What ever happened to "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | 01/11/2004 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

 
IMMIGRATION INDIGNATION, holy smoke! DID YOU SEE WHAT I SAW?

What ever happened to  "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."

They came here for several centuries for the same reasons – freedom and hope -- and then a Frenchman created a statue that embodied their hopes and dreams. And it embodied America's promise as well. "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

I have been watching with a bit of sadness, and more than a little concern, the debate that has been raging over President Bush's Administration proposed guest worker program. I haven't seen anything definitive yet, but I have to admit that I have some uneasiness about what is being said, and what may be done.

First and foremost, I do not wish to trivialize the genuine fear and the authentic concern that most of the protesters of the proposal have expressed. Nor do I disagree with the legitimate anxiety over what the future may hold if this proposal is actually what is being portrayed, "a blanket amnesty for illegal aliens". That being the case there would be in fact, national as well as historical principles at stake, and we must be ever vigilant in the protection of our liberties as well as our sovereignty.

"Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed."
-Mark Twain

Immigration is now and always has been a tricky affair. The delicate balance of need and want, verses can and should. We can certainly understand someone living in desperate conditions wanting to improving their lot in life. What better place to do it than the greatest nation on earth. America is the envy of the world. We are a magnet, and a beacon.

Who wouldn't choose to be free, unless as is the case in too many places, they are incapable of understanding the reality of freedom. Who wouldn't want to have wealth, if we all agreed on what wealth really is. To someone without anything to feed themselves or their children, a neighbor possessing a sack of flour, is indeed wealthy.

To a nation of plenty, it has to be understandable that a desperate and starving parent wouldn't break down a door, or cross a sweltering desert to feed their child, or a family would risk their lives in a sealed boxcar to work for a steady meal.

I must admit, and state for the record, that as a policy, I firmly believe that all law breaking must be prevented, and law breakers should be punished.. the sooner the better.

That said, I may be a candidate for a flogging I might be at most a fugitive from justice, or at the very least a shameful hypocrite, because I have in the past, and without a moment of indecision would again, give employment to someone I suspect but cannot prove, may be an undocumented worker, ..yes, AN ILLEGAL ALIEN!

I have experience with this issue.. up close and very personal...

I AM A PRODUCT OF FORMER ILLEGAL ALIENS.. Thank God.

As a young boy, I watched as my 92 year old great Grandfather, an immigrant from the bowels of depravity in Italy, as he stood in a crowded church basement and took an oath, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to his beloved country to finally become a citizen of the United States Of America. For him, becoming a real member of this wonderful country was the culmination of a lifetime of work, and struggle and hope, and prayers.

My great Grandfather, his aged body bent from years of hard work, managed to stand tall as he listened closely to my uncle, who whispered in his ear, everything that was said from the podium. In those days, hopeful immigrants had to study and be tested to prove they knew enough about this country, and it's founding, history and government, to be qualified to contribute to it's greatness.

He had done his homework, and he didn't want to miss a word.

It was that day, in the cold damp basement, in a soft grainy light, walls decorated with flags, and with his fine and honorable family looking on, he and a large group gathered to prove that they were worthy patriots. That day this proud man who had overcome language, illiteracy and poverty, was at last to be rewarded, he was finally a real American.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, he broke down and cried for the first and only time I ever remember in his long and distinguished life. At that moment,  I remember thinking, it must be special to be an American.

Yes, my family crossed a border from Canada into the United States in the dead of night in hopes of securing a better life for their children. They suffered the pain of fear, poverty and ridicule to take a chance. What was being said throughout the world, was true, America was and still is a nation of opportunity.

I do hear the call of fears and doubt of my fellow Americans, and I share the pain when my neighbors hurt as a nation. There is real worry about the costs and loss of jobs. There are legitimate concerns about lawlessness, and precedent of the apparent "reward the lawbreakers", at the expense of the law-abiding and innocent.

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort."
-Sydney Smith

I know we cannot be the world policemen, or pantry. We are a mighty nation built upon a foundation of hard work and sacrifice. Much of that labor was done by immigrants, many of which were here illegally not by choice but by necessity. Many, as my family, didn't do it as a thief, but as poor frightened peasants, who came without documentation because the limits on Italians were reached, and they couldn't afford to wait until the bureaucracy opened the doors again.

Upon arrival, frightened and stranded in a strange place without money, friends or family, they did the unthinkable, they prayed and began working until they were safe, solid and accepted.  They raised a family that contributed and their offspring went to war, and they became solid threads in the fabric of their chosen country. There were a few that gave my folks a boost, a chance, a lifeline until they were secure.

