Previous Anti-Illegal Activist Joins the Conversation
From One Man’s Journey from “Rule of Law” to Golden Rule, it appears as if
Robb Pearson himself has joined our conversation. Welcome Robb.
He writes, in part the following:
Greetings to everyone.
It was a colleague who informed me about this article, so I took a visit, read a number of the comments, and decided to offer my own.
The author of this article made mention that “what was clear to me, was that Robb Pearson expressed the feeling that he wasn’t even sure how he had been caught up in this anti immigrant frenzy initially.”
In many ways that’s quite true. At certain moments in our lives I think we all get caught up in something (sometimes benign, sometimes not) without realizing how we got there in the first place. But in retrospect, I can identify two factors which seminally contributed to the “seduction” which had captured me: (1) my own decision back in early 2005 to examine, experience, and participate in “politics” and (2) my close association with certain people whom I’d encountered as a result of my entry into “politics”.
I’m going to have to go to work early tomorrow and will probably not be able to touch a computer until late. G-D knows how the haters will try and hijack this new post to try denounce Robb, G-D knows the monsters revealed their true murderous thoughts on the last post. I had been feeling numb all day, but Robb, if you are reading this, I wanted you to know that upon reading your story, I was re-affirmed that indeed the light shineth in darkness, yet the darkness can comprehend it not.
Undoubtedly you have felt it by now, but you were given a great gift, a way to escape from the self destructive path of ignorance and greed.
I just wanted to say welcome back, welcome home. There is a big struggle set before us, but one by one the people are beginning to see and the Advocates of evil are becoming more desperate. Smugly they chastise us and shrug off our cause, but it is but petty self gratification, for the cultural Re-evolution will grind all opposing force into dust and salvage only that which is useful.
As Pete Seeger’s Banjo states
“This machine will surround hate and force it to surrender”
We Shall OVERCOME!!!
Indeed, we will, Rod. And the borders will be tightly secured, and only those willing to respect our laws and contribute to our great nation will be welcomed with open arms. The rest will be deported.
I actually hope that Robb doesn’t see some of the responses to his very thoughtful and illuminating post. If he does venture back, I hope he sees that many of us appreciate his bravery and I wish him well on this new journey.
Thank you Robb
Robb, I want to thank you and commend you for your courage. I see your emergence as a significant turning point. You have a valuable perspective which I thank you for sharing. As we continue a national debate on this issue, I feel that your words and your leadership can bridge the divide that has made it so difficult for fellow Americans to talk to one anther about our future. I see in your voice a great opportunity for us all.
Many of the voices on this blog have opposed the Immigration Resolution from the start, while others (including myself) were neutral in 2007, then in 2008 came to realize the law’s destructive impact on our economy, our public safety, our reputation, and our social climate. The combination of these two forces helped us to reverse the tragic course set out a year ago in a frenzy of hysteria and hate, and today we have returned to a policy that is both just and legally defensible. But the lessons we have learned have come at considerable costs … many of these costs can be measured in dollars and cents, but many beyond measure because they have struck us on a human level. The negative impact of this Resolution and the fight that accompanied it will be affecting this county for decades. The people of Prince William County would like to see other communities learn from our mistakes. We would like to see other communities avoid the prices we’ve been made to pay. We would like to help America heal.
With the courage and support citizens like you, I believe we can do just that. Thank you Robb Pearson for being a builder of the bridge our country needs to heal. And thank you Alanna and Elena for finding him!
‘wasn’t even sure how he had been caught up in this anti immigrant frenzy initially’
perhaps it was similar for German’s in the 1930’s.
RP and every other person who remembers humanity is cause for celebration.
I can respect that he had a change of heart and all that. That is certainly his right in a free society. But what I find outrageous is that Robb (or his poser here) would compare his anti-illegal-immigration work with the previously murderous Saul and Saul’s ultimate redemption as “Paul”. Was “Robb” out crucifying Illegal immigrants or throwing them into an arena for entertainment and execution? Hardly. And then to elevate himself to some kind of almost Christlike saintliness now is some of the most outrageous hyperbole that I have ever read on these pages. To imply that he left behind “politics” as something sinful and dirty, and he has risen above all that and left his colleagues who want to protect our borders and stem the tide of illegal activity back in the mud? I hardly would find that typical of St. Paul or whoever he is deciding he is now “One” with. Even Paul wouldn’t have dared to be so full of pride.
What a complete charlatan. And how predictable that the red carpet is now rolled out for him. Any false prophet willl do.
I hereby dub him “Gospel Robb.”
Feel better now, Emma? Have you ever heard the old adage about if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all? There are many other threads you could have posted on but instead, you chose this one, apparently just to get in Robb Pearson’s face.
I have a great plan there, Miss Emma…go start working on the deportation process. By the time you get all 20 million illegal immigrants deported, you will be too tired and too old to run your yap. In the immortal words of the 4 Seasons, Silence is Golden.
Watch the spinning record as you listen to the words very very carefully.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NlNXd1XYhMI
Emma,
I see you’re hitting the wine bottle early this morning Emma. Dubbing this and dubbing that.
If you were secure in yourself, you wouldn’t be worried about Robb. Why are you so threatened by the fact that Robb changed his mind?
And while you’re contemplating the answer, have another glass on me!
Robb, thank you! Your story certainly helps to humanize both sides of the argument. I would like to hear your analysis of our local ring-leader, best captured in this video which he not only authorized but celebrated on his blog as an accurate depiction of his views:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAWEMOgAJw
(By the way, has anyone noticed that Emma never manages to come up with an actual argument to contend with the content of someone’s argument. Her only defense is to attack the messenger with some insignificant and hyper judgmental accusation about word choice, typos, spelling errors, metaphors.)
I suppose YouTube links make up for your lack of content, NGL. Let someone else think for you.
[...] Previous Anti-Illegal Activist Joins the Conversation at Anti-BVBL.Jason Riley, African-American Conservative Writes Pro-Immigrant Book at Eristic Ragemail. [...]
NGL,
Did you see the thread where Emma accuses someone else of ALWAYS having to have had the last word? Pot, meet Kettle!
Kettle, meet Pot. You always make it more fun here, Twinad.
