As I skimmed through Austin American Statesman in search for my next victim I came across an editorial called “I am the U.S. and I’m addicted to drugs” written by the editorial board, which in turn didn’t become anything like a victim, instead an ally.
This article addresses the rising difficulty with drug and gun trafficking and the violence it promotes. It attracted my attention because it made me think about the small, mountain town in southern New Mexico that I was raised in. You may know it as Ruidoso, but I and everyone living there know it as Rumordoso. As I think about it, this synonym-like and disturbing word that has been mimicked throughout the small town, hardly justifies the true essence of Ruidoso. Behind it’s beautiful mountains, pine trees, ski resort, and neighboring reservations hides a world hugely affected by drugs, primarily cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
As each year went by (while I attended school), the influence of these drugs became more and more severe. I remember when I was in 8th grade and the introduction of marijuana shocked me and left me at unease; by my sophomore year, the mention of marijuana became so common that it left me with no bruises. That year (sophomore year) was also the same year cocaine began to flourish amongst my classmates and peers, as well as ecstasy, mushrooms, you name it. Sure enough, by my junior year, it became so common that the word cocaine had no meaning anymore. That year, methamphetamine expanded and drugs began to reach out to kids as young as eight years old.
This small town lies just 3 hours away from El Paso, Texas and about 3.5 hours from Juarez, Mexico.
As I have mentioned, this article became my ally. By this, I am simply saying that I 120% agree with their claim: “...it is becoming increasingly obvious that elected leaders in the three countries (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) need to take a good, hard look at fundamental policy shifts in confronting the (illegal) drug and gun trade.” From this, I have to incur that their intended audience are not necessarily liberals or conservatives, but people in touch with and worried about the long-term affects of drug trafficking and the cruel and unjust repercussions it has on the innocence of children. Mexico is now known as the new Colombia. Because our borders touch, this is and can take a larger toll on Texas and the United States. Therefore, it is our duty to help President Calderon and do whatever it takes to stop this problem.
The editorial board addresses both sides of the issue--that of gun rights groups and that of people opposing a person’s gun right. This article claims that the manner has “already provoked a strong reaction from gun rights groups that threaten a noisy fight against anything they consider a threat to the Second Amendment,” however, “…an argument that the Second Amendment protects illegal gun trade would be a huge leap in both faith and logic.” In my opinion, there is a lot of logic in this statement. There is a very distinct difference between owning a gun for defense purposes, hidden away in the drawer of your bedside table, than owning it for attack and power.
The evidence of this article’s claim lies in all the towns neighboring these borders. I graduated witnessing many close friends becoming addicted, dropping out of high school, and completely giving up. This is a step we MUST take. We owe it to our future generations.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Power of Words
One word: Wow. I have just finished reading a commentary article called Immigrant deaths along South Texas border rose 40 percent off of TexasFred’s, I am guessing written by Fred on March 01, 2009.
I have to be honest; I chose this particular site for the one and only reason--that it is branded a conservative’s site. As I have mentioned in my profile, I do not consider myself a conservative, instead, I am very liberal; however, I did not expect to be this flabbergasted.
He begins the commentary with a quick overview of an article posted by Dallas News called Immigrant deaths along South Texas border rose 40 percent. That much (credit) I’ll give him; he commented on a credible source. However, I think he is just an unhappy, negative, and hateful old man! Throughout his commentary he continuously capitalizes the words: “illegals,” “my,” “both,” invaders and invade,” “hell,” “no and not,” and “kill.” In doing this, he is mainly targeting not only conservatives like himself, but weak conservatives, those that he can easily brainwash and persuade in following his opinions—and may I also add, to persuade in making, as his text states, a “small DONATION” to his site. The context he put his writing in exemplifies this. The words “both” and “my” gives the weak conservative a sense of ownership, belonging and comfort; and, of course, the words “illegals,” “invaders and invade,” “hell,” “no and not,” and “kill” all have a negative connotation, which then evokes negative and hateful feelings in the reader (when unaware of his intentions). All I have to say is: This can be very dangerous.
