Pajamas Media

75 Comments

1. frankg:

I’m not worried about the US becoming a majority latin country, rather whatever race or language we become, we ALWAYS remain a free and independent people, in control over the laws and policies that affect our us. As a conservative I would say to immigrants coming to this country, beware of politicians who will take away your work ethic, personal initiative, and opportunities to micromanage you back into being powerless, serfs, just in another country where you sought economic, political refuge, or a better life.

Jun 7, 2009 - 3:06 pm 2. Ed Wallis:

My desire is to live in a country in which immigrants adopt – and enrich – the American culture, while leaving third-world behavior “at the door.”

…also in a land in which Navarette’s blatantly racist-tinged screeds are exposed for the bigotted rubbish they are.

Jun 8, 2009 - 1:30 am 3. Sonja:

What we have here is deliberate globalization of the United States by the elites, not immigration. Like it or not, Mr. Navrette, the Chinese and the Indians are outpacing the “Latinos.” You can thank our treasonous government for the coming civil war.

Jun 8, 2009 - 1:49 am 4. bill:

By 2050, or heck even 2025, the definition of “white” will have expanded to include pretty much anyone who has intermarried and lives in the mainstream.

Other racial communities tend to be exclusionist, living in Chinatowns, all-black areas, or Latino areas. One-by-one, ten-by-ten-100,000-by-100,000 minorities will intermarry, leave these areas, and presto, give birth to future “whites”….

I mean after all, Britain was the original melting pot….the stew will simply get spicier, but will not stay divided for long….

Jun 8, 2009 - 3:02 am 5. Malvolio:

“Most people want to live in a community, a nation, where the majority of people are like themselves, racially, ethnically, religiously.”

Wow. So I guess there’s never going to be any significant immigration of Catholic, Hispanic Mexicans into the majority Anglo Protestant US, seeing as they would prefer to live with their own kind?

People have been bitching about how immigration is ruining this country for 200 years and, somehow, we’re still here. Get a grip.

Jun 8, 2009 - 3:15 am 6. LeighB:

I hope the author was not expecting any positive comments (who exactly were you calling stupid?). People object to illegal immigration, I’m not buying that this is about demographics or identity politics.

Jun 8, 2009 - 3:38 am 7. vivo:

I love all the new taquerías opening up all over the place. The food is tasty, fresh and cheap. There is a lack of high-end ethnic restaurants, but some are buckling the trend. I wish there were more Salvadoran, Venezuelan, Cuban, Brazilian, Argentinian joints. That’s probably because I don’t live in a high concentration area. But immigrants will invest and build their businesses and we will all gain.

Food in the USA has developed and improved tremendously with time. And don’t forget to thank the hard-working people growing and picking out great food.

Jun 8, 2009 - 4:14 am 8. Cato:

Mr. Navarrette celebrates the Latinization of the United States. I cannot. I am a fifth generation Californian, my forebears came in the early 1850s, and my family has been involved in many aspects of agriculture in California for something over 150 years now. Over the years, we have known – and I was brought up to respect and honor – many of the Californio families who preceded us. Moreover, we have more than a passing acquaintance with Mexico – the Latin neighbor which supplies us with most of our illegal immigrants – as one of my great uncles played an important role in modernizing parts of Mexican agriculture in the early decades of the 20th century — even knew Pancho Villa.

The issue that I — and I think most Californias of non-Hispanic white backgrounds – have with Latin (and especially Mexican) immigration is not what people look like, but, rather, with the culture they bring with them. The United States is founded on the rule of law, a commitment to individual liberty (whatever our lapses have been), and economic liberty. Our culture began after the Spanish conquered Latin America, but with roughly the same level of resources has grown into the greatest power on earth.

Latin America, and the “Latin” culture that dominates it, has not done so well. In fact, it’s a mess and has been a mess for centuries. It is a society of far greater inequality than we have seen here, of rule by dictators and juntas, of demagogues, corruption, and the corrosion of civil society. It has been a culture of religious intolerance, of ignorance, braggadocio and ineffectiveness. A world of economic idiocy and exploitation.

I really don’t want that culture here. I don’t want the crime, I don’t want the corruption. I don’t want the political culture – though it seems with Obama we’re headed that way. I really don’t want to be expected to understand or speak Spanish.

As far as I am concerned, anyone from Latin America who wants to come here and fully assimilate OUR values, language, and culture is welcome. Anyone who expects to come here and change our values to be more like those of Latin America is not.

Jun 8, 2009 - 4:15 am 9. njcommuter:

over one or two generations, Latinos will learn English, adopt American values, and take their place in the mainstream. And with their optimism, family values, and work ethic, they are — far from being a threat to the country — likely to be one of its most valuable assets.

I certainly hope so, but there are serious indications that it won’t go this way. Illegal immigrants have many incentives to remain in a separate subculture. We are no longer teaching civics in school, or when we do teach it we are teaching it to a leftist agenda. We are no longer teaching honest history (when we teach history at all). We are no longer teaching our youth what an American should aspire to be and do, and no longer expecting immigrants to join the mainstream.

Fix these problems and I will heartily agree with you.

