"people different than ourselves" is the only point I disagree with. They are not different than ourselves. They are simply from a different geographical location and look a little different as a result. The Human Family must not be seen as "races" as we are all one, Homo sapiens, and one family, with manty many spokes on our wheel. This whole false notion of "race" is American hierarchal nonsense. Please be careful to not perpetuate it. How about "people who look slightly different than ourselves"?
Your State of Opportunity idea is common sense and has no chance against fear of the “other”. That fear is visceral and illogical and it does not come from a good place.
Statement from myself and a group of Democrats running for office. I haven’t consulted with them to post here so I’m not naming the others at this time:
“The unprecedented decision of Warren county board of supervisors Chair Kevin Geraghty to issue an emergency declaration against immigrants is unproductive and presumptuous. His order is in conflict with rights of people who are presumably lawfully asserting their rights under US law and UN Article 14 to which the US is a signatory. His order attempts to interfere with lawful commerce, and basic rights of free association and freedom to travel.
Perhaps worse, Geraghty subverts the principles of our republican form of government, denying the full board of supervisors the rights and responsibilities of their office to seek and understand, then vote on issues in the interests of constituents who elected them, the taxpayers who pay them, and the governments of the county, state, and nation.
The declaration should be withdrawn and Geraghty should apologize.”
“ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
I don't think the work requirements are a bad thing at all. We train students to work early on expecting they will need the skills as they move into the adult independent world. It is upsetting when they don't show up or don't take it seriously saying "I won't have to work. My parents and grandparents never had to." It is hard to break that cycle of poverty when the culture of enabling continues. There is very little I agree with the Republicans on but reform is definitely needed in these areas. The same for Social Security Disability. There needs to be an overhaul but it is too big to even bother with at this point. There are plenty who need the assistance and many who are taking advantage of the system unfortunately.
I think you would find that many, many people are somewhere in the middle with some views leaning one way or another depending upon individual experiences. Sadly the media often portrays things in extremes and extremes are dangerous. People start to think that those extremes are representative of a party or group and that isn't necessarily true at all. I hope we can get back to a place where people can meet in the middle and compromise again.
I think that disregarding a position because you perceive it as “liberal” avoids the intellectual work of having to understand the basis for the idea. For example, plenty of people across the political spectrum would be fine with allowing folks on SSDI to have work requirements. The problems start in negotiating a workable solution. Typically conservatives will insist that income from work is deducted in some measure from the benefit amount. While that would be sensible as a cost savings measure for people with high income, it is a bad economic idea for people on the very bottom of the income scale - like SSDI recipients. For people in low wage jobs the expenses of finding and keeping a job are substantial and there must be economic flexibility in order to get them established in a stable job. Unfortunately a lot of people see that not as helping get someone established and able to get off disability, but as “more of a handout.”
Some of the reasoning I hear locally (and I suppose it applies elsewhere) is questioning why we are giving help to others when we are not helping “our own” first. By that, it usually means that “I’m struggling to make ends meet and no one is helping me.” Spending less sure isn’t going to help provide for more. Yet those who support the cut spending first crew don’t seem to get that fact. The more fewer have, the less more have.
Thank you Ken T !!! We used to admire, and welcome, people that are seeking a better life, people that actually WANT to work,........What has happened that there are people actually against this? People are people..human beings are human beings....no matter what color, race, religion, personal preferences,...what if these people were, are your family and friends???? whats wrong with helping others and being kind ????? Charlene
I await publication of my letter to the editor firmly agreeing with you Ken and urging accepting asylum seeking refugees into our community. Many will help. Diane Collins
'We are afraid to welcome people different from ourselves' - virtue signaling liberal rhetoric. That is NOT the reason people are opposed to the flood of illegal immigrants.
Homelessness is on the rise throughout the country. Too many Americans are suffering, living on the street. They need much more care than they are receiving.
In my community refugees are being housed, in very nice homes, while Americans are living on the streets. I know it as fact because I've been tutoring an Afghan family of TEN for six months. They received 'food stamps' and free medical and dental care. Not sure what else. And they had a family van. I was quite surprised and harbored discomfort about. They just moved to CA to be closer to cousins.
I, like many in my community, and statewide, have been involved with the refugee center in my area for decades as both a cultural broker - helped them set up living space, taxi service, food shopping, etc, and English tutor. I happily welcomed and served them.
The flood of refugees is a very different issue.
What I don't understand is why the governments at our southern border aren't providing for their people to work to support themselves and their families. Why isn't the US investing billions in permanent solutions like building up their countries so that their people can stay, which I assume they want to do, instead of fighting illegal immigration?
Because thriving countries to our south would be a military threat?
