New Haven Independent

Posted by: Bill | July 29, 2009 8:24 AM

Count me in, I will be there to support the police. I guess you could call me an anti illegal immigrant activist. DeStefano should be arrested for violating the Federal immigration laws and John Lugo, you should leave this country whether you're here legally or not. Your not welcome here.

Posted by: robn | July 29, 2009 8:29 AM

I say get rid of them all. Anybody who isn't part of the Pequot or Quinnipiack tribe should just leave Connecticut and go back to where they came from.

Posted by: lance coughlin | July 29, 2009 8:35 AM

I'm asking all hard working Americans and legal immigrants to join me in opposing these "demonstrators".

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=110408862076&ref=nf

Posted by: Green Card | July 29, 2009 8:39 AM

I am luck because I got a work-based green card 1.5 years ago, after living here 10 years. There are many many immigrants who will not participate in this march, yet will feel the effects of the inevitable crackdown afterwards, with many sad stories attached to them The march is a bad idea-you do not effect change by rubbing stuff in people's faces. Follow Manship's lead, work more diplomatically, and see what the Federal inquiry brings. In addition, living here without documents is a privilege, not a right; I always kept this in my mind and luckily, never had any trouble. Driving without a license is a crime. Driving with a valid Mexican, Brazilian, or Chinese license is not. Cars are needed for work. Lugo, why don't you tell everyone to leave the car home when not working and walk or ride your bike or the bus. Why risk it?

Posted by: Mrs. D | July 29, 2009 8:46 AM

Let me get this straight-ignore any law that might make the offender afraid? What the hell is this country coming to??? At the risk of being called a bleeding heart liberal, I will say that my heart goes out to anyone oppressed & living in less than ideal circumstances. That does not, however, give them the right to circumvent citizenship laws! How would you expect to be treated if you illegally crossed to border into Canada, or England, or France? Would you expect them to say "oh, hell, we can't send them back, that might terrorize them??" Absolutely ridiculous. Those of us who work legally and pay taxes and health insurance premiums and do not accept federal aid can not support the many who do not. Now, don't comment on my luck of being born here. Don't tell me I have a responsibility to help those less fortunate. I do. I contribute. Every single day. I make a difference. But I cannot rationalize the ignore all laws mentality. Our country has been so poorly managed that we cannot fund those who are not willing to do their part. And by that I do mean apply for citizenship legally and follow the rules like the rest of us. My ancestors did. AND they learned the language. If you are in violation of a law, any law, I WANT you to be afraid. I want you to be afraid enough that you comply with all laws.

Posted by: William Kurtz | July 29, 2009 9:52 AM

So, proof of legal residency or citizenship is now required during an East Haven traffic stop? I sure hope that's being applied across the board and that all those who drive in East Haven are sure to carry their birth certificates and Social Security cards--and that the federal authorities are contacted to verify the citizenship status of any individual found without one of these pieces of documentation. Just to be fair.

Posted by: Streever | July 29, 2009 10:26 AM

... Despite their faults, at least the Mayor's of New Haven & April have the acument, skill, & ability to stand up to the Federal Government & demand that they do their jobs, instead of shuffling responsibility onto our overworked local police forces.

The Federal Government has encouraged immigration without paperwork for years--to give consumers lower-costs & to add an important element to our work force. (People who can be under-paid & illegally treated, who pay full taxes through their fake social security numbers, and NEVER get a return--even though they pay taxes on 20k incomes)

It's made the fed a boat load of money, & it is literally impossible financially and physically to transport all undocumented immigrants home.

Who here is going to buy the plane tickets & pay the marshals? Why doesn't the Fed set sensible policies & why have they encouraged undocumented immigration for long?

These are important questions which the people of East Haven & their... mayor will never ask.

Posted by: Two2Three | July 29, 2009 10:29 AM

Lots of upstanding citizens break the law.

Running stop signs and red lights. Exceeding the speed limit. Carrying an open bottle of booze in the car. Using a cell phone while driving. Parking without a permit in a space designated for disabled. Overstaying the time on a parking meter. Copying and sharing copyrighted music or videos. Redlining a house. Defrauding depositors and investors. Small and big.

Some politicians take money and favors from lobbyists and special interests. Some police take drug money.

Some crimes are well hidden, others out in the open.

You can extend the list.

Most of the time we don't get caught. Often the police turn a blind eye. Maybe they have more important fish to fry.

Or maybe for the "upstanding citizens" the police are abiding by the 4th amendment to the Constitution against "unreasonable searches and seizures."

Why would the police choose to pick up a guy who came out of a Latin-owned store. Was there a warrant? Was there a smoking gun? For a search or seizure isn't there supposed to be cause?

Of did the guy just look like a criminal - i.e. Latin American, Black, Native American, or gay. Is that enough cause to be stopped and searched?

