It takes an immigrant

Michelle called me up from her boyfriend's house to ask me what I thought of the current immigration confabulation. I told her what I thought and let her go. I need to ask her later why she asked. I may or may not be flattered that she cared about my opinion.

I told her that this country was made of immigrants. People crossed the land bridge over the Bering sea. They came in canoes over the Pacific and longboat from Iceland. Immigrants came in schooners and steamships and airplanes. This country would not be without them.

The difference is that those people came to be a part of America. They wanted the part of the dream that is freedom. They sacrificed to be part of the dream though. They gave up property and history and family and language. They waited in lines. They took the worst jobs for the worst pay.

They assimilated into America at a trade. And it seems that they were happy with that trade.

The new immigrants don't strike me as having the same mind-set. The new immigrants want America to be less America and more like where they came from (mostly Mexico these days). America is a country of rules first and foremost. It's what gives us our freedom. And these immigrants are breaking a rule to even get in this country. It's a crappy way to start a relationship.

I think INS should put a fence around each rally and check for green cards and ship out everyone that's illegal. I think there should be fines and jail time for business that hire illegals. If they need the worker so badly, sponsor them and bring them in through the legal channels.

I think that if the Iraqis were to our south then we wouldn't have this issue. We'd have Americans screaming to enforce the border laws. But there is no difference. It's a law.
How is it different if every illegal was able to commit any crime, break any law with impunity?

At the arboretum

Yesterday, Sunday, was a great day. The weather was cool and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Susan and I took the kids to the Mercer Arboretum. There's lots of flowers, and birds, and bugs, and fish. There's also a really nice playground for the kids and myself.

Miriam wanted a picture of this lily.

My beautiful wife. I couldn't count the ways I love her, numbers don't go high enough.

A flutter-by

Gwendolyn at the playground.

Susan took this picture . . . such a serious little girl sometimes.

Miriam moved too fast most of the time to get a good picture, but she found this turtle and we'll let that represent her today.

Michelle goes to Prom

Last week (I think it was last week. It might have the week before. The more kids I have and the older they get the more I lose track of time) Michelle went to Senior Prom with her graduating boyfriend. She looked extra-beautiful.

The nice thing about Michelle is that she is just as beautiful on the inside. Everyone likes her and appreciates her being around. I am very lucky to have her in my life. She's a great daughter.

Pre-prom. Michelle and Gwendolyn

Michelle and Trey, the first of many photo shoots that evening

The Girls that Michelle went to prom with (I don't have a "Guys" version)

A close-up of some of the couples