Nov. 8, 2009
Lightfoot Letters,
As another Veteran’s Day approaches, I am taking a break from writing about the challenges to our Constitution to offer a personal “Thank You” to those men and women who have defended our Constitution and continue to do so. I have the distinct honor to be a member of a family that has had someone serving in every war that our nation has fought from the Revolution until today. I am a veteran, as was my father who served in WW II, and all four of my sons are either veterans or are currently serving.
I also have the honor of commanding an American Legion Post in Carrollton, Texas where there are men and women who are veterans of WW II and every war since then. The members of the Post come from many different backgrounds, yet they share a bond that few others understand and some even scorn. They are American warriors who took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and they did so despite all of the obstacles many of them faced both at home and abroad. They have asked for little in return and have often gotten even less. However, they are entitled to respect, if nothing else.
When I wore the U.S. Army uniform, I was spit on and cursed by those who were exercising the very freedoms that I was sworn to defend. I demand more for my sons and all those who have served and are now laying their lives on the line every day. I demand it not only from the American people, but from those politicians who use the lives of our servicemen and women as political pawns to serve their own ambitions. You may “talk the talk” of service to America but the members of our armed services “walk the walk” and they prove it by offering their blood as a sacrifice for their country.
During the last several months I have had the honor and privilege of attending an American Indian Powwow in Bandera, Texas and a performance by tribe members during Santa Fe Days in Carrollton, Texas. On both occasions I was invited to participate in the “Veteran’s Dance” conducted by the Tribe members. This is open to all American military veterans, regardless of their race or background. As the drums play the honor songs and we dance in the sacred circles of the gatherings I can’t help but be humbled by being considered one of the warriors who has served our nation.
As I write this my oldest son is preparing to leave for a 12 to 18 month deployment in Afghanistan. He has already served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. My youngest son, who has served over two years of active duty as an MP, is preparing to receive training to fly Blackhawk helicopters for the Army.
Yet, while we continue to send our bravest and finest to fight and die in foreign lands to protect our freedom we are also seeing them die on our own soil. It is time that we recognize that our brave warriors who died at Fort Hood were killed by one of the same people who has pledged to destroy our way of life. The time for political correctness has ended, we either unite and fight, or we surrender. I have no intention of surrendering. God Bless our men and women in uniform, God Bless our veterans, and God Bless America.
Michael Connelly
Author of "The Mortarmen" a book about my father's unit in WWII; "Riders in the Sky: The Ghosts and Legends of Philmont Scout Ranch" ; and my just released novel "Amayehli: A Story of America".
Post by lightfootletters
The experience of being despised by so many, just for being in the military, is hard to forget. The reason for this mail from Michael Connelly was posted.
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November 2010
11/29/2010
11/06/2010
Cesar Chavez a fierce opponent of illegal immigration
May 10, 2010
Robert J. Birgeneau
Office of the Chancellor
200 California Hall # 1500
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-1500
Robert J. Birgeneau
Dear Sir,
Questions and comments Regarding claims by CHANGE.org as to these statements.
"Students at UC Berkeley are outraged at the recent passage of Arizona's SB1070."
"We are guided by the spirit of past movements (from Cesar Chavez, to the American Indian Movement, to the Black Panthers and twLF). We are committed to do a hunger strike until our demands are met by Chancellor Birgeneau."
The ignorance of your young wards is embarrassing to say the least. It would seem appropriate to inform them Cesar Chavez was against illegal immigration and most likely would have been a strong supporter of SB 1070, which is the same as Federal Immigration law.
"Not only was Cesar Chavez against illegal immigration, not only did he speak out against the Mexican invasion before Congress, not only did United Farm Workers members monitor the United States-Mexico border à la the Minutemen, but Chavez even sicced la migra on the undocumented from time to time." Gustavo Arellano - Houston Press/OC Weekly
Chavez was against illegal immigration in no uncertain terms. That is, because he new that a steady flow of illegal workers would depress and keep farm workers wages below a livable income. "when the farm workers strike and their strike is successful, the employers go to Mexico and have unlimited, unrestricted use of illegal alien strikebreakers to break the strike. And, for over 30 years, the Immigration and Naturalization Service has looked the other way and assisted in the strikebreaking" Cesar Chavez - United Farm Workers - Congressional Testimony.
"The sainted labor leader (Chavez) was unalterably opposed to legalizing undocumented workers. It is dishonest for immigration reform advocates to invoke his name in their cause. The historical record shows that Chavez was a fierce opponent of illegal immigration" *Ruben Navarrette Jr.
"We native American Indians are offended and appalled by Hispanic Immigrants who attempt to erase the history of our indigenous native people and replace it with a pack of lies about some Mexican history that, in fact, never existed. Your blood is not your passport. You are not indigenous Tribal Indians of California. And if you came to this country illegally you are a criminal, with no respect for the laws of this country."
It should be noted there was no responce from The University Of California.
San Diego Unified School District
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