonel,
Excellent post. Completely agree. As the great grandson of Polish immigrants who came to settle in Kent County, Delaware via Canada and made a living by running a dairy farm for decades and assimilated to our American culture I empathize with your friend and housekeeper’s experience of the ugly American.
I also grew up in the Florida Keys in the early 70s among many Cuban real refugees. They all wanted the same as my great grand parents. To live, work and raise children and appreciate the exceptional liberties our founders enshrined in our Constitution and defended by people who are willing to give all if required.
We are the last refuge, the shining city on the hill as Reagan put it.
The narrow minded “Florida Man” must have missed that lesson. He is a by-product of the divisive culture war promulgated by the Marxist ideology of our coastal elite. He has become a casualty of the leftist and lacks any ability to critically think. If the left can produce more of him then they will use it to advance their narrative even further.
Finally, I would communicate to your naturalized friend that was relayed to me many times over from many in my family and those seeking life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of this country. Faith is tested not in easy times, and the Lord does not promise anyone an easy path. For those willing to stick the high road the reward is great, and God is a just God.
Happy to see you back online Jim. I had read this article and thought it was wonderful. I enjoyed rereading it now. I agree with David Wright that the good hard working illegals that break no laws should have a chance to get in line for citizenship. We need good people becoming citizens. We need the bad and dangerous out! What sadly happened to your house keeper is pure ignorance. Radicals are now calling for blood to protect the criminal aliens from deportation and ice agents are being shot at. The Biden administration has set us all up for disaster one way or another. m
Jim, the attached write-up was so eloquently written with unquestionable sincerity, and truth, it would almost make the average person tear up because of the patriotism associated with it. Mr. Soni, the author of that write-up, should be allowed to stand before the ENTIRE Congress and read what he wrote. It should be published in every newspaper and magazine distributed in the USA and be read by EVERYONE!!! This would include all natural born citizens, legal immigrants, and illegal immigrants!!! Alas, we all know this will never happen but the thought of it happening could possibly jar those ignorant of what is happening today. In 2024 the USA “legally” nationalized a little less than 820,000 immigrants which is actually down 7% from the previous year. I can remember years ago when the USA only allowed 100,000 immigrants to be nationalized annually. Biden and his handlers PURPOSELY created one of the most disastrous situations this country has ever had to deal with. This was flat out treason!!!! Over 500,000 illegal immigrants, probably more that have not been identified, that Biden freely and openly allowed in this country have been identified as scum bag criminals. The fact that sanctuary cities and states protect these criminals over the legal citizens that reside in their backyards is pathetic and completely anti-American. What in hell are these communist bastards thinking? I am actually sympathetic towards many of these illegal immigrants that have proven to be productive and who work hard not to skim the freebees of the government and there are many of them. Many are trying to pursue the legal path to USA citizenship while others simply take their chances they will never be caught. Most of us can identify and possibly know some of these people. That truck driver that called out your long-time house cleaner is nothing more than an ignorant, biased, asshole. HE SHOULD READ THE ATTACHED WRITE-UP!!!
Thank you Tom, I knew you’d come on line with a comment! While I don’t know the actual truck driver, there is only one way in/out of our community and as I sit by the pool during happy hour every evening I see all the passerbys, and I’m certain I could easily pick out which truck it was. I refer to them as Florida red necks, which we have lots of down here. Many were born here and consider all us FL immigrants as near-do-wells.
Jim, you hit the proverbial nail on the head. I have had mixed feelings about the “collective enthusiasm” with which the deportation scheme is orchestrated and carried out. We need to be very careful we don’t throw that proverbial baby out with the bath water. There are many productive, likely illegals who I have met, working in restaurants, farm workers (including those who my renter has fixing broken fences the cows and calves on our property don’t end up in town).
I surely want criminal illegal aliens gone post hast. That includes welfare and Medicaid cheaters, killers, rapists, gang members, etc.. But, I believe we need more thought about those born years ago in the USA. We need to take a certain amount of time to assess the length and breadth of our illegal alien problem.
At my local coffee place, the owner’s Thai born wife is in the process of getting her green card. He, himself was born in Guyana, has become a valued member of our community. She has a son in Thailand who would ideally be here with her rather than local family. The owner and she would like to visit Thailand at the beginning of 2026. I feel I need to talk to him about possible risk that she might not be allowed back into the country if her green card is not yet approved. By the way, she out works the other few employees in this small business by a large measure.
I would imagine many will disagree with me, but my life’s work and success had much to do with my ability and tendency to study, measure and act sensibly under time and other pressures. I’d like to see more of that out there in our world.
Thanks for that thoughtful framing of an important issue.
Best,
Stateroom mate, Doug
excellent piece, if the situation is as described then what people are doing to the woman is wrong.
WTF….Has happened to our “USA” !!!! my Paternal and Maternal
Grand Parents arrived from Italy “circa” 1900, with all there
worldly possessions, they worked hard, raised families became
productive citizens, settled in Providence R. I. via NYC. Every male son (Who was not 4-F) that meant he was unable to serve In WW II, because of some physical ailment, every branch of our services had a Pasquale or Impaliazzo among
there ranks. They served, fought and and came home (thank God)
and started the Baby Boomer Generation.
I am the Son of a US Navy Sea Bee, (was not very happy when
on my 18th Birthday I walked into a USMC recruiting office
in Providence R.I.) I earned my EGA, now a Marine to my Grave !!
AL Pasquale
USMC 1954-1962
SEMPER FIDELIS
pasqualeusmc@yahoo.com
I
Col Jim I could not agree with you any more. At one time or another our forebearers who came to this country (mostly from Europe, but certainly other countries as well) and they all fit in because Americans are a widely mixed breed. I also have a number of Mexican friends and living in Las Vegas where we also have many illegal aliens (not immigrants as they come legally and that is the legal definition by law) and yet I see them going to work every day and working hard all day long no matter how dirty, hard, and demanding the job may be. They don’t debate Union Rights but instead do the job. Personally I would support a program where those who can show they have worked and not been in trouble with the law and have been in this nation for say 3 to 5 years then there should be a program where they could go into and stay if they pay all back taxes owed since they illegally entered this nation, apply for citizenship and earn it. It would be a win for our nation and a win for our new citizen. DB Wright
In my humble opinion, few could say it better than you have.
Doug