This is a first draft to which I hope others in the community will contribute. I reserve the right to amend my beliefs as new ideas and new information are presented. I invite everyone to share what they “believe” regarding immigration, and /or, the rising tide of extremism.

* I believe in the words of John Locke:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights”.

* I believe, that immigration, has throughout our history, and will remain, a very contentious issue

* I believe, that we have a broken immigration system that needs modern reform

* I believe, our government has a responsibility to mandate that the people who live or work here, acquire proper legal status

* I believe, the solutions must stem from fiscal responsibility (not analysis based on fear but on solid objective sources), they must be humane, and they must be reasonably enforceable, and above all, they must exemplify the true meaning of a nation built upon immigrants

* I believe, that how we frame the debate, with the words we choose, is as important as the solutions themselves

* I believe, that we are experiencing, as a nation, a time when division has once again reared its ugly head

* I believe, that certain localities, more than others in this nation, are struggling under a rapid changing demographic and that the local, state, and federal government could do more to address the concerns of those citizens

* I believe, that I do not know all the answers to immigration, but I do know, that framing the debate with fear and hate, will bring us no productive solutions

122 Thoughts to ““What I Believe””

  1. SecondAlamo

    DG,

    You may be right that there are a few organizations where you have to be a hyphenated American to join, but it just seems that the two largest groups of minorities, the black and Hispanics focus on race in pretty much everything they organize. They would have you believe it is for black or Hispanic only. Remember what occurred when a white congressman tried to join the National Black Caucus.

  2. SecondAlamo

    Elena,

    If I irritate you, then I must be doing something right ; )

  3. Slowpoke Rodriguez

    Diversity Gal,

    Sorry, it was hallucinations.

  4. Censored bybvbl

    SA, my husband and I are white but we don’t seem to think about that fact very often. I’m aware that it’s given us advantages in the past – and may still, but I don’t feel threatened by the US looking less white. Why should I? If the feds had given visas to all the people about whom you’re concerned, where would that leave you? With a population that was legal and had darker complexions. So…

    The people that seem the most concerned appear to be white males who, for some reason, fail to recognize that many of them are where they are simply because of their gender and race. Hmmm. Maybe they’re afraid that they’ll actually have to compete, that being white and male isn’t enough anymore. (Although if you look at elected government at all levels, they’re pretty entrenched.)

  5. “If only our Supervisors had the luxury of speaking this way to their constituents, but they always have to walk the fine line unfortuantely. ”

    BS, Shelly (no offense). They have every luxury, more than we do.

  6. “And the rich get richer, and the poor in America increasingly lose what small leverage they had and what dignity in labor previous generations fought for.”

    YES, Rick. But too many of those poor are minorities! They have no voices. This is a contradiction to your own argument. Everyone deserves a voice.

  7. “Is anyone aware of the federal agency Greg Letieq is about to obtain a political appointment to in their Office of Outreach and Diversity? I heard a rumor that he and some others of his Republican ilk are getting these appointments through the White House effort to “burrow” people before the end of the Bush regime?”

    Gloria, tell me you are joking.

    Don’t worry. It won’t happen. Greg’s reputation and records precede him. Give him and Duecaster a thorough background check and we won’t be seeing this much longer.

    In fact, check their military records. I bet you’ll find something unpalatable there, especially given Duecaster’s “trash” comments are his fellow vets.

  8. “What is it with people selling used tires? That’s something I’ve never seen until the Southern visitors arrived.”

    Apparently, SA, you’ve never lived in a city where used tires are the norm for “the rest of us” who can’t afford Merchant Tire and Auto. See, some of us have to fix our own cars and buy used tires. It’s not only better for the environment, it’s cost efficient. And it’s a legitimate business.

    I’ve purchased used tires and they are a good deal if you know what you are looking at. Then again, my vehicles probably were never as good or new as yours.

    Sorry, but you sound like one of the “haves” and not one of the “have nots.” Correct me if I am wrong.

  9. “I think you guys should get one of the BOCS sympathetic to your cause to appoint Rod to the human services committee.”