Jun 8, 2009 - 4:20 am 10. Gary Ogletree:

All the reasons listed are why we have to stop the Mexican invasion. And we can see what a mess the Mexicans have made of their own resource rich country. They can keep their machismo, the el caudillo political model, the pervasive corruption and the fantasy history. Ruben’s constant whine about our opposing illegal immigration is based on his ethnic identity.

Jun 8, 2009 - 4:42 am 11. RE:

Well it’s true that America is becoming more Third World-ish, in a banana republic sort of way. It’s becoming increasingly clear that America has entered a retrogressive era. Mr Navrette’s myopic and habitual playing of the race card in favor of his preferred culture does nothing to change that.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:07 am 12. "progressive"watch:

My opinion and these posted opinions are that Mr. Narvette’s article is off focus. The main issue is Americanization. Period. We want America to stay America,not some debased multicultural,multi-language welfare state.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:09 am 13. RE:

7. vivo

It’s good to know you have your priorities in order, vivo.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:19 am 14. Juke:

I find it amazing how politicians tell us they are protecting our “way of life” while importing those who are the direct opposite of our way of life.

Also this statement:
“Latinos are becoming more Americanized. As was the case of earlier waves of immigrants from Germany, Italy, Ireland and other countries”

Is pretty ignorant. Never were the numbers of Irish, Germans or Italians anywhere near the number of Latinos coming here today. Never did the immigrants coming into our country have so little of a shared history with us or in many cases, such outright hostility to the founders of our nation.

So while fools like Ruben cheer the destruction of a nation, Im sure he’ll divert the blame to others when the bloodshed starts.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:26 am 15. Ms. Attitude:

If you ever went on a mission trip to the remote areas of Mexico to help build a school or a clinic you would know where the majority of the Mexican immigrants come from. You would understand that a father/son is leaving his family, risking his life to come to the US. Once here he faces harsh descrimination and may land a job making pennies to the dollar for hard labor. He sends that money home to take care of his family. If he’s lucky he’ll get a ‘green’ card. Sometimes it’s the daughter who comes and she lands a job working for some future politician who doesn’t even pay her minimum wage.

Instead of fighting illegal immigration why don’t we as individuals find ways to make their homeland more profitable. NOT WITH TAX DOLLARS!

Sure there are criminals in the mix but ending our stupid war on drugs would keep the bulk of these guys in Mexico because there wouldn’t be any profit for them here in the USA.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:32 am 16. Bilgeman:

Mr. Navarette:
“— is all about respect for law and order and worry over how illegal immigrants supposedly take jobs,”

They do. This is a fact and isn’t up for argument.

“drain services,”

They do. This is a fact and isn’t up for argument.

“pollute the environment,”

They do. You might want to head over to Texas and spend some time in a “colonia”,(unincorporated housing community).

“wreck the schools,”

Have you ever heard of MS-13, amigo?

“and diminish quality of life.”

Wherever you have a large ethnic concentration of people who are hostile to law enforcement and insular in culture, that is going to diminish everyone’s quality of life, whether it be in an urban housing project, and Appalachian trailer park, or a Los Angeles County barrio.

Even for #7 vivo above, who shares a typical Gringo Liberal outlook, in that he likes illegal immigation so some peon can make his tacos, another peon can serve it to him, and a third can wash his dishes, and yet another pair can do his lawn and pool maintenance and care for his kids.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:40 am 17. asdf:

Lets just hope they dont turn this country in the s**t hole contries they left in comming here. And iit is true illegals drain rescources, one look at schools and hospitals closing along the southern border will show you that.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:46 am 18. Ali:

Now, could it possibly be that Mr. Navarrette and other supporters of illegal immigration have their own “racist” agendas in wishing to see the ethnic makeup of the U.S. changed?

What Mr. Navarrette overlooks is that most of this demographic “change” is coming due to ILLEGAL immigration. Furthermore, maintaining “Hispanic” identity comes at the expense of assuming an AMERICAN identity. The Harvard-educated Mr. Navarrette sometimes manages to identify with Americans, but when it comes to his own ancestral ethnic group, he always seems to come down on the side of IT.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:59 am 19. David Thomson:

“One person who noticed that trend is the reader from California who wrote me a while back to say that he wants to live around people who resemble him.”

How many readers who contact Ruben Navarrette Jr. write in such a racist manner? One in ten, one in a hundred, or one in a thousand? Why do I cynically suspect that this sort of response is very rare? And yet, Navarrette is more than subtly hinting that it is typical.

“As far as I am concerned, anyone from Latin America who wants to come here and fully assimilate OUR values, language, and culture is welcome.”

Amen. We are in complete agreement. And our views most assuredly represent the majority of the “Anglo” population.

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:01 am 20. john from cinncinatti:

Cato:Our culture began after the Spanish conquered Latin America, but with roughly the same level of resources has grown into the greatest power on earth.?????? what about the culture before the Spanish, was it supposed to just go away? some of them there Mexicans had to learn to speak a white mans language, Spanish. the great buffalo herds are gone and the west is officially closed. go ahead insulate yourself but when you come out of your cave you will realize its more like what Plato spoke of, and Bob Dylan sang “the times they are a changin”

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:04 am 21. BettyBlue:

Uh-huh, Vivo’s got his priorities in order—his stomach comes first. What’s good for Vivo’s belly must be good for America.

