On the Dream Act and Julian Assange

Last updated on: December 7, 2010 at 12:18 pm by Timothy Dalrymple

On the Dream Act and Julian Assange 2010-12-07T12:18:39-04:00 Timothy Dalrymple

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Great reads today:

1. I understand why some conservatives would make no concessions to illegal immigrants. But the truth is, there are important distinctions between different kinds of illegal immigrants. In fact, as one friend once pointed out to me, the term “undocumented immigrant,” while (I would say) a euphemism in the case of those who intentionally broke the law, is actually a more appropriate term when it comes to the children of illegal immigrants. Then there are important distinctions between illegal immigrants who enter the country to participate in the massively profitable traffic of the Mexican drug cartels, and those who come to give their children a better future and are earnestly determined to work for their country and be good members of American society.

Michael Gerson’s column on the Dream Act is compelling. It was utilized as a political weapon before the midterm elections, and Republicans have been right to focus on the most pressing issues facing the nation. After Republicans take over the House, however, I would love to see them lead the way on the Dream Act. It would be a great way to show that they are reasonable and fair on the immigration issue. The children of illegal immigrants are not going back to Mexico. Let’s give them incentives to serve their country and assimilate.

2. Dianne Feinstein, long one of my favorite Democrats, makes the case strongly and clearly against the “micro-megalomaniac” (in the words of Christopher Hitchens) Julian Assange. Those who view Assange as some sort of revolutionary leader (and some have written me, since my post on “The Right Not to Know“) are — I’m sorry — sorely mistaken. Assange has, with malice aforethought, with a clearly stated intent to weaken and even bring down the American government, exposed confidential information in a way that harms vital national interests as well as homeland security. If we want a government that can serve our interests, a government that can function diplomatically on the world stage, a government that can protect us offensively and defensively, then we need a government that can keep information confidential – and can bring to justice people like Assange who leak confidential documents on a massive scale.

The “sex crimes” allegations against Assange sound sketchy to me. But he should be brought to justice in the United States for violating the Espionage Act. Or, if the Espionage Act is not sufficient for a cyber-age, then our representatives in Congress should pass an updated version that can be applied to Assange and the Wikileaks cabal.

Neither of these are, or ought to be, partisan issues. And I do believe that Christians, even those who wish to hold illegal immigrants accountable for the law they broke, should look with abundant compassion and grace upon their children.

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