by Jerry Esmay, Stevensville
I think it’s time to speak my opinion again (if that’s still permitted?) Everywhere I look in this great country, I see RED flags waving – red in the sense that they are situations/problems that have the potential to ruin and/or destroy this great nation. But, also red in that Communists are and have been elected to high governmental positions recently.
Let me address the latter first. Folks, Socialism and Communism have never resulted in as free and prosperous of a country as we currently have. Just look to Cuba and Venezuela for comparison of personal freedoms and societal freedom. And, as I mentioned in a previous letter, we fought two wars, Korea and Vietnam, to limit the spread of Communism in our world. I find it impossible to understand why voters back someone who promises “free stuff” when it doesn’t take a genius to see that the associated money has to come from somewhere.
On to red situations/problems. Let’s start with efforts to limit/stop the attempts at our Federal level to find and deport illegal aliens (no, they are not undocumented workers.) The objective so far has been to get rid of those folks who have a criminal background above and beyond just entering our country illegally. Why would anyone be against this? I know that some folks are upset because the ICE agents show up unexpectedly and in secrecy, but it’s hard to catch criminals when they know you are coming.
I guess my biggest heartburn is with Federal Congressmen creating a video encouraging military personnel to refuse illegal orders. I consider those individuals to be guilty of sedition – they are encouraging the overthrow of our government, period!
The liberals just can’t stand to give Trump credit for anything. How many Presidents have declared “war on drugs” but never end up accomplishing anything? President Trump has rightly identified that if you don’t stop the flow of illegal drugs at the source, you will never stop it. The liberals are having a mental breakdown over our destroying drug boats and that we just might hit them on land wherever that ends up being. More of our citizens have been killed by these drugs than were killed on 9/11 and we invaded two countries over that.
Finally, I end with the Somali problem. We have allowed immigrants from some countries to refuse to assimilate into our society. That is, up until recently, immigrants were expected to swear allegiance to the United States, “melt” into our society, speak English and obey our laws. We now have areas in some cities and states where the immigrants residing there refuse to do this. Some of my relatives in Minnesota have been pointing out that the Somali immigrants for the most part have refused to adopt these norms there. Groups from Mexico, Palestine and other Muslim countries have also recently demonstrated this problem. Our formal, legal immigration system ensures that applicants not willing to become productive citizens are not let in. Simply put, we are losing our identity.
We are close to our 250th anniversary and I pray it is not our last.
WMA says
There’s a lot of foolishness to unpack in this letter, but I will focus on the Somali “problem”.
I don’t see one.
Esmay complains that they refuse to melt into our society. Of course they do. Human nature strives to preserve aspects of familiarity when suddenly surrounded by the reality of a new and different culture. Why do you think practically every large city in our country has a Chinatown or a Koreatown or a Little Italy? Often all three.
But melt they will. Their children will speak English, play sports in high school and marry American spouses. They will be Americans.
I will never understand this animosity toward immigrants, here is this nation built by immigrants and enriched by this salad bowl of cultures.
Howard S. says
Members of the military are required to refuse to follow illegal orders. Reminding them of that is not sedition.
You’ve seen no proof that the “drug boats” even have any drugs on them because they have provided none. We don’t even know if these supposed “narcoterrorists” (a made up word) are even armed. We do know that none of the fentanyl that enters this country comes from Venezuela, so that’s bogus. We also know that these boats being blown up are not capable of reaching the US. It also appears that some of the people killed were innocent fishermen. So, the military members carrying out these orders are committing murder, plain and simple.
Tracy says
Who are you to judge?
Howard S. says
I am just stating the law. It’s bad enough we send soldiers to kill people in legitimate wars. This is not a war and these killings are not justified. Even if they are trafficking drugs, have the Coast Guard stop and arrest them. If you have any concern for our military, you will not allow them to continue to be asked to do this. The ones pulling the trigger will have a hard time coming to terms with it.
Bill Cavanaugh says
Not One word of Truth in your reply Howard. Not one. No innocent “Fisherman” were killed that is just a Democrat political lie. And let me ask you this, what fisherman has 5 high powered outboard motors on a speed boat with hundreds of packages wrapped in watertight material? Are you that clueless?
Howard S. says
Drug trafficking is not a crime punishable by death. Even if the boats are packed full of drugs, they are not an immediate threat to any American, period. The drug trafficking excuse is just that, an excuse. All prelude to a senseless conflict with Venezuela and you’re buying it hook, line and sinker. We have an obligation as citizens to make sure our soldiers are not put in this position. If you’re not even open to the idea that the current administration can be criticized, than you have failed as a citizen. That’s why we have civilian oversight over our military and the people making these policy decisions are impeachable.
Bill Cavanaugh says
The Only thing being bought Hook line and sinker is the propaganda your news spoon feeds you. How someone with any real grasp of reality can say that drugs are not a threat to America is unfathomable. Do you know that any Prosecuting attorney will tell you that all roads to crime stem from drugs. Someone was killed over drugs, killed by someone on drugs, the money was stolen to buy drugs etc… Nobody is talking about war except the babbling fools on your news channels. We’re not presided over by the NeoCons we’ve grown up on. We actually have a president who has proven he is against war. Maybe you missed all of the peace treaties he’s brokered?
And Why are you Democrats so obsessed with standing up for criminals? How about you turn your attention to the middle class American.
Howard S. says
The president’s chief of staff just admitted that the drug boat bombings are only meant to provoke Venezuela and have nothing to do with stemming drug traffic. And if we’re not at war, as you admit, how do you justify killing these people without any trial or even any proof that they’re criminals? You’re being conned. This president can be talked into almost anything by anyone.
Stan Eckel says
Yes, those are drug boats but, they are incapable of traveling 1,300 miles to the U. S. more likely they’re stopping in one of a thousands of islands in the Caribbean. Some say they are being refueled many times yet, I have not seen one refueling boat and their has to be many to make the long trek to the U.S., 95% of drugs are coming in over land and air, not on open boats! If you’ve been to a Caribbean island you know that drugs are very prevalent. Blowing up these boats aren’t making a dent, it’s strictly (political).
Stan Eckel says
It is the UCMJ that REQUIRES a soldier NOT to follow illegal orders, in fact it requires that soldier to report an illegal order! Yes, those are drug boats but, they are incapable of traveling 1,300 miles to the U. S. more likely they’re stopping in one of a thousands of islands in the Caribbean. Some say they are being refueled many times yet, I have not seen one refueling boat and their has to be many to make the long trek to the U.S., 95% of drugs are coming in over land or air, not on open boats! Blowing up these boats aren’t making a dent, it’s strictly (political). Muslims, Hindu’s, and people from all walks of life, countries, cultures and religions fought and died for our freedom in the Revolutionary War. But, it is time for those who are here illegally or haven’t started the process to become citizens to do so though.. It takes minimum 5 years of holding a green card by an immigrant to complete the process.