USA Today - Dodge City/Immigrants - Page 4 - DodgeBoard.com

Detector · #31 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 03:31 PM

The Indians lived an almost poetic life before Europeans screwed it up. Unfortunately, history has shown that a culture either adapts or dies. The Indian underestimated the European drive for conquest, and by the time they realized Europeans true intent, it was all over. Some of the Chiefs realized what was going on, but they could not convince the others to unite to protect their way of life.

At first they thought they should share the land with the newcomers but soon found out the newcomers did not have sharing in mind. They came under the guise that they were escaping the oppression of the mother land, and simply wanted a better way of life.

It all sounds too familiar doesn't it?

Made in the USA · #32 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 05:34 PM

But without the pale faces, there would have been no guns or firewater!!

Tee · #33 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357 mag

What I don't understand is how everyone can automatically assume they are illegal. Also why is it ok to say that because Dodge is made up of 70% hispanic that he crime rate should be at least 70% from the hispanic population?

I think one thing we use as an indicator is the ability to speak English. If someone knows how to speak English well then we usually assume they are legal. Those ones that don't speak a lick of English, we usually assume they are illegal. A person who's been through the system and the wait for 5-6 years to become a citizen usually will also learn the English language. Maybe it's the time, maybe its the desire, but that seems to be a good indicator. And before you post about your neigbor or uncle that is legal but doesn't speak English...I am not saying that all situations follow this rule.

Quote:

Not all hispanic people are criminals.

No, but I think we can all agree that a large percentage of the Hispanics in Dodge are illegal, and all illegal aliens are criminals, by definition. Therefore, a much higher percentage of Hispanics (in Dodge) are criminals.

The "legal" Hispanics know this and that's why the vast majority of them that have been here or were born here are staunchly against illegal immigration. It makes life difficult for them.

jackknife · #34 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357 mag

I know and that's why I can't understand how you can rag on the hispanic population as much as you do. Yes I have my complaints and my problems with some of them, but I don't take stabs every chance I get. There are, from what I've experienced, more good ones than there are bad ones. I'm not sure it's the same for you. As for the stats, no I don't have any access to how many or who's who. I do have access to who's arrested but no I'm not going to go through every person and question them on if they're legal or not, if you have the time feel free to come sit at the jail and question every person arrested and see if they're legal, the list is posted in the paper every day. I personally don't have the time to do it. Besides at 1 time I'm sure unless you are 100% Indian your ancestors were illegal too, as were mine, people just didn't make as big of a deal about it as it is now.

Which is exactly why getting the bad element out of town will be beneficial to race relations as whole. I think the fact that they are Hispanic isn't the issue and sometimes the fact that they are illegal isn't the problem. It's the ones that commit crimes, hide behind being illegal and get to live here with the rest of the hard working community. If I were you, I would be fired up that there were so many bad seeds out there trying to represent a population that is normally good and hard working and very family oriented.

Get the bad elements off the streets no matter what color they happen to be.

357 mag · #35 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackknife

Which is exactly why getting the bad element out of town will be beneficial to race relations as whole. I think the fact that they are Hispanic isn't the issue and sometimes the fact that they are illegal isn't the problem. It's the ones that commit crimes, hide behind being illegal and get to live here with the rest of the hard working community. If I were you, I would be fired up that there were so many bad seeds out there trying to represent a population that is normally good and hard working and very family oriented.

Get the bad elements off the streets no matter what color they happen to be.

That would be wonderful, but you know as well as I do it's not going to happen. For some "unknown" reason they keep getting out or getting their charges dropped. I think there should be harsher penalties for anyone that commits several crimes no matter if they're misdemeanor or felony. I also feel that if they have a 10 page criminal history and they get caught for a very small crime, say stealing a $1.00 piece of candy or something, they should automatically serve prison time. Obviously they haven't learned or their criminal history wouldn't be that long. I know it's all "fantasy" and not reality but something needs to be done. Everyone suffers, law enforcement doesn't want to "deal" with Joe because he always gets off, or mom is tired of dealing with little johnny because he knows he won't get much being a juvenile offender. They know how to play the system and that's why we have so many repeat offenders. An example of what I'm talking about, we have a kid now, who's been on probation with our office since either 6th or 8th grade. He will graduate this year. How crazy is that?

jackknife · #36 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 10:18 AM

I think we are on the same page. Wouldn't you want some of these illegals that commit crimes gone? That is what AOO is saying. It isn't about race. It's about already being here illegally, committing crimes and then still getting to live here. For me being illegal isn't the deciding factor but committing crimes certainly is a factor for me. I want my nieces and nephews to grow up in a safe town that doesn't allow bad behavior to go unpunished.

I think people get stuck on the illegal part and then get all PC and think it is a blanket statement and in turn let the ones who are committing the crimes go so that they don't look racist or something. I think if we took race out of it and stopped harping on their illegal status and instead focused on their criminal history then maybe we could all join together to be heard. It's just when race is brought into play, people get weird and feel like they need to stand up against racism when that isn't the issue.

357 mag · #37 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 10:28 AM

I agree, but when in the very first post illegals are brought into it is when I get frustrated. What about all the LEGAL citizens who are commiting crimes? People don't seem to be as affected by it, but when an illegal or "assumed" illegal does something it's all over the board and paper and anywhere else. Yes I understand this thread started on an article about immigrants, but like all other threads it has gone in another direction. Anyway all I'm saying is just because they do a crime and have a non-white name don't just automatically assume they are illegal. Hell for all we know they could be whiter than a ghost. Don't judge a book by it's name I guess is what I'm trying to say!

I too want my children/family members to live in a safe environment, but I'm thinking that even if all the "illegal" criminals were shipped off, we would still have the "legal" criminals, and sometimes they are worse.