I’ve reread your essay several times and this is what I came away with:
Two known illegal aliens, both honors students, received special federal legislative assistance to remain in this country.
This is counterpointed with resident opposition to unknown thousands of illegal aliens, documented as mostly Latino, with undetermined personal skills and/or abilities.
Possibly the racialist e-mail, you cited, clouded your view of what seemed to be a rational point – “There should be one standard in these cases, and it should based on the law and the individual circumstances — and not influenced by nativism, prejudice or cultural hysteria.” (Your words)
One small but important fact correction to your statement: “- from Democratic Sen Ben Nighthorse Campbell.”. Senator Campbell was a Republican in 2002. I didn’t want you to leave your readers with the impression that only Democratic Congressmembers were capable of intelligent reasoning and compassionate thought.
