Karen Crowell is really stretching it. This is not a matter of intolerance.

Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:45:01 -0500
From: Joe Kingley
Subject: Law and Order

Karen Crowell is really stretching it. This is not a matter of intolerance. Our Country has welcomed immigrants for centuries. I am an immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen. I support immigration, legal immigration. Karen may believe in a “New World Order” where we are all citizens of the world and as such, have the right to ignore the rule of law, do our own thing and trample on the rights of others, but I do not, and the vast majority of the peoples of this world, and this country in particular, also do not accept the “free for all” concept.

I assume Karen and her like-minded supporters will be happy to accept anyone camping out in her back yard, or breaking into her home, taking the food out of her pantry, raiding her medicine cabinet, commandeering the seats on her couch to watch the programs they wish to watch on her TV and then go to sleep in her bed. Sorry Karen, but that is what you are recommending when you expect that we do nothing to stop illegal immigration and, like the former BOC encourage the illegal transgression of our laws to serve selfish purposes of unwanted intruders.

Karen does not seem to be able to distinguish between an unwanted intruder into her home and an invited visitor. I submit that the former BOC members acted as accessories to an illegal activity by declaring Chatham County (our home) a sanctuary to law breakers. I make the assumption that Karen is married. As such, although she may impose a visitor on her children without their approval, she would, I hope, never consider inviting someone to stay in her home, let alone leave the doors open to encourage intrusions, without the consent of her spouse. Well Karen, the citizenry of Chatham County is your spousal equivalent, not your child. You have no right to impose your wishes without our consent, especially if by so doing; you also force us to become accessories.

If non-citizens wish to work and earn a living in our Country, then we have provisions for that. I came here on a work visa (green card). Exploitation by domestic companies and others occurs precisely because of the illegal status. Instead, I believe that companies that knowingly, or carelessly hire illegal workers should not be fined. I believe the company officers who allowed that illegal hire to take place, be punished.

Joe Kingley

Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:12:45 +0000
From: “Crowell, Karen E”
Subject: law and order

Donna Kelly writes:

“Our society’s strongest common bond is the rule of law, which ensures that a democracy doesn’t turn into a lynch mob.”

The rule of law didn’t prevent hundreds of people from being lynched in the past. Justice is not served by laws alone. No society that tolerates lynching or turns a blind eye to such crimes is just, no matter what the law says.

In reference to the resolution passed by the BOC, she writes: “I think all lives are equally valuable and to make laws making a distinction sends the wrong message.”

Yes, members of the former Board of Commissioners passed a resolution, not a law that really carried no authority. If some people considered it a “political gesture” then so be it. I saw it as an attempt to ensure that the intolerance that some people openly display in this county didn’t lead to more harm.