Not that he’s too different from most progressives in this regard; for them, “multiculturalism” really doesn’t extend beyond patronizing that nice little kebab joint at the corner, or stuffing oneself with tacos, or orange chicken. And have we told you about this chic little resort down in cancun? You can drink margaritas all day long, and never have to worry about all the violence in the rest of Mexico, they’ve got security guards, you see, and the help is just sooooooo sweet, and obeys your every command, blah, blah, blah.

As for Navarette, he’s a shill for the Mexican government, and La Raza type groups. Where are we all supposed to move once Mexican politics, and culture, have reduced the US to another third-world country? Canada?

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:18 am 22. BettyBlue:

And, speaking of racism, I notice Navarette doesn’t mention the ethnic cleansing campaign Hispanic gangs have been carrying out against black neighborhoods.

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:19 am 23. Blackwater:

The justification for accepting 2+ million people from the third world every year is pretty much drying up. This isn’t the industrial revolution anymore. We don’t need millions of unskilled foreign workers. What we need are the brainy people of the world who can invent things and make new discoveries. And I think you underestimate just how fed up Americans are getting with this illegal alien invasion. In fact, if a Republican ran a campaign for President in 2012 on ending illegal immigration by cracking down on businesses that hired illegal aliens they’d win in a landslide. They’d get the support of people both left and right and of every ethnic group. Not even hispanic Americans like losing their jobs to an illegal alien who doesn’t speak a word of Enlish and works for $20 a day. And if push comes to shove we could always do something really radical like oh I dunno, having more babies…? Crazy I know. Me personally I want atleast 5 kids since I grew up in a large family myself. So go forth my fellow gringos and multiply…

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:21 am 24. Morton Doodslag:

With Navarette’s fascist and racist triumphalism, with his contempt for American laws, and his obvious hatred for whites (or others) who reject his endless minimizing and justifications for the illegal Mexican tsunami drowning America today, Rubin is a poster boy for the tragedy and catastrophe which is looming.

If Navarette is an example of the type of “Americanization” we can expect from the tens of millions of su raza (his race) now storming our borders, (and sadly, he is) then America will be destroyed.

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:38 am 25. Blackwater:

Oh and I’m sure if 100+ million white Americans illegally entered Central and South American countries and threatened to make the natives the minorities they’d welcome us with red carpets, flowers and lots of expensive booze. Oh wait, there’d be blood everywhere. Double standards much? Damn those racist white devils! They should just bow down and embrace their new hispanic overlords!

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:54 am 26. Blackwater:

Oh and I also forgot to add that it isn’t entirely a race issue. I know lots of British people who are infuriated over the Polish cheap labor take over of the UK. It has more to do with disliking the “foreigner” who is taking your job and permanently changing your culture and is a basic human instinct found in every country of the world. And rightfully so. When I travel to the UK I don’t want to see a bunch of ghetto “hoodies” and “chavs” loitering around corners with spray painted grafitti all over the buildings in the background. I’d be afaid of getting stabbed! And these are my fellow gringos! So if you’re going to try to use the whole race card issue to deflect all criticism and debate over illegal immigration, try again… Illegal immigration and excessive legal immigration is destroying our country and we have to stop it sooner than later.

Jun 8, 2009 - 7:15 am 27. acj:

I don’t mind immigrants as long as they are legal.

Jun 8, 2009 - 7:31 am 28. katablog.com:

Wow, the writer sure had to run and cherry pick to find a quote like that. I couldn’t care less about the nationality of my neighbors or any US Citizen. What I care about is that they support the laws and Constitution of the USA.

I care about fairness. And, it’s simply not fair to make laws that apply only to some and not to others.

I care that my tax dollars are going to supporting people who have broken the law to get here and stay here.

If you think I’m wrong, deport all the people who entered the US illegally and then legally migrate any combination of races you wish, ensuring they enter the US legally and are productive citizens ready to embrace US laws and the US Constitution. I will be first person in line to support these people.

Jun 8, 2009 - 7:36 am 29. Ken:

“No worries. Yes, America is becoming more Latinized. But at the same time, Latinos are becoming more Americanized. As was the case of earlier waves of immigrants from Germany, Italy, Ireland and other countries, over one or two generations, Latinos will learn English, adopt American values, and take their place in the mainstream. And with their optimism, family values, and work ethic, they are — far from being a threat to the country — likely to be one of its most valuable assets.”

I find it disappointing that the last paragraph of this article has been posted on a Conservative web site. A somewhat informative post turns into politically correct talking points from the multiculturalist crowd. Here are the following problems with that assessment:

There is no comparison to what we are seeing now and the past waves of immigrants from Europe:

First of all, the sheer numbers of illegals is staggering, they are overwhelming the system with themselves and their citizen children who are eligible for benefits. We didn’t have an enormous welfare state during the last large immigration wave.

The proximity to their home country tends to reduce the rate of assimilation. They go back and forth and in fact are still citizens of their home country. They also bear a historical grievance in that many believe the Southwest US was “stolen” from their people. They are not separated by an ocean which forces them to learn the ways of their new home.

We are also not the same country as we were, we used to demand assimilation. We don’t do that any more in the name of political correctness, if anything by all of the bi-lingual nonsense we have put in place we are encouraging the opposite. And why would a people assimilate when they know they will be in the majority? We will be assimilating to THEM.

