Letters 7/28/056

July 27, 2005

A migrant story
This letter is in response to the article on immigration, “The Wanderers,” (July 7-13) by Anne Stanton, which I read with interest.
Like Father Dziekan in the article, I too was raised in Chicago. In the mid-‘70s, I worked there as a foreman at a large, prosperous landscape nursery. Hector was the leader of all the migrant workers, who were all illegal. Hector would go to the barrio in Chicago and get workers whenever we needed any. He would charge them a fee for getting them the job. After getting the job, they were also charged rent by the nursery owner, which was taken out of their pay each week. The guys in my crew had been brought all the way from Texas in a closed truck.
One morning I came to work and there were no Mexicans. I soon learned they had had a huge brawl the night before which started over someone’s beer. After the fight, they all fled so they wouldn’t be caught by the Immigration Service and deported. One of my crew, Felix, was in the hospital with a head wound. Well, Hector just went down to the barrio and got more.
Has it changed that much? Maybe. But I doubt it. Not in the cities where 90% of the migrants live and hide out. The situation in pastoral Leelanau County paints a pretty picture of the immigration problem, but it is not the real world. Illegal immigration is causing serious problems in this country. Although they are mostly good, family-oriented people with a good work ethic, if they are illegal, they shouldn’t be here. Period.

Bob Jones • Glen Arbor

The word of God
In a recent article, Robert Downes expressed amazement at the violent rioting in some Muslim cities in reaction to the apparent desecration of the Qur’an (aka “Koran“) by U.S. guards at the Guantanamo detention center. Copies apparently were flushed down the toilets to upset and unnerve Muslim prisoners.
Needless to say, both the desecration and the reaction were reprehensible. What is interesting, though, is the unique place -- little known in the West -- that the Qur’an occupies in the hearts of the Muslim people. It is understood to be the very Arabic words spoken by God to the Prophet Muhammad (Qur’an 16:103). These very words are understood as having existed from all eternity in the “well-guarded tablet.”
No one makes that kind of claim for the Hebrew or Christian scriptures. To give you an idea how holy the Book is deemed to be, consider that it is sometimes compared to the unique place Christ himself occupies in Christian thought. While Christ is said to be the Word (the expression) of God “made flesh,” to Muslims the Qur’an might be said to be the Word of God “made scripture.” In today’s world we need to know more about other peoples’ religions.

Jim McCormick • TC

Art vs. Politics
It‘s regrettable that our very first film festival is shrouded in controversy, competing festivals, and strong opinions, both in support and critical of Michael Moore.
I feel bad for Mr. Moore, but I think I understand that each successive cinematic work of art had less to do with art and more to do with politics, leading to his last work dedicated to his own personal goal of causing a leadership change of the free world.
His ability to concentrate on his cinematic talents is now diminished and is overshadowed by controversy to himself, his work, and those who sponsor him.
The mix of politics and art leaves art in second place!

Adrian DenHaan • TC

Uncool waves
I am writing in response to comments made by Robert Downes in the 7/14 “Random Thoughts“ column. I was one of the people who wrote a letter expressing my anger and disappointment at there being three Cool Waves stores in the space of two city blocks.
He comments, “Imagine hundreds of young people rediscovering vibrant, community-minded downtown Traverse City, becoming the civic-minded citizens who will one day safeguard their town‘s future... all because they were drawn to Cool Waves as teenagers.“
I don‘t think that the people who have no qualms with paying $90 for a pair of low quality pants that were made by a ten-year-old in India can be the “civic-minded citizens“ of which you speak.
I read your publication every week, I enjoy it very much and for the most part rarely feel much disagreement with what you publish and write about. I just can‘t understand this issue. Why is it even necessary for Cool Waves to have three of the essentially EXACT SAME store in such a concentrated area? Why is it that we have three Cool Waves stores downtown but only one independent record store in the whole county? I have nothing against small businesses; I‘m glad that our area gives them an opportunity to thrive -- but seriously, do we really need three (four if you count the mall) places to get Corona bathing suits?
Last Friday night I was downtown for the awesome celebration of the release of the sixth Harry Potter book. I thought it was really neat that so many downtown businesses were participating in this event and it was exciting to see so many people, young and old, families and groups of young people like myself and my friends, downtown at night, excited for the release of a book. I participated in the Scavenger Hunt, which consisted of visiting all of the participating businesses (all re-named for the night after stores from the Harry Potter series) and finding an item from the provided list. All three Cool Waves stores were open at the time, not participating in the event, just busy blasting their “groovy South Beach vibes“ and causing confusion for parents and kids alike. I saw a family ahead of me pause in confusion, wondering if this was a store they should check out for the scavenger hunt. The mother bustled her children along, saying, “They aren‘t a part of this. They‘re just trying to make an easy buck.“ I thought that aptly summed up the situation.
As I stated in my first letter, I love the serene, picturesque feel of downtown Traverse City late at night. I don‘t think I‘m the only one who feels this way. Those glaring blue neon lights hardly add any serenity or picturesque quality to our beautiful city. I shop downtown because I don‘t want to shop at the mall. I find it frustrating that the mall has taken over downtown.

Aaron Gooch • TC