Emma, you attack everyone here but the malcontents. You came on this blog guns ablazing, got put in time out, got a little more pleasant, and now have schizo’ed back into just being as ass every time you write something. Enough of the ad hominem attacks. Attack the ideas not the person. The hissing and snarling and spitting is just tiresome.
I was out of town yesterday, so I just now see that Robb has joined our conversation. Thank you, and welcome!
I read some of the comments in response and all I will add is that I’m sure it’s nothing Robb hasn’t heard or seen before. I can assure you that politics in NJ makes what happens here in Manassas and PWC look like the minor leagues.
I did note the typical GOP tactic, though, of isolating a single thought that, when taken out of context, can be made into something controversial. That is the “talking point” the GOP will respond to and begin to hype. This, of course, means that they never have to respond to the substance of the writer’s position. Thus, we have the suggestion that the writer is comparing himself to St. Paul and, oh the blasphemy, Jesus Christ. Note that nowhere in this inflammatory rhetoric does the individual address Robb’s larger discussion point.
I think more of this are aware of this tactic, which will only make it less effective.
Robb, it is an honor to have someone here who has the strength and dignity to discuss real change and transformation. How you came to be involved in the anti-immigration movement is important. But what is even more important, I believe, is your journey to different thinking. The more information you provide, the more courage we might all have to be forthcoming about beliefs and process and how to better serve our communities. Bravo!
“The combination of these two forces helped us to reverse the tragic course set out a year ago in a frenzy of hysteria and hate, and today we have returned to a policy that is both just and legally defensible.”
However, the remaining, service-related segments of the resolution are mean-spirited and fruitless. How many times can people say, “No one has really been affected by the loss of services” meaning we aren’t footing the bill for “illegals” in the area the resolution targets? These manadates should be stricken from the books for practical, humanitarian, and perception reasons.
As long as everyone is waiting for the second coming of Gospel Robb, let me expand upon my “story” that Cat Scratch has touched on.
You are right that I came on “guns ablazing.” I did have some preconceived ideas about what this blog would be about, and I was ready to challenge many of the viewpoints I saw here. But, believe it or not, I did actually start seeing “the human side” of the issues, thanks to some thoughtful, intelligent people who were willing to acknowledge what I was saying and offer some convincing insights. Moon-howler and Juturna come to mind, among just a couple of others.
But it is quite clear that anyone who is not in complete lockstep, anyone who might agree with some of what HSM has to say, anyone who values law wants to see this country advance economically while protecting its borders and limiting immigration in the fairest way possible is ridiculed and branded with some of the vilest names by people who profess to be loving and accepting of people who differ from them. Never in any of my postings did I call anyone an “ass” or any other foul name, for that matter. What I said to Twinad early on pales in comparison to the personal attacks leveled against me right now, but you will never see any of those attackers put in moderation, will you?
But I’m not all bent out of shape about that, I’m not insulted by basically anonymous people posting on a blog. It all just clarifies for me that what many of you hate so much about Greg, Corey, et al is present in your own hearts in spades. Some of you are as full of hatred and hostility as you profess “the others” to be, and you have found a perfect target in me.
And I have not simply posted a bunch of grammar corrections, etc., as suggested above. Many of my posts were thoughtful, some funny, some very much in agreement with you. I know you won’t bother to look back to verify that, but no matter. I have stated very clearly where I stand on the illegal immigration issue a number of times, but you will latch on to your “sound bites” and never let go.
I have posted some disagreements over on the “other side” on occasion, but gotten nowhere near the level of hatred here, despite what some of you claim to have experienced. I meant the Hispanic comment exactly as I explained. You can choose not to accept that explanation, because to do so would diminish your reason for hating me so much, and if you don’t have that hatred to hold onto, then I guess there isn’t much left for you to do with your day, is there?
Anyway, congratulations for doing to me what you did to Elvis, Laurie M. and some others who tried to connect with you reasonably. Robb Pearson may have been won over, but at least three people have been lost to your cause, because we have seen you for the revenge-ridden, hateful people that you really are, bitching about how stupid laws are, how corrupt elected officials are, how voters were just duped and cowed into voting for them, how horribly racist and backward your country/county/city is, all while enjoying the comforts of your middle-class life.
You’ve done a fine job of alienating me, and others, and I guess you are to be congratulated for your success. Keep up the good work.
Emma,
Why do you find even my name painful?
Emma, I posted this comment on the previous Pearson thread prior to discovering your latest post on this thread. Everything below still applies except for the mild praise I gave you for comparative brevity:
WhyHereWhyNow said:
Emma, I’ll be honest with you. None of us know you as a person. None of us really love you, or hate you for that matter, as a person. If you were a real person to us, we would not mock you so mercilessly, please know that. You may sound like Gospel Greg, but you have not done the damage that he has done to our community, not nearly.
But because you are anonymous, and you are, well, “Emma” you are very useful to us. For this, we love/hate … not really you … but the character you’ve created. After all, who knows if the outrageous things you type here are really your beliefs, or someone else’s regurgitated here just to test them out and see how you (the real person) like the response you get. I doubt very seriously that you would say most of these things in real life without at least testing them in a virtual public square. For you I imagine this is a form of intellectual experimentation, much they way teenagers experiment with social identities. In this endeavor, we are happy to oblige you.
In addition, for my purposes, and I imagine the purposes of many who contribute to this blog, you are the most useful emblem of the Anti-Immigrant Lobby imaginable. Of our resident trolls, you are by far the easiest to debunk. We don’t have to waste any time scrolling through eighty paragraphs hoping to find a point, we don’t have to contend with any amount of expertise or research, let alone wit. “Emma” is pure adolescent angst mixed with prejudice and partisan fervor. To have “Emma” be the loudest representative of the Anti-Immigrant Lobby on this blog is the gift that keeps on giving.
Of course there are more sophisticated arguments to be made on behalf of the Anti-Immigrant Lobby, but you conveniently convey none of them. This is why we love “Emma” the character. As for the person behind the keyboard, we are indifferent until we have some way to truly know you.
Emma,
OK OK…so no answer for now. Just let me say that I have tried to be reasonable and not hateful. I enjoy talking about the issues with people on all sides.
Maybe I’m wrong, but wasn’t one of those names who tried to reasonably connect with us calling people names like “stupid” and “fat broads” in their posts?