Another factor is that we do not have the amazing jobs engine that the industrial revolution provided. More undereducated people is the last thing we need. We are losing low skill jobs to China, bringing in more people from Mexico just drives down wages for low skilled workers here. Simple economics, more supply (in this case labor) lower prices (wages).

Jun 8, 2009 - 7:36 am 30. Self-hating Boomer:

This is one of the worst articles I’ve ever seen in PJM. The entire argument is a straw man. Even if it’s true, you don’t just make an accusation without evidence.

Jun 8, 2009 - 8:00 am 31. BettyBlue:

With the L.A. Times folding, Navarette may be looking for another outlet for his La Raza propaganda.

At any rate, it’s not one of PJM’s better articles.

Jun 8, 2009 - 8:54 am 32. trapper:

Immigrants from Latin America become indistinguishable from other Americans within a generation or two. That IS NOT the issue for those who oppose illegal immigration, as can be seen in the comments above.

Jun 8, 2009 - 8:58 am 33. Penny:

I’m on my way to the transition and so glad to be going out of this horrible society the left has created.

Jun 8, 2009 - 9:46 am 34. The Shadow:

I love the naked racism in this quote “I really don’t want that culture here. I don’t want the crime, I don’t want the corruption. I don’t want the political culture – though it seems with Obama we’re headed that way. I really don’t want to be expected to understand or speak Spanish.”

Jun 8, 2009 - 10:20 am 35. The Shadow:

MS Attitude – Try KIVA

Jun 8, 2009 - 10:26 am 36. Mike T:

That gentleman might not want for the United States to become a “non-white majority country,” but it’s been clear for some time that this is exactly where we are headed. The only thing in dispute at the moment is how fast we’ll get there.

That makes it clear that we need an honest national dialog about race. Otherwise what will happen is that whites will become a minority, and then minorities will be allowed to pretend that they are living in a state of apartheid with a “rich white elite” controlling everything.

It is time for, example, to tell the black community to stop making excuses for their rampant social problems and take responsibility. It is time to tell whites to stop indulging in medieval style self-flagellation over racist violence and injustice that they didn’t even commit. It’s time to tell the Hispanic immigrants to either learn English and start integrating or go back home.

Of course, none of what will happen, because we are a nation of cowards when it comes to racism. We don’t want to admit that we haven’t made much meaningful progress on racism because for so long, our “solutions” to racism have been patently absurd.

Jun 8, 2009 - 10:31 am 37. The Shadow:

I guess you have to expect any article on illigrant would stir up the hornet’s next of racism. As long as people see that their life in their countries are immensely difficult and there are opportunities here for a better life they are going to come here. The question is how do we set up a system that would aloow in those for whom there are opportunities and keep out the criminals. Studies have shown that by the second generateion immigrants become assimilated into our culture. I think it is great that they bring their culture with them and add spice to our mix. It is one of the things that makes our country great.

Jun 8, 2009 - 10:33 am 38. Michael:

I grew up in a community and went to a High School that was approximatly 50% Hispanic, 50% Anglo. (Although I never heard anyone say anything like that then.)

The diffrence between then and now was that the kids were just Americans. They were not Hispanic Americans or Anglo Americans. Just Americans.

We hear the adjulation of diversity now. I have no problem with diversity except in the field of values. Anyone coming to America MUST have the same core values that are part of the American spirt. They must value education, justice, the rule of law, self reliance, the love for the ideal of America that has made it special in history. That ideal is not always met but in the past it was taught in schools and was the lofty hopes and dreams that make up the American character.

Jun 8, 2009 - 10:44 am 39. FrankS:

I was born in 1948, I don’t plan on living passed 100.I’m glad I wont live to see the country I fought for, become a third world dung heap, populated by criminals, and parasites who’s only care is how much they can the steal from the white tax payers. I only feel sorry for my grand children, who will have to deal with these scum.Rest assured they will begin fire arms training as soon as they can hold a .45 colt.

Jun 8, 2009 - 12:23 pm 40. Alfredo:

As a Spaniard, may I say a few words? Actually, I agree with the “anglo saxons” who are posting on this message thread. In Spain we have experienced, over the past decade, thanks to irresponsible and totally destructive immigration policies, a huge influx of “latinos” (a term I despise as real Latins are Spaniards, Italians, Portuguese and French) but anyway my point is that even here in Spain, these people have become a huge problem. It IS a cultural question: many of these people come from war torn countries, have no respect for basic rules that are normal in White, western countries, and for the most part convert the places they live in into an authentic pigsty. Yes, some of the latin americans coming in are wonderful human beings, honest and hardworking: I myself have known some of them, but the fact is, nobody wants to face the possibility of becoming a minority in their own country.

America is a great country, the US that is, precisely because of the English speaking protestants who populated your lands and brought with them a Protestant work ethic, as well as English respect for the rule of law and “fair play.”

Latin America, before they declared independence, was kept at bay thanks to the Spanish crown: simply put, a hugely mixed population has serious identity crisis and need a stronger authority (hence the constant corruption and macho attitude we see coming from those places). Ironically, the same complaints that anglo americans utter on this thread are shared by Spaniards in Spain when discussing latin american immigrants. They drain resources and crime has gone up (in Madrid thankfully we don’t have the huge north african population of Barcelona) but even so, we have seen a rise in gang warfare, Latin Kings, Dominican Don’t Play, etcétera.

