Jamie. The Okies were not illegal immigrants from another country and they were traveling to another part of the U.S. Bad comparison

A little bit more than 70 years ago, citizens from Oklahoma were force to emigrate to another country/state with all their families and few belongings they had left because the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. They were force to travel miles and miles, during weeks, risking their lives in the road to look for a better future in the promises land in California, a place of eternal green, valleys, fruits and plenty of jobs. They became immigrants.

Soon, the Okies learned very quickly how hard is to be unwelcome in a strange land. They were pushed around looking for jobs, mistreated, abused, forced to live in cartons villages at the side of the road (Hoover Villes) and they had to endure miseries for years. Many of them saw their child dying of starvation, they were persecute by the police, they had to endure the application of racist and inhumane laws, making their lives while below human conditions. They forgot the meaning of Human.

70 years passed by, three generations of Okies have grown, and they already forgot what it means to be a immigrant in strange lands. They, more than any other american knows how hard is to take some decisions (legally or not) when you have to feed your kids and look for a better future, for them and for their next generations. They know how hard is to think straight when you are hungry and desperate, when their kids cried restless for a piece of bread. What Happen?

How could they forget what it means misery? How could do act now in the same way of those who made them suffer to the limits? Are those new immigrants so different as they were 70 years ago? Are their Spanish estrange than the english they were used to talk in California? or is just about the color and the size of these new immigrants that is so different to them 70 years ago? Because what I know is that the dust, the suffering, the hungriness and the desperation for a better future make us all the same. It make us Humans.

If you, the reader, are and Okie or descend for one those millions of people that were forced to emigrate, look back into your family History and compare those realities. Both are the same, and both are repeating. If it was hard for you and probably you would not dare to go for the same, Why are you allowing that this time you are becoming the cause of that same suffering?

Illegals or not, they still Humans, as well as you 70 years ago.

Oklahoma targets illegal immigrants with tough new law

Thanks a lot

Yago

Note: In this case I'm using the term Okie in its Historical Context. In any case or any interpretation I'm using this term as an Insult or Derogative Adjective. I found this term as an Example of the discrimination an Humiliation they were forced to live. My sympathies and love for their heritage will always will be strong for everything they were able to Endure.

Thanks again

Humanly Yago

Every person that wants to come to America should do it the right way. The way our fore fathers did correctly and legally (for the most part). Also if an illigal alian sneeks into our country their children should not be given a free ride and US citizenship if the parents are illigal.

If you want to be a citizen do it right, get a green card, study to pass the citizenship test, learn the language, and pay taxes to help support the infrastructure.

I pesonnally feel if you are not a US Citizen then you should not get free medical, welfare etc, because you are a parasite on our way of life.

The only difference, Like it or not, "T" is not stringing up black people. We have the Klan in Oklahoma still. Why doesn't ol Rivera persecute them?

Bottom line folks. Comparing this bill to actions by the Klan is absolutely ridiculous. Comparing this Bill to ethnic cleansing and civil rights - deplorable.

People need to take off their hoods and realize this law will determine only those who get a DUI or commit a felony will be checked for illegal status. Those people who do not have a police record or outstanding warrants or here illegally, do not have to worry about this bill. Unless, the police use the bill to go out and arrest people for the main purpose of finding out about their status, then that would be wrong. CMO

Hey Kent, like it or not, T.'s comment about protecting our culture and way of life sounds just like the stuff the old Klan used to say. Check your history books if you don't believe me.

Illegal is Illegal if your not here legally then you should get deported.

Also to the poster who compared this issue to the real civil rights struggles in the Old South. It might do you some real good to pick up a history book once and a while. Comparing people breaking the law to the actual hatred blacks had to endure is disgraceful.

I just emailed Al Sharpton uh I mean Miguel Rivera. I thought everyone would like to see.

You know Rev. I'm sure you have experiences a barrage
of emails from people all over Oklahoma but I have to
voice my opinion. I was sickened after watching
Hispanic advocate groups at the State Capital. Also, I
am outraged at the political leverage you are trying
to acquire through fear and lies to your own people.
It is a sad day in the Hispanic community. It's sad
that they have a Hispanic version of Al Sharpton
trying to lead them in a futile revolution. Accusing
Tulsa's mayor of ethnic cleansing was one of the
lowest and most blatant attempt to spread propaganda
that I have ever see.

