New Haven Independent: Ortiz Details Death Threat, Google Bomb

Ortiz Details Death Threat, Google Bomb

by Paul Bass | March 31, 2008 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (35)

Opponents of New Haven’s immigrant-friendly IDs threatened to kill a top city official and attached her name to obscene web sites, the city’s police chief told a state panel Monday afternoon.

Chief Francisco Ortiz was testifying before the state Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC), which is hearing requests to release the names, addresses and photos of people who have signed up for the Elm City Resident Card.

Ortiz (pictured at the hearing before he spoke) described reviewing “highly disturbing,” profane and threatening emails sent to city Community Services Director Kica Matos for her role in crafting the ID card that New Haven began issuing last year.

“Someone should kill her,” a message said. “She should be killed.” One message, according to Ortiz, said Matos “should be put to death because of treason.”

“She’s a very courageous woman, one of the most courageous I’ve ever met,” the chief said.

The city police investigated the threats along with the FBI, Ortiz said. No arrests were made.

They also examined a case of “Google bombing,” which Ortiz described for FOIC hearing Commissioner Sherman D. London. Opponents attached Matos’ name to web sites with pornographic and violent messages, then registered enough hits to those sites to have them show up prominently in Google searches for Matos’ name.

Ortiz testified that Mayor John DeStefano, too, received threats of harm and other disturbing calls, letters, and emails.

The point of Ortiz’s testimony: If the FOIC grants the request that ID cardholders’ names are released, people might get hurt. He said fear pervades the Latino immigrant community over possible retribution from ID card opponents.

“If these names are released, there is no question in my mind it will put individuals’ lives in harm’s way,” Ortiz said. “We should not allow it to happen”

Ortiz echoed the assessment of the state Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security (DEMHS), which has asked the FOIC not to order the information released in the interest of protecting public safety.

In addition to the possibility of attacks on revealed cardholders, both Ortiz and DEMHS mentioned the ID card program’s aim in part of encouraging immigrants to cooperate with police. Ortiz said two immigrants have been stabbed to death in robberies; he said immigrants are often targeted for robberies because attackers know they hesitate to contact the cops, and because immigrants without bank accounts often carry large amounts of cash. (The cards are designed in part to help undocumented workers open bank accounts.)

Journalist Chris Powell (pictured) of the Manchester Journal-Inquirer — one of the two people requesting that the FOIC order release of the information — asked Ortiz if he considered those incidents hate crimes or robberies.

“These murderers aren’t followers of Dustin Gold rampaging through the streets of Fair Haven? These are robberies?” Powell asked.

“Robberies,” Ortiz responded.

Dustin Gold heads the Community Watchdog Project, the most visible group opposing the ID card program. Gold is the other complainant, along with Chris Powell, before the FOIC in this case.

Questioned On Hate Group Ties

Monday morning at the hearing, Dustin Gold himself was answering questions about his group’s affiliations with extremist groups.

Steven Strom, representing DEMHS, read aloud an anonymous handwritten letter sent to Mayor DeStefano’s office about the city’s launching of the ID card.

Gold testified that his group’s goals are to “abolish illegal immigration in Connecticut, beginning with New Haven”; and to “protect our rights to be Americans.”

“Dear Mayor,” began the July 31 anonymous letter to the mayor’s office.

“Maybe you can explain to me how this dirty race of people from Mexico can be driven by their own Good can force a good portion of there population out of there country and in the Sovereign Nation of the United States…

“An I can’t wait for the rioting breaks out, I have my Automatic Rifle ready to go an won’t hesitate to use it to kill These Rodents.”

Strom then asked Gold if he “realizes” that his group’s website (currently offline and undergoing renovation) “provokes” letters like this one.

Carla P. Maresca, a Philadelphia attorney representing Gold, characterized that suggestion as an outrageous assertion of guilt by association and assault on free speech.

“For all we know,” she said, “the mayor’s office could have written this… It could be someone crazy from outside the state.”

Gold said he and his group had nothing to do with the anonymous letter.

Guilt By Association?

Another attorney, Debra Torres, questioned Gold about his group’s affiliation with the John Birch Society, a far-right nativist conspiracy group active since the mid-20th century Red Scare. (Among its theories: Fluoridation of water was a Communist plot.) Torres represents the class of ID cardholders.

Gold confirmed that he lists the Birch Society as one of dozens of “natural allies” on the CWP web site. He and Torres went back and forth about his public claims that “the big guys” from the Birch Society and another extremist group, the Minutemen, were going to participate in an anti-ID card rally he helped organize.