In any case…gotta go. Will be back later tonight…
Emma, I have a real problem with some of the misinformation being put out by various elected officials and hsm. I have a real problem with someone attacking our chief of police, putting their own spin on his efforts, and I have problems with bloggers calling our LEOs names.
I have very mixed feelings about illegal immigration. I am middle class, I live in what once was a middle class neighborhood (I still consider it middle class), so I am not far removed. I have worked closely with immigrants, both legal and illegal.
What drove me to the position I take was the hatefulness and lies that were put in place to achieve a political end. Those lies push, and continue to push me to the anti blog, where many people might be more liberal than I am, but they have better manners and are more truthful than the rank and file on the dark screen blog.
None of us have to live in squallor to be able to have an opinion. Those living in Haymarket have just as valid of an opinion as someone living in Irongate if they back up what they are saying with facts.
Emma, one more thing…let me provide an example of what I am talking about. Diversity Girl attempted, very politely I might add, to contribute to the discussion on the dark screen blog. She was ridiculed and personally attacked by the grand dragon man himself. You can still see it.
If she had been rude to him or others there, perhaps I would understand the nastiness. She wasn’t. Therefore, I just see the behavior as rude and low class. I can’t understand why you want to lump yourself in with those folks. We can all agree or disagree without sorting to that kind of behavior. I know it can happen. You and I have done it and so have you and Juturna. Probably others. I am sure you could converse with Diversity Girl. She is never rude to anyone. I bet she would even let you call her DG if her name bothers you that much.
As I have said several times, most of us are on the same page regarding illegal immigration. Taking Greg out of the picture (his influence and positions are almost comical at this point) we still have angry people. We need to manage the anger that is preventing action. I think it’s fear of that anger that prevents our BOCS from speaking up. I think it’s anger that makes people think handcuffing an illegal woman during delivery. Thanks to talk radio, we are an angry nation.
It’s not getting us anywhere.
Hello everyone.
For starters, I left a comment in the other thread stating that yes, indeed, I am the real Robb Pearson. Short of giving out my email address, feel free to contact me through my blogpage at the DailyRecord.com website:
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=pluckpersona&U=6238168de8384150af0d3e52ebe0c865
Secondly, thank you to whomever heads this website for dedicating a post re: my comments. It was quite unexpected, though in whatever way I may participate here I hope it will add something to the conversation.
I’ve quickly scanned most of the comments on the other thread and the comments here as well. There’s much to digest, and later this evening I will devote some more time to reading in greater detail, and in offering some more relevant remarks.
In the mean time, I thank all of you for the warm welcome.
Until later,
Be well.
ROBB PEARSON
Robb,
We certainly welcome more of your thoughts and experiences!
Emma,
I have friends and family who do not necessarily see eye to eye with my belief that those that are here, undocumented, having met a specific criteria, should be required to earn legal residency. But it is your tone and your inability to give value to our concerns. Your arguments are often not even relevant to the topic and often have personal attacks associated with them. I do not deny that we can all fall into that trap, but to give “elvis”, as an example, of some innocent who was “run off” this blog, is just simply disengenous. Elvis tried to connect, very briefly, and then something snapped in him, and he became a vicious attack dog. The comments he has made to me, most people would have reacted with the same virulent hate back, I chose not to. I might add, that you also made some very cruel and insensitive remarks to TWINAD, and yet, she NEVER responded in like. You can twist this to your world view, I imagine you resolve most conflict this way, but that is your problem, not ours.
Emma, if you don’t mind, I would like to tell you how I view your online persona (because that’s really what it is…..we do not know “Emma” per se).
I see myself in you because some days, you are right on with commentary and logical discussion adding much to the debate including your perpective. And like me, you have days when you are irritible and pissed off. People here get to you and you lash out.
“Emma” does not act like “Elvis” whose sole purpose some days seems to be to irritate, inflame, and troll. I can’t comment on Laurie because she doesn’t post that much. I have heard her get “pissy” though. We all do to some extent.
WHWN points out something very important, something I’ve discussed on my blog: http://luxuriouschoices.blogspot.com/2008/07/blogging-while-bothered.html Blog entries and comments capture one particular mood or thought in a vaccuum (like a photo). They don’t represent the full person. There is a difference between how people present themselves here and how they do in real life. Most of us have problems with Greg and many from HSM because there ARE no differences. They really are as mean in real life as they are on their blogs.
That’s the whole thing. How much of what you present here is really YOU? Only you know that. We might guess or lash out or whatever, but again, how much of what you reveal is YOU? You don’t need to answer that question. It’s just a thought.
Elena,
After Emma made her gleeful post about how “it was only a matter of time until my husband would get a traffic ticket and be deported” (this was right after the implementation of the Rule of Law went into effect), thus destroying our family, there was an outpouring from people believing she should be banned or not be banned. I fell into the camp that she should not be banned and I certainly did not expect her to go into a “time out”! I have subsequently ignored her until the the post she made the other night, which just completely bowled me over. I actually went on to the next few posts, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what it was that she had actually said! I really just couldn’t believe it, that in this day an age, someone has that world view. So I went back and looked at it again and that comment is actually worse than her hope that my family would one day be destroyed due to the rule of law. So I decided to post my thoughts on her comment, which several other people also weighed in on. She has steadfastly maintained that the only reason she posted it was in response to the gay conversations earlier in the day. She absolutely does not acknowledge that her post was offensive in any way, so I just take it that she is a shrew through and through. After her “banning” ended, she never deemed it necessary to say that what she said about my husband was unnecessary and in fact, quite nasty. In fact, she thinks what some people have said to her over the last few days are worse than her hope and wish that a family would be torn apart. I simply will no longer engage her no matter how ignorant her post is. I’ll just let her posts speak for themselves.
And with that…I’m going on vacation! Have a great week everybody! Even Emma!
We need to control the anger. It is coming from personal experience and it is coming from the top of our nation all the way down the “chain”. We have so many groups feeling disenfranchised and angry and seeking reparations or just wanting to ‘get even’.
I can’t stand it anymore. Everyone needs to take themselves less seriously.
KG - I agree with you absolutely. They are simply cruel people and as you say it is not limited to blogging. As we all pretty much agreed, the situation in Nashville was less than professional. Some of the HSM/BVBL displays at McCoart have been horrible. The dog food thread, Taco Go Home, calling children cockroachs…. that’s a long way from calling people Nazi’s which has simply become a “derogatory term for a person who is fanatically dedicated to, or seeks to control, some activity, practice, etc.” Today I see that someone is now saying that Africans are predisposed to AIDS and we should limit immigration. As someone said to me, what’s next, deportation of Africans?