I wonder if you are aware of how bad you are hurting
the Hispanic community in Oklahoma and around the
nation. The more you fight bill 1804 the more hatred
you will fuel towards the Hispanic community in
Oklahoma. Oklahomans are sick and tired of watching
our state become a refuge for people who broke the
law. It's funny that the Mexicans waiting in line down
in Mexico are never spoken for. It seems to me that
they are the real victims here. They decided to follow
the rules only to have their jobs stolen by illegal
aliens. I was born and raised in Oklahoma and will be
damned if Mexico wants to come in here, set up shop
and change the place I love forever. Oklahoma was not
stolen from Mexico. It never was part of Mexico and
your illegal buddies down south cannot have it.

Most sensible Oklahomans are all for legal
immigration. I have absolutely no hatred towards
Hispanics. My best friend is full blood Hispanic. And,
he feels the same way. This is America. Not Mexico.
The only racism here is by you and your supporters.
You are hiding behind a Vail of false goodness and
compassion. You say Hispanics in Oklahoma will face
danger and persecution. What you really mean to say is
that you are Hispanic and think that your own people
should be able to do whatever they want wherever they
feel like it. Not in Oklahoma buddy. And I hate to
break it to you but it's gonna happen. State after
state will follow. The United States Government will
do nothing. The Republicans want cheap labor and the
Democrats want the Hispanic vote. This issue will have
to be handled by the states and it will.

I suggest that you back off unless you want to bring
your people down even further. The overwhelming
majority of Oklahomans wanted the bill and that is
what happened. Unlike Mexico, we have laws here that
are expected to be followed. If Mexicans want to
relocate to Oklahoma, there is a legal path for that
to happen.

Mr. Rivera. You are a disgrace to your people, to all
Christians and yourself. Stop spreading lies and
propaganda. Inform the Hispanic community what the law
really means. Explain to them that if you are a legal
resident, you have nothing to worry about. Stop
telling them that the police will round up everyone.
And for Gods sake quit acting like we are in a Civil
rights crisis. This is not Birmingham circa 1966. The
candle light vigils are more comedy than anything
else. Maybe if you start acting like a man and quit
the lying, you won't have to witness an exodus from
Oklahoma by the Hispanics. I also suggest you read up
on the Holocaust so you can educate yourself on what
real ethnic cleansing is all about. You insulted Jews
around the world with you underhanded comment towards
Tulsa's Mayor.

I will continue to harass you with emails and phone
calls until you have the courage to do the right thing

Thanks for Your time

Kent Hefley

PS I am not hiding in case you would like to discuss this.

I just emailed Al Sharpton uh I mean Miguel Rivera. I thought everyone would like to see.

You know Rev. I'm sure you have experiences a barrage
of emails from people all over Oklahoma but I have to
voice my opinion. I was sickened after watching
Hispanic advocate groups at the State Capital. Also, I
am outraged at the political leverage you are trying
to acquire through fear and lies to your own people.
It is a sad day in the Hispanic community. It's sad
that they have a Hispanic version of Al Sharpton
trying to lead them in a futile revolution. Accusing
Tulsa's mayor of ethnic cleansing was one of the
lowest and most blatant attempt to spread propaganda
that I have ever see.

I wonder if you are aware of how bad you are hurting
the Hispanic community in Oklahoma and around the
nation. The more you fight bill 1804 the more hatred
you will fuel towards the Hispanic community in
Oklahoma. Oklahomans are sick and tired of watching
our state become a refuge for people who broke the
law. It's funny that the Mexicans waiting in line down
in Mexico are never spoken for. It seems to me that
they are the real victims here. They decided to follow
the rules only to have their jobs stolen by illegal
aliens. I was born and raised in Oklahoma and will be
damned if Mexico wants to come in here, set up shop
and change the place I love forever. Oklahoma was not
stolen from Mexico. It never was part of Mexico and
your illegal buddies down south cannot have it.