Discussion of the John Birch Society “bears no relevance to Mr. Gold’s” freedom of information request for names, photos and addresses of cardholders, insisted his attorney, Maresca.

“If this material is released to Mr. Gold and Mr. Powell, it becomes available to anyone,” Torres responded. “That could include members of the John Birch Society and the Minutemen.” Given that the groups work with Gold’s CWP, that increases the likelihood that violent extremists would gain control of cardholders identities, she argued.

Her argument failed to impress Sherman D. London, the FOIC commissioner running the hearing.

“You could list a million organizations around the country that could have access” to information once it becomes public, London said.

He said “there’s no evidence” to back up Torres’s claims.

“Narrowing” The Request

Early in the hearing, Gold’s attorneys sought to modify his original FOI request to the city. Maresca said Gold was “narrowing” the request by eliminating certain groups of cardholders and therefore making it easier for the city to comply.

The government’s lawyers responded that the revisions would actually more prominently identify a group of immigrants or people with Spanish surnames - and therefore make them more likely targets of retribution from anti-ID card activists.

Commissioner London declined to grant Gold’s revision request.

Raising The Dead

Monday afternoon, Dustin Gold continued a campaign he began earlier this year to revisit a murder case that has been cited as a reason for launching the ID program.

In that case, an undocumented worker was murdered while trying to fend off a mugger. Police said he was carrying cash, had no bank account. Advocates said the case pointed up the need to help immigrants to open accounts and feel comfortable cooperating with police.

Click here to read a story about that case.

Gold on Monday claimed that the incident in fact did not involve a robbery. He has previously cited this as his proof: The killer, a repeat felon, denied at his sentencing, as he sought to avoid a long jail term, that he had robbed the victim.

And the state dropped the robbery charge, leaving just the manslaughter charge.

“There was no robbery,” Gold charged. “The robbery charge was dropped for manslaughter.”

“I would assume,” Commissioner London responded, “when a man is killed, they go for the killing, not a robbery” charge.

In any case, London ruled that the line of questioning should be discontinued.

Priest On The Spot

The most spirited, at time tense, moments took place during the testimony of Father Jim Manship of New Haven’s St. Rose of Lima Church. Manship’s church is at the center of the immigrant community, many of whose members worship there.

Manship testified about fears his congregants feel about possible retribution if they’re identified as cardholders.

That led to a line of cross-examination from Attorney Maresca. She noted that 50 stores in town accept the ID card for doing business as a debit card.

“You don’t know if there’s a crazy vigilante snapping pictures to acquire info” about cardholders that her client is seeking through the FOI process, she said. “People may have ulterior motives working at any of the 50 establishments that may have access to the card.”

Maresca also called “irrelevant” Manship’s stories about being harassed and called a Communist. “Nancy comments, vitriol, threats made again public figures” like Manship, the mayor or Kica Matos are of a different category from “speculation about threats to private figures” who have ID cards, she argued.

Manship argued that his constituents come from countries where priests who are called Communists are targeted for murder.

A CWP supporter in the audience offered his own verdict when Manship made his case. “Shut your mouth!” he said.

As the six-hour hearing wore down, this spectator evolved into a one-man Greek chorus to the priest. When Manship showed his Elm City Resident card to the lawyers at the table as part of his testimony, he mentioned that he’s about to visit Ecuador. “Yeah, that’ll work in Ecuador!” the Greek chorus chimed in. “Show it when you get in…”

“He’s making me sick!” he commented later, shifting back and forth in his seat.

“They want to go to the library,” he seethed, switching his focus to immigrants who obtain ID cards. “They want to go the beach. They want people to know who they are.”

Disclosure: The city planned to call the reporter of this story (me) to testify briefly at Monday’s hearing about hateful and threatening comments that readers have submitted to the Independent in connection with immigration articles. Time ran out before the testimony could be taken.

Comments

Posted by: on whalley | March 31, 2008 1:45 PM

If you consider the reason for fluoridation in the water is for some universal war on tooth-decay then it would fall under a universal healthcare type category thereby qualifying it as a Socialist or Communist program.

Personally, I don't like anybody messing with my water. At the very least I think I should have a choice whether or not to consume water filled with fluoride, chlorine and lord knows what else that's why I oppose fluoridation and have to keep rain barrels and my own filters. Now they find all these half decayed prescription drugs in the water? Well that's just dandy. Let the same people who pushed trans-fats on us and tell us sassafras is bad because it gave a few rats cancer but continue to allow the sale and use of aspartame and saccharin and high-fructose corn syrup in everything tell us the fluoride is harmless dump anything they want in the food and water and I'm supposed to be okay with it? Don't think so.

