Our Founding "Illegal" Fathers

From DeMediacratic Nation:

William Hogeland, in an Op-Ed piece in the NYTimes sees some interesting parallels between our founding fathers breaking of immigration laws and today's illegal entries into the country.

To Hogeland, "every nation is a nation of immigrants" thanks to our connection to "the DNA of our African mother, Lucy."

"Every nation is a nation of immigrants," is his first misstep; off the bat the discussion wraps both "legal" and "illegal" immigration into the same brushstroke.

According the the Times Op-Ed piece:

"America's pioneer values developed in a distinctly illegal context. In 1763, George III drew a line on a map stretching from modern-day Maine to modern-day Georgia, along the crest of the Appalachians. He declared it illegal to claim or settle land west of the line, all of which he reserved for Native Americans."

This cannot be denied, yet does not compare to today's "illegal" immigration problem, unless the parallels Mr. Hogeland sees between today's issues and what should be more correctly described as national expansion westward, I cannot stop him. But I can question whether his "parallels" are more in line with a group like La Raza, than with the founding steps of our nation.

In fairness, parallells drawn do fit comfortably with his opinion, yet in some instances miss (italics mine):

"Then as now, it was potentially deadly to bring a family across the line. But once across, illegals had a good chance of avoiding arrest and settling in. Border patrols, in the forms of the British Army and provincial militias, were stretched thin. The 18th-century forest primeval, like a modern city, offered ample opportunities for getting lost. Complex economies thrived in the virgin backwoods, unfettered by legitimate property titles."

George the III, had no more right or control of borders, except in the eyes of his laws. The budding nation in North America had no true "legitimate property titles," either. In this day and age, we do have legitimate rights, borders and sovereignty.

In closing, Hogeland writes:

"Descendants of the great immigration experiences of the 19th and 20th centuries visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum to learn of the tribulations of ancestors who risked much to become Americans. Those of us whose ancestors risked everything as illegal immigrants, and in the process helped found a nation, owe our forebears a debt of gratitude, too. Without their daring disregard of immigration laws, we might not be here today."

In repaying our debt to our forebears I will remember to make the distinction between America of the mid to late 18th century and the United States of America that rightfully guards it's territory and sovereign rights.

For recent posts by the Coalition Against Illegal Immigration visit:

CommonSenseAmerica posting, "There Was A Time..."

stikNstein posts, " Why Enforce the Law?...when you can just Embrace the Economic Reality"

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.**

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A.K.A. Blandly Urbane
DeMediacratic Nation
http://demediacraticnation.blogspot.com/

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