We live in a time when our Constitution is being attacked and bent. Torture and spying on citizens is legal because a President says it's legal. Invading other countries is just fine because no one can stop us.

We live in a time when it's legal to cheat millions of people of their pensions and working taxpayers get to bail out the billionaire cheaters.

Yes, people should be punished for breaking the law. But let the police treat every human being with equal regard. If the police are going to ignore our 4th Amendment rights let them stop and check as many whites as Blacks and Latinos in proportion to their percentage in the population in their cars or when they exit any store. Some of the upstanding citizens of all kinds will get caught violating some law.

See how long the upstanding citizens put up with violations of their person not to mention the Constitution.

Posted by: iwasthere | July 29, 2009 11:51 AM

With NC, PA, MA, TN, not being properly registered or maintain insurance. They should be detain. I know we would be arrested being black or white. Cops are able to do plate checks without your knowledge to see if it is properly registered.
With DMV trying to be dumped on another agency. This may allow the undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licences. Their is a loop hole some where in the state for them to obtain them.

Posted by: The Count | July 29, 2009 11:59 AM

Here's my question: Will Emma Jones, who knows all too well about the strong-arm tactics of the EHPD, ALSO march with the demonstators. Or will she decline? We'll be watching...

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | July 29, 2009 12:24 PM

I think we'll set up tents on the lawns of these immigrants and their activist supporters without their permission and start living on their property.

It should be okay -- we'll just protest in a loud voice with that any attempt to move us off their land is racial profiling and harassment.

(... Hispanics are NOT a race. LEARN ENGLISH.)

Posted by: Jack | July 29, 2009 12:56 PM

Immigrants and Illegal Aliens are two entirely different groups of people who are the complete opposites of one another.I know this because I'm the son of two immigrants and the nephew of a dozen others.When my parents decided to become Americans, they went to the US consulate and applied for permanent residency.They had interviews,physical exams,and vaccinations.Each of them had to present an affidavit from the Irish authorities that they had no criminal back round. Each of them had to have a sponsor here in the US,who would guarantee that for the first five years they were here they would obey the law and not become a burden to the taxpayer.If they did not have a sponsor here,they would have had to put up a cash bond, refundable in five years with interest.They had Green Cards in their hands before they were allowed to get on the boat to come here. They met and married here in NH. When they had been here seven years and met all the requirements, they stood before a Federal Judge, took the Oath of Allegiance,and became American Citizens. This is basically the same process immigrants went threw at Ellis Island and the other immigration stations. The process was transferred to the US Embassies of the would-be immigrants home country to spare the taxpayer the expense of sending those not eligible for entry back home.The Immigration Statutes were enacted to regulate the flow of people,to allow assimilation.And to keep out the criminals the diseased, and the insane. I personally take great offence with those who would claim that my parents,and John DeStefano's grandparents,are one and the same with Illegal Aliens.Which bye the way,is the proper legal term.If those on the Left think we should have open boarders with absolutely no restrictions, fine. Convince your fellow citizen,go to the Ballot Box,and elect representatives to go to Washington,and change the laws. That's how we do things here in our little Constitutional Republic. But you will never do that with alot of lies and Orwellian BS.

Posted by: Streever | July 29, 2009 1:43 PM

The editing of my comment completely breaks my statement. Please retain original comment so people can see the difference: I clearly said April does NOT possess the acumen.

Amazing that the NHI allows lengthy & extensive personal attacks on me in comments but censors me calling her administration a "joke". I'm sorry if a politican can't bear to hear that.

Posted by: Streever | July 29, 2009 1:46 PM

And I stand by the use of the word "cowardly"--as the reporters no doubt know, the East Haven mayor began her political career with a promise to clean up the police.

Despite serious outrages in the EH police department, the East Haven administration has refused to make good, and it's apparent that this is due to scare tactics.

Meanwhile Bill repeatedly posts that the Mayor should be arrested--did the Mayor break a law?

Let's sensibly enforce the policy or not bother or just delete my entire comment, instead of turning it into an opposite statement of what I said.

in the future, feel free to simply delete any comment you feel the need to moderate.

Posted by: Bruce | July 29, 2009 1:51 PM

I have to agree with Mrs. D in many respects. I understand that this guy has a family to raise, but if he doesn't have a drivers license he probably doesn't have insurance either (I don't think they would insure an unlicensed driver). Why was the case thrown out? I don't care where someone was born but I do care if they break the laws and put others at risk.

I am actually pro-immigration and I think immigration laws should be changed to make it much easier for people to legally live and work in our country. Many of these immigrants are industrious and have an amazing work ethic. I think they would be a great contribution to our country. They wouldn't send so much money home if they could safely bring their families over.

