Friday, June 9, 2006

Kennedy on Immigration

Political history lives in the mouth of Senator Edward Kennedy, and this gives him a sharp take on the present.

Speaking today at the Kennedy Library, the senator talked about his grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald, who, as mayor of Boston 100 years ago, hired an Italian fire chief. A crowd gathered outside Fitzgerald's home, and people asked, "Why don't you hire one of your own, Honey Fitz? Why don't you hire one of your own?"

Streaks of this insiderism persist. But Kennedy compellingly argues against rushing to build more fences on the southern border while letting the exploitation of immigrant workers continue.

He sincerely praised the border patrol for their training, skill, and discipline, noting, in a changing tone, that these talents are used for "chasing gardeners around the desert."

Winning the fight for rational immigration reform, Kennedy said, is about "our humanity, our decency, and our values."

Posted by at 03:40 PM

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