Frank Watson: The American Rebellion

In 2012 when Washington state was hotly debating legalizing recreational marijuana, I kept my thoughts to myself.

I had never used pot in any form but realized that our national drug policies were not working.

There was widespread disregard for the laws.

Even Hollywood seemed to condone non-compliance.

TV detective shows routinely had police officers tell suspects, “I’m not concerned about the drugs, I’m after something bigger.” We had to do something different.

So, in the end, I reluctantly supported I-502, believing that it would spur the government into doing something.

I never thought that two states would be allowed to openly rebel against the laws of the United States.

But the U.S. Department of Justice decided to ignore this rebellion.

This is contrary to everything I have been taught.

The last time states challenged federal law, there was a really big war.

President Lincoln realized that if some states were allowed to rebel, chaos would follow and our federal system would fall apart. He was right.

Other states are following the lead of Washington and Colorado.

There have been no consequences, therefore, there is no law.

If state and local governments can defy federal drug laws, they can defy other federal laws as well.

We have several million people living in our country in defiance of our immigration laws.

My father’s name can be traced back 1,200 years to a Viking raider who occupied the area around Aberdeen, Scotland.

One of his descendants migrated to Virginia around 1830.

Other branches of my family tree came from Ireland, England and Germany, all of which came in accordance with the immigration laws at the time.

I am a descendant of legal immigrants.

Those who are in our country in violation of our laws are illegal aliens.

I know there are many who are deathly afraid of hurting anyone’s feelings and prefer the term “undocumented immigrants”.

I have even heard the term “undocumented citizens.” You can put all the lipstick on a pig that you want, but it would still be a pig.

Those in this country in violation of our laws are here illegally and, by definition, are illegal aliens.

There has been considerable discussion about pardoning the eight million who continue to defy our laws.

I find that an insult to my ancestors.

Those who came into this country in direct and knowing violation of our laws need to go home.

I know that most of them are good people who only wanted a better life for themselves and their families, and I feel sorry for them, but if we don’t enforce our laws we have no laws.

I know of no other country that allows widespread defiance of their immigration laws.

The penalty for overstaying a tourist visa in Mexico is jail time.

I worked in Japan for a year.

When I completed my contract, I had seven days to leave the country.

Those living among us who have expired work visas are here illegally; it is time to go home.

Those living among us who have expired student visas are here illegally; it is time to go home.

Those adults who were brought into this country as children and have lived here for several years may be deserving of special consideration, but I cannot support widespread pardons for those who intentionally violate our laws.

Citizens have the right to protest, to petition and to participate in the democratic process. Citizens do not have the right to defy the law without consequences. Elected officials and police swear an oath to support the law. They don’t have the right to choose which laws they enforce. There are consequences for violating their oaths. Police departments and elected officials who have declared their cities to be sanctuaries for illegal aliens are in rebellion against the laws of these United States and should expect consequences. We are a sovereign nation, but if we allow rebellion against our laws, we will lose our sovereignty.

(Frank Watson is a retired school teacher and long-time resident of St. John.)