Florida Has The Right Idea. I Don't Get To Say That Often.

In Panama City, Florida, it seems that the local Sheriff has found a way to effectively weed out who is it the states illegally, and who isn't.

Deputies in patrol cars pull up to a construction site in force, and watch and see who runs. Those who take off are chased down and arrested on charges such as trespassing, for cutting through someone else's property, or loitering, for hiding out in someone's yard, or reckless driving, for speeding off in a car.

U.S. immigration authorities are then given the names of those believed to be in this country illegally.

"It's not wrong for them to run, but it's not wrong for us to chase them either," said Sheriff Frank McKeithen, who created his Illegal Alien Task Force in April to target construction sites in this Florida Panhandle county.

I think I would like to see more of this happening in more cities and states across the nation. So far, it seems that only ones complaining are obviously, the illegals, and of course the ACLU. Well, I guess those that employ them are a little upset too, but they don't have a leg to stand on really. Unless of course they want to admit they were committing a crime.

The outcome of this approach has been a dream come true for those of us who don't mind immigrants unless they are of the illegal type.

Illegal immigrants are leaving town.

There was a quote in this article that really irked me.

The Mexican American Legal Defense Fund is investigating the arrests because "the intimidation factor is of great concern," said Elise Shore, regional counsel for the organization.

Benjamin Stevenson, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union in Florida, said he finds the tactic troubling.

"Why are they sending out six or seven agents to investigate a paper crime, and are they causing them to run in the first place through intimidation?" he asked.

Intimidation? I don't see any intimidation in this tactic. If you are here and working here legally, and don't have any outstanding warrants for your arrest, and have thus been obeying the laws, then you have nothing to fear. Therefore, no reason to be afraid or run when the police arrive. Are they now going to say that any type of law enforcement is a bad idea because the criminals might be intimidated? Give me a freaking break! As for the comment regarding the number of agents sent to the scene? As my father always said, "You don't take a knife to a gun fight". The way I see it, they are just going into a situation properly prepared. If your army is up against 50,000, you better hope you have more than five on your side right?

Back to the outcome of this particular tactic. Simply because I like it.

Mexican illegal immigrant Jose Madrid, 28, said he has been unable to find a construction job over the past six weeks because of the crackdown, and hasn't been able to send money to his parents and his 7-year-old son back home.

"We immigrants, we are leaving Panama City. People are afraid they will be deported," he said. "The companies don't want to hire illegal people. Now they're only hiring those with papers."

The companies mentioned are following the rules Jose, as you should be as well. Sorry to hear that things are tough back in Mexico, but hey, you might want to go back and take care of your family, and do what the people of this country did 200 years ago. Fight for what is right, and fix the problem at home. It wasn't until we did just that, that life got better for us. If you still want to call the United States home, do it the legal way. You will find that the people here are much more receptive to that method, and a great deal more understanding. You might also find jobs easier to come by, and with a little work on your part, you could even reunite your family and give your son the life that he deserves.

This may seem a bit off the above topic, but it has to be said as it does sort of tie in to what I just wrote above. I spent a number of years as a single mom (my son's entire life if you take into account that his father, even when were married, had better things to do than be home with his family), and money wasn't always plentiful. In fact, it was non-existent at times. With a lot of hard work on my part though, my son never knew. He just thought everyone worked as much as I did. This is a country where hard work pays off. Hard workers are respected and appreciated. To get into this country, you are expected to work hard to do so. If you cheat at the game, and sneak in, don't expect the same respect.

One other point I would like to make at this time is this. Don't expect the same legal system, and the people who created it or are charged with enforcing it, that you blew off to get here in the first place, to protect you or bail your butt out later. You obviously didn't respect the system or the people involved, in the first place. Don't appeal to my human decency after slapping me, and everything I believe in in the face.