I like the US as it is: a culturally anglo country — I certainly think it would change if the demographics change.

So Mr. Ruben Navarrete, señor: yes, it IS the demographics, and there are far too many of you people who prefer to take the easy way out and emigrate to developed countries rather than fixing your own problems. You bring poverty and expect government to do everything for you, you do it in Spain, you do it in USA, you do it in Italy, and we are frankly, sick and tired of you people demanding special rights when you wouldn’t even consider it in your own countries.

We want to have control over our own borders, IN LIBERTY, without your noise and without your constant meddling in sovereign affairs. If you don’t like European manners and culture, go back to where you came from Mr. Navarrete — and with all the technology available now, we do have the possibility to deport your whiny behinds back to Mexico and Ecuador, it’s simply a question of will: I have it, many others do, do our politicians in white countries? Of course not!

Jun 8, 2009 - 12:35 pm 41. whataloadacrap08:

Eelegal eemigrants? We don’t need no more steenkin’ eelegal eemigrants!

Jun 8, 2009 - 1:36 pm 42. zanne:

This article much like global warming is “baloney”…thank you Burger King south franchises.

Jun 8, 2009 - 1:46 pm 43. mshatto:

Mr. Navarette,

Can you provide an explanation as to why Mexico and other Latin Americn nations continue to find themselves mired with problems such as poverty, crime, corruption although situated next to or near the wealthiest nation on Earth while Canada, also a neighbor, does not.

As a teacher in Southern California, it’s a question i am frequently asked.

TIA

Jun 8, 2009 - 1:51 pm 44. Ed Wallis:

mshatto #43,

NO, Mr. Navarrette can’t provide a legitimate answer, as one would not fit into his bigotted “narrative”…and he probably lacks the vocabulary (not necessarily only in English!) to elaborate upon such, anyway.

Jun 8, 2009 - 2:18 pm 45. BettyBlue:

I find it kind’ve intersting, by the way, that Navarette uses a mysterious “Reader from California”, unidentified, who supposedly emailed him and told him all this stuff; he also doesn’t supply any links to any articles supporting his thesis that Americans are against illegal immigration solely because they’re all raaaaaaaacist, and not because of other problems it creates. Oh well, I guess that would just mess up the narrative.

By the way, Rubin, howzabout that Hispanic ethnic cleansing of African American communities in L.A.?

Jun 8, 2009 - 3:30 pm 46. BettyBlue:

Oh, and great post, Alfredo!

Jun 8, 2009 - 3:30 pm 47. Cato:

40. Alfredo – thank you for saying what even my Spanish friends from Latin America say. The ones whose pregnant wives still travel to Spain to bear their children. It is from old Californio families, however, that I have heard the most ardent condemnations of the illegal Mexican and other Latin American immigrants.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:28 pm 48. jacksonhunted:

No, Ruben, it is the illegality. If Congress had the moral courage it could just increase immigration rates. As it is, those cowards and the amoral leper in the White House simply refuse to enforce the law to achieve the same ends.

But with that reality aside, if people want to maintain the U.S.’s Anglo character, what is your problem with it? I mean your problem. Racism cuts both ways, friend.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:36 pm 49. Robohobo:

“That’s just what people say at dinner parties and on talk radio, so as not to come off as paranoid or racist. You know very well what’s really driving the immigration debate.”

Hey, Reuben, come on out and say it! Call us racists! You backbiting POS! I have seen him take up column space in the local rag for years. Here is the truth. Hispanics are the most racist group in the US right now. Next the blacks. There is never going to be an honest conversation on race until we get rid of groups like La Raza, MeCHA, people like Navarette (out of the public sphere) and Sotomayor. Thinking that Lefties are not the biggest racists and hypocrites is just too rare.

Navarette – STFU and go away.

Jun 8, 2009 - 5:53 pm 50. SukieTawdry:

You’d think given their optimism, family values, and work ethic, the countries they leave behind wouldn’t be in the first place the kind of crap holes that are only suitable for leaving. Take Mexico, a stunningly beautiful country rich in valuable and abundant natural resources and yet… Why exactly would I want to import by the millions the ethos that keeps Mexico perpetually third world? If the illegals who pour over the border are such valuable assets, let them stay where they are and effect positive change in their own homelands instead of trying to transform mine to suit them.

My maternal ancestors were among the original Scots-Irish who came over in the 1600s to settle the Colonies. My paternal grandparents were first generation Americans who came through Ellis Island. I got no problem with legal immigration although our system is in dire need of reform.

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:22 pm 51. EscapeVelocity:

I think that Mexico should liberalize its immigration and property laws, and millions of white Americans should flood their country by the tens of millions.

Why doesnt Mexico do this? Are they racist or something?

Jun 8, 2009 - 7:07 pm 52. WR Jonas:

PJM sticks a couple Reubens articles on their blog every month to stir us up. He never fails to deliver the same viewpoint and rationale .
What are those Latinos going to do when they achieve political clout ?
Well they’ll deliver their particular gift to America . Kinda like Sonia Sotomayors opinion of gringo men.
Aye! Caramba !

Jun 8, 2009 - 7:23 pm 53. Marc Malone:

#34 Shadow – There is nothing racist in that quote, whatsoever. These people come from broken societies. They share its values. We don’t want those values here.

