Monday, December 26, 2016

Sanctuary?? A Call to Arms

I have not posted in quite some time.  However, recent events make it necessary to post again.

Recently, Mayor Noble announced his intention to make Kingston a sanctuary city.  A sanctuary city, for those who do not know, is a city that announces publicly that illegal immigrants will not be arrested or detained for violating federal immigration law.

On January 10th at 7 p.m., there will be a Common Council Meeting where the Mayor's resolution will be discussed and likely voted open.  The public will be allowed to speak on the matter as well.

A few thoughts.  First, the Aldermen and the Mayor took an oath to faithfully defend and protect the laws and Constitution of the United States and State of New York, as well as the laws and Charter of the City of Kingston.  To vote for this resolution is a direct violation of that oath.

Second, President-Elect Trump has announced his intention to deny federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities.  As of January 20th, he will have the power to back that up.  How, pray tell, will the Mayor and Council make up for the loss of federal funds?  There are only 2 ways. Either they lay off firemen, policemen, and/or city employees; or, they raise property taxes.  Either way, we citizens and taxpayers take it in the neck yet again.

Finally, if a person is not held on a federal immigration warrant because of the sanctuary city policy and he or she subsequently commits a crime, what will the Mayor and Council have to say to the victim or the victim's family?  If God forbid, the person not arrested on said warrant commits a murder (it has happened before), how will the Mayor and Council get the victim's blood off their hands?

I know that the overwhelming number of illegal immigrants do not commit crimes and just are seeking a better life.  The number who commit violent crimes are between 2% and 5% which seems like a small number.  However, when you consider that there are supposedly 6 million illegal immigrants currently in the country, then a range of 2% to 5% is 120,000 to 300,000.  That's just too damn many.

I urge Kingstonians to do 2 things.  First, show up at the meeting and express your opposition.  (Know that the Mayor will have numerous plants  ready to speak in favor.)  

Second, tell your Alderman that if he or she votes for this resolution, you will vote against him or her.  Neither the Mayor nor ANY of the Aldermen ran on the idea of making Kingston a sanctuary city.  This is a bad idea and it needs to be defeated.  This is not Democrat versus Republican.  (One Alderwoman from each party has announced opposition).  This is about the future of Kingston.