Posted by: angelo reyes | July 29, 2009 1:57 PM

this is a tough one, born and raised in fair haven, i remember how hard it was to get to lighthouse without hearing "go home spick" or some other crap. as i grew up it went away probably because of my negative status or people learned to deal with it. my guess is that they hid it well. i have a lot of friends in east haven so i will be respectful.but just imagine if i grabbed every undocumented italian, irish and polish person that still lives in new haven and turned them in. relax i wont do that. i recognize there part in society, i recognized their sweat and blood for this country. before you go out there remember you might have a friend or two whom are hispanic. what you say or what you do will determine your status the following day. for the record we at peoples laundromat have been offering free transportation for the last ten years. and we make a big difference to the respectfull latino community.

Posted by: John Katz | July 29, 2009 2:00 PM

I'd love to join in and support the police but unlike the illegal aliens, I'll have to work on that day. Since the government takes 37% of my income in taxes, taking a day off is not an option.

I will however send in a cash donation to assist the anti-illegal demonstrators if someone could post a PO Box or Paypal address I'll get something off to you right away.

Posted by: cba | July 29, 2009 2:14 PM

Let's think about these individuals for a moment. They violated our immigration laws, they drive without licenses, they have no insurance in case that they injure someone, and they want to protest about being questioned about these misdeeds. Does the United States really want this type of individuals for citizens ?

Posted by: Bill | July 29, 2009 2:19 PM

"Who here is going to buy the plane tickets & pay the marshals? Why doesn't the Fed set sensible policies & why have they encouraged undocumented immigration for long?"

It's cheaper to buy a plane ticket to send them home than pay for their health care and to educate their children. Each child will cost over $10,000 to educate and god know how much for free medical care.

The federal government has not encouraged illegal immigration that why they made laws restricting immigration, it's the local cities like New Haven, Hartford and New York to name a few that have encouraged illegal immigration by not allowing their police to do their job.

Posted by: ugotts | July 29, 2009 2:44 PM

I say bully to east haven for staying true to themselves.
The latino community of fair haven and the bloomming ecuadorian population of east haven have chosen to stay closed and homogenous, yet the italians over the bridge choose to do so and they get crucified?
no, no, no. this is crap.
stick to your guns 'staven. for the last 50 years the self important other residnets of new haven area have made fun of you and had no interest in your affairs. screw them, where were they 20 years ago.

Posted by: JackNH | July 29, 2009 3:37 PM

I've been rear-ended three times in the past two and a half years in Fair Haven by cars that sped off before the cops could arrive. Two of the three had PA plates. Am I allowed to draw a conclusion?

Posted by: Ali | July 29, 2009 3:50 PM

I am actually pro-immigration and I think immigration laws should be changed to make it much easier for people to legally live and work in our country. Many of these immigrants are industrious and have an amazing work ethic. I think they would be a great contribution to our country. They wouldn't send so much money home if they could safely bring their families over.
---------
That "amazing" work ethic doesn't extend to education, which is why so many of them can't come legally and why so many of their kids drop out of school here (more than 50% of Hispanics drop out). Fact is, the American taxpayers subsidize illegal aliens with healthcare and educations and would do so even were they legalized. Would you seriously recommend to your kids that they drop out of high school? Then, why would you want the importation of people with less than a grade school education?

Posted by: No Leg to Stand On... | July 29, 2009 3:53 PM

I believe immigration needs to be easier to accomplish and less expensive. I believe that the gentleman who was visiting My Country Store on July 13 may have been a victim of racial profiling.

However, being that he has lived in New Haven for seven years, why isn't his car registered in CT? Why doesn't he have a CT driver's license or Elm City ID card?

He said, "The case is we don't have licenses to drive." "But what can I do? I have to go to work." You can take the BUS, that's what I do. It's incredibly frustrating to hear that people think they are being picked on when they are not in compliance with the law. Regardless of whether you are a U.S. citizen or not, it is the law to have your car licensed in the state in which you live, to have a valid driver's license, and insurance! What would happen it this man were involved in an accident????

Posted by: bobbi | July 29, 2009 4:37 PM

count me in.. i support the police...AND WILL BRING PEOPLE WITH ME....isn't this a form of racial pro-filing against police...

Posted by: Bruce | July 29, 2009 5:13 PM

CBA, They don't have insurance because they cannot legally get it. I think this should be changed so that everyone can buy insurance, regardless of immigration status. Our laws are supposed to protect us, but these laws seem to be doing the opposite.

Ali, I'm not sure I understand your question correctly, but if I lived in a country where education did not lead to better opportunities then maybe I would encourage my kids to drop out. Survival is priority #1 and if manual labor is your only opportunity, then it may be your only option. I'm not sure where your 50% statistic came from, but I doubt that you are referring to Hispanics in the US school system (are you?).