It was different in the old days. We had no freebies. You came here and worked or starved. Americans were born all over the world. They believed as we did. They wanted only the opportunity to excel, not guarantees or safety nets. So, we got the world’s best, and we became dominant.

Now, because of the stupid socialists, we get the world’s trash coming here looking for freebies. They’re working the system. They teach each other how to be grievance-mongers to get what they want. It poisons our society and drags us down to their level. We are not enriched by them anymore, but rather, made all the poorer.

They no longer come here to be Americans. They are the barbarians who are flooding over the walls to loot and pillage. They intend to carry off the loot, or set themselves up as the new overlords. When you subsidize a certain behavior, you get more of it. In this case, that means illegal immigration.

Jun 8, 2009 - 8:28 pm 54. EscapeVelocity:

As long as people see that their life in their countries are immensely difficult and there are opportunities here for a better life they are going to come here. — Shadow

Well there is another solution. Instead of having them flood the borders, we could bring America to them. Perhaps we should give classic British style imperialism a fresh dusting off. Its a win win policy.

Jun 8, 2009 - 9:10 pm 55. Phoenix48:

#40 Alfredo – thank you for an excellent post – highlighting that immigration is indeed an international problem. Spain seems to be suffering similar problems with Mexican, Central and South America migrants. As I understand it you can identify with our residental housing problems as well.

#8 Cato best sumerized my own view. Let me add to his observation these points;

1) There was in the ‘Red Scare’ twenties – a period when the KKK was at the height of it’s power in political as well as vigilante violence – an acceleration of reverse migration that began at the turn of the century with the beginning of immigration control. Non english speaking non-white EUROPEANS such as Italians, Slav’s, Albanians, Russian’s, and Germans (esspecially during WWI) suffered such blantant racism to make what Latino’s parade as abuse today a literal joke.

We have made great strides when it comes to accepting ‘those who don’t look like us’, a concession one never hears from La Raza types or media race hustlers such as Mr. Navarette.

What clearly motivates Mr. Navarette is that the push back from us ‘nativists’ in the past five years was working very well even before we fell into hard economic times.

Esspecially this: that while the debate has at times gotten loud – it has never gotten violent.

The truth is that the last great effort in this country to forcibly deport and repatriat illegals came during both Eisenhower administrations – ‘52-’60. In those eight years a proported 12 million were forced out of the country – overwhelmingly Latino. Even then with the exception of LA county – where there was some ‘community organizing’ to resist, resistance now lionized by gang bangers as ‘noble’ – those deportations were by and large conducted mainly in the southwest – and they weren’t some great accomplishment of the federal government.

No. It was a mostly ad-hoc vigilante effort, conducted by large land owners and in co-operation with local and state governments that choose to look the other way when violence inevitably happened.

This was also at a time when racial segregation was just beginning to loose its iron clad grip on our country – and became itself many years of sporadic violence which eventurally errupted into the race riots from ‘64-’69.

Mr Navarette is too intelligent to ‘forget’ that his mis-stating of Census data is anything but a deliberate lie. There is no mythical monolithic ‘latino’ vote anymore than there is a mythical 34 precent minority ‘trending’ toward the ‘inevitable’ white majority decline he cites.

I have Irish, Scotch, Dutch, Welsh, ancestry as far as we know, and my fathers side stretches to the Revolutionary War period. My mothers side dates to early post Civil War. Assimiliation worked with my ethnic background. There was great mistrust over the catholic and protestant union of my great grandparents. Eighty years later when I came along it was barely mentioned.

As CAto mentioned – the ‘white’ that Mr. Navarette claims is being assaulted is already a heady ethnic and inter-racial brew. Yet we happen to be the greatest country the worlds ever produced. Go figure.

Mr. Navarette contends he can look ten, twenty, or fifty years into the future with his magical race hustle 8 Ball and devine the future. Yet he refuses to even accept the openly contested facts on the ground TODAY that cites latino’s are a rough parity with Blacks – at 14 -16%. You can kick up the juice to 22% by deliberately cooking those numbers – and only by cooking them.

What lazy single issue parrots like Mr. Navarette don’t have going for them when selling his brand of bigotry is a blind or ill informed or ignorant public.

Read Orlando Patterson & Victor David Hanson on the subject. Watch the C-Span seminars given by the American Enterprise Institute, Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, the Hudson Institute, besides those fighting the biased fight (against and good!) like Mark Krikorian or Lou Dobbs.

These are not violent racist people praying on latinos or anyone else living in the shadows. Such debate is much improve from the way my somewhat violent and racist grandfather settled things back in the day.

Folks like Navarette have to skew and lie about the numbers. Why? Because numbers are real important when you want special status for a payoff – better jobs, better education, a better life – FOR YOUR SELECT GROUPO!

That is not E Pluribus Unum. That’s racial balkanization.

I saw a great conservative this weekend – Indiana gov Mitch Daniels. He had the correct answer on immigration. I’ll paraphase;

Come legally. Have a job and keep it. Work Hard & don’t expect assistance – welfare – if you lose it. Speak English & most importantly assimilate.

The message I get from Navarette is openly hostile and deliberatly so. ‘Were coming, you can’t stop us, & were taking over’. Not so fast pedro.