So now the dirty laundry, I did the same for others, but I am apparently not alone. This isn't a unique thought to bend the some rules to help those who need help when the need is the greatest.

History is replete with law breakers that did what turned out to be a blessing. There has always been a few that took the law into their own hands when it seemed that was the only way. Moses, was spared by a benevolent stranger. Thank God a man named Schindler broke the laws to save a few hundred Jews from the Nazi's and where would we be if the Underground Railroad was derailed, because it was against the law to save a slave.

"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances - to choose one's own way."
-Victor Frankl

The overwhelming numbers of our newest immigrants aren't fleeing death, or slavery, and I am not Schindler, but I could see the desperation in their eyes and feel the need in their hearts. And what was I offering? A job, and friendship. A job that few Americans wanted, and friendship that has lasted decades.

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."
-Nelson Henderson

There are jobs that nobody wants and few would do, unless they had no other choice, a situation which rarely arises in our country.  But they are good jobs that need to be done. By and large these jobs are hard, thankless, dirty, repetitive jobs, at odds with a normal schedule. However, they are at the limits of those that need them.

Contrary to popular belief, almost no large companies would ever pay cash to save a few dollars, or underpay wages to a poor man because he is illegal. We never paid under the table, or less than the going rate because we were a well known company, and a scandal of that pettiness, would have harmed everyone, including hundreds of employees, almost all homegrown Americans.

  "Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why, when I am in special need of help, the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim."
-William Feather, The Business of Life

Lest you think it was all one sided, these workers were solid as a rock, and usually faithful as a clock. The work ethic in other countries is as it was in much earlier times in our history. The bottom line is they needed us, and we needed them. They stayed with me and climbed the ladder in the all American tradition, and I watched them with pride, and admiration.

For those that are really concerned about these poor people taking the bread out of your mouth, unless you are a pot scrubber, or a garlic picker, you are at little risk.. And to ease your mind, I have discovered a new money making venture, one that has a fabulous track record. This one has recent and past history has never failed to pay-off. It's remarkable in it's simplicity!

Here it is... bet against the fatalist, place all of your available milk money on the person needing something, and against the person wanting to keep it from him.. in short, betting against profits of doom.

Bet the farm, or the futon, that the screams are always louder during an election year, and the spin is more spit than polish. Just like the generations that preceded us the Italians, Irish, Germans, Haitians and Vietnamese, these folks will continue to be a blessing to our country. Take a deep breath and think about it without the shrill voices whispering apocalyptic threats.

Before you make your final decision on this matter, ask yourself a simple question. What would you do if you were in their place, but first, take a long look around your home, in you fridge and in your pantry.. and just for an added effect, and take an extra moment thinking of your children. Perhaps, you'll come away with a slightly different outlook.  Then again, maybe not.. you have that right, my once removed, illegal uncles and a lot of others died for your right to be wrong..

I am proud of our President, he knew there would be anger and once again he faced the problem head on. Dealing with this now is going to save us all in the long run, and as to the near future.. remember we are free Americans thanks to our immigrant forefathers, and some day as in the past, these new Americans may well save you and your country...

  "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
-Abraham Lincoln

"One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency."
-Arnold Glasgow

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[carlo3b]

Right.. Thanks..

[MissAmericanPie]

What happened to give us your poor...etc? We grew up and decided it wasn't a good idea to let France define our national motto.

So you have smuggled illegals into the country? Thanks alot.
They only do the jobs Americans won't do huh? I have seen the construction business turned over to them because of their living eight to an apartment and running American workers out of the job because they couldn't support their families. Now they have their sights on the trucking industry. Soon that will also be a job that Americans won't do.

Your Gramps couldn't wait to be an American? This invasion could care less about being American, they rob the US economy of fourteen billion a year and ship it home to momma, making theft from the American economy their second largest source of national income next to oil.

I am finding out from first hand experience that they cost at least a billion a year in car wrecks they cause with no liscense, insurance, or id. California is 34 billion in the red, Texas is 10 billion in the red. Hospitals were going to close along the border until Bush made the taxpayer pick up the tab. Triage units are closing leaving our families befret of that golden hour that could save their lives.

Our schools are over run, while they are closing public schools in Mexico city due to lack of population. Our taxes are through the roof paying for the cost of services for people who you say can't contribute jack through taxation.

HUD is slipping illegals into neighborhood depressing property values, welfare hovel apartments are being built and filled in small towns destroying the community with crime and a town within a town, and you want us to sing Kumbiya?