$10 bucks says DeStefano wrote that letter himself.

Posted by: on whalley | March 31, 2008 1:53 PM

A little something about fluoridation:

The Fluoride Deception by Christopher Bryson

Benefits and Risk of Water Fluoridation

Why the EPA's Union of Scientists oppose fluoridation

I still don't understand how so many people can just assume because the government is doing something it must be good for you.

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | March 31, 2008 1:55 PM

FOIC refuses to make public records on illegal immigrants harbored by our socialist-leaning mayor available to a journalist and Homeland Security comes to its aid. Shameful!

Homeland Security should fulfill its mission by beginning proceedings against the people on the list -- by their own admission, they are illegal here.

Why doesn't Homeland Security do its job?

Posted by: sandstorm | March 31, 2008 2:25 PM

When and how did Dustin Gold come to the state of Connecticut? What are his professional associations
and/or place of employment. There are those of us
who would choose not to support any of his
business or personal endeavors inadvertantly.
Please research this and tell us more!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 31, 2008 3:40 PM

These kind of groups and people have NO Business calling them selves Americans.... we are the melting pot for goodness sake.

Dustin you have lost any creditability in your cause with real Americans when you pull in names like Birch Society, even the angry of the angry no the difference between that anger and prejudice and HATE!

And I hope people that are supporting you take a step back and see the wolf under the sheep's clothing
Let us know how your testimony goes ... if you can Paul.

Posted by: robn | March 31, 2008 3:43 PM

The public shouldn't be denied critical information....information like Dustin Gold's:

License
Address
phone number
favorite foods and eateries
Websites visited
gun ownership records
list of childhood crank calls
gambling habits
preexisting medical conditions
drugs used
psychological profiles
video of last colonoscopy
genetic profile
any and all urinalysis records
list of youthful indiscretions

What harm would there be in the public knowing these things? If its all legal, theres no harm right?

Posted by: Elfer | March 31, 2008 4:04 PM

Do not give credence to these fringe hate groups, KKK in the making. They don't have a place in the New Haven Independent.

Please Paul give New Haven readers a standard.

Danger! Elfer.

Posted by: nfjanette | March 31, 2008 4:18 PM

I don't know Mr. Gold or any of his people, and I don't fall into alignment with many of his views. I consider the JB people more than a bit nuts. So, if he and his people are actively committing such hateful things, let's see the proof that directly implicates them. However, far more frightening to me that Dustin Gold are those who believe that anyone against illegal immigration must be a hateful racist, rather than someone who sees the many problems caused by the present situation to this country, the job market, and to the safety of both citizens and illegal immigrants. This important debate requires and deserves more balanced reporting by the media in general and presentation of the facts from all sides involved.

Posted by: what | March 31, 2008 5:00 PM

nfjanette

Bravo

Posted by: Fonseca | March 31, 2008 6:26 PM

I support Father Jim Manship, the ID card program, and bilingualism.

Thank you NHI for covering these important times...

Posted by: Nestor Makhno | March 31, 2008 6:30 PM

Who is the Latino with the soul patch pictured in the article?

Posted by: Ned | March 31, 2008 6:31 PM

Isn't the Catholic church a "hate group"? Does the Pope wear Prada? I don't know, ask the thousands of children raped by priests.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | March 31, 2008 7:48 PM

The point of Ortiz's testimony: If the FOIC grants the request that ID cardholders' names are released, people might get hurt. He said fear pervades the Latino immigrant community over possible retribution from ID card opponents.

Really convenient that this so called anaonymous letter writer pops up just when requests are made through FOIC for identities! Coincidence?

Posted by: Doug | March 31, 2008 9:46 PM

Paul, fantastic coverage. The guy in the audience sounds like a rage case, a possible danger to everyone around him. First, I would urge you to submit written testimony and documentation of the threats submitted to the NHI, rather than take the stand, because that's the kind of thing that'll put you in a poor position to cover the event; and second, make darn sure there are security procedures in place to ensure no weapons get into the FOIC's hearing room. This is crazy. You should seriously contact the FOIC before the next hearing and get an armed cop up there with a metal detector. These people you're dealing with are capable of some amazingly stupid decisions.

