The town of Hazleton, PA is in battle in court over something I think regular readers of my anger-driven screed will recognize as one of my pet issues: illegal immigration.
[*Edited to add: Bill not only caught my initial error in leaving out the link to the actual article, but also added an article with much more information about events than I had originally bothered with. Go Bill! Here's his link.]
See, Hazleton has passed a local ordinance denying business permits to businesses which hire illegal immigrants, fining landlords who rent to them, and declaring English the official language of the town.
Of course, immigrant groups are screaming: "They're criminalizing us!!" (You're already a criminal, chief; that's why they call it ILLEGAL immigration.) "They're discriminating against people who break the law!" (Well, at least they're just sending you home. Everyone else who breaks the law in this country goes to PRISON.) "They're being mean!" (So, who cares if they're mean to criminals?)
Anyway, they're suing the town of Hazleton to force them to rescind the ordinance. The mayor of Hazleton, Lou Barletta, is certain that the ordinance will stand up in court, and went on to say:
We're not going to be bullied,adding that the city council is prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court if need be.
Mr. Barletta, you and your city council are among the few, the proud, the politicians of the last 15 years that have done something right. Congratulations!
