The Panderers
“The anti-immigration issue that’s now sweeping the country in my view is no different than the movements that swept the country in the past,” “You look back at the Chinese Exclusionary Act, or the Know-Nothing movement – these were movements that encouraged Americans to fear foreigners, to fear something that is different, and to stop immigration.”
This entry was posted on Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 at 7:23 am by Matt Davies.
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It's not an anti-immigration movement Matt it's an anti-ILLEGAL immigration movement. The left wing libs can't seem
to get that straight for some reason.
Sorry, X-B, but the "anti-immigration" line was a quote from Giuliani—not some left-wing stuff that Matt made up.
Although, all of this rhetoric on the Republican's side does sound, to me, like the 2007 update of their old "southern strategy".
-jp
As far as I can remember immigration wasn't even an issue in 1996. I do see the quote so you are correct JP. However,all
of Matts cartoons favor Democrats or are far left liberal.
Nothing is fair and balanced which can be a turn off.
XB,
Welcome back – Hey, I'm just waiting for the Democrats to do something dangerously stupid. Right now the GOP has almost a complete lock on that.
As far as immigration: It is my humble opinion that this has got nothing to do with legal/illegal. This is about an hysterical, irrational fear and demonization of an entire class of humans who are culturally different. Period. You've proven that yourself by saying that for instance, they "all drive drunk" in a previous posting. They are the low man on the ladder, so they get stepped on. It's simply an ugly, unthinking anthropological tradition.
I'm curious. How does anyone yelling from the sidelines know the legal status of an immigrant anyway? By the way he speaks English with a Spanish acent, or not at all? I know this will get lost in the din, but did you know that it is not technically "illegal" to cross the border without papers? It is a misdemeanor (like speeding) and you are only "illegal" if you have been deported by a judge and come back again. So the "illegal" claim is spurious when discussing immigration, unless the individual has directly defied a court ruling. I know that won't sway anyone who feels venomously toward day laborers, but it is true.
I never said they ALL drive drunk Matt. I said many of them.
I don't know for sure but your statement "you are only illegal if a judge deports you" is true. If this was the case why do we deport people who have not broken other laws?
Just because it is a lesser offense than a felony does not make it right. Do you believe in moderation? What is happening now is not moderate it is over kill. The reason
people are upset over this also is because Americans are
starting to feel like foreigners in their own country. If
20 million illegal Americans went to mexico and received all
kinds of social services and we waved our flag in their faces and forced our cultue and language on them do you think they
would have a right to be upset? Of course they would. What's your take on this Matt?. Should we have open borders
or should things be done in an organized managed manner?
Do you have a fence around your property Matt or is it a wide open border between you and your neighbor. Just curious and please be honest.
Waving a flag in someone's face, forcing a culture and language? Isn't that what my people (The Brits) did here in what we now call the USA? You know, whether we like it or not, people are fluid. Cultures merge and cross polinate, be it through war, or peaceful migration. It is the basis of human history. The fact that you cite people not wanting this change to occur in the US indicates that this is not about legality rather than a natural fear of the unknown. I do understand some of the arguments against uncontrolled immigration but I am more afraid of us criminalizing an entire set of people. That is another thing that has happened throughout history, with horrific consequences, and I think we should always be very mindful of that.
Oh, and I have some fencing, some lovely old stone walls, and some open borders with my neighbors. But no matter… I own my property privately. Is the US, or any other country privately owned?
The U.S is not priavely owned but it is owned by the legal
citizens of this country and I would hope they have a say
in what goes on in it. You are correct that cultural change
has much to do with it but make no mistake it is mainly about U.S. citizens having to obey the law while others don't. You still didn't answer my question on if you thought
another country's people would have the right to be upset
if they thought another culture was rapidly changing their own. You didn't answer either if we should have any control
on immigration or just open borders? What would be our saturation point. A billion people like China or Indian? I
do feel over population ruins everything. It doesn't matter
you will always feel the way you do and so will I. I still owe
you that cigar for your new born and a cold one at an Army
football game. I went to the Army-Navy game in Baltimore
this weekend. You may not think so but there is something
to say for cultural traditions like this game buddy.Just try to understand it from the point of view of a third generation American who likes the old America and thinks
it will vanish soon.
Bulldog, Bulldog, Bulldog… Old America, New America??? I rather like the old America, the one where the Native Americans were in charge of things. Change happens, we all have to start accepting that at some point. I don't think that anyone agrees with open borders. And the fence argument? Just not the same.
Have you been to Greenpoint, Brooklyn lately? Do you ever walk through and ask the locals to put their Polish flags away? Or is that ok because they stay "out" of our neighborhoods? Let's lay off the Hispanics for a while. They're not all bad and, forgive my lack of eloquence, it isn't very nice!
I didn't know you were around Chou Chou when the Indians were in charge. Nobody said all Hispanics are bad. They just happen to be the largest illegal immigrant population
that's all. I guess if they did it the right way maybe they wouldn't be picked on as much.
i think you can figure out what i was trying to say with the whole native american things. have a good evening, bull….
Yea, Everyone likes to relate back to the American Indian Chou when the topic is immigration. Look what happened to them with mass immigration. It didn't turn out to well for
the native citizens of this country who occupied it at that
time did it? Enough said about change.
Bulldog,
I've never seen the Native American/immigration comparison twisted quite that way.
I concede that there are some valid arguments against immigration…I heard something the other day about the increase in consumption of natural resources as a result of immigration too. Apparently, an individual crossing the border into the US will consume exponentially more than she would have if she had remained in her home country. Something about the American lifestyle. (And who said they don't assimilate?!
Overall, I am utterly pro-immigration though – Preferrably the legal kind. Otherwise I'd be a raging hypocrite.
I'm pro immigration myself Matt as long as it is legal. I
just feel it should be well managed and organized and not
like it is now a total mess. I don't always agree with your
cartoons but the one thing I like very much about you is that you will explain the reasons for your drawings and jump
right into the middle of the fire to defend them. This is
why you have so many readers. No other person from these
blogs in this paper will do that. Thanks for the civilized
debate.
You're welcome Bulldog.
I always remember how extraordinarily privileged I am to be in this line of work. Everybody has opinions, but I am (somehow) paid to draw and publish mine. I know it can appear that I am sitting in some ivory tower tossing my self-important pronouncements down to the unwashed masses (especially to those who disagree with me) but that's not me at all. If something I have drawn engages a reader (positively or negatively), and they take the time to tell me..the least I can do is treat them as my equal. My cartoons may have a broad reach, but it doesn't mean my opinions are any more valid than the guy who I bought coffee from this morning at the gas station.
..and keep swinging for the fences, Matt. I especially liked your contribution to the "Killed Cartoons" book!