Is it Time to Send Lady Liberty Back to France? - By Gene Robinson

[DonViejo]

Much smaller, poorer countries are opening their gates for refugees from violence-torn parts of the world. Why can't we do the same?

Maybe we should just send the Statue of Liberty back where it came from.

That long-and-much-beloved iconic statue, standing in New York Harbor, greeting immigrants by the tens of thousands, is inscribed with Emma Lazarus’ poem: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” Our beloved Lady Liberty has been a beacon of hope for millions of people seeking a better life.

The first human being to come through Ellis Island was an unaccompanied minor. Her name was Annie Moore, and a statue of her (and her two younger brothers) now stands on that tiny piece of hope in New York Harbor, along with one of her in Ireland, from whence she came. Thousands of unaccompanied minors followed her through Ellis Island.

But these days, with unprecedented numbers of children reaching our border with Mexico, many in Congress would have you believe that we are dealing with barbarians at the gate, rather than children seeking refuge from violence in their home countries. Congress is refusing President Obama’s request for emergency funds to deal with this crisis and seeking to overturn a human trafficking law (which grants a hearing to apprehended immigrants in order to determine whether or not they qualify for asylum), in order to deport these children more speedily. These are not immigrants simply looking for a cushier life, but rather refugees seeking relief from a dangerous and deadly, domestic “war” in their own countries.

more
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/20/is-it-time-to-send-lady-liberty-back-to-france.html

[Historic NY]

1. My grandmother came as a young teenage girl...

with a letter of introduction from her towns mayor. My grandfather came as a teen with his brother.

[xchrom]

2. du rec.

[wyldwolf]

3. silly rabbit. All that feel good stuff doesn't apply to (lowers voice to a whisper) brown skins

[madokie]

7. After all it was brown skins who we stole this land from to begin with

As long as South Americans are considered as illegals the rich can treat them any way they see fit, same as with the people who were brought here on slave ships. Think about it the rich treat our neighbors who come from the south the same as the rich used to treat the Negro slaves.

Its time this shit stops

[BlueJazz]

4. If it was up to me, I'd make a list of all the companies that have out-sourced the most jobs.

I'd then call them to the Whitehouse and say: Guess who's going to pay for all the refugee children. ??

[conservaphobe]

5. I'm hoping this xenophobic phase will pass sooner, rather than later.

And we can make her proud once again.

But you never know.

[rickyhall]

8. I doubt it

It's been going on since the Potato Famine at least. That's when my "ScotsIrish" ancestors treated my "Bog Irish" ancestors the same way.

[calimary]

9. It's AWFUL, isn't it! I keep thinking about that poem on the Statue of Liberty's pedestal.

The one that goes - "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses... your wretched refuse... the homeless, tempest-tost...

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

http://www.libertystatepark.com/emma.htm

Fucking damn teabaggers. Intolerant, hateful, mean-spirited, closed-minded, regressive, selfish, willfully-ignorant, utterly ANTI-American they are! If they hate it, and them, so much, and they don't want to play anymore, why don't THEY leave? Heck, I'd help them pack! They've made a complete mockery of this beautiful poem and this even more beautiful sentiment. ASSHOLES!!!!

[dhill926]

6. Humongous K & R...

[Gman]

10. Rather than send her back to France

It would probably be a better idea to take her down box her up and store her in that warehouse next to the Ark of the covenant

[Moostache]

11. Do we still have "top men" in that division? (nt)

[yuiyoshida]

12. Maybe it should go back..

Some Americans don't deserve it.

[JEB]

13. Is there a more sensible man on earth than Gene Robinson?

A true American.

[marmar]

14. Bill Maher said we should replace it with Godzilla