And the suggestion that DeStefano wrote the hate letter is an embarrassment to the person who posted it.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | April 1, 2008 7:20 AM

The threat factor is as hyped as the rationale used for this program, now nearing the hysteria level. Combined with the mayor's long history of fighting FOIA requests, going so far as to quit reviewing senior city managers so he doesn't have to release performance reports, he and those in his administration have a huge credibility gap. While I'm sure there are hateful, even threatening letters, posts and phone calls, it seems likely people are venting vs. hatching plans for physical harm. That is a heroic leap in logic that is not rooted in fact. If there was anything actionable, or remotely close, City Hall would be locked down and there would be a cop car parked outside Manship's church or there would be some other exhibition of this threatening behavior.

The bottom line is the city I.D. program is now official policy - city resources are being used to implement this program. It is part of the mayor's proposed budget to the tune of $220,000. All of the program should be open to scrutiny and public view as should every aspect of city government.

I would also like to know how successful this program has been in getting the illegal community to open bank accounts especially since this was one of the main reasons for justification.

Posted by: WestvilleMom | April 1, 2008 8:30 AM

Ned: As a Catholic, I must say that I am offended by your remark. Most children are raped by men. Does that make men a hate group? Catholic bashing seems to be tolerated by a lot of people, but it's no better than Hispanic bashing, Mormon bashing, Jew bashing or any other kind of bashing. You couldn't be more wrong about "hate" as a characterization of the Catholic Church. You should do a little research on the enormous amount of good work it is doing around the world or even visit a local parish. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Posted by: JN | April 1, 2008 9:16 AM

Not all card holders are immigrants. Some cardholders, myself included, are U.S. citizens. I was born in Manchester, CT, thirty-eight years ago. I have a U.S. passport. I vote every chance I get. I have served on juries. I keep my Elm City Resident Card in my wallet. Does the public have a right to know what is in my wallet? I use this card at parking meters. I use this card to check out books at the public library. If the public should be allowed to know that I have an i.d. card, should the public also be allowed to know which books I read?

Posted by: DAFeder | April 1, 2008 9:20 AM

My heart goes out to Kica Matos. Sometimes just doing one's job requires a kind of heroism. Those of us on the sidelines can debate the validity of the threats against her safety and dignity, but Matos has to live with them.

And for what? What if the ID card is just about encouraging individuals to participate in the life of their city? In short, what if it is precisely what it is? It doesn't fast-track citizenship, it doesn't grant free health care, it doesn't even guarantee fluoridated water.

The vicious delight that Powell and Gold and their Greek chorus seem to take in avoiding my "what if" is what makes some of us -- even those of us who find identity politics abhorrent -- wonder if there is some lurking racial hatred there. Well, that and the death threats from their allies, of course.

Paul's valuable reporting highlights the tenuous legal thread by which my privacy hangs. I knew that my ID card would earn me the ire of various wingnuts and chuckleheads. And I'm happy to stand with Kica Matos against the threats to my privacy and her safety. But when I see how Gold and pals are willing to drag the public face of the ID card program behind their proverbial truck, I'm not exactly ecstatic to let them decide how much of my life can remain private.

I sure wish there were better legal arguments to protect my privacy, but I might trade them for a measure of responsibility on the part of Powell and Gold.

David

Posted by: Uncle Nunzio | April 1, 2008 11:03 AM

Robn:

Most of that info is already on the Internet

http://tinyurl.com/2qyc7f

http://tinyurl.com/33p54n

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=577784328

I have no problem with people expressing their given freedoms of speech. But, when it turns to hate and ignorance, it really ticks me off.

Posted by: Ned | April 1, 2008 12:58 PM

Westville Mom,

I consider the Catholic Church a hate group: institutionalized homophobia = hate group. That covers a lot of territory. How many people come to this country to get away from oppressive religion? I know plenty of nice people who hold many whacky beliefs (my dog understands everything I say), but I draw the line at someone telling me that their invisible friend should determine public policy - doesn't mean we can't talk though
Is anyone else disturbed by Ms. Matos' association with the word "junta"? I would think that word would have really negative connotations for a person from South or Central America. Is she channeling Daniel Ortega? Where is homeland security on this "junta"? seems kind of militaristic to me - I'm picturing a humorless bunch in fatigues arguing about the will of the people. Well anyway, I'm not sure what Mr. Gold is getting out of all of this? (attention?) These issues attract nuts and opportunists, like a choirboy attracts priests (zing). Seeing as how New Haven's population is still tens of thousands below it's peak, there should be room for a lot more people. Waterbury's loss, New Haven's gain. Wasn't the mayor complaining about vacant houses or something? Why not sell an inexpensive citizen kit, complete with an ID card, sample (huge)property tax bill, WPCA foreclosure notice, voter registration, historical guide to public corruption scandals, (Amistad) school enrollment information, a copy of the Constitution, a flag lapel pin, and an amulet to ward off predatory lenders?