    Good idea Mando. He has more common sense than Duecaster, and I bet his record is a lot cleaner.

  10. “I believe that one day Marty, Mike and Wally will finally decide they would rather choose being a decent human being over being a “good” Republican.”

    Hope so. I will work on Wally and tell him to buck up–stop worrying about getting re-elected and tell the haters off! That includes his BOCS members. Come on Wally. Get some balls, man 🙂

  11. I think I will join the NAACP if I can afford it.

  12. “We DO have a federal solution….what we do NOT have is adequate enforcement.”

    What we have is a bunch of crap. Enforcement only ain’t going to work. We’ve seen the results in this county. Doing it on a national level will bankrupt us and throw us into national and international race riots (read “war”).

  13. Sorry for all my postings, but I just now had time to read the rancor! 😉

  14. Marie

    SA,
    In case you did not know Rod’s Used Tires (American owned company) is a chain that can be found in many states. It is not anything new. My husband purchased used tires from them when our children were young and financially we were struggling. That was 25 years ago right here in good ole PW Co.

  15. KathyZ

    That’s a rhetorical questino that Letiecq asked? “How Stupid do they think I am?” or do you think he’s waiting for an answer?

  16. Kathy, GL isn’t that stupid. He’s just insane.

  17. Marie

    Quote from Greg L on BVBL: How Stupid Do they Think I Am?
    “I’ve been getting these invitations to a “study circle” being set up by George Mason University and Unity In The Community, and heavily promoted by our local self-described illegal alien apologists, and I can’t imagine how they could ever believe I would participate. Oh, the explanation of this is just chock-full of glittering generalities about bringing people together, healing the community and such, but you’d think that if these folks had any interest in that sort of thing, they wouldn’t be tearing around trashing those that don’t share their unique worldview.”

    I find his statement interesting “if these folks had any interest in that sort of thing, they wouldn’t be tearing around trashing those that don’t share their unique worldview.” Talk about the pot calling the kettle black…. What a flippin hypocrit!

  18. Pax

    Maybe we do need another Mex-Am war; take over that country; use the cheap labor on our oil rigs in the Gulf…hmmm…

  19. Wow. So much for reaching out.

    I wonder if he attended if possibly he wouldn’t feel so “trashed.” He doesn’t even know half the people HE “trashes.” He doesn’t want to take that step. He’s so scared, and not of being killed or hurt, or (physically) threatened either. That comes through loud and clear in the passage, Marie.

    Doesn’t he understand the groups he runs and belongs to make HIM look bad? Or does he not believe this? He makes no sense. All he knows how to do is intimidate. That’s really sad IMHO. It’s the mark of a very insecure person.

  20. ” local self-described illegal alien apologists,”

    HUH? Who has “self described” themselves like this? Clearly the man is delusional.

  21. Incidentally, I don’t believe anyone’s “world view” is unique. We share the same planet as human beings.

    Once again, he has NO idea who we are. He just assumes.

  22. Censored bybvbl

    It’s a control/ego issue for GL. He’s still miffed that he wasn’t a part of a GMU discussion. (He doesn’t care that the average resident of PWC was cut out of the immigration discussion – which impacted our tax dollars – in favor of FAIR’s email blast. Oh, no, that doesn’t bother him.) He easily could have been part of the audience at GMU, but because he couldn’t dictate the direction of the discussion, he’s been ticked off at GMU since.

    His new target du jour is management in PWC government. He and cohorts can FOAI ’til the cows come home – and receive special treatment by being given info (emails) not quickly available to others, but let someone else appear (and I stress “appear”) to get info as easily, and he becomes livid. I think he was afraid of what cameras in the parking lot might have revealed.

    On topic, I believe in the end – even if it comes as a result of a tight budget and not humanitarian reasons – the Immigration Resolution will go away and the Letiecqs of the county will be seen for what they are.

  23. Control freaks are essentially scared people who easily hate because they are scared, but I know what you are saying, Censored. Control freaks need to feel like they can keep everything within their scope of power because deep down, they can’t stand the fluidity of life, other people’s opinions and lifestyles, etc. Some of them will try to get their way no matter how they have to do it. Unfortunately, these can be very dangerous and sick people. I’d say Duecaster and GL are two of those people.