When you immigrate you do so for life. Your KIDS and theirs transform the country – not the other way around. You don’t get to glom on for a free ride at the maternity ward, or K-12 education, and then just free bird back and forth with duel citizanship because you want to.

For all the crap about so-called discrimination Latinos had a great gig the past twenty years. Ship billions back home and enjoying defacto citizenship. The debate about what process will replace the broken system we have now goes on, but one thing is undeniably clear.

Get legal or get out. We are so racist? Why stick around? My citizanship, with it’s legacy means something. It includes ENTITLEMENTS for me and mine. You don’t dilute that until you join by MY RULES. It’s starts with an invitation, not a reward for sneaking in.

Jun 8, 2009 - 10:03 pm 56. vivo:

16. Bilgeman:

“he likes illegal immigation so some peon can make his tacos, another peon can serve it to him, and a third can wash his dishes, and yet another pair can do his lawn and pool maintenance and care for his kids.”

You’re describing here my rich Republican neighbors (quite a few thousands).

21. BettyBlue:

“Uh-huh, Vivo’s got his priorities in order—his stomach comes first. What’s good for Vivo’s belly must be good for America. ”

You’ve got it right. Are you still eating your borscht? Try Pollo Loco for a change.

22. BettyBlue:

“the ethnic cleansing campaign Hispanic gangs have been carrying out against black
neighborhoods.”

You’re bad. It’s not ethnic cleansing, blacks have been leaving their neighborhoods and locating themselves in white neighborhoods while Hispanics have replaced the white landlords’ vacancies, cheapest rent in town. Remember New York early 1900’s?

26. Blackwater:

“Illegal immigration and excessive legal immigration is destroying our country and we have to stop it sooner than later.”

You always had the chance, but your lazy, corrupt legislators never did anything. Try to emigrate anywhere in South America and your fanny will be in jail so quick you’d wish Superman was real.

38. Michael:

“The difference between then and now was that the kids were just Americans. They were not Hispanic Americans or Anglo Americans. Just Americans.”

I think the use of “Something-American” is idiotic and racist. Black-American, Mexican-American, Polish-American, Italian-American, Chinese-American. Have you heard the term Black-Argentinian, Mexican-Argentinian, Polish-Argentinian? Italian-Mexican, German-Mexican? Pretty ridiculous, eh?

* * *

Somebody said that Americans (WASP) keep working on weekends, at home or wherever, while immigrants take the weekend off and relax.

Jun 9, 2009 - 2:55 am 57. Ed Wallis:

Navarrette: “But at the same time, Latinos are becoming more Americanized. As was the case of earlier waves of immigrants from Germany, Italy, Ireland and other countries, over one or two generations, Latinos will learn English, adopt American values, and take their place in the mainstream.”

NOTE FROM MEDIA: Today’s third generation hispanics are WORSE OFF, in comparison to other immigrant groups. This has to do in part with not learning English, continuing the corrupt life/work behavior patterns from their mother countries, and not accepting American customs.

Navarrette: “And with their optimism, family values, and work ethic, they are — far from being a threat to the country — likely to be one of its most valuable assets.”

NOTE TO NAVARRETTE: see the above. Your bigotted agenda is revealed once again. Take a hike.

Jun 9, 2009 - 5:53 am 58. BettyBlue:

Borscht? Why do you think I eat borscht, Vivo? And what would it matter if I did? Do you have something against those who eat borscht, as in, say, “borscht belt”, that sort of thing?

And why Pollo Loco? Why not Big Tuna Sushi, or El Taco Grande, or Blue Koi Pho House? Is there some special, spiritual merit to be gained by eating at Pollo Loco? Again, “What’s good for Vivo’s stomach is good for America!”

Somehow, Vivo, I don’t think it’s a good idea, letting people like you, and your bellies, decide immigration policy, and what’s best for the rest of us.

Jun 9, 2009 - 6:11 am 59. BettyBlue:

And here’s some info. on what’s really happening in black neighborhoods in L.A.: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/huge-gang-sweeps-targets-latino-gangs-that-allegedly-targ

Jun 9, 2009 - 6:13 am 60. BettyBlue:

And more: http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2009/05/21/in-huge-sweep-authorities-move-against-latino-gang-accused-of-campaign-against-blacks/

Jun 9, 2009 - 6:14 am 61. BettyBlue:

And still more! http://www.topix.com/forum/state/ga/T91BG71EVCPE892HI

I’m really not bad, Vivo, but you’re dumb. But, that’s to be expected from someone who thinks with their stomach.

Jun 9, 2009 - 6:17 am 62. pedro:

CAN’T PEOPLE REALIZE We are @ WAR with the AZTLAN-RAZA Movement!!!

Jun 9, 2009 - 10:48 am 63. BettyBlue:

Unfortunately, they can’t, Pedro.

They’re too busy thinking about hmmmmm, yummy tacos! Hmmmmmm, nice peons, to harvest our food, and keep us fed! Hmmmmmmm, nice maids, gardeners and nannies to take care of us, and our kids. And have I told you about this lovely resort down in Cancun? The people are so lovely, so sweet and HUMBLE, and they make the best margaritas. . . blah, blah.

Jun 9, 2009 - 11:00 am 64. baluc/ka:

If we live in a society where Latinos dominate the demographics two or three generations from now, what about the relationship of America with the Latin American states?

