Jack’s Winning Words 8/20/13
“The early North American Indians made a great mistake by not having immigration laws.”  (Unknown)  The first U.S. immigration policy was adopted in 1790.  A 2-year residency was the only requirement.  Contract laborers were approved in 1864 and banned in 1885.  My grandparents immigrated when laws weren’t very restrictive, but things have changed.  Perhaps today’s quote has a place in the “i” debate.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  we are neither responsible for the actions of our ancestors nor do we need to feel guilt on their behalf. a majority of humanity has gotten screwed/screwed someone else at some time or another in history.  the impetus behind immigration reform on both sides is votes. if anyone thinks otherwise, they are deluded.  question: is amnesty just for mexicans or is it for arabs & all other nationalities, as well? i have not seen this addressed... will google.  personally, i am all about jobs. jobs build self-esteem. pity doesn't. where are the jobs? does anybody care?====JACK:  I wonder if some future generation will say, "We aren't responsible for our ancestors' decisions."?  I guess we play the hand we are dealt, without blaming the dealer, or the one who printed the cards.  We should try to do the best we can with what we have....and maybe improve a little along the way.====LIZ:  sounds like a plan!====JACK:  My step -father often used this statement:  "Forget about yesterday, plan a little bit for tomorrow, and live like hell today."

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  It wasn't possible for them...they had Limited Government.====JACK:  They may have been the first Libertartians.

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  Unfortunately, current policy seems to differ with the law. What we truly need to determine is which we will follow. For a "king", his policy is the law. For a republic, the law is the rule. So, which do you suppose it will be?====JACK:  Laws are such that they need interpretation.  Our form of government provides for a Supreme Court to interpret them.  Generally, there will be those who agree with the judgment and those who disagree.  So be it!

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Some people from our church are going to Washington D.C. this week to stand for reasonable laws which make voting in our country fair. Speculating from what has been happening with our voting laws, I wonder if people are afraid immigrants will do to the current crop of Americans what immigrants did to the North American Indians. We at least need to try to do everything to keep voting open, non-restrictive and fair so we can have good laws. I'm thankful our friends are in Washington, D.C. standing up for this issue.====JACK:  "Fear" is responsible for many of the laws that have been enacted.  Martin Luther interpreted the 10 Commandments, using fear in another way.  "We should fear (honor) the Lord, so that we....."  Put these words in front of each of the Commandments.

 FROM TARMART REV:  Seems to me to be a trend of history and in the makings of a downfall to mankind and his nation . . . from creation to the Fall of Man . . .  from the early Northern American Indians to the colonization of American . . .  from Early America to now . . . from the simplicity of childhood to the over-burdensome adulthood!====JACK:  People seem to respond negatively when they are told, "You can't!"  I remember that as a child.  Often, we come to regret our disobedience.

 FROM HAPPY TRAILS IN NOVA SCOTIA: have you seen the sweatshirt with a photo of a bunch of Indian warriors and the statement "Homeland Security since 1492"? We regularly see one in the window of one of the shops in Golden, CO, where Julia lives. I think they have other Native American offerings. ====JACK:  No, I haven't seen that, but I like the one that reads, "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians."  That could apply in some situations that I know of.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Things had definitely changed in this small world of ours.  The immigrants had to pass strict health tests back then.  Families who had an ill member were let in but not the ill person...they were sent back.====JACK:  If our country was so concerned about health issues back then, why did they allow the construction of outhouses?

 FROM DC IN KANSAS:  Thanks for that word!!====JACK:  I was interested enough to read about the history of American Indians in Kansas.  I learned that the state's name is from an Indian word.  I learned that, while some of the Indians agreed to leave the state peacefully, in exchange for "benefits," others had to be removed by force by the U.S. Army.  So, was this the doing of the immigrant Swedes?

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  HA! IMAGINE THEY'D NOD THEIR HEADS IN AGREEMENT ON THAT ONE! A LOT OF   BLOODSHED AND TEARS IN THEIR HISTORY, THANKS TO THE "WHITE MAN"...BUT THE U.S. IS STILL CONSIDERED "THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY" TO THOSE WHO ARE ALLOWED IN!  MOST OF US HAVE GRANDPARENTS OR GREAT-GRANDS, THAT WERE IMMIGRANTS HERE A FEW YEARS BACK. THANKFUL THEY CHOSE AMERICA!!====JACK:  I wondered if today's Winning Words were truly winning?  Now, I'm not so sure.  They have caused me to think of things from the Indian's point of view.  As we look upon our adventuresome immigrant ancestors, what must be the thoughts of the Indians as they look back upon theirs?  In a sense, the political immigration "talk" is hypocritical.  I need to cogitate some more.