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | April 1, 2008 2:28 PM

I do not support bilingualism.

This is a predominantly English as a first language nation.

Our founding documents were written in English.

Our laws are written in English. Judicial interpretation of those laws are written in English.

The vast majority of our publications are in English. The vast majority of all American conversations are conducted in English.

Why should the United States pander to an immigrant community by encouraging its foreign tongue among our people? We should not! Doing otherwise encourages our further division as one people.

Why do we not demand greater assimilation of Spanish-speakers into the greater English-speaking community?

Because we are spineless in the face of self-proclaimed community activists who falsely claim a greater mandate, but who in doing so only further the fractionalization of this nation into its sundry parts.

Spanish is not our language: the American language. English was, is, and, only if we strenuously demand it in all facets of our lives, will it continue to be.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 1, 2008 3:05 PM

I don't care what views you have on the issue. Threats are threats! And to Brag about being part of hate groups is a bad thing, period! That simple!
Basic moral values!

Having a problem with the way the US let the immigration laws side for decades does not mean all the people should that came in should have to wear targets on there clothes! The Federal goverment has to come up with a plan (a working plan) on how to handle it. Until then we need to stop the hate.
Ned
"my dog understands everything I say"
Thank for the smile!
Churches and religions should not be the poster child for a belief in a hire power. After all church is a man made thing and along with that comes man's imperfection and personal beliefs.

Posted by: jms | April 1, 2008 11:03 PM

"I consider the Catholic Church a hate group: institutionalized homophobia = hate group. That covers a lot of territory. How many people come to this country to get away from oppressive religion? I know plenty of nice people who hold many whacky beliefs (my dog understands everything I say), but I draw the line at someone telling me that their invisible friend should determine public policy"

Ditto.

JMS

Posted by: robn | April 1, 2008 11:21 PM

Hartford Johnfon,

You're abfolutely right that the language of our forefatherf fhould be refpected and obferved by all people entering thif fair nation... and lord fave the mifcreant who flauntf the mighty profe of the Conftitution

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | April 2, 2008 8:45 AM

Robn,

I'm not sure why you've chosen to mislead - perhaps you have no better argument than satire, but it fails entirely to persuade. It was worth a short cackle of laughter, but no more.

You very well know (or do you?) that the "f" you type in jest was never an "f" as we write it, but a cursive "s."

And your use of the word "language" is similarly twisted. I wrote of the English language as a whole, not merely of a quirk of linguistic history, the import of which, if there indeed be any, is only incidental to the topic.

In fact, my ability to read and understand the text you type, despite the quirk, does more to prove the link between our tradition and modern America than your jesting attempts to suggest otherwise.

Jefferson did not write his important works in Spanish, now, did he?

Posted by: ROBN | April 2, 2008 12:55 PM

Hartford Johnson,

You're right...I should show more respect for a our founding fathers... a bunch of rich white slaveowners who didn't want to pay their taxes.

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | April 2, 2008 3:52 PM

Thanks for a casual ad hominem attack through in, in jest.

Wonder if you have ever read the founding documents -- under which, by the way, despite the intransigence of white slave-owners and relics of history, white politicians fought for and achieved rights of blacks, promised under those documents. Do you understand the spirit of those documents? Or would you rather not have them as the foundation of this nation? What would you have in their place? Sharia?

Why don't you attempt persuasion based on a reasoned argument? Tell us how the encouragement of several "public" languages -- or even, one, such as Spanish -- will foster a spirit of unity within the nation?

Posted by: ROBN | April 2, 2008 7:05 PM

HJ,

Mention your misty eyed appreciation of Jefferson and you open the door to character. As to the founders' intent, they designed the Constitution to be a living, evolving document...thats why theres something in it called "amendments". More to your questions about language...the first amendment protects speech and says nothing about restricting language.

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | April 3, 2008 9:49 AM

This country is unified in the foundation of the English language, developed over 300 years in English and remains to this day English. Never Spanish, nor any other language.

And if, as you apparently believe, Jeffersonian democracy isn't worth the paper its ideas are written on, what, then, do YOU stand for?

