False accusation leads to tragedy (A question for the forum)

Kansas City Star ^ | 2/15/04 | Timothy Dwyer

[skip2myloo]

Too bad the articles don't clear that up for us.

Why do you suppose the press doesn't report that side of the story ??

Couldn't have anything to do with their liberal bias could it ??

[Luis Gonzalez]

So, it's OK to lie and cause harm if you're a native, but you should be punished if you're an immigrant?

So, your message to immigrants is become a citizen so that you can do harm to others with impunity?

By the way, the problem here is your perception. You see the word "immigrant" in print, and your brain immediately attaches the prefix "illegal" to it.

The kid is an immigrant, the word itself denotes legality.

You have bought so deeply into the left's "illegal immigrant" phrase, that you've come to believe that there can be such a thing as an "illegal immigrant".

There isn't, anyone who is not here legally is an illegal alien, not an immigrant.

[skip2myloo]

"The boy, the son of immigrants from India..."

How can you conclude from this statement they are either legal or illegal immigrants ??

BTW, the OFFICIAL language of India is English - why do you suppose they can't speak English ??

[Luis Gonzalez]

The articles clear that up beyond a shadow of a doubt.

He is the son of Indian immigrants, he's not what you claimed that he was.

But you will believe what you wish to believe regardless.

[Tall_Texan]

Many suicide notes are written as if the suicide has already occured in the belief that this will be true by the time the note is read.

And it is shaky ground to insist on proper English from a guy minutes away from taking his own life.

I would not look at what has been revealed from this note as an admission of guilt (other than in the pain he will cause by jumping off the bridge) without further context.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Why do you suppose the press doesn't report that side of the story?"

Because that "side" exists in your mind exclusively.

[Luis Gonzalez]

ASS-U-ME.

Mayfield taught English to non-natives. What makes you believe that the kid was in that class?

The obvious answer again is with your predisposed prejudices.

[skip2myloo]

No, its not OK in either case.

But, if the only recourse we have available in this instance is deportation, then let's go for it.

You think the kid ought to go scott free for making a false accusation, irrespective whether the man leapt off a bridge or not.

Just what do you think represents "justice" for a very serious false accusation ??

[Carolinamom]

Smartass

[Luis Gonzalez]

"How can you conclude from this statement they are either legal or illegal immigrants?"

Well, due to the absolute lack of an "illegal Indian Immigrant" problem in the US for one.

It seems that the vast majority of unfounded assumptions thus far have been by you.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Just what do you think represents "justice" for a very serious false accusation?"

Whatever it's written into law.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[skip2myloo]

In the press these days, how can you tell the difference ??

Can an immigrant not be categorized as either legal, or illegal ??

You have heard the term ILLEGAL immigrant haven't you ??

Merely using the word immigrant -- does not connote legal status !!

And besides, even if he is here as a legal, resident alien, or some H1B status visa - I'd say these are grounds to revoke that satus.

Why do you want to protect this little demon that was a noted troublemaker ??

[Luis Gonzalez]

"And it is shaky ground to insist on proper English from a guy minutes away from taking his own life."

I don't require conscious thought when writing properly, I wouldn't think English teachers would either.

But, if you go on to my further posts you will see my corrections.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Merely using the word immigrant -- does not connote legal status!"

That's because you have bought into the idea that there can be such a thing as an "illegal" immigrant.

There are immigrants, and illegal aliens.

That's it.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"And besides, even if he is here as a legal, resident alien, or some H1B status visa - I'd say these are grounds to revoke that satus."

I'm sure that you would say that there were grounds to remove that status if they jaywalked, ran a stop sign, butted in line at the supermarket, or showed up late for work.

The point is that what YOU say matter little, what matters is what the LAW says.

[spunkets]

No, it's an elementary school kid. It's the adult action in this case, if anything, that should change. How the adults treated the guy isn't really given though. Mayfield did have severe problems though, else he wouldn't have killed himself. He had very little self esteem.

[AzJohn]

In the press these days, how can you tell the difference ??

The newspaper may have also used the term "immigrant" if they did not know what the family's legal status was. Although if they are from India, the chances are pretty good that they are here legally.

What basis would there be for sending the family back home? You can't revoke someone's visa because they have a teenager who lies.

[Tall_Texan]

It's bad enough that three different investigations failed to notify Mayfield he was cleared of the charges but they apparently didn't even notify the boy's parents either.

The super-secret bureaucracy wants to be judge, jury and executioner without the three principle adults in the matter (the teacher and the boys parents) even being aware of what is going on. To me, this is contemptible but not unbelievable.

When I was growing up, the teacher called the parents and they worked it out together. Now, everyone is so uptight about the child's right to privacy that both are left out of the loop while the bureaucrats (who don't know the facts and don't know the indiviuals involved) investigate.

In my day, this issue would have been over with in less than 24 hours and there would be no need for anyone to get their nose out of joint about it.

My growing disgust is for the school and their bureaucrats, not the kid or the teacher.