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 29, 2009 5:58 PM

This is a very tough issue, I do feel for the men and women who are trying to support a family, but on the other hand they are breaking the law. I lived in Fair Haven for many years and I was the victim of drunk driver in 1999, and the driver did not have a license , insurance and the plate did not belong on the vehicle, and he was an illegal.

Funny thing though he was ordered to pay restiution and I never saw a dime, but I did see him a few years later driving on Grand Ave, and I hoped he was legit, but I doubt it.

Posted by: Jack | July 29, 2009 11:24 PM

Not only do Illegal Aliens ignore our Immigration Laws,operate motor vehicles without licence, registration,or insurance,they forge a Federal document to work here. A Social Security number. I'm not a lawyer,but something tells me that that is probably a felony.I don't think relaxing our immigration laws will work, seeing that we already have laws that are among the most liberal of any nation on the planet.The next step would be to have no laws at all.Race,ethnicity,or country of origin have absolutely nothing to do with the issue.It's only a ploy used by the open border crowd.You know, the old "race card".If anyone knows of any Irish ,Italian, or Polish Illegal Aliens, feel free to call the INS.The last time I looked,a birth certificate and Social Security card were not required to drive a car in EH, but licence, registration, and insurance were.I think it's pretty much the same all over the State.I'm curious to know why the issue of unlicensed, unregistered,and uninsured drivers has never come up in any Complete Streets proposal? Must be an oversight,I can't imagine something that important would be purposely left out.I too feel for people trying to provide for their families,but I don't think they should be absolved from obeying the law,or granted special rights the rest of us don't have to do it.

Posted by: Alex | July 30, 2009 6:09 AM

This is just a continuation of the long tired history of East Haven, ruled by racists, who continue profiling year after year. They are now becoming nationally notorious. Keep reporting their racist activities to the national press!

Posted by: CP | July 30, 2009 7:04 AM

As a first-generation American, I am appalled by the fact that most of you protesting immigration can't even post a grammatically correct sentence. I can see why you feel so threatened.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | July 30, 2009 9:25 AM

Nice to see that there are still a lot of sane people paying close attention to these stories. Call the EHPD and EH Mayor's office, and support their efforts. They'd like to hear from the silent majority.

Posted by: Jimi | July 30, 2009 12:32 PM

This country is now full of wimps and cowards. Too effeminate to even enforce it's own laws. Back in the 1930's Socialist Democrat FDR deported millions of Mexicans using the marihuana scare. In the 1950's Ike deported a couple million more in 6 months with "operation wetback".

Here we are again with millions of central american illegals and all we can do is run from fear of racial profiling? Note to earth: Profiling is what's always been used, it's the basis of law enforcement. If it walks like a duck...

Just like Rome, we have become too soft to survive. May the Chinese be kind to us down the road...

Posted by: steve | July 30, 2009 12:34 PM

Illegal aliens are not "immigrants." I don't care what ethnicity or race they are; if they're here illegally, arrest and deport them.

Posted by: June | July 30, 2009 12:41 PM

So, what activists' are saying is:
1. We approve of crime.
2. We like our taxes to go for the upkeep of criminals.
3. We want to wait in line at the emergency room while illegal aliens get taken care of.
4. We want our schools filled with non-English speaking students who take the teacher's time rather than teaching our own children.
5. We like to pay taxes while they have baskets full of beer at the supermarket.
6. We don't mind that they drive drunk and main or kill innocent citizens.
7. We don't mind that they destroy neighborhoods.
8. We don't mind that illegal criminals fill our jails.
9. We think that there should be no laws against anyone who breaks into our country.
10. We don't mind losing jobs to illegals, in short, the more the merrier. Let the fiesta begin.

Posted by: Tomas | July 30, 2009 2:29 PM

It is quite sad to read all of these misinformed,
confused, and some downright racist statements.The actions occuring in East Haven are
most probably illegal as they utilize racial and
ethnic profiling as their basis for making the stop in the first place. Last time I looked there
is a statutory prohibition against such action,so
how can some folk argue the law in one instance
and support illegal action in the other.I would love to hear how anyone can make a visual distinction between a documented immigrant and an
undocumented one.Please let the federal government take care of it`s responsibility and
municipal government cover it`s residents.All people of good will should attend the rally in support of sensible and progressive local policy.
YES, New Haven`s policy,led by it`s courageous
mayor,John DeStefano, should be a national model
for municipalities to follow on this matter!

Posted by: pitt | July 30, 2009 2:57 PM

streever do you work for the IRS. Do you even know what you are talking about? How much do you think these people are paying in income tax. If you make 20K a year as you say and claim 10 dependents or just claim excempt are you paying taxes. You are an idiot and do not know what you are talking about. I see these stories everyday and no one can justify breaking the law to improve their life. That would be most theft, burglary, bank robbery, or all of these companies defrauding investors. All of these crimes to include being here illegally hurts the tax payers. As, much as you that support the people here illegally, there is no justification in it except you think they deserve preferential treatment. I am not sure why anyone thinks people not from the US deserves better treatment than US citizens but I am sick of it.

