In response to Putting Country First from The Oregonian:
While correct in noticing the strides the military is making in accommodating immigrants, the editorial board misses the boat entirely on one thing in particular. The relativistic notion of open-mindedness that the board seems to think comes part and parcel with immigration policy should not be encouraged. An open-mind can be fine, but not if it is used to accept the failing status quo and loose standards. As Chesterton wrote, “[m]erely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.”
The feel-good approach with open borders–if the ultimate goal is not to make citizens and patriots out of those who wish to live in America–does not and will not work. Certainly, the federal approach to immigration at large is not at all solid, rather inhabiting the saccharine taste and airy consistency of cotton candy. Citizenry and patriotism must be not only the goal, but the mandate, of not just the immigrants in the Armed Forces, but for all those who cross into our great nation. It is high time our native-born citizens realize this and become better patriots themselves.
