Long ago. Over. Terrible. I am Irish. My dad, a WW2 vet, postman, overall great guy was called a “mick on the make” when he worked harder than the other guys and other things. Yes, we Irish probably still despise the English for what they did to us, but we don't post about it, whine about it. You know what we do? We show them we are the better people.
Well written. I shudder to think of the chaos headed this way. Hope that calmer folks will step in with authority, accountability and a deep sense of fairness.
Wow, Bob. Thank you. One of the defenses you write about is that we have the non-MAGA press. The potential FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, is talking about pulling the broadcasting licenses of NBC, CBS, and pulling funding from NPR and PBS. How likely do you think that is? Can he make that happen unilaterally?
How the rules are written now it would be very difficult and take a long time, if they even considered it. Many of the networks have been around for what, 75 years? However, i have to keep reminding myself is that there are no more rules/laws/regulations in MAGA world. They will bust everything they can to gain power. Thanks.
I agree wholeheartedly. I would add that Trump is a lame duck, and if Republican Senators don't want to be on their last term, they will need to stand up against him over and over again. We must write and call these Senators, demonstrate, and protest repeatedly.
Like the school teacher who wrote below, we must also remember that we do not know any immigrants. If someone asks, we do not know any immigrants.
Provacative as usual. I have not heard anyone else raise this issue, so I don't know if I'm seeing something unseen or unrecognized. One perception I have of the immigration crisis and Trump solution is that the situation is a "leaky boat." Trump's solution is to immediately bail out the leaking boat on day one by rounding up all of the immigrants and deporting them. The boat is still leaking, as the border is not completely closed. There's only about 500 miles of border barriers for the 2200 mile US-Mexico border, and almost nothing for the even-longer US-Canadian border. SO! How does this work to immediately deport millions of immigrants-who already apparently know how to get into the US-and then still have a border that is not closed? The border won't be closed immediately, and in fact wasn't closed during the first four years of Trump, despite his promises to do so and with it all paid for by Mexico. Isn't the situation "bailing water out of the leaking boat while the boat is still leaking, only to have some of the water return?" The image of people in a leaking boat furiously bailing without fixing the boat first has been used in cartoons, but this reality version by Trump will be anything but funny. From another practical perspective, where does Trump send these millions of immigrants, who will take them, will the receivng sites have a choice, etc., and how much does this cost US?/us?
Guess this begs the question of who to target? If your skin is brown must you carry your legal documents at all times? Who's next. Every African-American better prepare to carry. Same for Asians. The list could go on.
I do not know but I suspect that like many of the laws the Iowa and GOP and congress have passed and like previous actions they have taken, much will happen under cover of darkness. How sad that the common thread and the common threat to people is consistently given as police and military action. In that world view we are all seen as “necessary collateral damage” to set the world “right.”
In Waterloo there will be a "Penitential Rosary for Immigrants" 7 p.m. nightly Dec. 3-11 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 320 Mulberry Street in downtown Waterloo. A large portion of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area's Latino/immigrant population attend church at Queen of Peace.
"The prophetic voice of the Church cannot be silent in the midst of the uncertainties and fears facing our immigrant brothers and sisters," Queen of Peace pastor Father Nils Henandez wrote in an explanation for the service, published here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=991655912996726&set=a.552098320285823
The nightly rosary is in preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he said.
The title of this piece caught my attention as I had read the quote from your colleague in another Substack article. It inspired me to start a daily journal to document news of the day that strikes me at an emotional level. I briefly document how it makes me feel so I can let that go, then watch or listen for ideas or quotes from others that might lead to positive action. Several writers in the Iowa Writers Collaborative have been helpful in this regard. Thank you for this article Robert Leonard.
Thank you, thank you! What else can we do? Prepare to shelter children? Will there be a central or several central foster organizations stepping up to coordinate placement? Shelter fleeing families? How might that work? Keep thinking and sharing! Your voice is mighty!
