httpv://youtu.be/FWwii1dX4v8

The below was mailed to the editor of the Orange County Register in response to many pro-immigration letters posted in their paper. This letter was rejected. I can’t imagine why.

Dear Editor:
So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren’t being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry. 

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today’s American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. 

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws
to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. 

Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought alongside men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan . They were defending the United States of America as one people. 

When we liberated France , no one in those villages was looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country’s flag and waving it to represent who they
were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl. 

And here we are with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I’m sorry, that’s not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900’s deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags. 

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty , it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn’t start talking about dismantling the United States just yet. 

(signed)
Rosemary LaBonte 

Amen Rosemary!

Everyone have a great Erinday.

Not sure of the agenda for Nina and I on this Erinday, but we’re both hoping that we don’t get a replay of last week. Santa Fe is always an option, but I tire of that city lately.

• As I sit here and type this I am watching  the 3 Stooges.
• I am wondering why I enjoyed this show in the past.
• I’ll keep watching as I finish this post.
• I’m not sure if I mentioned this earlier here, and I’m too lazy to go back and check, but our June trip to the Netherlands is now a September trip to London and the Netherlands. We’ll do a week in each place with London’s Heathrow Airport as our arrival and departure point.
• We plan on staying in Leewaurden the entire time in the Holland. Since the country is so small, we can easily drive to any place we need to go for the day.
• Yes, I’m going to rent a car for this trip. The better to explore with in my mind.
• Still not getting my past attraction to the Stooges.
• Tomorrow is Erinday again. I like having her here. I think for fun I may try to get Will to sign off on a passport for Erin.
• If this flies, maybe I’ll use air miles to take her to London. That should crank their asses.
• I changed the channel finally. Couldn’t take it. Wasted youth.
• I’m now watching How It’s Made. Always an interesting watch.
• Still have to book the last hotel for our September trip. We’ve got the first London hotel booked, the Holiday Inn Express~Camden Locks. This was picked for the location over the hotel amenities.
• In Leewaurden we’re staying at the hotel across from the train station, the same one we spent a night at years ago.
• Nina’s picking the last hotel. She gave me a list to check out today. We’ll see what she chose.

The best cure for sea sickness, is to sit under a tree.

. . . so here’s a cute picture for you to view.

I have some stuff to post, but not much and I’m tired still. I’ll do it later for all you that read this.

Family & friends are mourning the loss of Edward Johnson Sr. who passed this morning at 7:45. I too mourn his passing. He was like a second father to me in many ways.

Failing health that was caused by a medication mix up a few years back that started the decline.

He and Dad shared a birthday.

Mr. J. you will be missed.

1. Well, lunch was nice. Dennis and I rode into town together and we got there early so we could give the appearance of Joe being late.
2. Joe was actually early, but we put on a superior air to make it look like he was late.
3. Great discussions were had and world peace is just one more lunch away. We may stretch it to 2 lunches just so there’s an actual reason for us to meet.
4. I learned things about the Sunshine Station property yesterday too. Pete has taken it back and Jack has some problems ahead of him. Pete always takes things back!
5. I got a letter from my doctor’s office yesterday. My doctor is leaving the group he’s with and I’m not happy about this.
6. I get to see him personally next week and complain. Glad I made this appointment. I need some scripts renewed soon so I’ll press him for getting new ones that last longer and offer 3 month refills.
7. Tell me, do you like these numbers on this list or do your prefer the dots? Doesn’t matter really, just curious.
8. Jeannie got here early this morning. I better tell her not to leave early. That shit don’t fly.
9. I’m taking Nina’s car in for service today. Just the greasy oil thing. Nothing else. I hate waiting for work that is not simple.
10. I need to get my tractor in for service. The battery is not charging and its developed an oil leak. This puppy is getting old. I believe it was made in the 60’s.
11. Not quite as old as me.
12. Marc Golin, my salesman, wants to take me to lunch today. That may or may not happen. If he’s with customers when Nina’s car is done, I’m gone.
13. On the Wrangler Forum I’m on, I read a topic about poor customer service at their dealership. I get great service at Lithia in Santa Fe, but this guy’s complaint and actions were asinine. His big complaint was that they drilled license plate holes in his front bumper in a state where front plates are required.
14. Anyone buying a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep product, go to Lithia and ask for Marc. Mention my name.
15. There’s another marketing meeting this afternoon in Las Vegas. I don’t want to go. I may see if Patrick can sit in for me. He’s there most times anyway. Patrick is the jail warden. Nice guy.

The above picture was posted to FB by my brother and I thought it was some funny shit so I posted it here too