Shipstad and Johnston?
Frick and Frack?
Those names from the way-back came to mind this week as news spread of the “ICEcapades” rally at Julliard Park in Santa Rosa last Saturday. Organizers were protesting the collaboration of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s office with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). Apparently, referrals of undocumented immigrants are made to the ICE for detention and deportation.
Readers know that we’ve long urged immigration reform that includes some sort of legal status for those immigrants who are contributing members of our community. The lack of documentation must be a constant source of worry for them, knowing that the least interaction with law enforcement could lead to unwanted questioning.
In fact, we’re not certain we can fully appreciate that fear. Rear light burned out on our car? For us on the Editorial Board, getting stopped for such an item is not a big concern. Rear-view mirror missing? Registration sticker expired? For a large section of our community, getting stopped is a big concern. And for those men and women with a family, it must be a huge concern.
David Cardenas of the Committee for Immigrant Rights of Sonoma County suggests that fear of deportation makes victims afraid to report crime. Law enforcement breaks down in that circumstance, encouraging even more criminal activity.
Mass deportation is not a reasonable option, even aside from any moral issue. So reform must solve this documentation problem. Presumably, that involves work visas, valid Social Security numbers, and drivers licenses. That would lead to more drivers carrying car insurance. And, we expect, it will lead to more people willing to take a more active role in our community.
Some groups helping to organize Saturday’s event called for the County to be come a “community of refuge” for illegal immigrants, and a similar suggestion has been made that the City of Sonoma become a “sanctuary.” But that seems to be official policy already, as the Sheriff tries to make the best of the bad situation. No one suggests that we should harbor criminals or gangs, and enforcement seems limited to those two areas.
Oh – for those too young to remember, the original Ice Follies were a production of Eddie Shipstad and Oscar Johnson, while Mr. Frick and Mr. Frack were their two comedy stars, beautiful skaters who took amazing pratfalls.
There is much drama in the debate over immigration reform, not comedy. We hope constructive progress is forthcoming, so this social problem does not become a widespread tragedy.
Watered Down Festival?
Vintage Festival without the fire hose contests? Won’t be the same!
For us, it’s not just about conserving water – it’s about community. How much water is really used? Just 1 or 2 minutes in the shower, once, for every city resident. We’ll cut ours short tomorrow morning if we can anticipate the exciting event at the festival.
It’s rewarding for the fire departments, too, building team work and reminding those they protect just how hard they work.
We realize that we don’t have to make the tough decisions, but we sure hope this is one tradition that our fire departments continue this year and every one following.