I come at this from a different perspective and presumably a different experience yet I ask the same question. Why do we not help these people where they live? Seeing what they face here--they don’t all get food stamps and they aren’t all housed in very nice homes--I have to believe they would rather stay in their home country if they thought it offered any chance at all for a better future.
How do you help a country with a corrupt government? You really think Republicans would be on board for throwing money at countries like Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Cuba? Don’t you think that would be our plan first if we trusted that our help would actually be put to good use? Which “thriving” countries are people running from? Venezuela with their own hyper inflation and political unrest?
No, I don't think that would be our plan first if those governments could be trusted. There is US blood on those corrupt governments hands. They sent their people to the School of the Americas in Georgia to train how to kill their own people -- priests, nuns and the poor were slaughtered. Archbishop, now Saint Oscar Romero was one of their victims. Assassinated while saying Mass in 1980.
Maybe the US is not stopping the migration because we are complicit. I do not trust any MSM report.
You probably won’t read it since you likely insist on only getting your news from god-knows-who, but here’s a perfect example of what we’re up against when providing aid to countries that need it. Don’t be surprised if we start seeing an increase of Ethiopians seeking asylum…
Wow, a dog whistle if I've ever heard one. You know, all "those people" who don't want to work but take welfare and food stamps, etc.?" They come to America to freeload, right? LOL. They also do the low level jobs like house cleaning for wealthy people's summer homes and local seasonal tourism jobs, wash dishes in local restaurants, do day labor, pick crops, but we don't want to talk about that. You can't hide this nonsense anymore, it's blatant and REP mainstream discrimination thinking. Immigrants are and always have been the lifeblood of our country. If the Trump era weaponization of the entire immigrant story had been in place when Steve Jobs real father came to our country, there would be no Apple, Inc. One of the greatest technology corporations in the world. Anyone take a careful look at the massive waste of local tax dollars at Warren County in the past years? Guess who caused that? (Hint: not immigrants). And BioChar is the preferred new choice for Saratoga County leaders to create new jobs and industry. Talk about corporate welfare. Seems to me we got a trash plant some decades back thanks to Warren and Washington County Supervisors making a catastrophic decision. And these guys are anti helping people leaving countries where they live in fear and have no hope?
You should checkout the response from the Erie County Executive. He opened the arms of Erie county to immigrants. They showed compassion rather than fear. Warren County should be ashamed.
Ken, put some real teeth behind your words by offering to take in a dozen or more illegal aliens into your home. Take a real stand if you truly believe illegal immigration is good for our country and county.
The immigrants in question are all “legal,” so you are ill informed and basing your opinions on “fake news.” Even given that you are being ridiculous. The number of asylum seekers so far in NY is about 0.36% of our state population. If they were evenly distributed throughout NY state, which will not happen, it means that Warren County would get about 242 immigrants. We can find that many beds and jobs.
I, for one, see nothing wrong with preparedness. At any given day our Social Services are overwhelmed and understaffed with people needing various services. By the County declaring a State of Emergency, it preserves the county’s ability to get federal or state aid should the migrant crisis have a financial impact on the county. Chairman Geraghty has set up a committee tasked with the problems/response/solution of a large influx of people needing every kind of social service. Will hotel rooms be available during the height of our tourist season. Transportation in place? English as a second language, healthcare?, etc., etc., etc.,
We prepare for storms and other natural disasters, fires, emergencies, etc., why not humanitarian emergencies.
Are the people coming here illegal immigrants or are they refugees/asylum seekers who have legally entered the country? Words matter and I think we need to make a distinction.
Regarding asylum seekers coming to Washington County: This was discussed at a recent Town of Argyle Board meeting. A citizen in the audience was heard to say “Can’t we just shoot them?” No Board member uttered a word of reproof for such language.
"people different than ourselves" is the only point I disagree with. They are not different than ourselves. They are simply from a different geographical location and look a little different as a result. The Human Family must not be seen as "races" as we are all one, Homo sapiens, and one family, with manty many spokes on our wheel. This whole false notion of "race" is American hierarchal nonsense. Please be careful to not perpetuate it. How about "people who look slightly different than ourselves"?
Your State of Opportunity idea is common sense and has no chance against fear of the “other”. That fear is visceral and illogical and it does not come from a good place.
Probably right.
Statement from myself and a group of Democrats running for office. I haven’t consulted with them to post here so I’m not naming the others at this time:
“The unprecedented decision of Warren county board of supervisors Chair Kevin Geraghty to issue an emergency declaration against immigrants is unproductive and presumptuous. His order is in conflict with rights of people who are presumably lawfully asserting their rights under US law and UN Article 14 to which the US is a signatory. His order attempts to interfere with lawful commerce, and basic rights of free association and freedom to travel.
