Use 'undocumented' and not 'illegal' (Letter to the Editor) PV Alert

Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colorado) ^ | 2/8/2007 | Dr. Andres Quetzalcoatl Guerrero Jr

[SAJ]

OK, fine. Let's not use 'illegal'.

Let's use the precise term: 'criminal'.

Thank you very much, Dr. Blacksmith.

[dirtboy]

No constitution in the world would be worth the piece of paper it was written on if it did not protect everyone living under its jurisdiction.

Even if they came here against the laws of the country in question?

More gibberish from the illegal boosters.

[RegulatorCountry]

"Our Constitution, the supreme law of the land, protects all citizens. Our Constitution protects everyone living in our land whether they are documented or undocumented."

One has to be "documented" in order to be a citizen. This distinction eludes the good doctor, for some reason.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Call a spade...

[Faith]

Does that logic apply to every law-breaker? Where are the RESPONSIBILITIES that are designed to accompany RIGHTS?

[L98Fiero]

"The word "illegal" is a degrading word whose entire intention is to dehumanize."

BS, you wish with all your black heqrt that was the case but it's not. It is an accurate descrition of one's status in this country, plain and simple.

All your stupid Orwellian word-games do not change that.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

"Undocumented" is a contrived term designed to disguise reality and to misguide those who are only paying attention to the issue peripherally, much like the term "pro-choice".

"Illegal" is the accurate term to describe someone who is here in violation of the laws of this country.

[El Gato]

Even if they came here against the laws of the country in question?

In some cases, yes. Prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment for example. Right to due process, which need not be trial, just a hearing or other formal procedure to determine if they are here legally. But they are not part of the group "The People" so they don't have the rights guaranteed to that group, such as the right to keep and bear arms.

[navyblue]

NO, I didn't do a search. But let me guess. A professor of chicano studies/

[snowrip]

Our Constitution protects everyone living in our land whether they are documented or undocumented.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

[driftdiver]

One word for him, Dufus.

They are called illegals because they are here illegally. NOT because they are sub-human.

Ironic though that he wants to allow these folks to stay here to do work that lib's consider so de-humanizing that citizens won't do it.

[RJL]

In order to dehumanize a person, you must first come up with some inhumane name in order to degrade him/her.

Dr. Andres Quetzalcoatl Guerrero Jr., I notice your use of the title "Dr." to elevate yourself above others.

Why are you degrading me and every other person that has been unable, for whatever reason, to attain a PHD?

/S

[facedown]

Dr. Andres Quetzalcoatl Guerrero Jr.

Quetzalcoatl? LOL, a descendant of the gods.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

The word "illegal" is a degrading word whose entire intention is to dehumanize.

Or it's simply an accurate description of an activity performed by someone with no respect for the law.

[conservativeharleyguy]

What an affectatious prick. Does he really expect anyone to believe that his parents actually gave him the name of an Aztec god?

Or did he assume the middle name "Quetzalcoatl" after some third-rate community college's peyote-induced Chicano Studies thesis project?

"Illegal" is the correct word to use in this context, because it is used to describe an action or person in violation of the law, Doctor. Period. If you infer some other nuance from it, that's just a reflection of your own insecurities.

[Ole Okie]

In the context of Dr Quetzalcoatl's complaint, is "illegal" felonious? Or simply misdemeanorious?

[PDR]

Actually, its an interesting semantic point: the people to whom the author refers are, in fact, legally aliens. They may have broken the law to come in to the United States and are here illegally but, by law, they are defined as aliens. So, in a sense, all non-citizen immigrants to the United States are all LEGAL aliens.

[L98Fiero]

"Actually, its an interesting semantic point:"

Only interesting to you.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Calling Winston Smith, calling Winston Smith. Newspeak alert.