Good manners, good consistant ethics and love thy neighbor goes a long way toward reducing the anger. No one said you have to be a martyr to love your neighbor. Good manner and good ethics aren’t qualifiers for martyrdom either. Have some dignity even in the face of disaster. It will get you farther…
“So I went back and looked at it again and that comment is actually worse than her hope that my family would one day be destroyed due to the rule of law.”
Twinad, that is unacceptable. I missed that comment, obvioulsy.
Emma, you have the opportunity to clarify or apologize. Do you really wish that kind of evil on someone’s family? If so, WHY? Do you think creating more hurt will fix whatever hurt/fear/whatever you have? It WON’T!
Juturna, you are right. It’s about anger and where it is coming from. It’s so destructive.
“Today I see that someone is now saying that Africans are predisposed to AIDS and we should limit immigration. As someone said to me, what’s next, deportation of Africans?”
Good Lord. Predisposed?
The next great conspiracy…… and folks were mocking that poem about when they came for me there was no one left…. Even I thought that was a bit extreme - at the time.
“and folks were mocking that poem about when they came for me there was no one left”
I’ve never mocked it but that doesn’t make things like lynch mobs any easier to understand or stop.
Welcome Robb Pearson. We are glad you found us. I keep thinking our community is unique, but I fear it is not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8zWb0-pCbQ
Is it me, or does that guy singing kind of look like Corey Stewart???
On 18 July 2008, 22:55, rod2155 stated:
Those whose words, witness, and action oppose mass self-interest and advocate Oneness, compassion, mercy, and our common humanity, will always be ridiculed.
As to “cultural Re-evolution” . . . I am more disposed to refer to it as “transformation”. But no matter what you choose to call it, it can never occur unless we each individually choose to transform inwardly and recognize our common humanity.
I’ve stated the following on a number of occasions: “We need to pursue the great challenge of allowing ourselves to be transformed so that we can genuinely and authentically move forward together, especially when we are at the greatest odds with those whom we might consider our enemies. It starts with humility, then walks the path of human honesty, and finally ends up with unity and Oneness. It’s not hard to do. We just need to be committed to taking that most challenging first step.”
On 18 July 2008, 23:54, Elena stated:
You’re very welcome Elena, and thank you as well. And I’m not concerned about some of the contrary reactions to my sentiments. At the end of the day we need merely shake the dust from our feet and continue moving forward, and in doing so remembering a wonderful maxim: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine.”
Some are not interested in dialogue but only in contrariness and conflict. Such is their prerogative. But attempting to offer them reason and vision (i.e., “pearls”) under such conditions is a waste of precious time and distracts from the objective of reaching those who actually are disposed to listening and learning.
My head is spinning….. earlier a friend sent me a post from THE ASYLUM - no longer THE OTHER, no longer THE DARK SIDE, they have evolved finally to THE ASYLUM -
anyway, now Africans are predisposed to AIDS and we should limit immigration accordingly, now I have been told by a second friend that a post states [all] illegals are Catholic. Should I worry? Should I skip the 8:00 tomorrow??!!! Will we be rounded up before or after Mass?? Someone please call Charlie Dean for me tomorrow if I don’t post by noon……..you have my email address.
In the future, THE OTHER will hereby be referred to as THE ASYLUM…….
On 19 July 2008, 3:4, WhyHereWhyNow stated:
WhyHereWhyNow, I can certainly identify with learning certain lessons at incredible costs.
Your mention of certain costs having “struck us on a human level” is a powerful point that each of us must be ever mindful of. The human factor, moreso than political or national factors, is paramount above all. Solutions to any human crisis — be it the “immigration issue”, child abuse, hunger, poverty, crime, etc. — can only be achieved from the foundation of our common humanity.
I mention the term “common humanity” with great frequency because it is a core principle that is at the heart of where all solutions to human crises lay, and is also the first principle always rejected by the spectre of mass self-interest. Common humanity rejects division, rejects barriers to Oneness, rejects walls to unity, and particularly rejects all those mechanisms and systems (political, cultural, social, etc.) which exist to perpetuate division, barriers, and disunity.
Recognizing our common humanity, and then moving forward in accordance with it, requires a radical transformation, a radically new and revolutionary way of seeing not only the world, but our neighbors within it. And as to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”, the answer is: everyone. Especially the one whom we might be inclined to despise.
The notion of “common humanity” ultimately isn’t a religious one. It’s simply a human one.
A lot of people in Prince William County have sure cast their pearls before swine.
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Kgotthardt, groan. yes. And I hope you know that you have forever ruined Rascal Flatts for me. Heretofore, they were one of my favorites.
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I have been thinking about how many people on this blog have been slammed and denigrated for having an opinion AND living in HAYMARKET. Actually all of us have been accused of wearing the scarlet H at one time or another. The dark screen blog continually takes cheap shots at those of us wearing the scarlet H.
No more apologies for not living in ‘lesser neighborhood.’ I am just going to accept that it must be a class thing and move on. I didn’t bring it on. Before tonight, I would have probably never said such a thing. I have just heard it once too often today. After all, perception is reality. I might as well be hung as a wolf and proudly wear the Scarlet H.
“And I hope you know that you have forever ruined Rascal Flatts for me”
Heee heee heee. Sorry. But I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw the resemblance.
I like that:
The notion of “common humanity” ultimately isn’t a religious one. It’s simply a human one.
It’s all about doing right NOT about being right.
Juturna, I will report you missing if I do not see you around. I wonder if wives of ex-catholics are going to be part of the round up? How about off-spring of ex-catholics?
Be careful out there, girl-friend. I’ll be here keeping the home fires burning, stitching the Scarlett H on my T shirt just in case I see any folks from the THE ASYLUM roaming about these parts.
Shouldn’t that be a polo or is it a twinset?
Robb Pearson, I agree with you that most of those who reject the pearls are never going to accept them. But we know that their numbers are few. And, their numbers are dwindling, no matter how much noise they make, electronically or otherwise. (In Prince William County, our local officials were intimidated by a deluge of emails and faxes orchestrated by a national org. called NumbersUSA, mistakingly believing the thousands of emails they received were from their constituents and justifying their infamous votes accordingly).
