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By Jennifer R. Carnes
Managing Editor
Copper Area News
We live in a truly great nation. I believe that from the bottom of my heart. I also believe that we are incredibly lucky to live here.
My ancestors immigrated to the United States during the American Revolution, before this country was actually a country. I am an immigrant.
Last time I checked, only those people who were here first can say that they are truly native. All others are immigrants.
Yes. I said it. Everyone else is an immigrant.
My ancestors came to this continent in search of a better life. Until recently I didn’t see the harm in it.
Still don’t, as a matter of fact.
Some are claiming that we have an epidemic on our hands. All those “illegal aliens” coming into our country. Except those “illegal aliens” many in our local community are hollering about are children. Children. Children who came here looking for family, looking for a better life than what they had.
Why is that bad? Is it because they didn’t cross an ocean to live here?
I don’t have a problem with the children being temporarily housed at Sycamore Canyon Academy. I’m glad that I can help out in some small way to make their lives a little better. Even paying a little bit more in taxes, it’s really only a small way to help. How much really is it impacting you? Have you seen a huge spike in your tax dollars? Because I haven’t.
I’m still willing to help. My question is, why aren’t you willing to help?
I’d also like to offer a little history lesson.
On Dec. 15, 1791, a well-known and much quoted amendment was ratified by the representatives of the 14 states then comprising the United States of America. Originally penned as the third and fourth articles of amendment, the First Amendment guaranteeing the citizens of the United States the right of freedom of speech was approved. This was also the amendment guaranteeing the freedom of religion and freedom of the press.
One thing I’m not certain that some folks understand – every American citizen has those rights.
As journalists, reporters, writers, editors, whatever term you’d like to use, we are still American citizens. We too have those rights. We don’t take an oath upon becoming a journalist, reporter, writer or editor that relinquishes our right to freedom of speech. We do, however, work to jealously guard those rights for others, which, as it seems here, is the right to allow readers to call us biased.
Yes, Mr. Hernandez is a reporter forCopper Area News. But he is also a columnist who was writing an editorial about a misconception that some in our county government perpetuated. An editorial is, by nature, opinion. One generally has to have one to write one. Just as the other letters published herein are that – opinion. “Dry Heat” is and always has been an opinion piece. If read to the end, the reader will find a disclaimer from both the author and from this editor, reiterating the fact that it is opinion.
Mr. Hernandez has never disguised the fact that he leans towards the liberal. Mr. Skiba and Mr. Thompson, too, have never disguised the fact that they lean toward the conservative.
Good thing we live in a nation that celebrates those differences.
As I said before, it’s a truly great nation.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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