IMMIGRATION
Santana should forget the talk, stick to music
Carlos Santana took a large stage for his anti-American comments (“Santana knocks Georgia over immigration law,” Metro, May 16). The law is the law, and is not based on racism. Want to be an American citizen? Then don’t denigrate those who have come here legally by believing you have a right to not go through the same process. Those here illegally should be given a path to citizenship legally with no voting rights, etc. until the process is complete.
And Carlos, stick to what you know — music.
Michael Clifford, Snellville
IMMIGRATION
In good conscience, how can state say ‘Go away’?
I’m ashamed by my state’s HB 87 (anti-immigration law). Proponents claim illegals place an economic burden on our schools, hospitals and jails. However, the bill means significant loss of income for Georgia’s small businesses, and landscaping, agriculture and tourism industries.
This bill punishes people who struggled to reach America to escape poverty; to provide better lives for their children. Can you honestly say you wouldn’t have done the same? Did we really tell them not to come? Short of a “welcome” sign, we’ve hired millions to work in our lowliest jobs for the lowest pay. They’ve lived in crowded, inadequate housing, and suffered discrimination, scorn and abuse. Their children have grown up here. How can we Georgians now say in good conscience, “Too bad. Go away”?
The only moral, sensible solution is a nationwide one with borders secured, and illegals already here recognized and allowed to earn citizenship (the sooner, the better).
Sue Stoudemire, Atlanta
IMMIGRATION
Bracero Program worked in California
I would add my voice to the piece on guest workers using the Bracero Program (Readers write, Opinion, May 16). I grew up in California, and actually used this program one summer. Not only did the program work, but it worked beautifully. All I had to do to get a job was to go up to the man in charge and tell him I wanted a job. Not only did I get one on the spot, but he never took one guest worker off the job. He was glad to have the extra hands.
This type of program (if implemented nationally) would allow guest workers a chance to earn much more money here than they would at home. It would also allow American workers the opportunity to take back the higher paying jobs they need to support their families.
Gerald Lawson, Waleska
BASEBALL
1949 Crackers game provided great memory
Baseball’s annual Civil Rights Game reminds me of a game I attended in 1949 between the Atlanta Crackers and the Brooklyn Dodgers. This game featured Jackie Robinson. During the game, Jackie stole second, third and home. What a gifted player!
The park seated about 13,000 people, but there were perhaps an additional 12,000 people standing beyond the outfield fence.
Charles Pettett, Roswell
