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"As far as your specific question about illegal immigrants causing a rise in TB, CDC’s data shows that foreign-born individuals – whether illegal immigrants or legal immigrants – accounted for more than half of TB cases reported in 2004."
The rate of TB among Asians was
highest group. Does this mean that this reader and his Minuteman-like comrades will be going after
Asians next and then all foreign-born people whether illegal or legal?
Does it not beg
question?
Why, do you think, and I have most certainly wondered, do people who so vehemently oppose a racial or cultural group resort to making such sweeping generalizations without much substance to back their positions?
I've decided to do a series of columns on this very issue with specific application to
Mexican Migrant worker problem. And yes, believe it or not, I think it is a problem that has to be solved. However, having said that, I do not think it is
problem
Minuteman-like minions would have you believe it to be. I think they have different motives, which I hope to prove in my series in
coming weeks.
Until then, let me suggest something at this juncture for your kind consideration. The reason Americans, no matter
issue, and especially with regard to people of different race and culture (and politics for that matter) will resort to such emotive blustering and grandiose exaggerations such as,
"Just look what all those thousands of disease-ridden illegal Mexicans are spreading all over our country."
is that Americans, at least in my view (remember this is an Opinion-Editorial piece—so don't get all twisted into a knot), is that Americans have very poorly defined "Phony-Boloney" detectors--More on that to come!
Meanwhile, get your printer cartridges filled, get a notebook and pen, you will want to print and take notes and cherish what I am going to say for decades to come (I just made up that last part so I could say something witty to end this serious piece and make my editorial word count.).

Doug Bower is a freelance writer, Syndicated Columnist, and book author. His newest book Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country can now be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241