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July 15, 2010
Contraband and Pirates in Patchogue.
By Profesor Martin Danenberg
"El Quijote del GED"
I went to Patchogue, trying to build a bridge between people all over Long Island. I really did not succeed but I learned something new. And that was good.
First of all there were people from many countries attending the July Fourth Parade, mostly as spectators. There were many Hispanics because they live in and near the town. I was thinking of the undocumented immigrants as I walked around talking to people. People call them illegal because they crossed the border without permission. The subject came up as I spoke to a pirate, yes to a pirate. He was clearly opposed to the immigration reform and spoke about the racism declared by the National Council of La Raza and its use of the word "raza" meaning race. Let me switch to another illegal activity that had serious repercussions for a man on Long Island. His arm was blown off from his shoulder and the arm cannot be replaced. The radio report included a statement by a man who said that these illegal fireworks are used by everyone. I do not know about Idaho or Arizona, but apparently they are used all over places I know about. The pirates of early America were engaged in contraband, the locals of Long Island are doing the same thing, and residents of Long Island came here illegally. People just love to commit illegal acts. This is America. Maybe we need Fourth of July Reform as well as Immigration Reform. We need the Sean Hannitys, Rush Limbaughs, and others to fix the problem. I can just imagine their patriotism as they sit sedated in a hospital if that accident had happened to them. Or maybe they should go the hospital and read that man a speech by John Wayne to motivate him the rest of his life.
Let me tell you what I learned. The pirate that I spoke with feels that we have to protect everyone's rights. We spoke about decades of protecting the rights of people. He wants people to get along together, but he feels that "La Raza" should not unjustly accuse people of being racist and I agree. If he is like millions of other men and women across the United States, they could be helpful in shaping future Immigration Reform. If the Obama administration does not succeed, a better plan will be needed. It may not be too late to turn the tide in communities like Patchogue and get greater support for this issue. If we do not respect people and we do not respect rights, I guess we just do not respect.
In fairness to Hannity and Limbaugh, it is possible that they have spoken about those illegal fireworks and called for people to be arrested and/or fined. What are people doing to each other by accepting time honored behavior that ends up hurting or killing people? It doesn't matter if the issue is fireworks or raising taxes (my Tea Party friends) or illegal immigration. What are we doing to each other as we change this country? Can't people see that things are not as great as conservatives say? Can't they see that they are often being used? Patriots tell us to permit families to stay united in this country and patriots tell us that the undocumented immigrants should either return home or be deported. It is not just Obama vs. Limbaugh or Hannity.
MARTIN N. DANENBERG
7 BLAZER DRIVE
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK 11749
631-348-1341
GEDHOTLINE@AOL.COM
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Profesor Martin Danenberg July 15, 2010 08:41 AM