But with a little bit of courage and leadership, the silent majority can be inspired to participate in the democratic process, and demonstrate to elected officials that the Anti-Immigrant Lobby is not the only voice in our democracy; it is one of many.
That, in a nutshell, is what happened in Prince William County during the past year. On April 29th, 2008, our community came together with our public officials and brought local policy much closer to your ideal of “common humanity,” and back within the framework of our Constitution. (KGotthardt, I hear you that there are some disgraceful, if mostly harmless, measures remaining on the books).
The tragedy that unfolded here should never be repeated … not on a local level and certainly not on a national level. Thanks to the victory of John McCain in the GOP primary, we now know that such a tragedy is impossible on a national level, or nearly so. I wonder if McCain’s victory was a factor in your change of heart. In any case, with or without a Presidential candidate, the Anti-Immigrant Lobby is bent on spreading the disease to as many localities as possible. This, sadly, is now the primary mission of our County Chairman Corey Stewart, who has abdicated all interest and responsibility in leading this county out of the mess he has created for us, and devoted himself to shamelessly lying about his “victory” in Prince William and the lack of “brown faces” at our schools and bogus crime statistics that defame the Hispanic community.
… more later…
We also have bogus real estate statistics being spun also, WHWN. Our area is one of the hardest hit areas in the United States. Yet it is being spun as the land of milk and honey and a good place to pick up a good deal.
One reason we have been hit especially hard is because of the military and government people who have had upside loans. No one seems to want to mention these.
Robb,
I wrote a letter to the editor, several months ago, and my message was “do unto they neighbor what you would have done unto yourself”, that the golden rule is the first and most important rule that we all must abide by. I recalled the times, throughout man’s history, that humankind has perpetrated heinous acts upon one another. I likened this time, this struggle with illegal immigration, to one of those times. Throughout my life, I have wondered, what would I have done had I been born in another era, where the persecution of my fellow man was blatent, what would I do? Would I remain silent or would I stand up and make my voice heard.
This is one of those times, and your decision to stand up and share your story has truly been amazing. I don’t know what the solutions are to immigration, but I do know that scapegoating all of our ills as a nation and promoting hate, are not the answers.
Did F.A.I.R ever reach out to you Robb?
Elena asked:
I’m wondering about that as well.
Moon-howler,
Your post earlier today was very sweet; you are too cool!
I do take a look at the other blog and post comments on it quite often. When I read statements in which people stereotype, jump to conclusions, etc., I try to engage them in conversations about it.
Most of the posters who respond disagree with me, of course, and some are not very nice about it. I’ve been called annoying, a liberal (ooo, a dirty word, huh?), a caricature, a clueless lefty…the list goes on. I’ve also been told by Emma that my handle evokes pain. A couple of people are even trying to figure out who I am, and have accused me of being other people on the Anti-BVBL site. I can’t for the life of me figure out why they would even care who I am in the real world.
Some posters on that site, however, do try to stick to their arguments, which I appreciate. It’s interesting to read what they have to say, at the very least. Once in awhile, I’ll find another like-minded person on that site who backs me up, or makes similar challenges. In any case, I must admit that THIS is the place that I truly feel at home:) (Y’all are awesome!)
More for Robb Pearson:
I’m appealing to you because I hope there was something you could say to reach Chairman Stewart. Those of us who knew him before the Anti-Immigrant Lobby got to him continuously marvel at his complete transformation. When he first ran for Chair in a special election in 2006, he did so as an environmentalist claiming he would put a stop to the over-development that was eating up our parks and open space while clogging up our freeways. But starting in June of 2007, he was seduced by both the national and the local networks of the Anti-Immigrant Lobby, often appearing on cable news programs while jamming through the infamous Immigration Resolution that tore this county apart.
Knowing him personally, I cannot for the life of me figure out what he thought F.A.I.R., Help Save Manassas, and NumbersUSA had to offer him back in 2007. He had little to fear of losing his Chairmanship in a decidedly Republican county with a politically inexperienced challenger that November. But now that the Anti-Immigrant Lobby has its hooks firmly embedded in his hide, I can see why he feels he needs them.
1) He has alienated just about every other constituency group in this county and in this state, leaving him with a coalition of the intolerant, the apathetic, the strictly partisan, and the ill-informed. With the Obama wave building, all four of those constituency groups are shrinking, and Stewart feels he cannot reach higher office in Virginia without the loyalty of the one constituency group he has been loyal to.
2) The extremist wing of the Virginia Republican party has anointed Corey Stewart as their heir apparent, a “future leader of the Commonwealth” while forcing our moderate elder statesmen into retirement. With all the media, lobbyist, and partisan attention Chairman Stewart has received, he feels he cannot change course on his Anti-immigrant branding (even though his fellow Board members changed course on his Anti-immigrant policy this past April). So, without the legislation to tout, he continues his media tour armed with rhetoric only, basing the “success” of Prince William County’s Immigration Resolution on bogus, in fact diametrically false, crime statistics and the offensive “victory” of having less Hispanic American children in our schools.
Our community cannot heal, and we cannot rehabilitate our currently disgraceful reputation, until we have a leader who represents, not only our common humanity, but also our common goals as a community: top notch schools, public safety, improved transportation, a growing economy etc. All of these things have been seriously damaged by this year of rudderless government caused a Chairman who is somehow more invested in the fate of a D.C. lobbying firm’s national agenda than in the future of this community.
So my question to you is: what sort of approach should we take to reach Corey Stewart? You may know better than we, because you have returned from a journey perhaps similar to the one on which he is currently lost.
Moon Howler,
I wasn’t going to bring this up but I had a long conversation today with a constitutional lawyer who has presented cases before the Supreme Court. He told me that in his opinion, police officers perjure themselves 90% of the time on the witness stand. He told me this without my even asking him to give an opinion on the police.
Perjury is also known as lying, and when done on the witness stand it is criminal. When it is done in the name of the law, it is more appropriately called Tyranny, and raises righteous concern about the continuing legitimacy of our justice system.
He also left me with a bit of wisdom that I thought was interesting. He said that the only difference between a judge and a prosecutor, is where they are physically situated in the courtroom. Quite a damning statement, but undoubtedly true most of the time.