  24. Moon-howler

    Too bad GL assumes his thumb is on the pulse of PWC. It isn’t. Why does he assume the study circles have anything to do with anti? They do not nor have they been promoted by the admin here. Why does he think MWB is linked to anti? It isn’t. GL needs better spies.

    The person I think deserves kudos is Chris. She felt strongly that HSM people needed to be at least represented at the study circles. She wanted them to have the information. And for her efforts she got you know what slung in her face not only by a couple of dumb asses but also the head cheese, GL. It is far easier to sit back and THINK you know it all that to actually be informed.

  25. Dime

    “A study circle”, “lets do more research”

    I get it lets keep wasting time. Have you little pity party study circle. Hope you all have fun. If we keep taking, maybe no action will be taken. Typical.

    PWC’s illegal problem needed action. The voters of PWC asked for it and the BOC listened. Thank god !!!!!

    Justin T,

    Do you need a crowd of your buddies to meet? Can you not stand or speak for yourself?

    Lets meet at my house. You can help me pick up trash, bottles of beer, run off Hispanics pissing in the backyard, call the police to pick up a passed out Hispanic in the back yard, and all the other BS I had to put up with. How do I know its Hispanics? I watched, called police and phyically protected myself on two occasions on my property. Guess what, they were all Hispanic.

    And another thing, since the wonderful Resolution was passed. My grass has grown back from the path Hispanics had worn in my yard. I have only called the police a few times this spring and summer. The trash in my yard has been reduce greatly.

    I support the Resolution and I vote !!!

    Dime

  26. Censored bybvbl

    I get it lets keep wasting time. Have you little pity party study circle. Hope you all have fun. If we keep taking, maybe no action will be taken. Typical.

    How is getting more people and opinions involved wasting time? Afraid of different opinions?

    Actually the rest of your post sounds like a whine to me. Your group of GL and supporters whined your way right into my pocketbook thanks to the BOCS not doing its homework ahead of time – cost/benefit analysis. I wish you had whined to Neighborhood Services instead of whining for a resolution that doesn’t solve the problems – but does cost a lot of money.

  27. Loudoun

    I believe in the resolution and the rule of law. I believe in the positive change on my street since the resolution (three less illegal alien boarding houses). I believe in Chairman Stewart and Vice Chairman Stirrup.

    I most emphatically believe that the majority of posters on this site need a check up from the neck up.

  28. Rick Bentley

    “call the police to pick up a passed out Hispanic in the back yard”

    Some here really do not understand how disturbing this is. Personally I have a fence on my back yard, but I did find during the peak of illegality in my neighborhood that someone opened the door and nosed around my back yard at night for things to steal. At about that time, after the house next door foreclosed there was a squatter. I saw him run out the back and a real estate agent run scared out the front when she came by to look at the house one day.

  29. Dime

    Censored,

    Not afraid of different opinions. Just don’t agree with yours. Please stop whinning about your pocket book, its my pocket book too, its the pocket book of the majority of PWC’s population.

    I do not know Greg L.

    Not a whine, just the truth. I am not sorry that you can not deal with the truth. The resolution greatly helped with my problem. I have yet to have a pity party study circle solve anything. Lets have a meeting to set up another meeting. Waste of time.

    Dime
    I Vote !!!!

  30. JustinT

    Dime,
    Where do you live?

  31. AnonForNow

    Loudoun, SecondAlamo, and Dime,
    Do you agree with Robert Duecaster’s views as expressed during Citizens’ Time and/or as expressed on bvbl as “advocator”?

  32. Dime

    Justin T,

    Give me your address and I will pick you up.

    Dime

  33. JustinT

    Pax,
    Do you think that Mexico is our enemy? If so, why?

    Is it about them being Mexican or undocumented? Doocaster thinks that it’s not about immigration but a “foreign invasion.” Presumably Mexico.

