Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Young Conservatives of Texas Play Catch an Illegal Immigrant

This landed in my inbox in the early hours of November 18:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2013

Contact: Lorenzo V. Garcia, YCT-UT Chairman
Mobile: (361) 658-3821
Email: Chairman@yctut.org

Young Conservatives to Hold Catch an Illegal Immigrant Game

Austin, TX—The University of Texas chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) will be
hosting a “Catch an Illegal Immigrant” game on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at the West Mall of campus from 12-3 p.m.
There will be several people walking around the UT campus with the label "illegal immigrant" on
their clothing. Any UT student who catches one of these "illegal immigrants" and brings them back
to our table will receive a $25 gift card.
“The purpose of this event is to spark a campus-wide discussion about the issue of illegal
immigration, and how it affects our everyday lives,” said Lorenzo Garcia, YCT Chairman.

The Young Conservatives of Texas – UT Chapter is a political student group rooted in
conservative principles. YCT promotes its principles through a wide range of activities,
including campaigning for conservative candidates, ranking the state legislature, and hosting
events on the University of Texas campus.
#

Not exactly a great way for this Republican Woman to start her day.  Frankly, reading this press release turned my stomach. I had to read it twice to let it all sink in.  This is a joke, right?  Some sort of really bad joke?

Nope.

As you can imagine, the liberals are having a great time broadcasting this bone-headed stunt.  The Young Conservatives call themselves non-partisan, a principles over party kind of organization, and they are a college group at UT.  You may remember that earlier in the year this group had a bake sale on campus and sold goods at varying prices, depending on ethnic identification of the consumer. It was to spotlight the affirmative action subject.

As a Republican Woman working hard to engage all communities in politics, it is hard to imagine a greater waste of time and money than this obnoxious publicity stunt.  It is not "conservative principle" to demean another human being.

The Young Conservatives call themselves a political group.  I have to assume that at least a few of them are political science majors or maybe history majors.  I have to assume that some of them may have future political ambitions.  How long would this stunt last in the real world?

Do campus groups still have a faculty adviser?  Where is the guidance from the adviser in this?  I understand that campuses promote conversation and examination of issues but this is not the way to bring about discussion.  And this sort of stunt does nothing for the conservative movement.

Immigration reform is no joking matter.  Especially in Texas, we are all affected by the porous border.  I would hope that at the age of college students that the young people would understand that this is not how people should be treated.  From a political point of view, it is no way to persuade anyone to consider conservative philosophy.  Politics is, after all, the art of persuasion.

Garcia is a former paid staffer for Greg Abbott, candidate for Governor of Texas.  Abbott issued a statement condemning the group's action:

“Our campaign has no affiliation with this repugnant effort,” it read in part. “Illegal immigration and the failed policies of the Obama administration are no joking matter.” 

Abbott is married to a Latina.

Disagree with the Dream Act?  Against the Texas policy that allows the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition in college?  Fine.  These actions, Young Conservatives, must be condemned.  This is just mean-spirited.  This is unproductive.  It's offensive.

It's not a game.

I like to offer solutions.  Ponder this, Young Conservatives - what if you were concentrating on the biggest issue in front of us, and especially in front of you?  That issue is Obamacare.  Why aren't you concentrating your efforts to drive a conversation on Obamacare as it rolls out?  This train wreck affects 1/6 of our national economy - the job market you will soon hope to conquer as you leave the comforts of college life.  Your generation is expected to carry the burdens of Obamacare.  Your generation is expected to enroll and finance this sweeping entitlement for the rest of us.  You should all be in this discussion. Bring along your fellow college students by educating using conservative philosophy on entitlements and entitlement reform.  This opportunity has fallen into your laps. Take it.

Be problem solvers, Young Conservatives.  Message matters.




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