Posted by: ROBN | April 3, 2008 12:52 PM

hj,

I stand for liberty and recognize the Constitution as it was designed...an imperfect, evolving document.

Although our laws are codifed in English, your representation that the day-to-day life of this country has been conducted all in English is woefully inaccurate. We're all from someplace else and many of those someplaces aren't English speaking nations. I think its interesting that conservatives often latch onto language becuase it exhibits irrational paranoia.

Posted by: DAFeder | April 3, 2008 2:32 PM

Is anyone still reading this thread? I'll jump in, but briefly I hope.

Three reasons English isn't, and shouldn't be, our official language, from someone who really believes we should have things that unify this country:

1) English has never been hegemonic in America.
The authors of the Constitution knew "English only" didn't apply to the vast German-speaking population, about 10% of the country at the time, and far higher in key states like PA and OH. The PA "Dutch" weren't less American for reading about the Bill of Rights in their German-language newspapers.

2) The ideas underlying American democracy are based on support for multiple languages.
Jefferson modeled the Constitution and Bill of Rights in large part on J.J. Rousseau. Rousseau's ideal reeding ground for is citizen rights was Switzerland -- four languages, three of which were linked to nations which spent centuries trying to destroy one another. And yet, no walls built on the borders. Just a lot of white people babbling at each other about their pocket knives.

3) The idea of a "1st language/2nd language..." is kind of an illusion. In multilingual societies around the world, people use different languages for different purposes. Cooking in one language, shopping in another, praying in another, voting in another. The language of Constitutional discussion in this country has always been English, but that doesn't mean I can't order a burrito in Spanish, pray in Hebrew, and play cards in Yinglish.

As for a "unifying foundation," HJ, I think it's there, in the (English language) Constitution and BOR. But what does real damage to the culture of our Constitution: bilingual education and voter information, or secret government surveillance and citizens willing to give up rights and freedoms in the name of security? If immigrants learn what Ben Franklin thought about that trade-off ("they deserve neither") in a language that brings them in to the American discussion, then so be it.

A culture of Constitutional rights and diverse views takes work, to be sure, not just multiculturalism for the sake of multiculturalism. But to pretend that the English language, much as I dig it, is the panacea is shortsighted and ultimately futile.

Best,

David

Posted by: Harold Shurtleff | April 3, 2008 3:17 PM

I wish Mr. Bass did a little more research regarding The John Birch Society instead of relying on a hostile source for his information. Membership in The Society is open to people from all races.

We are committed to limited government under the U.S. Constitution. We believe that rights are God-given and that the purpose of government is to protect those rights. We believe that there is a plan to end our nation's sovereignty and we support that with plenty of evidence not theories. (David Rockefeller, in his 2002 autobiography, confesed that fact). And no, we never said fluoridation was a communist plot. That line was used to discredit opposition to mass medication.

Unlike some of those who give aid and comfort and profit from illegal aliens, our organization does not engage in or condone illegal activity of any sort. We coined the term "Support Your Local Police and Keep Then Independent."

I resent the suggestion by Attorney Debra Torres that we are extremists. I would be more than happy to provide Ms. Torres with information on our activities but she doesn't have to look any futher than our web site.

For a better understanding behind the illegal immigration issue, I recommend the "Merger in the Making" issue of "The New American" which is available as a free pdf download on our website JBS.org. This issue will give the reader the real reason behind open borders and will show that illegal aliens are being used as pawns.

Harold Shurtleff
The John Birch Society
Boston, MA

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | April 3, 2008 4:00 PM

"We're all from someplace else and many of those someplaces aren't English speaking nations. I think its interesting that conservatives often latch onto language becuase it exhibits irrational paranoia."

I am not. My ancestors were. But I am American. I am not Scots-American, Jewish-American, Latvian-American, Polish-American or whatever other ethnicity they may have come from, simply American.

And, let me inform you that, although born in the U.S., I have spent much of my life living and working in foreign nations businesses without an American connection, learning to speak two of those languages to native fluency, and living in their societies as much as possible in their way. So don't try to tell me about how little I understand.

Language is key to unity -- it is the one mode of expression and communication we all share, must share, in order to be ONE PEOPLE despite wherever we might have come from.

Posted by: robn | April 4, 2008 8:54 AM

dafeder

well said, nuff said.

Posted by: Alan Felder | April 9, 2008 12:10 AM

Mr. Jim Manship what god do you serve?

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