It’s a shell game. You only think it’s fair.
On 19 July 2008, 10:03, NotGregLetiecq stated:
You’re welcome. And I took a look at the video of Greg Letiecq’s little sermonette.
The ultimate revelation of the type of corrosive thinking and heartset he employs is when he said the following: “These human beings are sufering terribly. And not only do we want to send them back, but we want to send them back with love.”
I was utterly disgusted at that statement. Any individual who genuinely understood Jesus and how he engaged others would realize that when it came to people who were “suffering terribly”, Jesus never pushed them away “with love”. He embraced them. Wholly and completely.
Indulge me as I do some deeper excavating of Letiecq’s statements, albeit it’s the kind of wearisome exercise I ordinarily wouldn’t care to engage in. But considering Letiecq’s obvious abuse of Scripture (which I take seriously, though not literally) to attempt supporting his own nationalist agenda, such an excavation seems apropos. And I apologize in advance for this post’s lengthiness.
Toward the beginning of the video Greg Letiecq quotes a passage from a Bible book known as “Letter to the Romans”, believed to have been written by the apostle Paul. Specifically he quoted from Romans 13:1-2, New International Reader’s Version, which reads:
Basically Letiecq is of the belief that the US government is instituted by “God”, and that to oppose any of the US government’s policies is to oppose “God”. Unfortunately his theory doesn’t hold up to even the most basic scrutiny. (And in deconstructing his theory, I’m going to utilize Letiecq’s very own tool and method: the Bible, and a technique known as “text proofing”).
The first thing I found interesting, if not ironic, was when Letiecq said the following:
In speaking of the “law”, particularly as he relates it to the “gospel” and the “sacrifice” of Jesus, Letiecq cannot possibly be referring to American law since American law is based on civil particulars, not theocratic (or theological) ones. No, Letiecq can only be referring to the Mosaic Law (i.e., the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), especially considering its Bible-based relevance to the Gospel. In fact, Letiecq was likely referring directly to what the apostle Paul stated at Romans 3:19-20, as follows:
Paul, in this portion of the letter he wrote to a Christian congregation in Rome at the time, was not at all concerned with secular law, especially when considering the whole context of the entirety of Romans chapter 3, which was all about the Hebrew law (or the “very words of God” given to the Jews; see 3:2). No, he was concerned with religious law, specifically the Hebrew, or Mosaic Law.
Anyway, since Letiecq has what at first glance appears to be a keen understanding of the Mosaic Law (which, in the end, he doesn’t), perhaps he should be reminded of the following requirement within the Mosaic Law found at Leviticus 19:33-34 (and using what is evidently Letiecq’s preferred Bible version, the NIRV):
Here’s more from Numbers 15:14-16 (this time using the NIV version, in order to emphasize the use of the word ‘alien’):
Now, let’s tie things together here. Letiecq seems to believe that the Mosaic Law has paramount relevance to the Gospel. The apostle Paul would agree, as we’ve already established. But Jesus himself would agree as well. See what Jesus himself said at Matthew 5:17-19):
Seems pretty clear to me. Hey, not even Letiecq can deny that Jesus said himself that the Mosaic Law is of paramount relevance to the gospel above any man-made law (by virtue of the fact that the Mosaic Law was directly imparted by God). Jesus said that not one part of the law should be broken. Which means Letiecq cannot deny that he is obligated to treat “outsiders” and “aliens” as if they were his own people (i.e., Americans). And mind you, neither the Mosaic Law nor Jesus makes a distinction between a “legal” alien or an “illegal” one. Therefore Letiecq, according to his “God’s law” theory, has no basis for making that distinction either.
His own “law” argument implodes and turns right back on him.
As to Letiecq’s quoting of Paul’s words about “those who rule over you” and how the “authorities” are instituted by God, I can confidently chalk it up to this simple statement: that was merely Paul’s opinion, and has absolutely no authoritative bearing on anyone whatsoever. Many people do not realize that Paul on two occasions confessed that certain things he taught were just his own personal opinion, such as at 1 Corinthians 7:25 and 7:39-40. With this in mind it is reasonable to conclude that all of Paul’s words are potentially, if not likely, nothing more than his unauthoritative opinion. There is in fact nothing which compels us to believe otherwise (unless you’ve bought into the silly notion that the Bible is authoritative because the Bible says so.)
And that makes Letiecq’s interpretations nothing more than empty rhetoric borne of what is clearly nothing more than motivated self-interest.
To Elena and WhyHereWhyNow . . .
I just spent a small eternity writing a really long post about Greg Letiecq’s video. I promise, though, that I will respond to your most recent posts and questions as soon as I can. I have a rather busy day tomorrow (Sunday), so it probably won’t be until later in the evening, if not Monday morning. For now though, time for me to go to bed.
Until later,
Be well.
Mackie,
I honestly think that is another topic for another time. Right now I think it is important to support our PWCPD. Would you have some lying blow-hard tear them apart? I don’t think so.
Would you have Chief Deane accused of cavorting with the Mexican government? Those types of accusations impugn every officer on the force and simply have no business in the discussion. What prompted my comments was reading someone on THE ASYLUM calling the PWCPD ‘turds’ because it was assumed they hadn’t called in gang graffiti.
I am not ready to go over to the dark side. Disparaging remarks about local law enforcement are written there all the time. It is important to me that people on this blog that I consider friends and allies show unity towards our LEOs. For conservatives who shriek and scream about the Rule of Law all the time, Many certainly show no respect for those who enforce the law.
There will always be bad apples in every profession. Cops, priests, mechanics, shrinks, teachers. We have to sort those out and not broad brush an entire profession based on a few. As for your lawyer buddy, the operative word there is opinion.
What would you have as an alternative to the police?
KG, I did openly apologize to Twinad on another thread, but while Elena and Twinad are busily falling all over each other to worship and sacrifice at the altar of Gospel Robb, they conveniently omitted that detail. How utterly unlike Saint Paul, but whatever. It’s quite revealing, really. But I do think you, KG for your initially kind words.