Thanks Linda. This post made me tear up that you are prepared to shelter. I've pondered if we can shelter people too. I'll ask the experts what we can do and share it.
Yes it is a sad, scary and critical situation. Will it be like a Nazi Jewish roundup, of coarse I hope not? First and foremost the illegal border crossings must STOP now. Old Joe has done nothing to help the situation about to happen. Talk about the cost, look at the close to a billion spent out East to keep them in $300/night hotels, food etc. There have been multi level hotels clear full of illegal immigrants that will have to be completely remodeled and repair. I wonder who will help pay that? Camps in parks that are trashed.
There is not an easy way to execute the deportation. And yes I totally blame the Dems and present administration which is going to make this even worse because nothing has been done for the last 4 years and these people suffer. When drastic changes are made like this the process could be a little ugly. And it will be human beings be the brunt of it. As far as a labor force, robotics will keep replacing labor, it's been going on for years and will only advance faster. Without a doubt this process will deter more crossings. Trump probably has gotten Mexico's attention informing them if Mexico doesn't do something to stop illegal crossings and the drug flow he will impose 100% tariffs.
The statistics suggest the number of undocumented immigrants living in the US at any one time has been pretty stable at about 11 million for the last 2 decades (2005 through 2023. Dramatic increases were seen in the early 2000’s then has stabilized. See link below. They further showed a dramatic increase in last 2 years of returning immigrants - even surpassing that of the prior administration. So while there have been clear differences between the approaches made by Trump vs Biden to address this issue, there have been continued efforts to reduce the inflow of undocumented immigrants under Biden - possibly even more effective (albeit quiet) ones. I know we keep hearing how much worse it is under Biden, but the data don’t seem to support those claims? I would be happy to see facts from another source to dispute this- but so far I can’t find them.
That also means that most of who would be deported now are people who have made a home here and contributed to our communities and economy in a positive way. Crime is lower in immigrants than in US Citizens.
I also hope the atrocities are not as bad as described, but I fear that without the efforts of many to curb them, it could be very bad for Iowa’s small communities, not to mention for those individuals that came here to find a better life just like my great- grandparents did.
I am curious how even a remote count can be made to make report with any value. When a person decides to what they do with their life which is in violation of laws they have to recognize the fact that they may have to suffer the consequences of their actions.
Easy for us to say when we and our families are safe and warm. Many of them were in danger at home, and sought safety and a better life. I would take the risk too for the sake of my family.
Very true. U do what u feel gotta do, absolutely. Some win, some lose. I still maintain IF Biden, or I should say his handlers, would have attacked illegal immigration and the massive influx 4 yrs ago instead of PLAYING politics for votes the situation may not have reached this magnitude. IF Trump in previous term had not been so fought against for a need for the wall and illegal immigration maybe we wouldn't be where we are. To me it is sad that the parties push for what they want and not what is BEST for the country. The voters showed they were fed up with several political situations that have not been addressed. Unfortunately now the outcome could be quite unsettling!!
All of this leaves me scratching my head, asking: "What happened to the Republican Party? Including the Eisenhower years?" The old saying "evil prevails when the good do nothing" has never been more true. I recently came across Heather Morris' book "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" and recommend it. Although listed as a novel, it could not be truer. Thank you for posting this.
Currently, it's free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. And, it's a Peacock Original Series with Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey -- although I've not yet located it.
Long ago. Over. Terrible. I am Irish. My dad, a WW2 vet, postman, overall great guy was called a “mick on the make” when he worked harder than the other guys and other things. Yes, we Irish probably still despise the English for what they did to us, but we don't post about it, whine about it. You know what we do? We show them we are the better people.
Well written. I shudder to think of the chaos headed this way. Hope that calmer folks will step in with authority, accountability and a deep sense of fairness.
I agree, Robert.
Wow, Bob. Thank you. One of the defenses you write about is that we have the non-MAGA press. The potential FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, is talking about pulling the broadcasting licenses of NBC, CBS, and pulling funding from NPR and PBS. How likely do you think that is? Can he make that happen unilaterally?
