Sammy Jo

The “Squeaky Wheel” syndrome is working overtime in opposition to the law.  Protests against the law are erupting nationwide.  Look at the media coverage of these protests. See anything that these protesters have in common?  I’m sure I’ll be labeled a racist or a profiler here, but the majority of these protesters are obviously Hispanic.  Not a problem for me, unless they are illegal!  Here’s a not so obvious idea, ICE needs to sweep these crowds and clean out the illegals!  Yes I said it, illegals, not undocumented!

These Hispanics are so impassioned, so empowered to stand up against the government and law enforcement here, what of their native countries?  Why have you come to the US, legally or illegally?  My guess is because your home country’s government is corrupt and oppressive and cares nothing about its people.  So go home and make the change in your own country.  Fight for fairness, prosperity, freedom and liberty.  That’s just what we did many years ago when an oppressive British government became too overbearing and a group of individuals came together to create one of the greatest documents of history, The Constitution of the United States of America.  It’s true that blood was shed at the time, but what followed was the building of a nation, the greatest nation on earth, the United States.

Current immigration law specifically states that it is a felony for any person to gain entrance to the United States of America without proper inspection.  Inspection would be performed by a government official in the employ of US Customs and/or US Immigration.  Quite simple, isn’t it?  Then, just what seems to be the problem with Arizona’s stepping up of enforcement?  Many argue that racial profiling will be the means to the end.  I beg to differ.

Profiling is used by law enforcement on a daily basis.  It is not racial, it is criminal profiling.  Without this very effective tool, many crimes around the country would go unsolved.  This is no different and involves criminal, not racial profiling.  An illegal immigrant is a criminal, a fugitive, running from the law.  The whole concept that it is a crime to enter the US illegally, but it is not a crime for an illegal to remain in the US is just ludicrous.  These people are no less felons for remaining as they were when entering.  Consider this.  If I, as an American, was to enter Mexico illegally and was caught, my punishment would be to spend two years in a Mexican prison and after, deportation.  I hate to say it, but Mexico has it right!  And Mexico is not the only country which punishes illegal immigrants.

So I ask you, why does the United States of America have to play by different rules than most every other country around the world?  Why must we show an undue compassion towards those who defy our laws by crossing our borders illegally?  My answer is that we do not have to.

Now, back to Arizona.  The question has come up about defining “Reasonable Suspicion” and “Probable Cause” and how the new law will give local law enforcement in Arizona a free hand to harass individuals.  The Arizona law is clear in this area.  It states that an officer must make a “legal contact” with a subject before continuing verification of legal residency.  This means that the officer must have reasonable suspicion that the subject has, or is in the commission of, or attempting to, or is planning to commit a crime.  What this doesn’t allow an officer to do is to approach a subject only to verify the resident status.  We are not a nation under military law, however, we a nation of laws, laws which are to be respected, followed and enforced when in place.

This law has been challenged as being “Unconstitutional”.  I have seen many arguments on this premise, for and against.  The 4^th Amendment seems to be the primary citation during this debate.  The 4^th protects US residents against illegal search and seizure.  Many Supreme Court decisions have clearly defined law enforcement’s responsibility in protecting the rights of American’s under the 4^th.  This does not only protect citizens and all legal residents of the United States, but anyone within our borders.  These are the individual rights guaranteed all under the Constitution.  The main action that Arizona’s new law puts into effect is to grant local authority to law enforcement to verify the residence status of an individual.  I don’t have a problem with this at all.

The federal government has dropped the ball.  Actually, I heard it put best this way.  The Bush administration dropped the ball, but the Obama administration can’t even find the ball.  Bush’s attempt to control our borders was feeble at best and really did very little.  Even programs such as the physical and virtual fences systems were virtually ineffective because of the politics involved and the excruciatingly slow pace at which these systems were being implemented.  Then, along comes Obama and all of it comes to a screeching halt while he and his pathetic excuse for an administration examines they’re options.

Come on Washington!  Illegal immigrants are costing the nation billions of dollars each and every year and the tab is increasing annually.  You must allow our current laws to be enforced and supply the funding for the personnel to do the job.  Lock down our borders and stop the flood of illegal immigrants.  Crack down on employers who continue to employ illegals and take advantage of their status as illegals to manipulate them into a slavery type situation.  This action is more inhumane than enforcing our immigration laws.

If individuals wish to migrate to this great nation, get in line and do it legally.  Many before you have and now reap the rewards that our great freedoms and liberty affords us.  Yes, I know it’s not always easy and there are limits, but why should the citizen of another country have more rights than we as American citizens to our own country?  And, why should the citizen of another country who enters the US illegally share in any of the rights of the US?  This is not a human rights issue, this is an individual rights issue, because here in the United States we focus on individual rights.

This however, is much more than just an attack on Christianity; it is an attack on our freedoms and liberties. Yes, the same freedoms and liberties guaranteed us by The Declaration of Independence.

