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April 3, 2006
"Call forth the Militia"
Excerpt from an email received today from Colorado State Representative Jim Welker:
Illegal immigration continues to be a very big thing for the citizens of our state and nation. The work in Washington D.C ., by Congress to actually do something about this very serious problem is causing tens of thousands of people to protest in cities all over the nation that they do not want to see any changes.
"Section 8 or our U.S . Constitution says "Congress is to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions ." I say that 10,000 people coming across our southern border every night, 42% being from countries other than Mexico, to be an invasion.
All elected officials, the executive branch and judges swear to uphold the U.S. Constitution. I recommend that all of these officials to get their U.S.Constitution out, read it, and then apply it to their public actions. We need to"do whatever it takes" to protect our southern border immediately!!!"
Before we all go running for our nearest copy of the U.S. Constitution, let us first reach for Webster's:
Main Entry: in·va·sionNow, I assume that Mr. Welker would apply the second option "the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful" to the current immigration situation and that is precisely where I differ with him. I don't think immigration is "usually hurtful", but he certainly does and wants to send a militia (would that be the Minute Men, Mr. Welker?) after hardworking men and women which would have the end result of dividing families and terrifying children.
Pronunciation: in-'vA-zh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English invasioune, from Middle French invasion, from Late Latin invasion-, invasio, from Latin invadere to invade
1 : an act of invading; especially : incursion of an army for conquest or plunder
2 : the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful
As for Welker's assertion that the tens of thousands of people are protesting in cities all over the nation because "they do not want to see any changes." He is wrong again. Mr. Welker, I protested in Denver for two reasons: 1) Pastors, priests, teachers and humanitarian workers should not be classified as felons along with human smugglers, murderers, drug dealers and the like and 2) Surprise, surprise I want to see immigration laws change! But whatever change occurs must be moral and just!
So enough with the sweeping generalizations. If we are to truly have a voice in the immigration debate, we must strive to have a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved.
Update: On April 8th, Rep. Welker announced that he will not seek re-election in the fall. His business has also come under federal investigation for invasion of privacy.
Posted by almamia at April 3, 2006 12:26 PM