Posted by: Bruce | July 30, 2009 5:34 PM

Pitt, I have known several (allegedly) illegal immigrants over the years. All of them work using fake social security numbers. Taxes and social security are withheld from their paychecks and they never file a return. This is pretty standard, though I obviously can't say it is more common than not.

Posted by: working(too hard) mom | July 30, 2009 5:52 PM

Tomas-
In the recent past, WTNH did an investigative report into the high number of vehicles in the New Haven area with Pennsylvania license plates. Turns out these PA plates are being used by individuals that cannot or will not go to the CT DMV and register thier vehicles properly, as most law abiding citizens do. By obtaining these plates, the individuals do not have to get a CT drivers license and they do not pay taxes to the proper municipalities.
I believe the PA authorities are working with the CT authorities to stop this abuse of the system. Local police depts are doing the right thing by being aware of vehicles with out of state plates and investigating the validity of them. The EHPD saw a vehicle with PA plates and ran them, turns out the violator was of Hispanic descent. HOW IS THIS RACIAL PROFILING?????

Posted by: Van | July 30, 2009 6:42 PM

this country is so screwed...it's beginning to look like Mexico or other ruthless, lawless countries where mob rule wins out..let's all protest bank robbery while we're at it..heck, if we do a march, maybe they'll ignore the laws on that too...

Posted by: tlapalcoyoac | July 30, 2009 6:56 PM

You shall treat the aliens who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for them as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt.
-Leviticus 19:34

This is for my antiinmigrant brothers and sisters, that believe in the same God as our Catholic brothers and sister from the third world.

Posted by: DUH | July 30, 2009 7:43 PM

Watch this video, The cops can run the Pennsilvania plate and it says FRAUD!!! So tell your friend that illegally registered his vehicle in PA to go back to his home country and come back legally

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/count_on_8/news_wtnh_newhaven_police_put_brakes_on_illegal_cars_200906161704_rev1

Posted by: working (too hard)mom | July 30, 2009 9:40 PM

"You shall treat the aliens who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for them as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt.
-Leviticus 19:34

This is for my antiinmigrant brothers and sisters, that believe in the same God as our Catholic brothers and sister from the third world."

Really TLAPALCOYOAC....I love my children more than anyone in the world, but I certainly won't enable them to break the law! Refusing to tolerate bad behavior does NOT equate to disrespect and a lack of empathy to your fellow human beings. The key to a civilized society is to respect the laws and each other. Do you hold all of your "brothers and sisters" accountable, or just the natives??? Does your GOD pick and choose who needs to follow which laws? I think not.

Posted by: Lou | July 31, 2009 7:49 AM

If you dont have a legal car,or insurance you cant drive take the bus.how about 12 plus living in a house made for one or two familys w/ the owner or renter collecting rent from all and paying rent or mortgage while others making ends meet the old fashioned way mom ,and dad went to work to pay the bills.

Posted by: Judy | July 31, 2009 8:30 AM

I am so saddened & appalled by the attitudes expressed by so many people regarding so called "illegal" immigrants. We live in a Country that was founded by ILLEGAL immigrants when Europeans stole this Country from Native Americans. Our Country was "founded" by illegals & built on the backs of slaves. Please! Why is there so little compassion?!

Posted by: CaLLEJERO | July 31, 2009 10:09 AM

One of them, which is quite short. It's a document on history. Scientific. Pure science. Objective. There is a religion of objectivity here, so I respect it. And this is--you'll see, you'll see. "Christopher Columbus couldn't discover America, because he didn't have a visa or even a passport.

"Pedro Alvares Cabral couldn't get off the boat in Brazil, because he might have been carrying smallpox, measles, the flu or other foreign plagues.

"Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro never even began the conquest of Mexico and Peru, because they didn't have working papers.

"Pedro de Alvarado was turned away from Guatemala, and Pedro de Valdivia couldn't even enter Chile, because they didn't bring proof of a clean record.

"And the Mayflower pilgrims were sent back to sea from the coast of Massachusetts: the immigration quotas were full."

Posted by: William Kurtz | July 31, 2009 10:19 AM

There's so little compassion because many people believe the demagoguery and racist rhetoric stoked up by Lou Dobbs, Tom Tancredo, white supremeacists, and their ilk: namely, that immigrants are draining the nation's coffers and filling its jails.

