Navarrette fails to show whole picture

I have generally found Ruben Navarrette's articles interesting, relatively balanced, and straightforward. His rebuttal published on June 8 is disappointing for his standards.

His first flaw in his argument is that he states his version of the "falsehoods" without quotes or sources to prove them factual or accurate. His second flaw is that he, like many who support the absorption of illegal or undocumented immigrants, is concerned only with that one facet of the issue. There are, on both sides of the issue, many more concerns that need to be addressed. His third flaw is also a common one - that illegal immigrants are victims. This is both false and true.

It is false because they are breaking this country's laws and are subject to the penalties that go with their actions, and it is true because they are fleeing corrupt governments and poor economies in their homelands. Mister Navarrette's energies would be more effective if he directed them at the source, the governments of these people.

Lastly, Mr. Navarrette asks for honesty. Fine, but he needs to consider the root problem in this country, and the real motivation for Arizona's actions. The federal government of the United States has, by its failure to enforce the immigration laws over the last forty years, turned its back on the safety, security, and sovereignty of the citizens it is sworn to serve. It has done this for the express purpose of providing Corporate America a cheap labor force. This is a labor force that is, in reality, indentured servitude.

In the future, Mr. Navarrette, please present grounded points that consider the many concerns of those on both sides of the issue. Only then can a dialogue regarding "comprehensive" reform become fruitful.

Greg Stone

Hanover Park