Most sensible Oklahomans are all for legal
immigration. I have absolutely no hatred towards
Hispanics. My best friend is full blood Hispanic. And,
he feels the same way. This is America. Not Mexico.
The only racism here is by you and your supporters.
You are hiding behind a Vail of false goodness and
compassion. You say Hispanics in Oklahoma will face
danger and persecution. What you really mean to say is
that you are Hispanic and think that your own people
should be able to do whatever they want wherever they
feel like it. Not in Oklahoma buddy. And I hate to
break it to you but it's gonna happen. State after
state will follow. The United States Government will
do nothing. The Republicans want cheap labor and the
Democrats want the Hispanic vote. This issue will have
to be handled by the states and it will.

I suggest that you back off unless you want to bring
your people down even further. The overwhelming
majority of Oklahomans wanted the bill and that is
what happened. Unlike Mexico, we have laws here that
are expected to be followed. If Mexicans want to
relocate to Oklahoma, there is a legal path for that
to happen.

Mr. Rivera. You are a disgrace to your people, to all
Christians and yourself. Stop spreading lies and
propaganda. Inform the Hispanic community what the law
really means. Explain to them that if you are a legal
resident, you have nothing to worry about. Stop
telling them that the police will round up everyone.
And for Gods sake quit acting like we are in a Civil
rights crisis. This is not Birmingham circa 1966. The
candle light vigils are more comedy than anything
else. Maybe if you start acting like a man and quit
the lying, you won't have to witness an exodus from
Oklahoma by the Hispanics. I also suggest you read up
on the Holocaust so you can educate yourself on what
real ethnic cleansing is all about. You insulted Jews
around the world with you underhanded comment towards
Tulsa's Mayor.

I will continue to harass you with emails and phone
calls until you have the courage to do the right thing

Thanks for Your time

Kent Hefley

PS I am not hiding in case you would like to discuss this.

When I hear comments from T. in Spencer about "standing up for our culture, our civilization, our way of life" you just can't help but think it sounds so much like the stuff we heard the Klan saying 40 years ago in the south about standing up for white America. Most people who want the borders more secure I believe are not bigots but are seriously concerned about this problem which needs to be dealt with. But comments like protecting our culture and way of life just smacks of a mindset that says, "make sure we lock up all the white women."

Tina Griego, journalist for the Denver Rocky Mountain News wrote a column titled, "Mexican visitor's lament" -- 10/25/07.

She interviewed Mexican journalist Evangelina Hernandez while visiting Denver last week. Hernandez said,

"They (illegal aliens) pay rent, buy groceries, buy clothes...what happens to your country's economy if 20 million people go away?"

That's a good question – it deserves an answer. Over 80 percent of Americans demand secured borders and illegal migration stopped. But what would happen if all 20 million or more vacated America? The answers may surprise you!

In California, if 3.5 million illegal aliens moved back to Mexico, it would leave an extra $10.2 billion to spend on overloaded school systems, bankrupted hospitals and overrun prisons. It would leave highways cleaner, safer and less congested. Everyone could understand one another as English became the dominate language again.
In Colorado, 500,000 illegal migrants, plus their 300,000 kids and grand-kids – would move back "home," mostly to Mexico. That would save Coloradans an estimated $2 billion (other experts say $7 BIL) annually in taxes that pay for schooling, medical, social-services and incarceration costs. It means 12,000 gang members would vanish out of Denver alone.
Colorado would save more than $20 million in prison costs, and the terror that those 7,300 alien criminals set upon local citizens. Denver Officer Don Young and hundreds of Colorado victims would not have suffered death, accidents, rapes and other crimes by illegals.
Denver Public Schools would not suffer a 67 percent drop out/flunk out rate via thousands of illegal alien students speaking 41 different languages. At least 200,000 vehicles would vanish from our gridlocked cities in Colorado. Denver's four percent unemployment rate would vanish as our working poor would gain jobs at a living wage.
In Florida, 1.5 million illegals would return the Sunshine State back to America, the rule of law and English.
In Chicago, Illinois, 2.1 million illegals would free up hospitals, schools, prisons and highways for a safer, cleaner and more crime-free experience.
If 20 million illegal aliens returned "home" --

If 20 million illegal aliens returned "home," the U.S. economy would return to the rule of law. Employers would hire legal American citizens at a living wage. Everyone would pay their fair share of taxes because they wouldn't be working off the books. That would result in an additional $401 billion in IRS income taxes collected annually, and an equal amount for local state and city coffers.

