Ignore the Facts

Geraldo Rivera has an interesting take on the current immigration crisis. Interestingly historically illiterate, that is. Let examine this, shall we?

“This is exactly what they did to the Irish in the 19th century, and to the Chinese in the 19th century, and then to the Jews and the Italians in the 20th century,” he said. “Not only do they bring crime, they bring disease. Be afraid! Hide your daughters!”

Disease is an extremely valid fear with population movement. Just ask the remaining Native Americans.  Or the survivors of the Black Plague. Or simply look back to the terror engendered by SARS and the avian flu. That immigrants could possibly be a disease vector is settled science.Of course science, the new sparkly golden god of the decadent post-Christian West doesn't get evoked when somebody don't like what it says. (I'm certain that the true God can empathize.)

In this regard, however, science just joins history, which for most of the West began when the great god Democracy and his brother Socialism defeated Hitler in the Chaoskampf of 1945 and created consumerism and materialism from his entrails. Thus it must also be said that Italian and Jewish mafia activity in the early 20th century is well documented (and even celebrated.) Basically, Geraldo is 0/2.

While it's easy for us today to just focus on the flashiness and the glamour of that era of immigrant based crime, it took a real toll in blood, treasure, and lives for those who had to deal with it firsthand. Yes, we did get some pretty cool things from it - gelato, Las Vegas - but others paid a steep price for our luxurious vacation spot. In order to morally justify immigration, particularly mass immigration, one must clearly point out some gains that offset these very real losses suffered by the existing population. Aside from appeals to the narrow ethnic or economic interests of various cliques, or the insipid Orwellian cult of diversity, I have yet to see this done. I very much doubt I should hold my breath.