It never ceases to amaze me

So the Tennessean had a front-page story today about how some immigrants are being left behind in the wake of last week's historic flood.

It was a pretty good article that touched on a number of angles, including:

• Recent Egyptian-immigrant familes at Millwood Manor who not only lost everything, but were exploited by their apartment management company
• A largely immigrant community in Antioch which lost 44 mobile homes in the flood - and how some of those families were terrified of contacting authorities for help because of their immigration status

Definitely an important story, and one that engenders feelings of empathy and goodwill...

...for most people.

"I suggested this morning that now would be a good time for some of you illegal lovers to take some illegals home to live with you and your family. Just wondered how many of you have went and brought a few home with you? Hmmmmm, that's what I figured."

"If you have knowledge of illegals using fake or borrowed SS numbers I am sure Homeland Security will want to talk with you."

So if i was on the run from the cops i should expect everyone to help me? How about if i snuck in to Iran, china, or any other country and my home was damaged. would i expect everyone to say "help the guy who broke in. don't worry that he is breaking the law."

Those are comments left by folks on the Tennessean website.

Part of my job at TIRRC involves monitoring the media, and that means occasionally reading through the online comment sections of articles. Anyone who was done this understands the utter depravity that exists in anonymous online messageboards. It can be downright depressing.

But, seriously? Have those people no sympathy in the face of disaster? It's just sad. I'm not even going to bother countering those arguments. I just needed to get it off my chest.

I will say that there were some people defending humanity in the comment section. It's dissapointing that voices of sanity are outnumbered - but the fact that they exist keeps me going!

To leave you on a good note...

These are human beings in need. Forget their status for now and help them. Would you let them drown if you saw them in the water? What kind of people are you?

Comments

[deborah]

If you think those are bad you should get on the CNN discussion board on facebook and see the garbage that is being said.