Robb, “pearls before swine”? Your arrogance is staggering. But don’t worry, your sheep will follow. Mackie is quite typical of the anarchic, trash-law-enforcement-because-all-laws-are-stupid brigade here, and I can tell you that reasonable people who read that nonsense will have none of the lies and the outright vendetta that this blog was meant to be. But you don’t care about citizens who have to live with some of the fallout of illegal immigration, do you, Robb? Those are your “swine,” aren’t they?
Emma,
You came on to this blog with guns blaring that caused your temporary “time out” period, so any attempts to portray yourself as a centrist that has somehow been alienated is pure fiction.
Bring it On, why don’t you explain your “centrist” views to Gospel Robb on this:
Surely you didn’t mean to slam an entire population there, now, did you?
Or you were just showing your elitist colors…
Emma,
But clearly your apology was not sincere, so why should I mention it.
“KG, I did openly apologize to Twinad on another thread, but while Elena and Twinad are busily falling all over each other to worship and sacrifice at the altar of Gospel Robb, they conveniently omitted that detail. How utterly unlike Saint Paul, but whatever. It’s quite revealing, really. But I do think you, KG for your initially kind words.”
See, there was not pingback (or whatever that is) to show the conversation, so I’m getting it again for the first time. I might have commented on the original but I don’t recall it specifically.
You know, as I told someone the other day, I have this “thing” about unity and reconciliation. It bugs me when we can’t all pull together and make things work. We end up blaming and finger pointing and name calling (all of us at one point or another and often for rational reasons) but it is fruitless and frustrating. And it’s hurtful. If there is one thing I would wish for on this planet it is a “hurt reduction act.” Let’s plan on reducing hurt by at least 10% in the upcoming months. What do you think? Shall we pass it?
Robb,
Thank you for that very indepth analysis of Greg’s diatribe. I have always found it interesting how people can misuse the bible to propogate hate against his fellow man. Nothing new, unfortunately.
Moon-howler,
I thought I was a free man, but I’m just an ant. But thank God, I know I am an ant.
Know thyself.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5232639329002339531&q=FIAT
Robb, thanks for your explication of GL’s holy message. Whenever I hear those words come out of his mouth I can’t help but think, “He is obviously insane” in the same sense of those who perpetuate “holy wars.” There is no difference between his religious-based rhetoric and the hatred we hear from TRUE terrorists. Ironically, he cannot see that.
When we have basic philosophical chasms like this, the only thing we as citizens can do is turn to more objective sources of reconciliation: due process, the power of legislative branches to reform, and adherence to principles defending basic human rights. As citizens and human beings, in this county, we have been denied due process. This resolution and its effects have been inflicted on us, not elected by us.
When we have religious disagreements, we must think about what we have in common, and Robb, as you point out, that is unity. The majority can at least agree that “God” (whatever or whomever you believe that is) does not want us to destroy ourselves or each other. And right now, we are doing just that.
” thought I was a free man, but I’m just an ant. But thank God, I know I am an ant.”
Mackie, the difference between you and me is I believe I am an ant who can move a rubber-tree-plant.
We all will need help to do this, however. So everyone…….PULL!
Elena, I honestly don’t care if you believe it or not. Twinad was giving it as well as she was taking it. Look down at your shoes, you keep tripping over your own BS and still haven’t noticed.
Emma,
Again…this is the evidence of an attempted reasonable connection with people on this site?? Elvis spoke to Elena in the following way (on “The Flip Side of the Sign”) today:
“I’m seriously starting to doubt your intelligence level, I’m thinking it’s somewhere between a rock and a pile of dirt.”
Yikes!
You know, the pressure to be right is very destructive. We can never be right until we realize everyone is right. The truth is owned by none and shared by all. Whether you agree with this or not, “You are right.”
Juturna,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLnQku6sdVo
Chris, I know you like this one
Robb,
Will you come visit us in Prince William? You should come to one of the Save Prince William’s Economy parties organized by antibvbl and 9500liberty.
Alanna and Elena,
By the way, when is the next one?
Robb, thank you very much for your erudite, insightful, and even foot-noted deconstruction of Greg Letiecq’s gospel video.
For those who don’t know what we’re talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAWEMOgAJw
Back in the dark days when the GregNCorey Show (Greg Letiecq and Chairman Corey Stewart’s coordinated media/new media campaign) this video was the first clear sign that our county was being led astray by madmen. I am not a Bible expert, so I did not have the background necessary to refute what Greg says in that video, but I sensed what KGotthardt described … a disturbing parallel between Greg Letiecq and other madmen who have used religion to justify war on his fellow man. For those of us who are not very religious, this can be as frightening as it is offense for those who are.
Now that I’ve seen your essay in response to the video, I fully understand why religious people have told me how offended they were by this video. When Greg posted this on his blog, by the way, even his own followers couldn’t get behind this message. But it was campaign season, and they decided to look the other way until after the election. At that point, the members of his cult-like organization (Help Save Manassas) started to politely beg off of their duties. Some even asked to have their names removed from their website.
I wonder if the video had anything to do with it.
More later….
I do believe that humility is THE key to understanding and being able to accept the things you can and cannot change.
I think when things are done with the heart of humility it transforms passion to compassion.
My Wish for EVERYONE in this debate, is that while we run with passion ( our own individual convictions) we do it with compassion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_zi4OxJpY0
anonfornow,
It would be amazing to have Robb come visit us in Prince William. We don’t have another party scheduled right now, but there is a screening of the new 9500liberty video at Trinity Episcopal Church on Friday. I’ll post it as a thread soon. For now, here is the info.
When: Friday, July 25th at 7:30pm
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church
9325 West Street Manassas, VA 20110
Is this the same film as the one shown at Casa Blanca?
Maybe we could fix that no party situation.
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church
Cool. A fine venue for a coronation.
Your choice - Asylum or Church. Hmmmm…. which will es_la_lie pick?????
Anyone going Tuesday to the BOCS meeting?
I’m so upset that I can’t make the showing at Trinity; I’ll be on vacation. Are they showing any new footage?
I’m a little unclear how Gospel Robb’s discovery of his homosexuality (silentlambs.org/silentlambsrobpearson.htm) is related to an “epiphany” that 12-20 million illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty (let them stay!) and that our borders must be wide open in order to prove how loving and tolerant we are as a nation. Gospel Robb can broad-brush the issue as being about nothing more than racism and intolerance, or perhaps he himself could have a little tolerance for those who are looking at the broader issues of national security, economics, livable neighborhoods and fairness for ALL persons wishing to enter the U.S., not just Latinos. Or I guess he could call them all “swine” and compare his journey with that of a great saint.
