The Right State

This coming Monday is a time to remember all of our fallen heroes.  This country is free today because America’s best and brightest gave their all to protect our freedoms.  Several years ago I went with my wife to Arlington National Cemetery on a trip to Washington D.C.  It is a trip I would recommend to everyone who wants to honor our fallen heroes.

For the almost four million people who visit annually, Arlington National Cemetery represents many different things. For some, it is a chance to walk among headstones that chronicle American history; for many, it is an opportunity to remember and honor the nation’s war heroes; and for others, it is a place to say a last farewell during funeral services for a family member or friend. (Emphasis added by TRS)

We also spent a somber moment at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is guarded 24/365.  On the side of the marble casket, these words are carved.

“Here Rests
In Honored Glory
An American Soldier
Known But To God”

This coming Monday is Memorial Day.  It is a day of remembrance and a day of sorrow.  While many in this country will spend the day drinking with friends, it is a time to remember those who gave their all so that you could drink with your friends.  This is not just a day off from school or a day off from work; it is a day of remembrance, a day to be thankful for the sacrifice of our heroes.  But for families and friends of our fallen men and women in uniform, it is a day of sorrow.

It was a reflective moment when I went to Arlington National Cemetery to see the graves of all of those who died to protect us and our rights.  BlackFive reminds us that every Memorial Day, we should be thankful and reflective.  Having lost friends in the GWOT, BlackFive has opted to repost a terrific post he wrote last year for Memorial Day.  Reading this post will at least give you a lump in your throat.  This is the last paragraph about Corporal Prazynaki, one of our fallen heroes.

Seven Marines standing away from the proceedings fired their rifles in three volleys representing a 21 gun salute, and you could hear muffled screams of sorrow from the youth in attendance as a lone bugler in Marine dress blues played the sad haunting sound of “Taps’ that echoed across the green rolling plains of Arlington on to the endless stream of white stones in this section called” Iraqi Freedom”. This was the Marines way of sending a signal to God to open the gates of Heaven for the arrival of [Corporal] Prazynski who gave his life for his country and our fight against terror throughout the world.

For all those who died in the defense of this great country: Thank you.

For all those who are still serving in harms way: Thank you and may God protect you.

Tags: History, Culture, Iraq, Politics, War by Chuck
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The Senate is expected to okay their version of an immigration bill which will have to be resolved in a conference committee with the competing House version.  Senators are already lining up to either vote for or against the bill.  So far, Bill Frist has said he will vote for it while John Cornyn says he will vote against it.

Others are somewhat between the two.  Most members of the House are not very happy with the bill coming out of the Senate.

If the Senate or the president insist on “an amnesty-type path to citizenship, it’s a nonstarter,” said former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who is leaving Congress June 9.

But Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, who heads a group of 100 conservatives in the House, on Tuesday offered his own immigration bill that combines a guest worker program with the House enforcement measure.

GOP Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, has insisted that Bush’s view and the Senate proposal amount to amnesty. But he left the door open to make a deal.

Vicente Fox goes out and makes all these grand speeches how illegal immigration is a problem for both countries.

“It’s clear the purpose is to reach an agreement that can give security, that can give legality, that can give flow to the migrant people,” Fox said in Spanish on his second day of a four-day visit to the western U.S. “I think we are closer to the end of this route. This is a shared responsibility, the immigration reform.” (Emphasis added by TRS)

Fox is right.  Immigration is a shared responsibility, much like a marriage.  When only one of the partners is interested in working on the relationship, the marriage fails.  In this partnership, the only one working towards a solution is the United States. It is apparent in his speech he wants an open border between the US and Mexico for the orderly flow of immigrants as long as the immigrants migrate north.

Lets have a contrast of borders: the US and Mexico vs. the US and Canada.  The US and Mexico share a 2000 mile border.  Illegal immigration is a huge problem as Mexicans flee their home country because of poverty.  The only thing thriving in Mexico is corruption.

The US and Canada share about a 4700 mile border and illegal immigration is….almost non-existent.  So what is the difference?  Canada has a thriving economy, a good standard of living, and the government actively roots out corruption.

The problem with illegal immigration is only partly our problem.  Yes, we need to control our borders.  Yes, we need immigration to help fuel our economy.  But we can not continue the practically unrestricted illegal immigration we have now.

Mexican President Vicente Fox is really good at telling others how to clean their house, but lousy at cleaning his. Note to Fox: Clean up your own country first before you start telling us how to clean ours.  Illegal immigration is a shared problem, but so far, we are the only ones who see it as a problem.

Tags: Immigration, Politics by Chuck
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