Yesterday afternoon, my book club, The Bookmarkers, discussed T.C. Boyle's The Tortilla Curtain. I was affected pretty strongly by this book. For me, the "illegal alien" situation has been a lot like the capital punishment issue--many sided, confusing; I just don't want to think about it because I don't know the answer. Boyle's book forced me to see the side of our south-of-the-border neighbors, those who risk everything to cross that border to try to make a better life for themselves and their families in the land of the free.
Andrea wrote a thought-provoking, heart-breaking post on her blog a couple a days ago that deals with the same subject, sort of.
Whether you live in California or Texas or North Carolina or Alabama, you're eventually going to have to think about this issue. Those of us who are Christians shouldn't have a problem deciding which side of the fence we're on-but somehow we do. I think we're just a little too afraid that somebody is going to dip into our hard-earned tax dollars, a legitimate concern for sure. But I think I have at least decided that I'd rather my tax dollars go to feed a hungry family from across the Mexican border than to pay for bombs to kill other families on the other side of the world.
Oooops! I've done gone and drifted over that line I try not to cross on this blog. I've gone into the land of political rant, I guess, and I've always tried to not subject my readers to my own personal political beliefs and concerns. Like Andrea said, I have no agenda and no answers. I wish I did. It just makes me feel so sad to know that there are people on God's good earth today who aren't afforded even the basic necessities: food, water, shelter. When here I am with an air-conditioned home, water at the touch of a knob, plentiful food, blessings beyond belief. It just makes me sad. And even that sadness is a luxury.
“We
must all hear the universal call to like your neighbor as you like to
be liked yourself.”--George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. President
Bob Dylan And Joan Baez - Deportee 1976 via Noolmusic.com
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On 07/19/2008, Ramey Channell said ...
“We must all hear the universal call to like your neighbor as you like to be liked yourself.”--George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. President
This leads me to wonder if, in the opinion of George W. Bush, or in the opinion of Americans in general, the word "neighbor" would include people in prisons. Are prisoners, guilty ones and innocent ones, our neighbors?
Ramey Channell
On 07/19/2008, Joanne said ...
Jesus said, "When I was in prison, you visited me." I wonder if W visits Guantanamo.
Anyway, isn't Arlo cute?! Goes to prove what I always say, that ugly men improve with age--in looks, anyway.
On 07/19/2008, Beverly said ...
Susan, I share your concern and pain. We are so incredibly blessed, yet you don't have to look far to find those who are suffering.
My sister-in-law works for the Southern Baptist Convention, and she told me they had recently found out about two children locally whose mother had left them months ago. The older girl was in high school, and left after school everyday to go to work. She had been trying to make enough for them to continue to live in the apartment where they had been living. But, everything caught up with her, and she and her little sister were being put out. She just wanted to keep the two of them together until she could finish high school. They wore rags, had almost nothing to eat, and were now going to be on the street. They each ate food out of the trash cans at school - food other people were throwing away. It all just breaks my heart. I have so much.
On 07/21/2008, Gayle said ...
Susan, You have a kind soul. I appreciate your contemplative post.
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