How the rules are written now it would be very difficult and take a long time, if they even considered it. Many of the networks have been around for what, 75 years? However, i have to keep reminding myself is that there are no more rules/laws/regulations in MAGA world. They will bust everything they can to gain power. Thanks.
Never give up, right?
I agree wholeheartedly. I would add that Trump is a lame duck, and if Republican Senators don't want to be on their last term, they will need to stand up against him over and over again. We must write and call these Senators, demonstrate, and protest repeatedly.
Like the school teacher who wrote below, we must also remember that we do not know any immigrants. If someone asks, we do not know any immigrants.
Provacative as usual. I have not heard anyone else raise this issue, so I don't know if I'm seeing something unseen or unrecognized. One perception I have of the immigration crisis and Trump solution is that the situation is a "leaky boat." Trump's solution is to immediately bail out the leaking boat on day one by rounding up all of the immigrants and deporting them. The boat is still leaking, as the border is not completely closed. There's only about 500 miles of border barriers for the 2200 mile US-Mexico border, and almost nothing for the even-longer US-Canadian border. SO! How does this work to immediately deport millions of immigrants-who already apparently know how to get into the US-and then still have a border that is not closed? The border won't be closed immediately, and in fact wasn't closed during the first four years of Trump, despite his promises to do so and with it all paid for by Mexico. Isn't the situation "bailing water out of the leaking boat while the boat is still leaking, only to have some of the water return?" The image of people in a leaking boat furiously bailing without fixing the boat first has been used in cartoons, but this reality version by Trump will be anything but funny. From another practical perspective, where does Trump send these millions of immigrants, who will take them, will the receivng sites have a choice, etc., and how much does this cost US?/us?
Excellent perspective. thanks David.
Guess this begs the question of who to target? If your skin is brown must you carry your legal documents at all times? Who's next. Every African-American better prepare to carry. Same for Asians. The list could go on.
I do not know but I suspect that like many of the laws the Iowa and GOP and congress have passed and like previous actions they have taken, much will happen under cover of darkness. How sad that the common thread and the common threat to people is consistently given as police and military action. In that world view we are all seen as “necessary collateral damage” to set the world “right.”
I appreciate the thoughtful way you have laid this out.
The Iowa Roman Catholic bishops have issued the following letter in solidarity with immigrants:
https://www.dmdiocese.org/news/bishops-offer-letter-to-immigrant-community
The letter was published in English and Spanish.
In Waterloo there will be a "Penitential Rosary for Immigrants" 7 p.m. nightly Dec. 3-11 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 320 Mulberry Street in downtown Waterloo. A large portion of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area's Latino/immigrant population attend church at Queen of Peace.
"The prophetic voice of the Church cannot be silent in the midst of the uncertainties and fears facing our immigrant brothers and sisters," Queen of Peace pastor Father Nils Henandez wrote in an explanation for the service, published here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=991655912996726&set=a.552098320285823
The nightly rosary is in preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he said.
Thanks for drawing attention to this issue Bob.
Thanks much Pat. If you have contact information, or could forward it to them with an introduction, i'd appreciate it very much.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/22/congress/a-senate-doge-caucus-00191360
A gift to you. A target encompassing a universe the nut cutter will never be able to defend.
Please tell me how to speed up the documentation process that is all we need. These people are needed in the workforce.
More asylum judges at the border would be a great thing to do.
The title of this piece caught my attention as I had read the quote from your colleague in another Substack article. It inspired me to start a daily journal to document news of the day that strikes me at an emotional level. I briefly document how it makes me feel so I can let that go, then watch or listen for ideas or quotes from others that might lead to positive action. Several writers in the Iowa Writers Collaborative have been helpful in this regard. Thank you for this article Robert Leonard.
Great idea Connie! thanks.
