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Now that we are again engaged in discussion about THE FENCE and ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, may I reiterate my story "Fence is a Shepherd."
Today as we ponder how to handle random and often nefarious individuals entering our country, this story is relevant.
What constitutes a fence? Definition by unabridged dictionary: it is a means of protection. It also serves as a demarcation of respect.
DEFENCE: a barrier intended to protect escape or intrusion or to mark boundary: such as barrier made of posts and wire or boards.
We all have heard that "Fences make good neighbors!" Indeed, they do that is why we build backyard enclosures, both to protect our pets from running off and to keep them confined to our property thus making neighbors happy. Fences also keep our backyard gardens from being eviscerated by rabbits or deer. For Ranchers fences function as enclosure to keep livestock in check. Taller and more secure fences are placed to keep prisoners confined. Such was the fence if you will "The Wall" constructed in Berlin. The purpose of The Wall was to keep people from leaving East Berlin. It truly was "The Wall of Same," because anyone wanting to leave East Berlin to seek a better life by getting to West Berlin was not permitted to do so and if he were found trying to get to West Berlin, was executed, no questions asked.
While looking at another fence that is in Israel, it has proven to be vital to their security in making terrorist acts much more difficult. Many other nations have fences to protect their borders. "The Great Wall of China" comes to mind.
When we speak of building a fence between U.S.A. and South America, we need to consider the purpose of it, and not fly off by the seat of our pants and equate it to Berlin Wall. Nor to make rash statements that there is no wall Between U.S.A. and Canada. Of course, there is no physical wall, however, Canadians are not flocking "to graze "on American land and disappear into population no one knows where.
No, there is no fence between U.S. A. and Canada, but there are points of entry and Canadians respect our laws as well as we respect theirs laws. Both the U.S.A. and Canada are courtiers of laws. There is no quarrel in allowing South Americans as well as peoples from other countries to enter our country as long as they do it legally. Those who come to our country and look upon it as a land of opportunity and willing to contribute to it are welcome. They come here with good documents that state that they may enter the U.S.A. and that they have been found to be sound physically as well as of good character and willingness to honor our country and become Americans as well as become productive contributors. Those individuals are proud to become Americans, to learn the English language and honor the United States flag. Thus, they do enrich our country by sharing their customs and history with us.
If they choose to stay here temporarily, that also can be arranged. To retain their "Guest Status" they need to behave as guests. A guest worker is one who has been invited to the United States in order to perform a service, and will be fairly compensated for services rendered. (Not treated as a slave with substandard wages.) He will abide by the laws of the land.
With this scenario, everyone can be happy. Both the worker and employer who has a need for workers. That is the way it was more than a half of a century ago.
Then we respected and enforced our laws. That made us good neighbors without the necessity of a fence between us.
We as Americans can be good neighbors by showing an example that DEMOCRACY functions best when laws are fair and enforced justly.