On the surface, enforcing alcohol laws and enforcing immigration laws have nothing in common, but two things that happened last week opened new fronts on the battle to control both problems.
The alcohol part of the story happened here in Charlotte when local law enforcement officers arrested over a dozen Myers Park High School students on various charges. Most were charged with underage drinking, but others were charged with using fake ID’s to buy beer.
The arrests happened as a result of the accident that killed two people on I-485. Brock Franklin, another Myers Park student, has been charged in connection with the fatal accident. Police say he and the other students were drinking at a party.
Local police have also come up with special units to investigate complaints of teenage drinking.
The tragedy, of course, is the deaths of two people and the fact it took those deaths to force a major investigation of drinking at the party and the formation of special units for the future.
Also there was the arrest last year of a mother in Huntersville charged with allowing teenagers to drink. One youngster died as a result.
All of these are steps forward in the battle against teenager drinking. Those who give alcohol to underage drinkers, the underage drinkers themselves and those who use fake ID’s should know there are consequences.
With the exception of Brock Franklin, whose life has been changed forever, those other Myers Park students can consider themselves lucky. They face charges, but they were not killed or maimed in an accident caused by drinking. It’s a lesson we would all hope is lifelong.
The immigration story has a Charlotte connection because some 40 arrests were made here, but it was a nationwide crackdown on a major business that made it part of its business model to hire illegal immigrants knowingly and pay them less, thereby making more money.
The arrests involved only a small portion of the illegal immigrants in this country, but if the immigration issue is to be solved, part of the answer will involve targeting businesses who knowingly hire illegal immigrants as well as the immigrants themselves.
That may be easier said than done. Congress has so far said a lot, but done little regarding illegal immigration. American business interests are very powerful and there are some who certainly have a vested interest in allowing illegal immigrants to be here. They work for less, leaving more profit for the companies. It will be more than interesting and a defining moment to see what Congress does about the issue. I wouldn’t expect anything to be done until after the midterm elections this November.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
“How Green Was my Valley”……….1941
“Citizen Kane” is considered by many critics to be the finest movie ever made, but the Academy Award for best picture of 1941 went to “How Green Was my Valley” and not “Citizen Kane.’
It’s the story of a Welsh mining family told thru the eyes of the young brother. Directed by one of the greatest of directors, John Ford, it’s a tale of love, courage, hardship and the things that bind communities and families together. It stars Maureen O’Hara, Donald Crisp, a young Roddy Mcdowell and Walter Pidgeon, all big stars in their day. It was nominated for ten academy awards and won five, including best picture and best director for Ford, who remains the only director ever to win four Oscars. The movie tugs at the heart strings, but never in a manipulative, false way. It will stay with you long after it ends. I would recommend it highly.
John thanks for the comments about both of these subjects.. The girl Brock Franklin killed was the daughter of Eddie Rivera, who works with my husband at Boy Scouts..it is heart rendering to see the pain and agony that they have gone through over this tragic loss.. what does it take to stop kids from drinking and driving.. A few of us were discussing this and one option would be to put on the off ramps the pop up prongs that would flatten a tire if they were to try and go on it the wrong way..There are other citys that have reverted to this to stop tragedys as this..
On immigration,, these folks need to have to go through all the legal channels as anyone else.. my one son in law was from another country, and he had to go through 10 years of going through all the legal channels to become a citizen of this country.. no one should be able to take a short cut just because there are so many of them here.. That would offend any who have worked their way to citizenship the right way.. there has to be a solution...is making money all some can even think about..?? Thanks for the good job..