Sunday, September 24, 2006

Let's say I break into your home...


I recently recieved a propaganda e-mail about a hypothetical situation as commentary about immigration. I have modified it as seen below.

Let's say I break into your home. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say,"I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits
to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there.

It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America....

Sitting Bull says, "HMMM, interesting...among the most elementary of moral truisms is the principle of universality: we must apply to ourselves the same standards we do to others, if not more stringent ones. It is a remarkable comment on Western intellectual culture that this principle is so often ignored and, if occasionally mentioned, condemned as outrageous. This is particularly shameful on the part of those who flaunt their Christian piety, and therefore have presumably at least heard of the definition of the hypocrite in the Gospels."

Now, circulate this if you still feel the same way.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I agree that American leaders clearly reject the principle of universality.

Is that quote a Sitting Bull quote? As far as I can tell it is a Noam Chomsky quote.

Scott Starr said...

Yes that is Chomsky from his book Failed States. I thought the quote was quite applicable. Sitting Bull actually did say many things in the same vein.

Unknown said...

Ah, I understand what you mean now.

Thanks