More questions for illegal immigration supporting religious leaders (Roger Mahoney, Bob Edgar)

Posted Sat, Oct 13, 2007 at 3:07 pm

On Monday the 8th, Cardinal Roger Mahony (aka "The Pedophile Protector") gave a speech at Notre Dame University in support of immigration reform. He said much the same as he's said before and apparently no one called him on it. For completeness' sake, here it is.

Meanwhile, back in August, Bob Edgar - outgoing head of the National Council of Churches - offered similar blather in support of massive illegal immigration (link). It included a paean to importing a foreign serf class:

Nearly everything we eat passes through the hands of an undocumented worker. Nearly every office and rest room in America's corporate towers are cleaned and sanitized by undocumented workers. Nearly every meat packing plant -- after breaking unions and cutting living wages for American citizens -- now employs mostly Latinos and many of them undocumented workers.

And, it engaged in the expected smear tactics:

Immigrants have become the contemporary scapegoat. Higher taxes, crowded schools, infectious diseases, all have been attributed to those who have come to America without the proper papers. It's time we call it for what it is-racism.

His selective quoting of the Bible and his comments are discussed here, which includes a few questions for him. Please go to public appearances by him and other religious leaders and ask them:

Unmentioned by Edgar are Scriptural teachings that uphold the authority of rulers to enforce laws, and the Apostle Paul's warning that "all things must be done in order." Even more disturbing was his blissful ignorance about ethical arguments against unregulated borders. How does unrestricted immigration affect Americaโ€™s poor? And how does unrestricted immigration distort the economics and demographics of Mexico? Should Mexico's poor not have economic options other than having to relocate to another country? Will Mexico ever reform economically as long as the U.S. serves as its population safety valve?

Comments

mary (not verified)

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 02:55

I watched the debate at Notre Dame on Cspan late last night. It was Senator Martinez, Cardinal Mahoney, Gov Napolitano and Mayor Barletta. What really made me mad is how ill-informed these people making these crucial decisions are about the subject. Martinez spews the same talking points that lost him comprehensive reform and believe me he is still pushing for it.Napolitano , although forced to crack down on them in Arizona is still wanting to allow those here to stay....And Mahoney talks about his allegiance to Gods will and blathering about his duty to help all people and encourages the entire world to come on in.(remember when the church used to send missionaries to their home countries instead...perhaps he doesn't like to travel-LOL) Mayor Barletta kept emphasizing the crime and the cost to LEGAl and American citizens but none of these other people give a damn about them.....Makes my blood boil at how stupid these people are...or maybe I should say GREEDY.

amanda (not verified)

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 08:28

Thanks for that link to the Jesus Loves Illegal Immigration article by that Methodist minister. He's a heck of a writer. I'd love to see him on one of these panels (fat chance). He would just slay Edgar, Mahony, Slim Coleman, etc. I agree that it's embarrassing how little some people invited to panels know. It's also scary when those people are politicians. 'can anyone legitimately disagree with Rev. Edgarร‚โ€™s facile Bible proof-texting without being smeared as an unChristian racist?' Probably not, but cheers to those who keep doing it anyway! (and that also goes for those who oppose all varieties of open border race baiters, not just religious types)

eh (not verified)

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 10:25

_It's time we call it for what it is-racism._ He's a little late to that party. _What really made me mad is how ill-informed these people making these crucial decisions are about the subject. Martinez spews the same talking points..._ They've had enough time to come up with something new besides the usual emotion-/religion-mongering, so if they were able to do that you would've heard it by now. They have to control the discussion along those lines because any rational argument, i.e. a comparative demographic one about disproportionate criminality [1] and long-term economic competitiveness [2], torpedoes their ship. For smooth sailing it's better just to call anyone who brings any of that up a racist etc -- this has worked pretty well up 'til now.

Links:
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[1] www.fugitive.com/f-murder.html
[2] www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/09/BAG92FL9BD1.DTL

Tanstaafl (not verified)

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 16:37

_Nearly everything we eat passes through the hands of an undocumented worker. Nearly every office and rest room in America's corporate towers are cleaned and sanitized by undocumented workers. Nearly every meat packing plant -- after breaking unions and cutting living wages for American citizens -- now employs mostly Latinos and many of them undocumented workers._ Two points. First, that's why there's shit in the meat, not to mention on the vegetables. And worse, the crap coming from China is deliberately tainted. Second, it wasn't always this way. Which puts the lie to the unspoken assumptions that is was or that it has to be. Fresh clean food and free trade don't require mass immigration. Anybody who insists otherwise must like shit in their meat.

Tanstaafl (not verified)

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 16:38

Great links eh.

mary (not verified)

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 18:57

Anyone know if TOPPS (who went put of business due to Ecoli recall) was full of illegal employees in their plant??

Fred Dawes (not verified)

Mon, 10/15/2007 - 05:21

mary is right.

Tanstaafl (not verified)

Mon, 10/15/2007 - 19:13

TOPPS is a great example of the high cost of cheap labor.

mary (not verified)

Tue, 10/16/2007 - 02:03

I just read a story about how many Americans are looking for Made in USA toys for the Christmas holidays...Woo Woo!!