No more push '1' for Spanish or '2' for English. No more confusion in American schools that now must content with over 100 languages that degrade the educational system for American kids. Our overcrowded schools would lose more than two million illegal alien kids at a cost of billions in ESL and free breakfasts and lunches.

We would lose 500,000 illegal criminal alien inmates at a cost of more than $1.6 billion annually. That includes 15,000 MS-13 gang members who distribute $130 billion in drugs annually would vacate our country. In cities like L.A., 20,000 members of the "18th Street Gang" would vanish from our nation. No more Mexican forgery gangs for ID theft from Americans! No more foreign rapists and child molesters!

Losing more than 20 million people would clear up our crowded highways and gridlock. Cleaner air and less drinking and driving American deaths by illegal aliens!

Drain on America's economy; taxpayers harmed, employers get rich

Over $80 billion annually wouldn't return to their home countries by cash transfers. Illegal migrants earned half that money untaxed, which further drains America's economy – which currently suffers an $8.7 trillion debt.



At least 400,000 anchor babies would not be born in our country, costing us $109 billion per year per cycle. At least 86 hospitals in California, Georgia and Florida would still be operating instead of being bankrupted out of existence because illegals pay nothing via the EMTOLA Act. Americans wouldn't suffer thousands of TB and hepatitis cases rampant in our country—brought in by illegals unscreened at our borders.

Our cities would see 20 million less people driving, polluting and grid locking our cities. It would also put the "progressives" on the horns of a dilemma; illegal aliens and their families cause 11 percent of our greenhouse gases

Over one million of Mexico’s poorest citizens now live inside and along our border from Brownsville, Texas to San Diego, California in what the New York Times called, “colonias” or new neighborhoods. Trouble is, those living areas resemble Bombay and Calcutta where grinding poverty, filth, diseases, drugs, crimes, no sanitation and worse. They live without sewage, clean water, streets, electricity, roads or any kind of sanitation. The New York Times reported them to be America’s new “Third World” inside our own country. Within 20 years, at their current growth rate, they expect 20 million residents of those colonias. (I’ve seen them personally in Texas and Arizona; it’s sickening beyond anything you can imagine.) By enforcing our laws, we could repatriate them back to Mexico.
---------------------------------High integrity, ethical invitation

We invite 20 million aliens to go home, fix their own countries and/or make a better life in Mexico. We invite a million people into our country legally more than all other countries combined annually. We cannot and must not allow anarchy at our borders, more anarchy within our borders and growing lawlessness at every level in our nation.

It’s time to stand up for our country, our culture, our civilization and our way of life.

Way to go Oklahoma, I just wish our federal nannies would "get on the stick".

One other point. It seems to me to be very bigoted when open-borders leftists insinuate that "Latino" is synonymous with "Illegal alien" (if you don't like that last term, insert your favorite feelgood euphemism)

When illegal alien advocates claim that laws against illegal aliens are "Anti Hispanic", they are insinuating that all Hispanics in the United States are illegal aliens.

I can tell you that we have millions of Latinos/Hispanics here in California who are NOT illegal aliens, but are LEGAL AMERICANS.

For open-borders leftists such as Reverend Rivera to perpetuate derogatory stereotypes of these Americans of Latin American ancestry is reprehensible in my view.

Rev. Miguel Rivera: You are guilty of ethnic cleansing in this community.
LET'S TALK ABOUT ETHNIC CLEANSING!WHEN THEY HAVE NO LEG TO STAND ON THIS IS THE ISSUE?????
Jose Angel Gutierrez (Univ. of Texas, Arlington): We have an aging white America. . . . They are dying. . . . They are sh*tt*ng in their pants with fear! I love it!
B.O.N.D. Ethnic Cleansing in Los Angeles: Stop Hispanic- On- Black Killings In Los Angeles!


"California is going to become a Hispanic state,
and if anyone doesn't like it they should leave."
[Ray Briem Show - May, 1998 - KIEV - Glendale, Calif.]

David, you are right that there is some inflammatory rhetoric from some supporters of immigration enforcement.