As we are only about six weeks away from celebrating one of the holiest days of the Christian faith,we are again subject to non-Christians diligently working to remove Christmas from society. I for one, am very tolerant of the beliefs of others (so long as it doesn’t involve the destruction of others who don’t believe as they do). We are all entitled to our opinions, beliefs, traditions and customs, that’s what makes this a great nation, or should I say, did make?

Tolerance, as defined by Dictionary.com Unabridged, Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009

Even the White House wants us all to practice tolerance, however, the White House itself will not. Obama’s Christmas Tree will be a “Holiday” tree. Now, I believe in the separation of church and state but, let’s call a spade a spade. A Christmas Tree is just that, a Christmas Tree! And by any other name is STILL a Christmas Tree! Hey Obama, if you’re going to put up a tree for Christmas, it’s a Christmas Tree. If you can’t call it a Christmas Tree, DON”T PUT ONE UP!

Our nation is a melting pot of many origins, but the Christian population still makes up the majority of the citizenry of the United States. It is said that in the origins of the Christmas Tree, its triangular shape represents the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost; the lighting of the tree, stars in the night’s sky; the other decorations symbolizing gifts to the Christ child upon his birth.

Liberalism, secularism and political correctness are destroying this nation. We were intended to be a free nation with the freedoms and liberties to practice our religions and traditions. Our nation is falling prey to a few, a few who do not practice what the preach, tolerance.

I close this post with a quote from Thomas Jefferson, 1781

“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever.”

With the political machine in Raleigh running our great state into the ground, just as Washington is doing with the nation, it takes the citizens to effect the change needed to bring us back to a healthy state. Educate yourselves and become informed.

I hope that you will bare with me and continue to check back as your valuable time permits.

Thom Goolsby, a Wilmington, North Carolina attorney, has thrown his hat into the political ring by announcing his bid for the 9^th District senate seat in the North Carolina General Assembly. Shortly after Mr. Goolsby’s announcement, I contacted him through his web site, http://thomgoolsby.com, and asked to do an email interview with him. Mr. Goolsby graciously accepted my offer. The results, however, have been disappointing, to say the least.

My initial emailed questions seemed a little too general, so I sent a second with more specific questions. The following are the second list of questions I sent:

Q:  Who is Thom Goolsby?

Q:  Who is/was your mentor, hero, inspiration?

Q:  What motivates you?

Q:  How would you describe your personal ideology?

Q:  Why have you thrown your hat into the political ring?

Q:  In your opinion, what are the three most pressing issues facing the residents of the North Carolina’s 9^th Senate District? And, what will you do to face them?

Q:  In your opinion, what are the three most pressing issues facing the residents of North Carolina? And, what will you do to face them?

Q:  It seems as though the government and the justice system are “Bending” the Constitution, in its interpretations, to benefit select groups of individuals instead of all citizens as a whole. As an attorney, do you agree or disagree that this is happening? Do you agree or disagree with this action?

Q:  The issue of Term Limits in Congress has been raised a great deal lately because citizens are tired of “Career Politicians”. Would you support Term Limits at the state level?

Exactly one week later, with thanks for my patience, I received the following response:

I believe that we are all tired of modern-day politics in America, in general, and North Carolina, in particular.  For a state and country founded on individual liberty and self-determination, we have become babies of a Nanny State and she’s not a good surrogate mommy!  I want to help lead the charge to take back North Carolina from the brink of disaster.  The pro-BIG government, anti-personal responsibility, self-dealing cronies have hoodwinked the public for too many decades.  We are $5 billion in the red right now in North Carolina, our state debt has tripled in just the last few years (without voter approval) and we are facing billion dollar tax increases.  The fight won’t be easy, but as a former officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, I don’t require tasks to be “easy” in order to be accomplished.  I hold to the adage, “Fortune favors the brave!”

I find this response disappointing as well as far below my expectations. Mr. Goolsby’s biography, from his law firm’s web site http://goolsbylaw.com, states, “Thom Goolsby is a writer, professor of law and a trial attorney.” I would expect someone with Mr. Goolsby’s background, education and service to be much more articulate. I would also expect more from someone who is running for public office.

I had originally approached Mr. Goolsby in hopes of helping promote his bid for public office and give my readers some insight to the man. Many in the local and area community know Mr. Goolsby for his successful law practice and have listened to him during his regular weekly spot on Curtis Wright’s radio show The Morning Beat on The Big Talker FM 93.7 & 106.3 FM, Wednesdays at 7:30 AM. I have always appreciated Mr. Goolsby’s conservative views, his dissent for the mismanagement and corruption within the local and state governments and his pursuit of justice.

I had hoped to bring a solid and concise interview to these pages and I hope I still can.

Mr. Goolsby, I hope you have followed the link I have sent to you and that you reconsider providing direct answers to the questions I have submitted to you. There are many in the 9^th District who don’t know you and this is your opportunity to shine.

Hopefully, this interview will be continued …