Round Rock Reads!

"Civilized and respectful" maybe, but I thought the audience was one-sided and at times just plain mean. Some folks' grasp of the facts seemed a little shaky, like the guy who said the border had existed for thousands of years, and the other gent who claimed that the border was ordained by God. Even the old Aztlan chestnut was brought out for an airing. Puh-leese, guys! As you say, there wasn't much heat in the discussion, but there sure wasn't much light either.

Where were the good people of Round Rock? Most of the audience seemed to be Houston supporters of some of the speakers. Perhaps a greater Round Rock presence would have led to a more balanced discussion. Are RR people too comfortable - don't they care?

Having this discussion was a great idea - not your fault it was kinda depressing.

JT

The immigration panel discussion sponsored by the Round Rock library on Monday in the City Hall council chambers confirmed my observations involving this topic:  The notable absence of the spirit in secular and religious sources revered by Americans.

How did we come to a point in our history when we purport to put an issue such as immigration in perspective without consulting or referencing these ancient documents; the Declaration of Independence and the Bible?

Some of the sound bites included, "Man made borders, not God", "It's a matter of legal or illegal".  What these suggest is both, lawgiver and law in back of the collective American and Christian mind.  Despite the seeming cut-and-dry clarity on the subject for both parties there is a lingering paradox best addressed by those notably absent sources.

Americans believe they know what needs to be done.  Americans would do it.  Americans are not doing it.

Our Founding Fathers spoke to us in that American secular document, the Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal. . .with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".  Did our Founding Fathers speak of Americans, only?  Americans living within America's territorial boundaries, but not to be so included when abroad?

When God spoke to Israel (a sovereign nation with borders) to "show your love for the alien in your midst" can a Christian conclude the immigrant in our midst is not the intended recipient of his/her love?

The reason our nation has a judicial system is because despite all the laws not everything is cut-and-dry.  Yes, laws are to be enforced, but they must first be interpreted lest a nation or an individual be absolved by the letter of the law while violating its spirit.  Those who would say, "Don't interpret it, just enforce it" would act first and justify or absolve themselves later.   It is the reason Israel had elders and other wise men to discern and judge the matters of life.

Jesus repeatedly exposed, reproved and instructed his disciples and the church throughout the ages on their attitude toward their despised neighbors, the Samaritans.  The spirit of God, in the written word, is able to reveal what is in the hearts of men even when they appear to do justice.  Our Founding Fathers did no less.

The law tells us what to do justly.  The spirit stirs our hearts to compassion whether one acts as an American or a Christian.

Immigration has now become a worldwide problem. Different countries have implimented their own immigration law. Thats why I think this law need to be reformed.

Though I don't know much about US immigration law, yet I can only suggest that if the law need to be reformed for the sake of US people then it has to be done as asap. Daniel has told the exact fact. Immigration has now become a worldwide problem. People are migrating from one country to another in hope of a better future. But here I would like to mention that not every people. And after the 'WTC' terrorist attack I think US officials have become more concerned about these immigrating people. So I think it need to be reformed for the sake of humanity...