We have rights too. Believe it or not the American taxpayer has some rights too. We have the right to say enough of this
You fine nice people stay the heck where you came from and be nice there. They want a better life? Take it up with their government like we took it up with England. We are fed up with the phoney call for compassion and duty to everyone but ourselves, a compassion designed to destroy everything for everybody. Because if we don't begin to act responsibly towards what needs to be preserved here, there will be no America left that anyone wants to come to.

[Hon]

"I've known him), but one thing I DO know is his integrity. If he says he's done something, you can bet your life on it being true!"

Have you gone to his site, which he advertises in his tag line? Have you checked out his bio? Or his resume at the bottom of the page?

He makes a lot of claims. Not the least of which, he claims to have been the costume designer on movies which were costumed designed by Edith Head.

He also claims to have retired at 38. If I am reading his resume correctly, that means he was the direct of food and beverage for the Westin Hotel when he was 14.

Check it out:

http://www.cookingwithcarlo.com/pages/bio.html

[Hon]

"His newest cookbook, Carlo Cooks with Kids, contains 100 kid-friendly, kid-approved recipes. His books are more than a collection of recipes."

Do a search on Google, Amazon or any book finder search tool. You won't find any listing for this or any books by him. At least I haven't.

Like his other projects, they seem to be just about to happen.

[Hon]

I guess I should let you know that I am talking about you in my posts to Jellybean above.

[kevao]

Really? You are a out of the loop, and as I suspected..uninformed as much as all of the Bush Bashers are usually.. Did you read what the Labor Board did to Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas yesterday? GONE Shazam!

Then tell me, Carlo3b, if the Feds are as efficient as you say about enforcing our immigration laws, why are there still 9 - 14 million illegals in this country? Why is an amnesty necessary?

And why should anyone think post-amnesty enforcement is going to be any more effective than it is now?

[christie]

Hon, I don't think you can read, actually. Carlo was born in the early '40s and was at the Westin Hotel around 1967, that would make him 25+ at the time. He retired around 1979. I don't see that Carlo claimed to be the Head Costume Designer, who would be the one to gets the credit.

Why don't you tell us about your credentials.

BTW, I put together Carlo's web site, so you can put the blame on me if there are any inaccuracies.

All: As far as I can see, Carlo has given employment to thousands of Americans, as well as some immigrants. He wasn't looking for cheap labor, just people to do the job.

[Hon]

You are doing some creative reading there. You say he retired in 1979?

"At age 38, he retired and soon tackled his most important challenge of all, as a stay-at-home dad with his young sons."

His resume shows no sign of retirement until 1991. He was director of operations of the Cadillac Bar, for instance, from 1988-91.

"His fashion career led him to Hollywood where he was a wardrobe and costume designer on productions such as The Dean Martin Show, The Perry Como Show, Red Skeleton, Bonanza, and Hogan’s Heroes, and feature films, The Son’s of Katie Elder, War Lord, and Harlow!"

The costume designer on Katie Elder and Harlow was Edith Head. There is only one costume designer on a movie, usually.

If you (or anyone with an objective mind) would read his bio and resume, you might have some doubts.

For instance, Chief Of Protocol for the State of Texas? Do a seach on Google. Nobody else ever seems to have claimed to have held that position.

He lists himself as an executive producer--and he has yet to executive produce anything--except projects that he says might happen sometime in the future.

And as I noted, he talks about books as if they have been published, but there seems to be no record of them.

Anyway, where is Carlo? Cat got his tongue?

[carlo3b]

So, you candy@$$ coward, you wait until I leave to slander me so it remains on the thread until I return.. Well JERK I'm back.. what do you want to ask me!

[carlo3b]

My resume a bit too much for you to handle.. LOL . . Well read it closely and eat your heart out.. if you were anything in your life, I'd like to know just who is publishing my business on a live thread.. Whats you line?

[christie]

I've known Carlo a long time. I have no doubts.

Gee, if I ever retire, I guess I will still have the right to work or do whatever I want.

What are your wonderful contributions to society?

[carlo3b]

Thanks girls, but this jerk is a disruptor and a coward to boot.. I am back now.. he/she waited for me to leave to slander me.. well I am back and I will answer any charge..

[Hon]

So go ahead.

Which movies were you the costume designer for?

Which books have you authored? Where can I buy them?

Which productions have you executive produced?

When did you retire?

Don't be shy!

