On a cruise ship not long ago, a fellow passenger asked out of the
blue, "How's that fence between the US and Mexico coming?" It was
apparent this fellow was of Spanish decent.
I replied, "Oh, it's coming along just fine. We expect it'll be a real
inconvenience for hundreds of animals like jack rabbits, coyotes, and
wild burros. The US Chamber of Commerce hasn't said exactly where
they're going to put the holes and ladders so their employees can pass,
but I feel reasonably sure they'll put them in convenient places."
The stranger smiled, "Well, your news guy Lou Dobbs sure beats that
drum a lot. Does he actually believe this fence is going to make a
difference?"
This time I smiled, "Are you kidding? Lou Dobbs, like Rush Limbaugh, is
paid to stir the pot. Limbaugh plans his stuff around the far right
idiots and Dobbs beats his drum for the Independent idiots. Dobbs is
more arrogant and opinionated than George W. Bush, if that's possible.
He backs no one simply because no one is worthy of his endorsement. I
watch CNN because of Jack McCafferty. Dobbs can't conduct an interview
because of his love of his own voice. I'd like to buy Dobbs for what
he's worth and sell him for what he thinks he's worth."
My new friend asked without smiling, "Do you think the people of the United States are ready for germ warfare?"
I answered without smiling, "The Americans are not ready to deal with a
hive of killer bees. Americans are brainwashed by the
military-industrial complex. They're told that missiles, jet fighters,
and aircraft carriers will keep them safe. Even after the invasion of
sixteen guys with box cutters, Americans overwhelmingly gave their
approval for the number one arms dealer in the world, the Department of
Defense, to invade Iraq. Then these brainwashed fools fill their
stomachs with pills made by their archenemy Communist China."
This well dressed, well spoken man then told me what he'd wanted to
tell me all along, "I love it the way Americans curse Mexican-Americans
and illegal aliens at the dinner table while gobbling up food that our
people grew for them in the fields of the US and Mexico. American
doctors and morticians should cut us in on some of the profits. And
eating in a restaurant where our people work guarantees that one is
eating Mexican spit, urine and dung. After Mr. Dobbs gets his fence
built, I'm sure other ingredients will slowly work their way into our
culinary efforts for our North Americano brethren."