Cypress boosts Costa Mesa, but Times columnist is befuddled by Mansoor plan
Kudos to the Cypress City Council for sending a letter of support to Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor regarding his plan to give additional training to select police officers regarding immigration law.
On the flipside, Times columnist Dana Parsons wrote a bizarre column this week that appears to slam the Mansoor plan, but instead provides evidence to support it. Parsons quotes Mansoor as saying that “There will be no sweeps for enforcement for just immigration laws. I really want to stress that point. In other words, there must be another crime involved first.” OK – if that is the case what exactly is Parson’s beef?
Parsons interviewed a former columnist, Humberto Caspa, about the Mansoor plan. He asked Caspa if the Mansoor plan specifically would harm law-abiding immigrants, legal or not. Caspa acknowledged that he could not “frame an exact scenario from the language of the policy itself.” Well, if that is the case, what exactly is Parson’s beef? Who knows? He writes that Caspa feels “in his bones” that the policy is malevolent. Say what? Am I the only one who thinks that is a nutty statement? Who cares what this guy is “feeling in his bones?”
Let’s make this clear – the Mansoor plan will deport wife-beaters, child molesters, drunk drivers, murderous gang bangers and other assorted felons, after they serve their sentences. Why does anyone have a problem with this? These people are, for the most part, preying on their own. Why is anyone fighting to keep them in this country? It just doesn’t make any sense. Do any of their victims want them to stay in our country? I truly doubt it. Maybe we can put them up at Parson’s home? Just a thought.
You can read the Parsons article (although I recommend that you have a barf bag handy) at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-parsons8jan08,1,2363029.column?coll=la-editions-orange. The O.C. Register reports about the Cypress letter at http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/article_938561.php.
Art,
Your statements are not as simplified as you would like to make them be. If police really did only investigate, pull-over, and deport those whom have committed those very crimes you speak of, then there truly would be no cause for concern. However, what would be the deciding factor to ask someone whether they are here documented or not? You see the issue is police will ask you, Claudio, myself and many other citizens for their documentation just for running a red light or jay walking? Granted, we will not be deported nor probably charged with anything serious, but nonetheless we were asked. It is discrimanatory and insulting to have someone look at the color of ones skin and therefore make a determination. As most civil rights activists have tried to enforce, we need to look deeper than the color of the skin.
Lastly, do you not feel many of these law enforcements agancies will take advantage of this law and begin to unjustly abuse the law? It is a common and ultimately realistic situation.
Luis,
It is my understanding that the new policy applies only to suspected felons. Jaywalkers need not apply.
As for policemen abusing the law, that is why they have an internal affairs department.
Art,
After the police look at your documentation, call it phony, toss it in the shredder and put you on a bus to Tijuana, you can mail your complaint to internal affairs.
Art,
yes, I agree the policy only applies to felons, but do you not see where this very same issue can lead to profiling? It is like the article written by Dillow today, stating who would not want the country rid of felons and more importantly undocumented felons? This is not complaint I have, I too would like to get rid of felons, but not solely whom are here undocumented, I’d like to get rid of them all. The issue, however, I am speaking in regards to, is what may indeed happen which is completely distinct from what is intentioned to happen.
I am sure you aware these laws are not designed for criminals in the eyes of whom write these policies, they have a agenda in mind. Get rid of undocumented immigrants period. These policies are just a side step from the real issue. Would you not agree?
I hope you’re wrong Luis as that would be most insidious. I would not stand for that.
However, I am also upset to hear that some of those opposed to the Mansoor plan are apparently beginning to advocate violence, per OC Blog. That too is unacceptable. I hope that they get arrested and jailed if indeed they resort to such acts.
Violence is not an answer to this or most problems. The problem with this issue is that niether side can bring themselves to see the others prespective and reach solutions.
That said I fear that violence could break out.