Newspaper part of 'fugitive' problem

Regarding the front page article Sunday about Elvira Arellano.

I feel compelled to complain about your effort to idolize and victimize a person I consider to be an example of lawlessness and defiance of legitimate authority.

Let me explain.

Perhaps you are familiar with the theory of criminologists Kelling and Wilson generally known as "Broken Windows."

As the theory goes, community leaders need to act quickly to replace broken windows and remove graffiti.

Failing to do so is a sign to the community that vandalism is an accepted practice, a signal that the community has given up in their fight against hoodlums.

And others begin to add their mark by breaking additional windows or defacing another wall in town.

Michelle Malkin makes the analogy of "Broken Fences."

When signs appear in our society that illegal immigration is here to stay, we not only entrench those who are here, but we also encourage others to leave their Third World homeland and settle in the United States illegally.

It is reminiscent of the recent column by Chris Bailey, who lamented the fact that our society has difficulty with the word "no."

As in, "No, you can't remain the United States simply because you want to."

As the Sunday article indicated, Elvira is getting mail from all over the country and others take courage from the fact she hasn't been forcefully deported.

So, when the Daily Herald chooses to deify Elvira as a poor innocent woman held hostage by the big bad United States, the newspaper becomes a part of the problem.

I am disturbed the Daily Herald fails to recognize the importance of this act of defiance.

Or, perhaps you want to encourage open borders? Would that be the official position of your newspaper?

Doug Heaton

Elgin