In addition, he claims that he has “NO sympathy for the lost lives of the ILLEGAL invaders…for their families either.” In my opinion this is harsh, but nothing compared to what he later states as, “I also believe that what we are currently facing is a violent invasion, and in my opinion there is only one way to deal with those that launch a violent invasion against your home and loved ones. KILL THE INVADERS!” He has no evidence or, in my opinion, logic that supports any of this. The only ones being violent in the process are, in fact, the U.S. government and its hired police officials and border patrollers. Not to mention that murdering someone for craving freedom and success so much that he/she is willing to risk their lives in order to get it, is immoral and illegal. He’s crazy and heartless!
Yes, I realize, there is the issue of a lack in jobs in society today, but that is only because the general public consists of many stuck up individuals that think they are too good for particular job positions and therefore are left unemployed. The “invaders” on the other hand, are willing to take these positions (someone needs to-according to sociologists, in order to keep a society’s economy consistent we must nourish the theory of social stratification) and work hard, because they, unlike the majority of our society today, know the significance of a dollar. What does this mean? For thinkers such as Fred, it would be a positive aspect to invite “invaders” and “illegals” to the United States. They are filling in that puzzle piece in society that people like Fred won’t do. By doing this, they have taken that burden off of Fred. In my opinion, however, regardless of the burden they have taken away from the general population of born “legals,” everyone is entitled to success, health, and happiness but are each dealt with a different set of cards, which are, of course, required to be played differently...simple as that.
I have to be honest; I chose this particular site for the one and only reason--that it is branded a conservative’s site. As I have mentioned in my profile, I do not consider myself a conservative, instead, I am very liberal; however, I did not expect to be this flabbergasted.
He begins the commentary with a quick overview of an article posted by Dallas News called Immigrant deaths along South Texas border rose 40 percent. That much (credit) I’ll give him; he commented on a credible source. However, I think he is just an unhappy, negative, and hateful old man! Throughout his commentary he continuously capitalizes the words: “illegals,” “my,” “both,” invaders and invade,” “hell,” “no and not,” and “kill.” In doing this, he is mainly targeting not only conservatives like himself, but weak conservatives, those that he can easily brainwash and persuade in following his opinions—and may I also add, to persuade in making, as his text states, a “small DONATION” to his site. The context he put his writing in exemplifies this. The words “both” and “my” gives the weak conservative a sense of ownership, belonging and comfort; and, of course, the words “illegals,” “invaders and invade,” “hell,” “no and not,” and “kill” all have a negative connotation, which then evokes negative and hateful feelings in the reader (when unaware of his intentions). All I have to say is: This can be very dangerous.
In addition, he claims that he has “NO sympathy for the lost lives of the ILLEGAL invaders…for their families either.” In my opinion this is harsh, but nothing compared to what he later states as, “I also believe that what we are currently facing is a violent invasion, and in my opinion there is only one way to deal with those that launch a violent invasion against your home and loved ones. KILL THE INVADERS!” He has no evidence or, in my opinion, logic that supports any of this. The only ones being violent in the process are, in fact, the U.S. government and its hired police officials and border patrollers. Not to mention that murdering someone for craving freedom and success so much that he/she is willing to risk their lives in order to get it, is immoral and illegal. He’s crazy and heartless!
Yes, I realize, there is the issue of a lack in jobs in society today, but that is only because the general public consists of many stuck up individuals that think they are too good for particular job positions and therefore are left unemployed. The “invaders” on the other hand, are willing to take these positions (someone needs to-according to sociologists, in order to keep a society’s economy consistent we must nourish the theory of social stratification) and work hard, because they, unlike the majority of our society today, know the significance of a dollar. What does this mean? For thinkers such as Fred, it would be a positive aspect to invite “invaders” and “illegals” to the United States. They are filling in that puzzle piece in society that people like Fred won’t do. By doing this, they have taken that burden off of Fred. In my opinion, however, regardless of the burden they have taken away from the general population of born “legals,” everyone is entitled to success, health, and happiness but are each dealt with a different set of cards, which are, of course, required to be played differently...simple as that.
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