Illegals should say ‘thank you’ to Americans
To the editor:
At immigration rallies on Tuesday, illegal immigrants wanted to know why they weren't being given credit for working hard and paying taxes.
Meanwhile, the United States is criticized by just about everyone -- from convicted felons here illegally, to the Mexican president, to the pope -- for not being fair to undocumented people, and for trying to stop them sneaking across the border.
Just once, wouldn't it be nice if some of these people would say "thank you" to Americans for allowing people to stay here illegally and get free medical care, free education for their kids, free welfare benefits and the opportunity to make money and send it back to their families?
Wouldn't it be nice if they would thank us and add; "We especially appreciate this because you're giving all these benefits to us even though you can't afford to do it. Even though America is trillions of dollars in debt, and you can't afford to take care of your own people, you still go even further in debt to help us. And considering how truly harsh the Mexican government is to illegal immigrants, and considering how bad things were there for us, we can't thank you enough for your kindness."
No matter how much it costs us, or what kind of benefits we give to illegal immigrants, it's never enough. It doesn't matter what we do, we'll get criticized because we didn't do more.
Steve Brown
LAS VEGAS
Family way
To the editor:
I want to comment on the illegal immigrants crying about keeping their families together if they get deported (Review-Journal, Wednesday).
Are they kidding? Isn't this the same as advocating the release of all convicts so they can be with their families?
I have a solution for those being deported: Take your family with you. Problem solved.
DOT JONES
LAS VEGAS
Smoking law
To the editor:
Why can't the Southern Nevada Health District revoke the food-serving permits of establishments that don't comply with the Clean Indoor Air Act?
I'm sure if a tavern that served food had cockroaches running about (and the owners chose to ignore them) the Health District would take action. Well, secondhand smoke is just as gross as a cockroach, so why don't they take some action from a cleanliness standpoint?
JIM ODEM
LAS VEGAS
Crime solving
To the editor:
At approximately 11 p.m. Saturday, Senior Airman R'Chardrick Markray was gunned down by unknown assailants outside a baby shower in the 6400 block of Starling Mesa Street, near Losee Road and Centennial Parkway (Review-Journal, Tuesday).
That night, America lost a motivated, aspiring airman. A mother lost her son, a unit lost a friend and comrade and a daughter lost her father.
Senior Airman Markray bravely served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was a vital member of our combat rescue team, which lives the motto, "These things we do that others may live." R'Chardrick was willing to put himself into harm's way in order to save lives.
Tragically, someone senselessly ended his on the streets of North Las Vegas. As of today, the police have few leads. Certainly there is someone out there who knows something that will help solve this case.
R'Chardrick put his life on the line for his country. It would be a shame if there are citizens in our community who could help police apprehend the killers, but refuse to come forward. God help us all if this is the case. I guarantee you that R'Chardrick would have not hesitated to help anyone.
Rick Ragaller
NORTH LAS VEGAS
THE WRITER, A U.S. AIR FORCE COLONEL, IS STATIONED AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE.
Vacation plans
To the editor:
As is so typical by those on the left, Andrew Semprazik, in his Tuesday letter, attempts to spin the story in order to excuse the despicable comment from Nevada Sen. Harry Reid.
Mr. Semprazik's letter criticized a previous letter from an Indiana resident who says he will not return to Nevada on vacation because of Sen. Reid's opposition to the war in Iraq. He then assumes that such a stance would limit the Indianian's choice of vacation spots because many senators on the left oppose the war.
While this is probably just an attempt at being cute, it's a complete and utter distortion.
The difference between opposing the war and declaring the war "lost" -- as Sen. Reid did -- is enormous. I happen to believe that outrageous comment rises to the level of giving comfort to the enemy and is grounds for removal from office, at the very least.
As a 28-year resident of Las Vegas and a Republican, I am truly embarrassed to admit I voted for Sen. Reid in the past election. I did so under the impression that he was a moderate and would help our state. Instead, he has made Nevada a laughingstock, and I will never ever make the mistake of voting for him again.
Art Chevalier
LAS VEGAS
