Politics and Culture

What are the qualifications to write for CNN? Ruben Navarrette proves that even the most banal PC drivel can make it onto a major network.

His ten points:

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- In a recent commentary, I wrote that, as a Mexican-American, the ugliness of the immigration debate offends me -- not as a Mexican, but as an American.

The topic: the immigration debate and what she called a wave I of hate sweeping the land -- one that isn't limited to illegal immigrants, but which is now affecting all Hispanics regardless of where they were born, what language they speak or what flag they salute.

Hispanics sometimes say this, but when I ask for examples, they more often can't come up with one- it's more like a theoretical oppression like, "Considering the history of the United States, Americans are probably oppressing us somewhere." Let's not lower the bar for problematic "hatred" so much that it includes legitimate policy discussions.

The way Murguia sees it, immigration is "on the verge of becoming one of the largest civil rights issues of our generation." And, Hispanics are playing the piñata.

Securing the border isn't a "civil rights" issue. Nobody has a "right" to enter the United States or stay illegally. You might want more or less immigration, but let's be clear: If immigration is a civil rights issue, what isn't?

Murguia was right on the button. To borrow a phrase, it's getting ugly out there. And U.S.-born Hispanics see it as plain as day. Here are 10 things they find distasteful about this debate:

Lay it on me:

• The hypocrisy. We have two signs on the U.S.-Mexican border: "Keep Out" and "Help Wanted."

I think the sign should say: "Help wanted from legal immigrants." Employers hire illegal immigrants because of their greed, their need to compete with the more greedy, and the current chaos in some employment sectors like construction and care-giving, where verification and alternatives to illegal labor are difficult. Once we set up an orderly system, employers won't feel the need to hire illegal immigrants.

• The racism. With lightning speed, the debate went from anti-illegal immigrant to anti-immigrant to anti-Mexican.

Most people opposed to illegal immigration make a point that it isn't just Mexicans, but Mexico happens to be the country with the most illegal immigrants. What do you want people to do: Allow illegal immigration because illegal aliens aren't proportionally represented?

Besides: Do Mexicans or Hispanics bear any responsibility for their collective reputation? (Uncharitable readers may think what you like, but I've made my feelings known before and, besides, somebody sane has to say it.) Without being specific, if Mexicans didn't have social problems at a greater rate than the general population, would people still have the same kind of negative reaction towards them (Navarrette doesn't help people to think Hispanics especially deep, either.).

Why is it OK for Navarrette to generalize on non-Hispanic hatred based on Nazi video games (below) and 100 interviews and not for anybody else to generalize about Mexicans?

Hypocrisy. (Although generalization is the major problem in immigration today.).

• The opportunism. Too many politicians are trying too hard to portray themselves as tough on illegal immigration.

Yes, politicians should be less opportunistic. I never thought of that.

• The simple solutions. "Build A Wall." "Deport All Illegals." A quick rule of thumb: If it fits on a bumper sticker, it's not a workable policy.

How about this bumper sticker: "If it fits on a bumper sticker, it's not a workable policy."

• The naiveté. People ask why Mexico won't help stop illegal immigration. Hint: Last year, Mexicans in the United States sent home $25 billion.

Yes.

• The profiling. Dark skin and Spanish surnames shouldn't be proxies for undocumented status. Been to Arizona lately?

No, it shouldn't. Examples? Is this a huge problem that should prevent us from enforcing immigration rules?

• The meanness. Nazi-produced Internet video games let players shoot illegal immigrants crossing the border. Fun stuff.

Let's not have a sound immigration policy because Nazis make video games. Another good one and not at all stereotypical.

• The amnesia. Americans think grandpa was welcomed with open arms and that he plunged into the melting pot. Whatever.

Most people did OK, or they would have joined the third of immigrants who went back. That being said, we should treat legal residents as the national assets they are. The best way to do this is to stop illegal immigration. Most of the anger comes from a sense that people are taking advantage of the system. Eliminate that feeling and the only problems Mexicans will have with Americans is being constantly hugged by them.

• The buck-passing. Americans love to blame Mexico for their choices, yelling across the border: "Stop us before we hire again."

This is a rephrasing of point one. It's really nine points, then.

• The double standard. The same folks who have zero tolerance for illegal immigrants easily tolerate those who hire them.

Does Navarrette have a stutter problem. Similar to points one and nine. We really only have eight points, then.

Some of this is painfully familiar, recalling earlier versions of this debate as it played out a hundred or two hundred years ago. Hispanics are the new Germans, the new Irish, the new Italians. But it's also ugly. It was then. It is now.

I hope they're the new Germans, Irish, and Italians. That would be great! Let's have the same policies as the turn of the century?