What to make of the several confrontations downtown on immigration? I haven’t listened to any who were involved and rely on the Herald’s reporting. I have gone to none of the demonstrations/protests and will not. I wish no one did, neither those who have come to Austin to protest immigration nor those who protest these protests. Immigration is too American to oppose it, and the current immigration situation is so desperately in need of reform that we need to work together to accomplish it.

Facing off against each other and shouting at each other just is not the way to go about resolving conflicts. Perhaps they are just being thoughtless and insensitive, but I think I have to say I resent these demonstrations being staged at the Veterans Memorial. This seems to suggest we fought to defend our country not against its foreign aggressors but against foreigners who immigrate. Please do not usurp the Veterans Memorial for self-serving, political purposes.

I confess uneasiness also about their waving the American flag in the manner they are shown to have done. I haven’t read a statement of purpose in this, and I must go on its appearance. To be frank, I don’t think of patriotism but of provincialism. They give every appearance of having expropriated the American flag for selfish, personal purposes. They seem to be suggesting they are more American than immigrants who have become American citizens. I should be relieved if they don’t mean this, but I would like to hear it from them. Better, I would like to see it in them.

I have not listened to any of these who protest immigration, and I have not met any directly. So, I am reluctant to make assessments of them as persons. It would be a logical risk to reach conclusions about their motives. Yet, I confess I fail to grasp their point. Or, perhaps I do, but I don’t know if it’s the point they present up-front.

I may have more agreement with what they have said than what I suspect they mean.

But I also recognize what a threat these protesters are to immigrants, whatever their legal status. I suspect they are frightened not so much by their talk but where their actions could lead.

I just don’t think shouting obscenities and slogans at them can accomplish this. If they want to make fools of themselves, let them do it by themselves. If immigrant-supporters make fools of themselves, it only makes it harder for the public to recognize who is the greater fool.

Protests and demonstrations like this are very good things to avoid if we can and escape if we must. Even idly curious people form an encouraging audience for this sort of thing. Read about it in the Herald afterward.

We need to understand immigration and immigrants, and we need to reform our present immigration system.

This requires inquiry for facts, rational thinking, civil discussion, further thought, and appropriate action. Let’s have at it and not each other.