On immigration, the MSNBC-free Comcast service, police activity and lack of diversity

Immigration is not a civil rights issue

It’s amazing that the Gazette-Times would publish an “As I See It” column in from someone who doesn’t believe the United States Congress has the right to make laws.

I’m referring to Paul deLespinasse’s “Immigration is new front in quest for civil rights,” which appeared on Jan. 23.

Immigration, illegal or otherwise, has nothing to do with race and cannot be compared to a states’ illegal law on where a U.S. citizen had to sit on a bus.

People sneaking into another country, taking citizens’ jobs, utilizing health care without paying, refusing health testing and proper applications to be in, and working in a foreign country — has nothing to do with civil rights.

It has to do with theft, trespass and criminality.

I don’t get to sneak into Canada or Mexico and work without a permit and neither do you.

The law says you can come in if you provide proper information, health certificates, no criminal record, etc., but doesn’t say you have to be a certain race.

I don’t know what kind of “political science”” deLespinasse taught, but I hope the classes were small and the students sleepy.

In the future he talks about, folks will still require people to “apply” to enter and work in a country where they don’t have citizenship.

Interesting he admits that no world court would agree with him. It was the only correct statement in his whole theory.

Marilyn Maurais

Corvallis

Illegal immigrants breaking the law

Paul F. deLespinasse appears to be another individual who cannot comprehend the difference between “legal” and “illegal.” His op-ed piece (“Immigration is new front in quest for civil rights,” Jan. 24) takes to task anyone who complains concerning the illegals in the U.S.

It seems to me his thesis may be if you do not agree with a law, disregard it.

There seems to be a lot of that going around today.

J.H.Coffin

Corvallis

Op-ed column didn’t debunk any myths

The opinion column by Andres Oppenheimer (“Five myths in anti-immigration talk,” Jan. 17) really piqued my interest. I was hoping to get some factual information about this increasingly important national issue. However, I was wrong.

Instead, the author seemed to go on a rant against those supporting rigorous border security and law enforcement and supporting those favoring an essentially open border, lax law enforcement and some form of amnesty for those illegals in the country now. He provided very little factual data or references to support his assertions.

In addition, he resorted to the classic technique of attacking critics of his positions by calling them names like “anti-Hispanic” and “anti-legal immigration.” This is the approach used by those who cannot win an argument on merit.

Mr. Oppenheimer’s effort, as he put it, “to debunk the biggest myths of the anti-immigration movement” was a big flop. One could easily debunk his debunking attempt with another bunch of unsubstantiated assertions. But where would that get us? Nowhere.

Chuck Lane

Blodgett

No excuse for not airing debates

As I sat watching a recent Republican debate on msnbc.com — that is to say on my computer — I find that I am again outraged at Comcast’s removal of MSNBC-TV from Corvallis’ cable lineup.

Whatever excuse Comcast gave, it is insufficient. This is a presidential election year, and MSNBC broadcasts Democratic and Republican candidate debates.

I know there are many people in this viewing area who desire to be educated voters, who prefer to hear the candidates’ words and make their own decisions about them, rather than be told by pundits through their biases what candidates said.

Many more people have cable television than have computers with high-speed internet connections.

Comcast removed the Oxygen channel at the same time this area lost MSNBC-TV and still broadcasts nothing in its place on Channel 68.

I demand that Comcast return MSNBC to our lineup.

Jean Berlowitz

Corvallis

Are police blitzing streets of Corvallis?

On my way home from dinner one recent Wednesday evening, I was forced to the left side of a parked police car on one of the smallest streets downtown.

This “soldier” was in his black car with the lights off and the engine running looking for his next victim.

I should point out here that I have never received a ticket from the Corvallis Police, but have been harassed never the less.

I thought twice about continuing to the restaraunt when all day long I had passed traffic stops in which the police where clearly on a blitz campaign.

It’s a Wednesday near the end of the month. Not exactly New Year’s Eve, but the city must be trying to make the books balance for January now that Officer Cox is no longer on the job.

In any case it would have been very easy for someone to turn from Fourth Street at the corner where I was and hit me head on as the officer motioned me to go around him.

Fortunately, I have been a renter here for many years and not necessarily tied to this town, and although I am looking for a house to buy, it won’t be in Corvallis.

If I were to buy here, who would protect my home from burglary? The police? Only if I move my house to the middle of the pavement on Fourth.

Randy Wisnia

Corvallis

Little diversity at Celebrate Corvallis

I attended Celebrate Corvallis on Jan. 23 and was exhilarated at the level of community involvement among those honored at this annual event.

The spirit of volunteerism is extraordinary here, and it contributes toward making Corvallis a wonderful community in which to live.

However, I was disappointed, here in the city that honors diversity, to see practically nothing but white faces among the nominees, presenters, and awardees.

Christopher K. Mathews

Corvallis

G-T should encourage kids to wear helmets

As a former newspaper carrier myself, I congratulate Shannon King on being named January carrier of the month.

However, the accompanying picture (not the one of Ms. King) shows poor judgement on the part of the Gazette-Times.

If you’re going to show an image encouraging young people to deliver newspapers by bicycle, at least show someone doing so safely and legally — with a helmet.

Eddie Frothingham

Corvallis