The good takeaway is, responsible citizens like Dave and Chas are taking the time to flesh out carefully articulated opinions which reflect well intentioned concern for our country and it's citizens.

It's no surprise that I'm joined at the hip with Chas and his concerns. But I also respect Dave and, as an "Air Force brat",I see where he's coming from.

My take on the immigration issue is a little different. As a long-time liberal, I've done a lot to help illegals here in Kentucky, with what some would call disappointing results. In 10 years, undocumented renters have done $100,000.00 damage to two houses (burning baseboards, stealing A/C units, stoves, refrigerators, ripping out wire, etc.).

My take is, undocumented or not, these were sort of the bottom of the renter pool, so it's my fault for trying to help people
who would destroy property, illegal or not.

I supported a family of mom, dad and three kids, and became a big supporter of the Dream act. Dad was GREAT, but lost his horse farm job after 10 years thru the E-Verify process. The littlest boy is fabulous. A great high school wrestler, working to be a jockey. Now the bad news. The next boy is in constant trouble...stealing from my garage...taking 10 albums I was having him copy onto an I-pad ("lost" the device, too). Got hired as a motorcycle mechanic by one of my friends (with my help) and left with a lot of hard feelings on the part of the shop owners (don't know the details). The little girl wrecked a new motor scooter I bought her. I had to fire her from a job I gave her helping take care of the widow of my departed music partner, George.

Mom borrowed money to bring her parents from Mexico and promised to pay it back on a certain day. After 6 months, when she "hid" her three children from me, basically stopping all communications, when I confronted her, she said, "I cannot pay you back (ONLY $600.00, but the point is not the money but the betrayal)."Don't tell my husband."

Her parents, whom I spoke to frequently on SKYPE, are confused as to what happened to the relationship. They treated me as an adopted son and appreciated the help I was giving the family. I was going to pay for college for all three children. The girl is in law school, and will be as crooked as the best lawyers in the business.

I worry about little boy # 2 and hope mom gets really sick on her flight back to Mexico.

Thing is, while this activity and more sort of mirrors the typical stereotype we all know, the take-a-way is, there are good and bad people everywhere.

The other takeaway is, one bad apple (mom, in this case), can negatively impact lives in a major way...in this case, the lives of her own children. Mom's activities have soured many on immigrants in general around here.

I am disappointed at my interaction with these people, but have not abandoned my intention to help others.


I just need to be a little more careful.

Russ