Posted by: lance | July 31, 2009 12:55 PM

looks like obama's illegal alien aunt is back living in government subsidized housing.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1188143&srvc=rss

Posted by: Bobby | July 31, 2009 5:28 PM

Judy, please. We are now in the 21st Century.

Posted by: Bobby | July 31, 2009 5:34 PM

Judy you really are quite the leftist comrade. Indians killed each other and took each others property and lands. Eurpeans did the same. The country was not built on the backs of slaves. The south had slavery that benefitted very few people mainly the Southern slave owners. White Europeans, built the nation with blood sweat and tears. The time was the Industrial Revolution and whites worked in factories in dangerous and toxic conditions. Child labor was rampant, no 40 hr. work week, no rights. These are the people that built America. Please, you are an educated women and yet you know that you are purposely spreading lies about America's history and those who founded it. Shame on you, if you have any shame.

Posted by: Judy | July 31, 2009 7:38 PM

Yes, Bobby, it is the 21st Century & I would have hoped that we Americans would have learned a lot more by now. I am not the one who needs to feel shame. Sorry that's how you see it. By the way, if calling me "leftist" was supposed to be an insult, I don't consider it to be so.

Posted by: callejero | July 31, 2009 8:57 PM

Judy I LOVE YOU you really know the story of this country Thanks for be part of our LAND

Posted by: Fair Haven for ever | July 31, 2009 9:01 PM

" DIVERSITY
Nothing can be defined or derided on the basis of its origin. The important thing is what is done with it and how far a community identifies with something that symbolizes its favourite way of dreaming, living, dancing, playing or loving. This is the positive side of the world: a constant intermingling that produces new responses to new challenges. But because of forced globalization, there's a clear trend these days towards uniformity. This trend comes largely from the ever-greater concentration of power in the hands of large media groups.

FREEDOM
We humans are the only ones that create borders for immigration, saying, "You cannot go inside this line. This is the end of a country, and here begins another one." I'm afraid our time will be remembered as a sad period of human life in which money was free, but people were not.

GLOBALIZATION
Globalization has considerably accelerated in recent years following the dizzying expansion of communications and transport and the equally stupefying transnational mergers of capital. We must not confuse globalization with "internationalism" though. We know that the human condition is universal, that we share similar passions, fears, needs and dreams, but this has nothing to do with the "rubbing out" of national borders as a result of unrestricted capital movements. One thing is the free movement of peoples, the other of money.

Reality is not destiny; it's a challenge. ... We are not doomed to accept it as it is

"Reality speaks a language of symbols. Each part is a metaphor of the whole." "

Posted by: Jack | August 1, 2009 9:06 AM

I think all these "Compassionate" people should put their money where their mouths are.Why don't you sponsor a "real" immigrant?

Posted by: Jack | August 1, 2009 10:05 AM

WK, no Sir,immigrants are not draining the nations coffers and filling our jails. Illegal Aliens are.

Posted by: kilo | August 1, 2009 6:58 PM

angelo reyes
illegal no matter what race or ethic background..is illegal that is a problem yes i am an italian came here when i was 18 had to be sponsered by family here....i am a citizen obey laws......you should know about illegal ...

Posted by: Jack | August 1, 2009 8:07 PM

Fair Haven Forever, are the passages you quote from Karl Marx's "Capital", Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals", or just an "ACORN" pamphlet? You really should site your references. I would hate to see you get sued.

Posted by: Fair Haven for ever | August 2, 2009 12:55 AM

hey Jack-E or Yanki? Welcome to the NEW WORLD!!!
Love You... and i know you still %$#@&% because Mexico Won 5 0 to the United States of NORTH AMERICA Hahahahahahahaha

Posted by: William Kurtz | August 2, 2009 8:35 AM

Bobby,

The fact is that most people with money reaped the benefits from slavery--southerners and northerners. To cite just two local examples: the Aetna insurance company (still extant) sold life insurance policies on slaves to slaveowners to protect their 'investments' and the Hartford Courant (the oldest continually published newspaper in the US) sold advertisements for slave auctions and classified notices for runaway slaves. Many of the companies making money from the cotton trade were based in the north and run by northerners.

Three Courant reporters wrote an informative book about the role of the north in perpetuating slavery. Check it out--you might be surprised at how the south has historically been caricatured as the backwards part of the country, resisting the benign civilizing influence of the north. The book's titled Complicity and I imagine it's readily available in local libraries.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | August 2, 2009 1:51 PM

Mr. Kurtz

I do not know of many european immigrants from the industrial age who had anything to do with slavery. Why don't you start a search of British and Irish settlers from the late 1700s who did own slaves, and hit their progeny up for guilt and reparations instead of my grandparents and their offspring who had to deal with discrimination and bigotry, no less ugly as it was towards blacks, when they arrived at Ellis Island?