One big difference, however. You do have a small segment of ordinary citizens who are opposed to illegal immigration who cross the line of acceptability in their rhetoric on the issue.

However, on the case of the open-borders advocates, you have people in LEADERSHIP positions, such as this clergyman, who engage in that same kind of rhetoric.

You will always have a few hotheads on any side of an issue, but when someone is in a leadership position, they need to behave with some dignity and ethics.

On my website www.flushthesenate.org, I have an anti-defamation page in which I identify most of the biggest offenders of people who are in actual leadership positions, such as politicians and journalists, who have engaged in defamatory rhetoric on the illegal immigration issue.


I hope that ordinary citizens will all see the light and engage this issue with civility.

But those in leadership positions who conduct themselves in such a manner deserve to be stripped of their leadership role, whatever it may be (their seat in Congress, or whatever). The only ones that can do this are the rank and file of whatever group they are the leader of. Unfortunately, there is a culture of permissiveness among the open-borders community that hate speech is perfectly all right.

But it's not surprising, when many of our very own elected officials engage in hate speech, it is no wonder that open-borders advocates in other segments of society get the message that it is acceptable.

If we start electing some public officials that respect their country and its laws, maybe others will start to do so as well.

You are right that inflammatory rhetoric does not help this situation at all. But make sure you read many of the other comments posted around your news stories concerning the new immigration law and note their rhetoric. Calling church leaders who speak out against the law terrorists is also not helpful. Also, implying all illegal immigrants are lazy, drug dealing criminals or worse is not helpful. There is plenty of rhetoric on both sides and all of it needs to be condemned by thinking people in this state.

You are right that inflammatory rhetoric does not help this situation at all. But make sure you read many of the other comments posted around your news stories concerning the new immigration law and note their rhetoric. Calling church leaders who speak out against the law terrorists is also not helpful. Also, implying all illegal immigrants are lazy, drug dealing criminals or worse is not helpful. There is plenty of rhetoric on both sides and all of it needs to be condemned by thinking people in this state.

Mark these words. The "Reverend" (the use of the term is denigrated with him) Miguel Rivera is playing this national exposure for the same kind of political clout as has Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and a whole legion of other "real racist" have done. Jess, I totally agree that because they have no legal basis they must revert to smoke and mirrors and pull out the "race card". Stand strong Oklahoma and be the leader in doing what our Federal government has failed the nation in doing. George Bush could have distinguished himself with a lasting legacy by addressing the immigration issue but instead caved to the likes of Teddy Kennedy and John McCain with their "amnesty bill". I would encourage the people of Oklahoma continue this fight from one court to another and with as many new bills it takes to solve this problem should this one be struck down in some court sympathetic to illegal immigration. Proud of Oklahoma for leading the nation in this legal cause and proud to be an Okie that cares about the sovereignty of this nation.

Sure, the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and religious Leaders and the Rev. Miguel Rivera know what they are doing by using the term "ethnic cleansing." Their motivation is that they have no legal basis for fighting this bill so they revert to what has worked for Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and a host of other race-baiters across our country. They are relying on the fact that no one wants to be included in any group that discriminates on the basis of race. What they are counting on is the belief that the people of Oklahoma do not know the difference between race-baiting and illegal aliens. It is my belief that the citizens of our State know the difference between the act of discrimination and the enforcement of a law that targets illegal aliens. Point out to me anywhere in the bill where it states mexicans, hispanic, honduran, guatemalan or any particular race. I believe the law states illegal alien or illegal immigrant. Do not be pulled down to the level of these race baiters and their desperate attempts to distort the intent of this bill. It is right for the citizens of this stae and this country.

Don't give The Oklahoman too much credit John.....they are just afraid that without illegals they may have to pay a living wage to some of their employees.

Thank you, editors for acknowledging that the illegal supporters are overblowing this issue...Let's give the law a few months to shake things out, and everyone will agree that HB 1804 is a tempest in a teapot. There will be some abuses due to landlords, and others who read too much into the law, but those issues can be addressed without throwing the entire law out, or hindering enforcement of the provisions of the law. Once again, thank you for not whole heartedly supporting the illegal immigrants and their supporters.