[Hon]

From Carlo's own site:

Carlo’s career started at a very tender age. At 11 years old, after winning a citywide art festival, Carlo won an art scholarship. At 16, Carlo became the youngest artist on staff in the headquarters of Sears Roebuck and Company. At the age of 23, he held a much acclaimed International Debut of Fashion and quickly launched The House of Carlo fashions. Carlo soon was recognized as an accomplished Couturier and Costume Designer. His fashion career led him to Hollywood where he was a wardrobe and costume designer on productions such as The Dean Martin Show, The Perry Como Show, Red Skeleton, Bonanza, and Hogan’s Heroes, and feature films, The Son’s of Katie Elder, War Lord, and Harlow!

Later he landed a great job designing uniforms for the Century Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills, sparking his interest in the hospitality industry. As Director of Food and Beverage, he opened luxurious hotels in cities from coast to coast.

In the early 1970s, Carlo was appointed The Chief of Protocol for The State of Texas. He insured that every major state function came off with flare and panache. He was responsible the for the United States Southern Governor’s Conference, the first ever held in The State of Texas.

Entrepreneur Extraordinaire! Over the years, Carlo has owned or managed over 56 restaurants and hotels, many of them having multiple locations. In 1974, he bought Houston’s Le Pavillon, an offshoot of New York’s acclaimed restaurant, and quickly turned it into the area’s first Four Star French restaurant. Carlo has owned or operated Élan, the award-winning chain of 14 private clubs with nationwide locations; the Cowboy Club, the Rice Rittenhouse Hotel, and the Cadillac Bar.

At age 38, he retired and soon tackled his most important challenge of all, as a stay-at-home dad with his young sons. As a popular homeroom dad, he has shown children how to make funny faces on pizzas and taught students how to make muffins. “I’ve never had so much fun as cooking with kids,” says Carlo.

Carlo is in constant demand for cooking demonstrations, motivational speeches, radio and TV appearances. Schools, charity organizations, and cruise lines, call on him when they want an extra special draw for their events. His appearance as the Featured Chef on a recent Royal Olympic Cruise, for example, enticed hundreds of people away from a ship’s-worth of other fun activities.

His newest cookbook, Carlo Cooks with Kids, contains 100 kid-friendly, kid-approved recipes. His books are more than a collection of recipes. They also provide the shopping, preparation, and cleanup know-how kids need to become self-sufficient cooks. It’s about mixing good times with good eats. And it’s about the bond formed when youngsters and their parents share the process of meal preparation.

Soon to be released, Soup, Sex, and the Single Man!, Chef Carlo’s do-it-all recipe for a healthy and happy single life, complete with a special Viagra menu!

NOW in development, a new blockbuster TV cooking show,

[jellybean]

Sorry for not responding sooner...I've been at work... oh, wait...do you need to verify my employment as well??

You certainly say alot for someone who knows so little. I think Carlo is right, you're here only to disrupt.

[carlo3b]

I was born in 1941.. so your as bad at numbers as you are with facts.. I was the lead costumer on episodes of Red Skeleton, Bonanza, Branded, Rifleman and Hogan’s Heroes, and a wardrobe fitter on a host of fill-ins for most of the Top 10 NBC variety shows in 1963-66. Thus, Dean Martin Show,  Perry Como Christmas Shows, several Red Skeleton, Danny Kaye and Jerry Lewis, plus a Lucy and Judy Garland at Desilu..

I worked as lead or men's wardrobe on most everything else. My stint with Edith Head, during which I did the trailer for Elder, and the original Harlow with Carol Baker, which was never released in theaters.. I was a replacement Costume Designer for Jack Bear on "What did you do in the war daddy", and one or two others as men's wardrobe with Blake Edwards, during Jack Bear's illness, that I just can't remember their names..   My fashion house and perfumery, the House Of  Carlo, where I designed personally for Joan Crawford, Gypsy Rose Lee, Lucy Ball, Barbara Stanwyck.. among many others..I operated my company from 1962, until I sold in 1966.

The Chief of Protocol is for The State of Texas, for Gov Dolph Brisco, 1972-1974, responsible for the Southern Governor's Conference... .I am the Producer of my own productions on Lecture tours aboard ships and Featured Chef productions at Food Festivals and other venues. The books are my publishing company.. would you like a book.. send a check get a book.

[carlo3b]

Thanks.. pretty impressive HUH?.. So, whats your point? You posted my resume for some reason, I didn't .. Is this celebrity envy or somethin goofy like that?.. What is this all about. . :) BTW, what is your resume.. ????

[Hon]

What union and local were you in when you worked with Edith Head (LOL!)?