Perhaps worse, Geraghty subverts the principles of our republican form of government, denying the full board of supervisors the rights and responsibilities of their office to seek and understand, then vote on issues in the interests of constituents who elected them, the taxpayers who pay them, and the governments of the county, state, and nation.
The declaration should be withdrawn and Geraghty should apologize.”
“ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Why are you calling a quote from scripture nonsense?
Really? Then maybe you can explain the “render unto Caesar” quote.
I don't think the work requirements are a bad thing at all. We train students to work early on expecting they will need the skills as they move into the adult independent world. It is upsetting when they don't show up or don't take it seriously saying "I won't have to work. My parents and grandparents never had to." It is hard to break that cycle of poverty when the culture of enabling continues. There is very little I agree with the Republicans on but reform is definitely needed in these areas. The same for Social Security Disability. There needs to be an overhaul but it is too big to even bother with at this point. There are plenty who need the assistance and many who are taking advantage of the system unfortunately.
My, my a comment that isn't blindly liberal. Congrats! Encouraging.
I think you would find that many, many people are somewhere in the middle with some views leaning one way or another depending upon individual experiences. Sadly the media often portrays things in extremes and extremes are dangerous. People start to think that those extremes are representative of a party or group and that isn't necessarily true at all. I hope we can get back to a place where people can meet in the middle and compromise again.
I couldn't agree more. The thing is liberal media controls. I have read maybe 2-3 comments on this site which don't uphold liberalism.
I appreciate your comment.
I think that disregarding a position because you perceive it as “liberal” avoids the intellectual work of having to understand the basis for the idea. For example, plenty of people across the political spectrum would be fine with allowing folks on SSDI to have work requirements. The problems start in negotiating a workable solution. Typically conservatives will insist that income from work is deducted in some measure from the benefit amount. While that would be sensible as a cost savings measure for people with high income, it is a bad economic idea for people on the very bottom of the income scale - like SSDI recipients. For people in low wage jobs the expenses of finding and keeping a job are substantial and there must be economic flexibility in order to get them established in a stable job. Unfortunately a lot of people see that not as helping get someone established and able to get off disability, but as “more of a handout.”
Giving people a chance at a new life is liberal???
Exactly. Far more moderates than anything else.
Can you point out the moderate comments?
Some of the reasoning I hear locally (and I suppose it applies elsewhere) is questioning why we are giving help to others when we are not helping “our own” first. By that, it usually means that “I’m struggling to make ends meet and no one is helping me.” Spending less sure isn’t going to help provide for more. Yet those who support the cut spending first crew don’t seem to get that fact. The more fewer have, the less more have.
Thank you Ken T !!! We used to admire, and welcome, people that are seeking a better life, people that actually WANT to work,........What has happened that there are people actually against this? People are people..human beings are human beings....no matter what color, race, religion, personal preferences,...what if these people were, are your family and friends???? whats wrong with helping others and being kind ????? Charlene
Agree 100 percent.
I await publication of my letter to the editor firmly agreeing with you Ken and urging accepting asylum seeking refugees into our community. Many will help. Diane Collins
'We are afraid to welcome people different from ourselves' - virtue signaling liberal rhetoric. That is NOT the reason people are opposed to the flood of illegal immigrants.
Homelessness is on the rise throughout the country. Too many Americans are suffering, living on the street. They need much more care than they are receiving.
In my community refugees are being housed, in very nice homes, while Americans are living on the streets. I know it as fact because I've been tutoring an Afghan family of TEN for six months. They received 'food stamps' and free medical and dental care. Not sure what else. And they had a family van. I was quite surprised and harbored discomfort about. They just moved to CA to be closer to cousins.
I, like many in my community, and statewide, have been involved with the refugee center in my area for decades as both a cultural broker - helped them set up living space, taxi service, food shopping, etc, and English tutor. I happily welcomed and served them.
The flood of refugees is a very different issue.
What I don't understand is why the governments at our southern border aren't providing for their people to work to support themselves and their families. Why isn't the US investing billions in permanent solutions like building up their countries so that their people can stay, which I assume they want to do, instead of fighting illegal immigration?
Because thriving countries to our south would be a military threat?
I come at this from a different perspective and presumably a different experience yet I ask the same question. Why do we not help these people where they live? Seeing what they face here--they don’t all get food stamps and they aren’t all housed in very nice homes--I have to believe they would rather stay in their home country if they thought it offered any chance at all for a better future.
How do you help a country with a corrupt government? You really think Republicans would be on board for throwing money at countries like Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Cuba? Don’t you think that would be our plan first if we trusted that our help would actually be put to good use? Which “thriving” countries are people running from? Venezuela with their own hyper inflation and political unrest?
