Had we known the true story, we might have been better about reaching out. Might not have been so intimidated ourselves. Might not have been so judgmental about a person we didn’t know.
Well, the point was that if we know people, we are less likely to make sweeping judgments about them. For instance, when she said, "This means safer streets," the implication is that they are all criminals, that immigrants drive up the crime rate. That has not been proven to be true (https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/mythical-tie-between-immigration-and-crime).
If she knew any of them, she wouldn't be slandering them as one large group. Consider how we Christians feel when we are painted as hypocrites and bigots. If liberals knew us individually, they wouldn't be able to defend those sweeping judgments. The street runs two ways, doesn't it?
I totally agree that if we know people we are less likely to make sweeping judgements about them. Noem did not say all illegal immigrants are criminals. I don't think it's even implied. Her statement of safer streets is a logical one. Yes, the site you provided and other research concludes US born citizens have higher crime rates than immigrants to the US do. However, if there were no illegal immigrants, if you take them out of the equation completely, logically the crime rate would lower. For example, Larisha Sharell Thompson would not have been murdered if the 6 illegal immigrants that killed her were not in the US. 1 less murder = safer. If Harjinger Singh, an illegal immigrant, was not driving semi in Florida, 3 innocent people would not have died. 3 less homicides = safer. If just these 7 illegal immigrants were not in the US, it is logical to conclude that the US would be a safer place. I could be completely off base here, but it seems logical.
I'm in no way saying we should not have any immigration. Of course the vast majority of immigrants, including illegal immigrants, are wonderful people. But I agree with President Obama: "We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked, and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently, and lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”
Again though my main question in regards to immigration is if deportation of illegal immigrants and border security has been a policy by presidents of both parties for years and years, what changed to make it so terrible a thing all of a sudden?
Ok, I'll jump in since you made it personal, plus I've had this nagging question in my mind for awhile and it seems fitting to ask it here: What changed? Democrats for at least 20 years had been all for the deportation of those who are in the United States illegally, as well as beefing up border security and even building a wall at the border. I've heard top Dems as well as Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton and President Obama say basically the same thing as Kristi Noem did. So my question is, what changed?
Obama: “We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked, and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently, and lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”
Obama: "Employers should not be allowed to exploit illegal immigrants to drive down wages."
I'm not offended, don't worry :) and know you probably wrote out of frustration, but this:
So when I hear Kristi Noem crowing about … well, just crowing, I’m sad that anyone takes stock in what she says at all. It doesn’t appear that she actually knows any immigrants. It doesn’t appear that the talking heads or their supporters do, either.
I consider myself a supporter of hers in regards to this issue, and also probably the "talking heads" you refer to. Just because someone disagrees with your position in the illegal immigration matter does not equate to them not knowing any immigrants.
Well, the point was that if we know people, we are less likely to make sweeping judgments about them. For instance, when she said, "This means safer streets," the implication is that they are all criminals, that immigrants drive up the crime rate. That has not been proven to be true (https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/mythical-tie-between-immigration-and-crime).
If she knew any of them, she wouldn't be slandering them as one large group. Consider how we Christians feel when we are painted as hypocrites and bigots. If liberals knew us individually, they wouldn't be able to defend those sweeping judgments. The street runs two ways, doesn't it?
I totally agree that if we know people we are less likely to make sweeping judgements about them. Noem did not say all illegal immigrants are criminals. I don't think it's even implied. Her statement of safer streets is a logical one. Yes, the site you provided and other research concludes US born citizens have higher crime rates than immigrants to the US do. However, if there were no illegal immigrants, if you take them out of the equation completely, logically the crime rate would lower. For example, Larisha Sharell Thompson would not have been murdered if the 6 illegal immigrants that killed her were not in the US. 1 less murder = safer. If Harjinger Singh, an illegal immigrant, was not driving semi in Florida, 3 innocent people would not have died. 3 less homicides = safer. If just these 7 illegal immigrants were not in the US, it is logical to conclude that the US would be a safer place. I could be completely off base here, but it seems logical.
I'm in no way saying we should not have any immigration. Of course the vast majority of immigrants, including illegal immigrants, are wonderful people. But I agree with President Obama: "We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked, and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently, and lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”
Again though my main question in regards to immigration is if deportation of illegal immigrants and border security has been a policy by presidents of both parties for years and years, what changed to make it so terrible a thing all of a sudden?
Ok, I'll jump in since you made it personal, plus I've had this nagging question in my mind for awhile and it seems fitting to ask it here: What changed? Democrats for at least 20 years had been all for the deportation of those who are in the United States illegally, as well as beefing up border security and even building a wall at the border. I've heard top Dems as well as Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton and President Obama say basically the same thing as Kristi Noem did. So my question is, what changed?
Obama: “We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked, and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently, and lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”
Obama: "Employers should not be allowed to exploit illegal immigrants to drive down wages."
So, how did I make this personal?
I'm not offended, don't worry :) and know you probably wrote out of frustration, but this:
So when I hear Kristi Noem crowing about … well, just crowing, I’m sad that anyone takes stock in what she says at all. It doesn’t appear that she actually knows any immigrants. It doesn’t appear that the talking heads or their supporters do, either.
I consider myself a supporter of hers in regards to this issue, and also probably the "talking heads" you refer to. Just because someone disagrees with your position in the illegal immigration matter does not equate to them not knowing any immigrants.
What a great story, Jane. Thank you for sharing your insight.