| Bet
Cloven is
an American citizen, born in the USA of
American parents. She and her parents
and siblings have lived outside the USA, in various combinations
(father only;
parents and eldest three children; parents and youngest child) usually
at the
request/demand/allowance of the US Government – specifically, the US
Army. Tales
of an Army Brat
My father
spent twenty-two years as a career soldier in the United States Army. Dad graduated high school and joined the
army at the age of sixteen, and by the time he was seventeen he was in
Korea. Nearly two decades later, close
to the end of his military career, he was in Vietnam.
Between these two police actions, Dad received orders for
a
long-term assignment in Europe and, as he was allowed to take his
family, Dad
and Mom and my two brothers and I prepared to move.
Regardless the fact that this U.S. soldier was simply
being
transferred to a different U.S. military installation (which happened
to be on
foreign soil), the requirements for our entry into a temporary host
country
were set not only by the U.S. Army, but by the laws of Germany.
I
was barely
five years old when we made that trip, and as harrowing as it was,
spending
about 2 weeks aboard the troop ship on a storm ravaged ocean, the
months prior
to the move were even more horrendous. Of
course, I personally don’t recall much of the
processes, but I do
remember seeing Mom sitting at the large dining table, staring at the
piles of
papers before her, and in tears as she attempted to fill out forms and
write
letters recanting details of familial histories that she couldn’t
possibly
know. The most arduous part was when
she attempted to fill-in-the-blanks for my father who had been given up
by his
birth parents when he was only three years old. Providing
information on his adoptive parents was mandatory of
course, but information was also requested regarding his birth parents. As there was no information to be had, this
missing data necessitated the completion and processing and filing of a
few
dozen additional forms. What I do remember, other than Mother crying of course, was when we went for the “health screenings.” It was just before my fifth birthday. I recall a large auditorium of sorts, with windows high on the tall walls, such that one couldn’t actually see out of them. Though I didn’t understand it then, I know now that we were in a hanger. There were many rows of hard chairs and a few plain wooden desks to one side, and on the other side there were several curtained partitions. Every once in a while I’d see someone dressed in white walk behind a partition with one or two of the dozens and dozens of other people in the auditorium, and from the far side of those partitions I heard grown people moan and babies cry. Then it was my turn. Mom took me by the hand and walked me behind one of the curtains and then, without so much as asking my name, a nurse picked me up and set me on an examination table. The next thing I knew, I was being hit in both arms at the same time with needles held by two different nurses. Then I was hit again. I must have been immunized against every known disease on the face of the earth including malaria and beriberi. I wasn’t an armed GI who’d just received orders to go trudging through a parasite-infested swamp in some third world country. I was a four-year-old civilian going to Germany! I survived. As a matter of fact, it’s not only “o.k.” now, but I understand and appreciate everything that happened. Sure… The army could take lessons in matters of social grace, but I’m willing to bet that Germany doesn’t suffer from a lot of imported diseases. The following table is just an FYI, and I picked Tuberculosis on a whim… This is only one small example of the problems we face in the United States as a result of the influx of illegal aliens – and I don’t care if they’re Mexican, Norwegian, Nigerian, or Jordanian. 2004 Tuberculosis Burden: World Health Organization Country Population Reported New Cases of Tuberculosis Germany 82,645,291 New ss+/100,000 = 1.9 United States 295,409,638 New ss+/100,000 = 1.8 Mexico 105,699,074 New ss+/100,000 = 10.0 (“New ss+/100,000” means New subjects (cases) per 100,000 people. Why are we even considering for a moment that the non-existent rights of foreigners who have chosen to break the laws of the United States should take precedence over the rights of those people who are here legally, either by birthright or by earning those rights? Are we really so lazy that we can’t mow our own lawns or wash our own floors? Many years ago, laws were set in place to ALLOW for the entry of foreigners to the United States, and certain stipulations were created for such entry, based primarily on the idea of self-protection. The concerns for safety were well founded, and included such concepts as *desirability, *productivity, *national security, *disease control, and *long-term effect. We’ve gone from legitimate concerns for safety to “Oh, what the Hell… Let’s welcome anyone and everyone with open arms and closed eyes!” In the process of naturalization, the final item addresses The Oath that follows the legitimate acceptance of the application for citizenship in the United States. The Oath includes a vow of allegiance to the United States of America, in concert with a renunciation of allegiance to any other government or leader. How is it then that I see protesters carrying Mexican flags? How is it justified that some protesters wear t-shirts emblazoned with, “I’m illegal – SO WHAT?!” How is it that some foreigners have the audacity to lower the American flag – on U.S. soil – and raise a foreign flag in its place? Where is their allegiance? Why are their illegal activities and status met with even an iota of compassion? Why do some claim that the word “illegal” is not applicable, despite the fact that what they are doing is illegal? And following The Oath, why do we see so many newly naturalized citizens protesting the laws they swore to uphold? The laws of the United States neither forbid nor prevent the legal entry of foreigners. The laws merely provide for the safety of this country while also allowing for its growth through immigration. No rational person proves his or her desire to become a law-abiding citizen of another country by openly and proudly breaking the laws of that country, and then daring the officials to do something about it. On the contrary, these protesters are demonstrating their willingness to perform any and every illegal action they deem necessary to force their desires upon others, despite the prohibitions against such actions, and despite the legal options available. “I want what I want! I want it NOW, and I will take it by force even if it’s against the law. If you try to stop me, I’ll make you suffer!” If this scenario were to play out on a more personal level, such actions would be recognized as “rape” and “extortion.” Bet Cloven, Garland TX
©
2006 Bet Cloven |