From classrooms in southern Ohio and southern Texas, I was able to hear today from a part of the American electorate ignored by the so-called mainstream news media.
And their questions on the election year issue of immigration were refreshingly free of the fear and baggage both sides on this matter carry into any debate.
My presentation to the classes by the technology of the mavelous Vanderbilt Virtual School was based on information I've assembled -- based on my personal experiences, friends and my political opinions geared to Matthew 25 and other parts of the Old Testament.
Now I told the students -- who hear the political opinions of parents at home -- that immigration no longer is a pressing election issue. It's as dead as last night's meat loaf. I've blogged on the that truth earlier. And it was not mentioned in the three presidential debates.
We'll see no action on immigration reform until 2010 at the earliest. The country needs a simple and immediate end to ICE raids -- which Michelle Obama has promised -- and the dismantling of 287g deportation program and the creation of a guest worker program that forces registered immigrants back to their own countries in 18 months.
A great question asked by a Ohio student was why do we have immigration?
Well, the American Indians have probably asked that question the longest, because of their history following the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1607. But the Pilgrims came here for new opportunity to make a better living and live freer from the structure of laws where they were born. That continues to draw people to America now. Religious and personal freedoms and equal justice under the law are tremendous advantages.
Today, we have great foods like quesadillas, which I taught the children in Ohio how to make at home. We have television invented by Italian immigrants, and of course pizza. We have people coming here to first fight for our country in Iraq and Afganistan. They also do jobs others don't want, granting us cheaper prices at the grocery store and restaurants. They also pay pay more in taxes than they receive in government services, as a University of Arizona story showed this year.
The children in Texas did not have to be told how to told how to make quesaillas. The class was made of children of Hispanic descent and African-Americans. I asked about the one thing they would like for their classroom. And they opened my eyes: each wanted a computer at their desks all day long.
Why wouldn't they? I have one in front of me all day and love it. Computers stimulate the brains of young and old alike.
According to its website, The Vanderbilt University Virtual School was founded in 1991 with support from the Nashville business community. The school hosts videoconferences on many different topics each semester for public, private and home-schooled students across the nation and abroad. Since Oct. 2, it has been holding teleconferences
It's much more heroic than that. I was privileged to appear on its venue. My thanks go out to director Patsy Partin and producer Michael Majett. It's amazing what two committed people can do.
To learn more, go to http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/staff.htm
And there is a lot more to learn, specifically from the children. I've invited them to write for my blog. So I hope to soon post their comments on issues close to them today and tomorrow.
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