Posted by: Jack | August 3, 2009 8:00 AM

Every country in Latin America was also founded by Europeans and built on the backs of slaves. Native Peoples and Africans. The truth is that sometime in history, every race and ethnic group in the world was displaced and or enslaved by another. All of this is completely irrelevant to the issue of Illegal Aliens driving around NH with no license,registration,insurance,or emissions test,and paying no property tax. All of you folks may sing a very different tune if, God forbid, you are seriously injured on the road by one of these uninsured scofflaws who have no right to be here in the first place.

Posted by: William Kurtz | August 3, 2009 9:58 AM

Yes, FUWL; we've heard the story of your poor downtrodden immigrant grandparents many times here. No one questions the ugly bigotry on display towards Italians, Irish, Jews, Germans, Poles, or any other Caucasian minority group, especially through the 19th century but to once again patiently reiterate for you the major distinction: bigotry against white people in this country has never been institutionalized by the law, the courthouse, and the church to the degree discrimination against black, native, and Latino people has been. It's ignorant and intellectually dishonest to suggest otherwise.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | August 4, 2009 4:43 AM

WILLIAM KURTZ

"bigotry against white people in this country has never been institutionalized by the law, the courthouse, and the church to the degree discrimination against black, native, and Latino people has been."

You might want to talk to Firfighter Frank Ricci about institutional bigotry and racism towards whites. While this country did have deplorable policies towards people of color in it's history, I think that it had been addressed in the 60's with untold trillions of dollars devoted to fight a failed "war on poverty" which did nothing but destroy black families in the process. So much for liberal compassion. Maybe it's time to take a page from the left and "move on!".

Posted by: William Kurtz | August 4, 2009 8:20 AM

Please. It's time to stop trotting out serial litigator Frank Ricci as the poster boy for the failure of affirmative action, or reverse racism, or whatever you want to call it. For the record, while I believe the city was sincere and correct in its belief that it would be sued regardless of the decision it made regarding the promotional exam, and while from everything I read, it seems clear that Judge Sotomayor and the Second Circuit made a proper decision based on precedent, I do think that the Supreme Court made a good decision in this case.

Having said that, if the worst bigotry that ever happens to a white person in the United States that's sanctioned by a court is the denial of a promotion, there's no comparison to slavery and genocide.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | August 4, 2009 9:17 AM

WILLIAM KURTZ

"if the worst bigotry that ever happens to a white person in the United States that's sanctioned by a court is the denial of a promotion, there's no comparison to slavery and genocide."

So, damning an entire race of people and telling them that they have no chance at promotion because of the color of their skin has no comparison to slavery? That isn't discrimination? Yeah, right. And where the hell did genocide ever get practiced in the US?

Posted by: William Kurtz | August 4, 2009 10:22 AM

FU:

1. Your hyperbole and distorted logic is on display again. First, no one has 'damned' an 'entire race' and told them they have 'no chance' at getting promoted. In case you didn't hear the news from Rush or Glenn, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mr. Ricci and his 18 co-plaintiffs. And no, until the courts decide that Mr. Ricci can be bought and sold like a used car, there's no comparison.

2. Sorry for leaving the word 'genocide' dangling without elaboration. I will concede that historians are in dispute about whether the nearly 300 years of systematic attempts to subjugate, enslave, or eradicate the native population of North America fits the contemporary definition of 'genocide,' but they're splitting pretty fine linguistic hairs if you ask me. Call it what you want--can we agree on mass murder?

Guenter Lewy examined this question in George Mason University's History News Network website and while he concludes that it doesn't meet the UN's definition of genocide:

In the end, the sad fate of America's Indians represents not a crime but a tragedy, involving an irreconcilable collision of cultures and values. Despite the efforts of well-meaning people in both camps, there existed no good solution to this clash. The Indians were not prepared to give up the nomadic life of the hunter for the sedentary life of the farmer. The new Americans, convinced of their cultural and racial superiority, were unwilling to grant the original inhabitants of the continent the vast preserve of land required by the Indians' way of life. The consequence was a conflict in which there were few heroes, but which was far from a simple tale of hapless victims and merciless aggressors. To fling the charge of genocide at an entire society serves neither the interests of the Indians nor those of history.