  34. Mando

    “Personally I have a fence on my back yard, but I did find during the peak of illegality in my neighborhood that someone opened the door and nosed around my back yard at night for things to steal.”

    Had that happen to me too. Guess the perp didn’t take the time to read (or couldn’t) the big “BEWARE OF DOG” sign on the gate. My dog is very fast for his size. Between the click of the gate and maybe 50 yards of distance between the doghouse and the gate the perp got about 6 inches.

  35. Censored bybvbl

    Loudoun, so now that you’ve been very vocal about all the problems in your neighborhood, how do you like what has happened to the property values there? They seem to have taken a much more precipitous plunge than other properties in the county. Do you think that the people who have 2006 prices on their “for sale” houses stand a snowball’s chance of getting even half that value? Have the houses that sold been sold to investors (and renters) or to families? Do you wish you and your neighbors had gone en masse and more frequently to Citizens Time and asked Neighborhood Services or the police to step in instead of concentrating on immigration status? Large tract housing is more affected by what may seem a crash in prices. My neighborhood has trashy houses too but we’re not cookie cutter so you can’t say “but the model down the street sold for $200,000 less…” I’ve tracked what’s happening in your neighborhood on realtordotcom and it’s not pretty.

    Same question for Mando or Rick.

    I’ve had my dog run off an intruder in the past, but the intruder was a white PWC native. So tell me how the resolution would have helped me.

  36. Loudoun

    Censored – how do you know the neighborhood in which I live? Do I know you?

    In answering your questions, two of the foreclosed homes have been sold to legal immigrants/naturalized citizens from Pakistan and South Korea. They have been welcomed with open arms. The other two were so trashed by the former occupants (boarding houses) that no one wants to buy those homes.

    The crash in the home values is just a fact of life. The prices were over-inflated to begin with. Then you have the glut of foreclosures from persons who should NEVER have been able to get a loan to begin with (no document loans, interest only loans) combined with greedy bankers and greedy realtors. Lay the blame on the drop in housing prices on those three groups of individuals.

    I communicate very frequently with Neighborhood Services about the problems in my neighborhood. However, with overcrowding, all the occupants have to say is that they are all related and nothing happens. You can’t win with overcrowding complaints.

    Take a drive down Lomond Drive and see the condition of those homes (many are overcrowded). No one wants to buy in a neighborhood where there are overcrowded homes and the associated problems with overcrowded homes, i.e., parking on the grass, paving front and back yards, overflowing bags of trash and trash heaps, couches in front yards, etc…

    At least my girls no longer have to be sexually harassed by the illegal aliens that used to live next door. They can now go outside without fear (one of the many ways the resolution has helped my family).

  37. Woody

    Dime — guess you don’t yet understand that the study circle initiative is not a part of anti blog. Tell me again why you aren’t whining really and also, while you are at it, tell me what part of the resolution really helped you?

  38. Mando

    @ Censored

    “how do you like what has happened to the property values there?”

    I didn’t buy during the bubble. I still have a good amount of equity in my home.

    You’re blind if you think a home’s value that goes up 2 or 3 HUNDRED percent in 2 or 3 years isn’t going to go back down with a bang. Why muddy the housing bubble with illegal immigration??

    I’m seeing new residents fill the vacant houses in my neighborhood probably on the order of 1 every week or so. Many of the vacant houses have been repaired and are looking nice.

    I’m picking up less and less trash in my yard when I cut the grass.

    I’m feeling less and less pressure to get the hell out of dodge.

    Things are looking up in my neighborhood. Some of the flop-houses still remain, but those were generally the quite ones. A notorious one is still in operation, but I haven’t noticed the same notorious culprits learing at the school students walking to the bus stops. I’m thinking they migrated to more welcoming locales (MD/Ffx/Loudon).

    Things are looking up and I know many in my neighborhood have breathed a sigh of relief.

    I do know that if you anti’s muck around and somehow reverse what progress my neighborhood (and others) have experienced there’s going to be a coup on a level the BOCS has never experienced.

    Once you experience the hell, then the relief you never want to go back to the hell.