Were you being blackmailed, Robb? Otherwise, how are the two issues related? Really, you have nothing to be ashamed of, and I know from a dear family member of mine what a struggle you might have endured in coming out. I’m just perplexed at where your sense of moral and spiritual superiority is coming from.
It’s kind of like what you said here, Robb:
Our cute but deceived and self-hypnotised li’l Emma has come up with an interesting attac on the man who had a change of heart. “Yeah but you used to use my talking points.”
Emma! think about it. One of the things that make Mr. Pearson so much more enlightened and more compelling than you is the fact that he no longer decieved, no longer self-hypnotized, and he no longer uses your talking points.
He now sees that he was putting his considerable talents to use for a lost and immoral cause. Now he has mended his ways and is trying to bridge gaps and find common ground.
When will you make ammends li’l Emma?
The ugliness with which you attack messengers only nmakes us less convinced that you are able to grasp, let alone respond to a meaningful message.
Ugly? How? I thought Robb’s comments about Americans were quite eloquent but, unlike you, I won’t be deceived into idol worship.
Of course you would think it is “immoral” to control immigration to some degree and to protect U.S. borders, since you seem to think that the U.S. has an unlimited supply of cash to support the tide of the world’s poor. Your Disneyland world view is as cute as your name, NotGreg.
“l’il”–true. “Cute”–true. Make amends–for what?
I guess you are all puffed up over ‘outing’ Robb aren’t you there, Evangelical Emma. Your intent was was evil. No, you aren’t little and cute. Get over yourself. I actually doubt if you are female. How are things at work, by the way?
Robb, thanks for taking the time to suffer Greg Letiecq’s horrendously offensive misuse of the Bible, and then ripping his argument to shreds for all to see. Honestly, you far surpassed my expectations, sounding a good deal more like a Biblical scholar than someone who might well have encountered Greg Letiecq’s political masters in the Anti-Immigrant Lobby. Someone asked above and I am also quite curious how high up the food chain you got. Did you ever talk to Mike Hethmon or Dan Stein from FAIR? What about Rob Beck from NumbersUSA?
Back to Gospel Greg. I don’t think he actually believes most of the stuff he preaches, about not his bogus statistics, not hysterically alarmist fears of invasion, disease, higher taxes, etc., and certainly not his Gospel Greg routine. No, what I find most offensive about the man is he thinks so little of the average citizen that he expects us to believe the b.s. he feeds us.
I’m wondering, Robb, if you would have received Greg’s perversion of Holy Scripture any differently back in the dark days of 2007.
Oh for Pete’s sake, if I was starving and living in Mexico with my two kids and husband and my husband came to me and said “honey, I am going to sneak over the border and make some money to pay for food and for education for the kids”, I would say “how many sandwiches do you want me to make you”.
Should the criminal element be here - no
Should the freeloaders be here - no.
Now what don’t we agree about that it makes us all go nuts with Bibles, God, needing to be so GD right all the time. You are all making me sick with your rat-a-tat-tat and your pointing fingers and whining.
Go read a book -go thank God or the spirits that you were born here and not there.
If you are in need of self-esteem, try exercise and vitamins…..
Juturna, 20. July 2008, 17:18
Your choice - Asylum or Church. Hmmmm…. which will es_la_lie pick?????
Wow Switching to ad hominem mode so quickly! Guffaw!
I pick the asylum. There’s no pre-conceived dogma there.
Robb, this post is for you as well as all the regulars. I just have to complement the many contributors to this blog for creating a truly invaluable public services here. As I’ve said, even the hateful partisans like Emma contribute in no small way to progress. (Emma, FYI: hate is ugly, it just is.)
The exchanges on this blog DO reach people who are interested in dialog rather than conflict. There are hundreds of people in this county who read this blog but do not jump in to the debate. Members of our county government and Board of Supervisors read this blog and see it as a gauge of public opinion (and because it is uncensored, unlike the Asylum, it is an accurate gauge). Even though there are some who bury their heads in the sand (Emma, Elvis, etc.) and reject all pearls, by allowing to say their piece, we are helping to demonstrate to the public and to our elected officials the futility of their cultivated antipathy and sophomoric ideas about local and federal policy.
As I’ve said, the success of this blog is a big reason why the Board felt they had the “political cover,” and the political support, to do the right thing and abolish the immoral and unconstitutional police provision of the Immigration Resolution.
Although I don’t read every post, I’ve noticed that Moon-howler especially tries to understand where the Anti-Immigrant Lobby is coming from. Lately, she’s been frustrated, because she is finding is that “walls to unity” are the only trick in their repertoire. It has been clear from the start that their entire agenda is predicated on racial division and racial contest. Their own posts continue to demonstrate this to this day. When someone like Moon-howler or Elena dares to challenge their assumptions, they build up another wall, and another and another. This whole deal about who lives in nice neighborhoods is just another way to divide and label people, another directive to hate. This one is based on socio-economic division, but it is no different than rallying people on racial division.
Then, along comes Robb Pearson to challenge their assumptions from a perspective they have rarely confronted, so, they attack him for anything and everything they can come up with. That’s how threatened they are by a man who is brave enough to change his mind. He reminds them of their cowardice.
There is something quite instructive in Robb’s journey. He says he wanted to be more involved in our democracy and ended up being led astray by self-serving and hateful partisans. In today’s politics, of course, the walls are clearly delineated, and many are more devoted to the walls than they are to reaching the kind of collective solutions our government was designed toward. Among the many calamities of the Bush administration, their ruthless partisanship at the expense of our national interest and our national security has been perhaps their most damaging abuse of power. For a while, that’s how Republicans thought they were supposed to behave. Thankfully, that period is coming to a close.
But looking back, we can’t entirely blame those who have been seduced by the Anti-Immigrant Lobby. Our politicians, at the highest level have set the worst possible example in the past 8 years, and essentially set the table for the Anti-Immigrant Lobby to take root.
It is little wonder that Robb, who only began to show interest in politics in 2005 or so, was initially misled about what our democracy is actually about. There were a lot of Americans who lost sight of what democracy was supposed to be about between 2001 and 2005.
Good.