Thank you, thank you! What else can we do? Prepare to shelter children? Will there be a central or several central foster organizations stepping up to coordinate placement? Shelter fleeing families? How might that work? Keep thinking and sharing! Your voice is mighty!
Thanks Linda. This post made me tear up that you are prepared to shelter. I've pondered if we can shelter people too. I'll ask the experts what we can do and share it.
The Japanese mother of our friend Lynn spent time in a California detention camp as a little girl. Great column & will share.
Thanks Tim. Sharing is important!
Yes it is a sad, scary and critical situation. Will it be like a Nazi Jewish roundup, of coarse I hope not? First and foremost the illegal border crossings must STOP now. Old Joe has done nothing to help the situation about to happen. Talk about the cost, look at the close to a billion spent out East to keep them in $300/night hotels, food etc. There have been multi level hotels clear full of illegal immigrants that will have to be completely remodeled and repair. I wonder who will help pay that? Camps in parks that are trashed.
There is not an easy way to execute the deportation. And yes I totally blame the Dems and present administration which is going to make this even worse because nothing has been done for the last 4 years and these people suffer. When drastic changes are made like this the process could be a little ugly. And it will be human beings be the brunt of it. As far as a labor force, robotics will keep replacing labor, it's been going on for years and will only advance faster. Without a doubt this process will deter more crossings. Trump probably has gotten Mexico's attention informing them if Mexico doesn't do something to stop illegal crossings and the drug flow he will impose 100% tariffs.
The ramification of bad policy can be brutal!!
The statistics suggest the number of undocumented immigrants living in the US at any one time has been pretty stable at about 11 million for the last 2 decades (2005 through 2023. Dramatic increases were seen in the early 2000’s then has stabilized. See link below. They further showed a dramatic increase in last 2 years of returning immigrants - even surpassing that of the prior administration. So while there have been clear differences between the approaches made by Trump vs Biden to address this issue, there have been continued efforts to reduce the inflow of undocumented immigrants under Biden - possibly even more effective (albeit quiet) ones. I know we keep hearing how much worse it is under Biden, but the data don’t seem to support those claims? I would be happy to see facts from another source to dispute this- but so far I can’t find them.
That also means that most of who would be deported now are people who have made a home here and contributed to our communities and economy in a positive way. Crime is lower in immigrants than in US Citizens.
I also hope the atrocities are not as bad as described, but I fear that without the efforts of many to curb them, it could be very bad for Iowa’s small communities, not to mention for those individuals that came here to find a better life just like my great- grandparents did.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/646261/unauthorized-immigrant-population-in-the-us/
I am curious how even a remote count can be made to make report with any value. When a person decides to what they do with their life which is in violation of laws they have to recognize the fact that they may have to suffer the consequences of their actions.
Easy for us to say when we and our families are safe and warm. Many of them were in danger at home, and sought safety and a better life. I would take the risk too for the sake of my family.
Very true. U do what u feel gotta do, absolutely. Some win, some lose. I still maintain IF Biden, or I should say his handlers, would have attacked illegal immigration and the massive influx 4 yrs ago instead of PLAYING politics for votes the situation may not have reached this magnitude. IF Trump in previous term had not been so fought against for a need for the wall and illegal immigration maybe we wouldn't be where we are. To me it is sad that the parties push for what they want and not what is BEST for the country. The voters showed they were fed up with several political situations that have not been addressed. Unfortunately now the outcome could be quite unsettling!!
thanks for sharing and thinking hard about it.
Well, Thank you also
All of this leaves me scratching my head, asking: "What happened to the Republican Party? Including the Eisenhower years?" The old saying "evil prevails when the good do nothing" has never been more true. I recently came across Heather Morris' book "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" and recommend it. Although listed as a novel, it could not be truer. Thank you for posting this.
Good question. Thanks for the book suggestion. Maybe I should read it for some hints.
Currently, it's free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. And, it's a Peacock Original Series with Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey -- although I've not yet located it.