If It's Illogical It Must Be Politics

There's so much to write about and so little time but I've finally decided that the ongoing community college/illegal immigrants issue deserves some "blogattention" (new word created by www.orr2008.com). Paul O'Connor's column in the Winston-Salem Journal (eventually I'll figure out how to link to other sites) was classic Paul. Lot's of good observations, maybe a little off on some conclusions but solid substance to think about.

He's absolutely right about the political environment that surrounds the community college issue. Illegal immigration is "hot" and the public across the board is angry about it. It's not just a conservative position but one that crosses party and ideological lines. Get on the wrong side of the issue as a candidate and kiss your chances goodbye. Only lame ducks like the Guv and Martin Lancaster, editorial writers, insulated government officials (read Erskine Bowles)and the far left can safely take the position that illegal immigrants should be admitted to our community colleges and universities.

All that being said I've tried to complain and shout about the failure of the Congress to address the status of the very young people this issue is all about (See my press release at our website). If only our elected leaders in Washington would decide whether young people brought to the US illegally and who attend our public schools, graduate, have no criminal record and want to move forward with their education should be given a chance at citizenship. At least we could perhaps deal with this issue in a rational way.

Now for the illogical aspect of all of this. The good and the bad of having been a judge for 18 years is that I expect the law to operate in a logical fashion. Thus if our federal government deems recent graduate X as illegal and subject to arrest and deportation, how can our state government conveniently overlook that status and say, "Well, it's just not fair and the feds aren't really enforcing the law so we'll ignore it." Can you imagine what would happen if I'm the governor and the General Assembly passes an incentive act and I decide that it isn't fair, so I'm going to ignore it?" Can you spell "i-m-p-e-a-c-h-m-e-n-t?" We just can't operate like that. And do we tell student X that he can't have a drivers license because of his illegal status, but please enjoy the CAT line on your way to class at the community college. To quote a line that at least O'Connor will get, "Say it ain't so Joe."

And finally, Paul's right I won't demagogue the issue or any other. However, I don't think that it in anyway is fatal to my campaign. As long as I try to adddress the issues in a logical manner and can adequately explain my position, I'm confident the voting public will accept that, even if they don't agree. I just need the press to cover my complete position and not just the "down and dirty" quick answer.