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/data-historic-number-migrants-reaching-us-borders-reasons/story?id=95198577
No, I don't think that would be our plan first if those governments could be trusted. There is US blood on those corrupt governments hands. They sent their people to the School of the Americas in Georgia to train how to kill their own people -- priests, nuns and the poor were slaughtered. Archbishop, now Saint Oscar Romero was one of their victims. Assassinated while saying Mass in 1980.
Maybe the US is not stopping the migration because we are complicit. I do not trust any MSM report.
You probably won’t read it since you likely insist on only getting your news from god-knows-who, but here’s a perfect example of what we’re up against when providing aid to countries that need it. Don’t be surprised if we start seeing an increase of Ethiopians seeking asylum…
This is a gift link, no subscription necessary.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/world/africa/ethiopia-us-food-aid.html?unlocked_article_code=x3lGuQSMJtpHxJC9QxU5HAStXUR-44nePQt-I939DntZaBt1_XfGILBvxoSN4rTynj9Yfel2kQrCovY9IrdotTuZUiStmd41x8kr6HrGaJQdTYVFw1FuwGGsOXzmf46m4Qw7w0WBH_htxqQfGPt2SzzV4XZdb6QuspENCLBuTAc_RJ_vW4VtgA1cM5OdL9dIzvPZrMc7pUExs4wsaSFaqgKIAl1Y3lU5Y418aeCygAhEVRPyugjEaV2R7a21hpnfAB1uhYSRqVxaTNAnU9Hw7z6q-HHd1KEg2dMzgg5BlmZk8HjVA0iUirUPs4CyXIubAbsfau38fvQ7hRppWvYi0ZRoEA&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Wow, a dog whistle if I've ever heard one. You know, all "those people" who don't want to work but take welfare and food stamps, etc.?" They come to America to freeload, right? LOL. They also do the low level jobs like house cleaning for wealthy people's summer homes and local seasonal tourism jobs, wash dishes in local restaurants, do day labor, pick crops, but we don't want to talk about that. You can't hide this nonsense anymore, it's blatant and REP mainstream discrimination thinking. Immigrants are and always have been the lifeblood of our country. If the Trump era weaponization of the entire immigrant story had been in place when Steve Jobs real father came to our country, there would be no Apple, Inc. One of the greatest technology corporations in the world. Anyone take a careful look at the massive waste of local tax dollars at Warren County in the past years? Guess who caused that? (Hint: not immigrants). And BioChar is the preferred new choice for Saratoga County leaders to create new jobs and industry. Talk about corporate welfare. Seems to me we got a trash plant some decades back thanks to Warren and Washington County Supervisors making a catastrophic decision. And these guys are anti helping people leaving countries where they live in fear and have no hope?
In case people want to read the actual order I’ll post it below.
It is full of dog whistles, false premises, and assumptions. It does not seem legal to me, nor do similar laws enacted in other counties seem legal to the NYCLU which has sued 2 counties to have their laws overthrown. The link: https://warrencountyny.gov/sites/default/files/2023.5.31.Second%20Extension%20Local%20Order%201%20of%202023.pdf
You should checkout the response from the Erie County Executive. He opened the arms of Erie county to immigrants. They showed compassion rather than fear. Warren County should be ashamed.
Ken, put some real teeth behind your words by offering to take in a dozen or more illegal aliens into your home. Take a real stand if you truly believe illegal immigration is good for our country and county.
The immigrants in question are all “legal,” so you are ill informed and basing your opinions on “fake news.” Even given that you are being ridiculous. The number of asylum seekers so far in NY is about 0.36% of our state population. If they were evenly distributed throughout NY state, which will not happen, it means that Warren County would get about 242 immigrants. We can find that many beds and jobs.
I, for one, see nothing wrong with preparedness. At any given day our Social Services are overwhelmed and understaffed with people needing various services. By the County declaring a State of Emergency, it preserves the county’s ability to get federal or state aid should the migrant crisis have a financial impact on the county. Chairman Geraghty has set up a committee tasked with the problems/response/solution of a large influx of people needing every kind of social service. Will hotel rooms be available during the height of our tourist season. Transportation in place? English as a second language, healthcare?, etc., etc., etc.,
We prepare for storms and other natural disasters, fires, emergencies, etc., why not humanitarian emergencies.
I feel that way about Fox.
Are the people coming here illegal immigrants or are they refugees/asylum seekers who have legally entered the country? Words matter and I think we need to make a distinction.
Asylum seekers.
Regarding asylum seekers coming to Washington County: This was discussed at a recent Town of Argyle Board meeting. A citizen in the audience was heard to say “Can’t we just shoot them?” No Board member uttered a word of reproof for such language.
That is horrible!
Amazing!
Fear mongering. It's what they do best.
Scared small men from a small town.