Will there be a North-South rivalry to the point of bloodshed and/or meddling of a type never before experienced?

Or will there be an incorporation of these states into our own country.

Will State number 51 be Puerto Rico, 52 Cuba, 53 Mexico, 54 Chile, 55 Costa Rica, etc.

Jun 9, 2009 - 4:00 pm 65. pedro:

#55(STATE)Costa Rica is where THE UNTAXED $$$$$ GO:)

Jun 9, 2009 - 4:06 pm 66. EscapeVelocity:

Im telling you, the white man’s burden and imperialism is the way to go. Imperialism with a friendlier face.

Jun 9, 2009 - 4:43 pm 67. pedro:

VIVA LA KOREANO TOWN 213 The home of 18st,MS-13:(

Jun 9, 2009 - 4:48 pm 68. Janeway:

I go to church with many Hisphanics most of who are lovely people and mostly legal. My grandson is 1/4 Cuban or Mexican, different story every day. I have raised this child for 10 years, he’s 10. People insist on calling him a Mexican American because he has black hair and eyes like his mother, a real nut case (certified), who wanted an anchor baby and a green card. He finally told his teacher, “I am an American, not a Mexican, Irish, Danish, English or any other kind of American”. He speaks no Spanish and refuses to learn, I wish for him to be proud of all of his heritage but insisting that he must be identified with just one group of ancestors is silly. These people will never assimilate until they just give it up and become Americans. I had an elderly gentleman tell me that he was an American who happened to be black and his family had been in this country for many centuries and was really tired of being called an African America since he had Polish, English, French, and perhaps even some Africans in his linage. The man was right – until people quit separating themselves, racial and cultural differences will never go away. My grandson hopefully will grow up being proud of his Spanish grandmother, Cuban /Mexican Grandfather who had some strong Central Amer Indian lines, Native American, English, Dutch, German, French, etc. ancestors, all who came to USA long before it was the USA for the same reason – a desire to be an American. This is a great country and had little identity problems until now. No, this will not be a better country when it turns into Mexico and the immigrants who prefer their country of origin need to return and make it a better place or embrace the American experience like all the immigrants before them.

Jun 10, 2009 - 8:38 am 69. Ed Wallis:

…of related interest :

http://sixmeatbuffet.com/archives/2009/06/05/so-youre-leavi ng-california/comment-page-1/#comment-588704

Jun 10, 2009 - 9:39 am 70. Derek:

I agree with Navarrette. It is the demographics. Mr. Navarrette is a latino. Obviously, his loyalty is with latinos, even non-cititizens, over fellow american citizens who just happen to be white.

Jun 10, 2009 - 3:44 pm 71. vivo:

58. BettyBlue:

“Borscht? Why do you think I eat borscht, Vivo? And what would it matter if I did? Do you have something against those who eat borscht, as in, say, “borscht belt”, that sort of thing?”

Nothing against borscht, just sounds like the type of food someone not welcoming immigrants would eat: Siberian, plain and simple.

“And why Pollo Loco? Why not Big Tuna Sushi, or El Taco Grande, or Blue Koi Pho House? Is there some special, spiritual merit to be gained by eating at Pollo Loco?”

Pollo Loco has excellent chicken, Sushi is good, Taco Grande is Americanized Mexican, Pho is pretty good. Spiritual merit? You bet!

61. BettyBlue:

That is plain drug warfare. I hope your feeble brain realizes gangs are very small groups of fringe criminals. Most immigrants are just interested in working and (eating tacos?).

64. baluc/ka:

“Will State number 51 be Puerto Rico, 52 Cuba, 53 Mexico, 54 Chile, 55 Costa Rica, etc.”

Many people in Latin America have ZERO interest in being part of the USA. Why give up a good life there? Only people seeking better and easier opportunities migrate North.

Jun 10, 2009 - 5:37 pm 72. stosh-o:

wow! ruben thinks all the white people up and said ” hey were going to be the minority soon ..we better get against the latino’s!!!!” so taking jobs, draining services, polluting the environment, wrecking the schools, and diminishing the quality of life is not at all what white people think. boy thanks for telling me what to think. this dude is hilarious. i like the stupid part.

Jul 1, 2009 - 3:38 pm 73. stosh-o:

imagine if reubin got layed off and had to pick tomatoes or scrub toilets? he would have to work along side all these illegals..perhaps he will be too white and fat for them to fully accept him. this guy definetly lives in a nice area clueless and completely out of touch with everything….. babyboomers will be long gone rubin…are you sure about your facts guy?

Jul 1, 2009 - 4:03 pm 74. John Drake:

With no apologies, why is this asshole part of Pajamas Media? He’s a leftist moron, as anyone who’s read the Long Beach paper can attest.

Why do waste my time with this CRAP?

Jul 19, 2009 - 8:23 pm 75. 330treehugger:

I’m of Irish descent. If the U.S. population becomes becomes predominantly black, Latino and Chinese i don’t care so long as the U.S. Constitution is the governing document and that freedom is still cherished. I’ve worked with Central American Latinos and they are great people with a strong culture, but they fled their political culture for ours, so let’s preserve our American culture, no matter your color.

Aug 10, 2009 - 5:35 pm

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