« Sweet home Virginia | Main | History comes alive »
October 19, 2010
Those darn Mexicans
Mexico Flag / Bandera de Mexico, originally uploaded by Esparta.
I remember back in the early 90's, there was a lot of illegal immigrant hatred. Then, when the economy started to pick up again, there wasn't much talk about it. So now with the economy in the tank again, furor at illegal immigrants is as loud as ever. Most of this is focused at our dear neighbors to the South, Mexico. I don't have any statistics about illegal immigrants, but I know they are more than Mexicans and other Hispanics. Illegal immigrants come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Now, I would argue that immigrant hatred is nothing new. The 1840's and 1850's featured anti-Irish rage. The late 19th and early 20th century was prime time for Eastern and Southern European hatred. It also led to an increase in anti-Chinese rhetoric. So, really, this is nothing new to me, and I think is only more apparent because the internet allows for the mass dispersion of these opinions.
So, it comes as no surprise that the Sheriff in Butler County, Ohio - which separates dear old Dayton from the Queen City, Cincinnati - wants to sue Mexico for all these illegal immigrants and drug runners:
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones is looking for help in filing a lawsuit against the Mexican government.
Jones calls it a "novel idea," saying Mexico should help pay for the cost of jailing illegal immigrants and tracking drugs that come across the border.
"Why not seize their assets to help pay for the cost of jailing prisoners, the drugs coming across the border, murder and mayhem that's been caused by aliens coming to the U.S.," said Jones.
Jones, who took a trip to the Mexican border in May, says he and all other taxpayers are victims of the Mexican government.
"My resources are being used to combat the illegal drugs been going on in this country and crimes committed," he said.
What a knucklehead. Aside from the obvious fact this is legally untenable, it's stupid. Obviously the Mexican government needs to do more to stop the drug war, but how is suing them going to help? And how will they collect? What assets does the Mexican government even have in Butler County, Ohio? None, I would imagine.
I suppose the next time an American college kid gets drunk in Rome and pees on the Colosseum, Uncle Sam ought to pay up. Something tells me that wouldn't quite seem right with the Butler County Sheriff. Snort.
entry no. 1522
Posted at October 19, 2010 05:22 PM