Writing in September 1864, the Reverend William Crawford reported on the attitude of the white population of Colorado: "There is but one sentiment in regard to the final disposition which shall be made of the Indians: 'Let them be exterminated--men, women, and children together.'" Of course, he added, "I do not myself share in such views." The Rocky Mountain News, which at first had distinguished between friendly and hostile Indians, likewise began to advocate extermination of this "dissolute, vagabondish, brutal, and ungrateful race." With the regular army off fighting the Civil War in the South, the western settlers depended for their protection on volunteer regiments, many lamentably deficient in discipline. It was a local force of such volunteers that committed the massacre of Sand Creek, Colorado on November 29, 1864. Formed in August, the regiment was made up of miners down on their luck, cowpokes tired of ranching, and others itching for battle. Its commander, the Reverend John Milton Chivington, a politician and ardent Indian-hater, had urged war without mercy, even against children. "Nits make lice," he was fond of saying. The ensuing orgy of violence in the course of a surprise attack on a large Indian encampment left between 70 and 250 Indians dead, the majority women and children. The regiment suffered eight killed and 40 wounded.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | August 4, 2009 11:01 AM

Mr. Kurtz,

If you think that Ricci is an isolated, very recent case of discrimination towards whites, then you are hopelessly naive as to the ways of the world. Almost as naive a view as that of native americans having been the only race of people in the course of human history that has ever been at war with another population for dominence and resources. It is, unfortunately, human nature. Even native americans fought amongst each other for just those reasons. Sorry, but that's life!

Posted by: Mr Jerkwad | August 6, 2009 10:01 AM

I never heard of "activists" that support illegal activity. ...

"...mayors of New Haven and Hartford have ordered." LOL. What jurisdiction do the mayors of New Haven and Hartford over East Haven? Maybe they're jealous because people actually want to live in East Haven, unlike their cities.

Smart move in East Haven in doing what's it doing. It doesn't want to turn into another New Haven. It makes perfect sense to me. Keep out the riff raff (aka: criminals). And Yes, you are a criminal whenever you break the law.

Posted by: Jimmy B | August 6, 2009 10:05 AM

Since when was my land stolen from the indians????? Excerpt taken from History of Guilford:

"After negotiating with the local Native Americans, who were represented by their squaw sachem (female chief) Shaumpishuh, the group purchased land halfway between New Haven and Saybrook. There they established the plantation of Menuncatuck, which would later be known as Guilford."

Posted by: Yules Vanderhorn | August 10, 2009 10:23 AM

"...so that marchers can drive to the starting point without fear of being pulled over by East Haven police."

Yea, because they're illegally breaking the law every second and hour they breathe on American soild. They're afraid of getting arrested...

Posted by: Russ | August 10, 2009 9:47 PM

A sizeable contingent of good, law-abiding Americans from all across New England and beyond will be coming to East Haven to support Mayor Almon and the East Haven police and to counter-protest the illegal invaders.

We hope that East Haven residents will join us in numbers.

Posted by: Armand Serio | August 11, 2009 8:36 AM

Let me start by saying, I am an American of Italian Descent. I was a worker and resident of the Town of East Haven many years ago. I can recall an incident with the E.H.P.D. where I was pulled over and questioned and ticketed. My point is: I am not a "latino" or an "illegal alien". The E.H.P.D. were doing their job then and are doing there job now, without "racial profiling". Obviously, the fact of having an "illegal Pennsylvania licence plate, could just be the reason an officer of the law should question if you also have a "valid drivers licence". "Profiling"? I think not. Enforcing Laws? Yes, thats what the E.H.P.D and Mayor Capone are doing. Keeping the streets of East Haven clean and available to "law abiding citizens". I forgot to mention. I am the President of Usanot4sale.com ...

To Mayor Destefano, Kiko Matos, Lugo,Reyes,Father Manship, and the other misquided people who think they know the "Government Immigration Laws" and think by making up there own set of rules is okay. You will face "Justice". Hope your lawyer isn't arrested in the roundup of arrests through the R.I.C.O. Act and other State and Federal Laws that you feel you can change just to suit the financial needs of your town and your "personal lifestyles.

Posted by: Dana | August 20, 2009 7:50 PM

Thanks, Armand for stating it like it is.

It seems like it's all about having the 'freedom' to live life incognito & as wanton as they want to be, without repurcussions. Well, sorry, that's not going to fly in the U.S.A. A police officer has the right to pull you over & ask you to show I.D. This is normal procedure.If you do not have I.D. expect that they are going to ask who you are & to prove it. If you can't or won't, you don't have to guess where you are going next.

Illegal plates, registration,driving without a license & speeding are all illegal. These are all easily detectable with todays technology. You can EXPECT to be pulled over.

This is the same EVERYWHERE, not just East Haven. Noone is exempt,no matter where you are from or what color you are.

Lastly, illegals have no rights to protest anything here and there are no special privileges for being ignorant.

Freedom is not free.. if you want to live here become a citizen & get to work and stop the bull.

Posted by: DH | August 20, 2009 7:59 PM

To William Kurtz :

"bigotry against white people in this country has never been institutionalized by the law, the courthouse, and the church to the degree discrimination against black, native, and Latino people has been. It's ignorant and intellectually dishonest to suggest otherwise. "

This is so, so true. It's a shame some people walk around with blinders on these days. Or maybe it's not in their best interest to take them off.