Rich is a not too bright guy who is need of constant attention and who has adopted Jerry Gonzalez as a hero. Try to be as nice as possible to him…he has trouble thinking, or figuring out what and who really represents a “fringe minority”.

Yawn…warning, Rich’s little missive to the MDJ against my proposal to require ID and proof of legal immigration status for aliens to obtain a business license in Cobb is more than 440 words.
dak

Rich Pellegrino/Letter to the Editor: Latest sign of anti-illegals paranoia

Published: 12/09/2007

It appears that some Cobb Commissioners, including the chairman, are being influenced by the anti-immigrant rhetoric, fear and paranoia of Dustin Inman Society head D.A. King, disguised in a cloak of reason and security, who requested that “legal residency” be required for Cobb Business Licenses.

Commissioners, please beware and do not be fooled and follow this alleged “reasoning” down the thorny road of hate and fear, especially in this season of good will.

This is just another mean-spirited attempt to drive an entire community further underground – an already embattled community and people (due to the inaction of the federal government and unwise actions of the Cobb sheriff) – a people, like all immigrants before them, who are presently trying to comply with state and county laws and ordinances in order to help feed, shelter and clothe their own families, and to provide employment for others, while expanding the county tax base. What could be more American and Georgian than this?

Yet some would attempt to remove their means of livelihood and would place their families on welfare at the same time complaining about their drain on resources. What logic is this? It is the same twisted logic that prevents these temporarily undocumented good people from getting driver’s licenses in this state so that the law enforcement community’s goals of law and order are aided, traffic safety is really promoted, and space in the jail can be reserved for those who commit real crimes. That is why some local police officers with whom I’ve talked, as well as police departments around the country, are in favor of granting them driver’s licenses – which is completely logical – and why they are against sheriff’s departments acting as agents of immigration enforcement that destroys all efforts at community policing and trust building – completely illogical.

However when the public and elected officials are swayed by the extreme fear and paranoia generating tactics of a loud fringe minority, like King and his followers, this is what happens and all logic (as well has human empathy and compassion) is thrown out the window.

I know, some of you single-minded folks are going to say what you always say when this issue arises, “What don’t you understand about the word “illegal?” but I am sorry. The reason the good Lord gave us brains and minds is so that we can see all sides of an issue. Like a wise man once said: “There are at least three sides to every story” – so nothing is either “black or white” or “legal or illegal.” Another very wise Man said: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Rich Pellegrino

Mableton