I need your help deciding whether this was right or wrong. I felt empowered to defend my work and decided to fight back some of the heat my story received. Too bad I accidently posted it twice, because now it will be cached two times forever more.
But my dilemma and my question is--did I do right by this?
Someone posted anonymously the following comment about my story:
What – the – heck is wrong with our society today. Over the years, Republicans gave tacit approval to illegal immigration to benefit various corporate contributors. Democrats give resulting 'soft-hearted' approval to people here illegally because of social problems. Why can't we respect our Laws, like every other country does!
It's not just our leaders that are at fault. We, The People need to make our voices heard! Why wasn't there a 'Public Outrage†against our country's previous administration when we attacked another country for no reason. Why do we feel no need to unite against religious leader's extortion of our country's Congressional / Senatorial representatives. Why do we feel no love or affection for American “Laborâ€, letting Congressional / Corporate leaders gut our system of worker's rights, and even ship our jobs overseas merely to increase the profit margin. All in the Orwellian name of Free Trade... sort-of like its the Patriotic thing to do.
We have been forced to view even the smallest hourly wage increase by workers as Inflationary. Yet, we as citizens and investors have not responded negatively enough to the Millions / Billions / Trillions of dollars handed to corporate leaders, lawyers, politicians, and now Bankers and Wall Street speculators that do nothing to create real Wealth.
Well, that 1.5 Trillion talked about in this article is merely a red-herring. We have high unemployment now and cannot afford to give jobs to people who failed to respect our country enough to enter legally. We have a way to admit refugees, that is not the issue. And there are plenty of actual law-abiding individuals who might appreciate having a job, and legally create that 1.5 Trillion in growth over the next ten years.
It's not just our leaders that are at fault. We, The People need to make our voices heard! Why wasn't there a 'Public Outrage†against our country's previous administration when we attacked another country for no reason. Why do we feel no need to unite against religious leader's extortion of our country's Congressional / Senatorial representatives. Why do we feel no love or affection for American “Laborâ€, letting Congressional / Corporate leaders gut our system of worker's rights, and even ship our jobs overseas merely to increase the profit margin. All in the Orwellian name of Free Trade... sort-of like its the Patriotic thing to do.
We have been forced to view even the smallest hourly wage increase by workers as Inflationary. Yet, we as citizens and investors have not responded negatively enough to the Millions / Billions / Trillions of dollars handed to corporate leaders, lawyers, politicians, and now Bankers and Wall Street speculators that do nothing to create real Wealth.
Well, that 1.5 Trillion talked about in this article is merely a red-herring. We have high unemployment now and cannot afford to give jobs to people who failed to respect our country enough to enter legally. We have a way to admit refugees, that is not the issue. And there are plenty of actual law-abiding individuals who might appreciate having a job, and legally create that 1.5 Trillion in growth over the next ten years.
I felt like Eminem for a moment and decide to take a citizen stance and defend myself:
This is what I responded:
I know this is late, but thanks very much for reading my column. I always appreciated when someone reads my work, but to the person that went on a rant about how illegal immigrants should be deported and not given a helping hand, I just have a few suggestions.
1. Like me, make sure you address yourself by your real name and not anonymously. If you are going to criticize someone, the least you can do is be honorable and show your true colors--do not hide behind a wall of secrecy.
I have a lot of respect for your viewpoints but when you hide your name, it undermines your integrity and it is very hard to take you seriously.
2. My numbers are not red herring. I backed up my research with various sources including the CATO institute. Again, if you knew anything about journalism you would know that journalist do it with at least two sources and they uphold the belief that a story needs to be balanced, credible and have integrity. We do not hide our sources and we definitely do not hide our names.
1. Like me, make sure you address yourself by your real name and not anonymously. If you are going to criticize someone, the least you can do is be honorable and show your true colors--do not hide behind a wall of secrecy.
I have a lot of respect for your viewpoints but when you hide your name, it undermines your integrity and it is very hard to take you seriously.
2. My numbers are not red herring. I backed up my research with various sources including the CATO institute. Again, if you knew anything about journalism you would know that journalist do it with at least two sources and they uphold the belief that a story needs to be balanced, credible and have integrity. We do not hide our sources and we definitely do not hide our names.
THE ULTIMATUM FOR MY ACTIONS?
If you guys think I overstepped my boundaries I will promise to stop inserting my personal opinions on stuff that happens in both my personal and professional life---this blog included.
1 comment:
?Quien tienes cajones?
That'd be you, by the way.
It takes guts to call out some wack-job who sits in his hut and doesn't have a job because he's pants on head retarded.
I admire that, and I'm glad you did it. Fuck the haters, man. They didn't go through all the shit we did to know our facts. And unlike them, we can't make shit up. (Or throw in Random capital Letters!)
Would I do it again? Nah. Once is enough, and remember, the only people who comment like that are the hardcore haters and douches.
But no matter what. I got your back.
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