  39. Censored bybvbl

    Mando and Loudoun, how did the resolution make the difference and not the predictable bubble burst? I’ve seen property values fall quite a bit county wide but it appears that half of Westgate is on the market right now and at prices that are far less than a few years ago. I’ve seen a few beer-guzzling white folks sitting on their front porches in the middle of the afternoon when I’ve ridden through there. Do you object to them as much as you did your Hispanic neighbors? Isn’t NS and zoning the solution to “parking on the grass, paving front and back yards, overflowing bags of trash and trash heaps, couches in front yards, etc…” rather than the resolution? I’ll admit that overcrowding is probably the hardest issue to solve because of the fine line jurisdictions have to walk legally.

    Loudoun, it’s not hard to figure out which subdivision in which you reside since several of you took your BVBL names from your streets.

    Despite Greg’s spin job, foreclosures are outpacing sales. From the MJM:

    Given a Wednesday presentation to supervisors on the housing market, future budget cuts seem likely.

    Two years ago, the county recorded 249 foreclosures, said Chris Martino, finance director. In 2007, that figure rose to 2,800, and in the half-year of 2008 alone, foreclosures have hit 3,600.

    “So at this pace, we’re probably looking at a couple of thousand more before year’s end,” Martino said.

    In terms of the real estate tax revenues, the county is on a path to take a substantial hit, even with the prior budget plans that factored in a 20 percent drop in reassessments. In the current market, for example, foreclosures are outpacing sales—by 771 to 487 units in July alone—and determining the values of homes come reassessment time is going to have to take that reality into consideration, Martino said.

    “This is the most challenging market we’ve ever seen,” he said.

  40. Jedi Master Yoda

    No one wants to buy along Lomond Drive. They didn’t 10, 15 years ago either.

    No house along the Lomond corridor went up 200% in 2-3 years without major structural changes. Not in that neighborhood. No house along there went from a $200,000 price tag to a $600,000 price tag.

    Loudoun, I sure hope you called the police every time your children were sexually harrassed. The people doing that should be in jail.

  41. Mando

    “Despite Greg’s spin job, foreclosures are outpacing sales. From the MJM:”

    No spin job necessary. I’m seeing it with my own two eyes.

    “Mando and Loudoun, how did the resolution make the difference and not the predictable bubble burst?”

    Perception. That’s all it takes. Perception that the red carpet has been rolled up with nary a finger lifted or wallet opened. Now that’s smart politicing.

    “No house along the Lomond corridor went up 200% in 2-3 years without major structural changes. Not in that neighborhood. No house along there went from a $200,000 price tag to a $600,000 price tag.”

    Sure as hell did where I live. My neighbor is living proof. Sold his 3 bedroom/1 bathroom single level for $390,000. 3 years prior, he would’ve been lucky to get $100k.

  42. Jedi Master Yoda

    This country is sitting on the brink of financial disaster. 2 days this week the dow was down at or close to 500 points. Oil, housing crisis, crooks. Loss of confidence.

    Some of you all are looking at symptoms and thinking you have cured something. What is that about chickens coming home to roost? There is a huge price tag attacked to all of this. I hope your children and grandchildren are ready to foot the bill. Ethnocentrism at its finest.

    Mando, do you live on the Lomond corridor?

  43. Mando

    “This country is sitting on the brink of financial disaster.”

    Run before a chunk of sky hits you on the head.

    “Mando, do you live on the Lomond corridor?”

    No. Near.

  44. Mando didn’t listen to Fimian last night, obvioulsy.

  45. I see the anger-mongers are here full blast today. Tell me…doesn’t it take a LOT of energy to hate Hispanics so much? Can’t you find something better to do with your energy? Really, if I were THAT pissed off about my neighborhood, I’d leave for sure. If you are that unhappy here, you can do two things:

    1. Do something contructive to help make a change (anger and hate aren’t constructive).

    2. Move.

    You have choices. No one is forcing you to stay here.

  46. anonymous

    Mando,

    Do you deny that this country is in serious financial trouble?
    Do you own a tv or a 401k? Financially scary times.

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