When Truth Stumbles

So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.
(Isaiah 59: 14 NIV)

Truth stumbles when those without sound arguments for their untenable positions use derogatory labels to denigrate their opposition.

• City of Manassas Park: In an official statement by the Manassas Park Governing Board, those who are working within the law to oppose illegal aliens are labeled as "vigilantes." Here is part of their official statement: "This group’s false representation of the City’s position serves only to support a vigilante agenda that the City believes is irresponsible and offensive to everyone who productively serves the community in volunteer, elected and paid positions." The American Heritage Dictionary defines vigilante as "one who takes or advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved August 26, 2007, from Dictionary.com website:
  
• President Bush: On March 24, 2005, following a meeting of SPP members Vincente Fox and Paul Martin, our president, George W. Bush, had this to say regarding the volunteer Minutemen group aiding in the protection of our border with Mexico: "I am against vigilantes in the United States of America." (see above for definition of "vigilante")
  
• Senator Lindsay Graham: Senator Graham of South Carolina, speaking to the National Council of LaRaza (NCLR), had this to say regarding those of us opposed to the Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill: "We're gonna tell the bigots to shut up."

Truth stumbles when officials ignore the law, or apply the rules unequally to avoid confrontation with those who don’t meet the accepted standard.

• Prince William Co. Schools: School officials are talking out of two sides of their mouths. On the one hand they say officially that they are "committed to providing an education for all students every day, regardless of their immigration status." On the other hand, they say that "A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate is required at the time of registration, along with proof of residence, a social security number, and a valid immunization record signed by a healthcare professional." Sounds like double-talk to me. Read the official news release for yourself.
• Many jurisdictions throughout the Northern Virginia region: Zoning ordinances pertaining both to overcrowding and condition of property are being ignored in some cases, and enforced in others. Building permit requirements, and business licensing laws have not been enforced evenly either. Some are allowed to violate them, while others are penalized.
• State governments: Some state governments offer “in-state” tuition rates to illegal aliens attending publicly funded state colleges and universities, while denying the lower rates to everyday American citizens.

Truth stumbles when people present themselves as something they are not.

• Fraudulent documentation: Illegal aliens forge or steal identities in order to present themselves as legal to obtain employment, as well as government services and benefits.
• Outright lying: Hospital patients have been observed saying “no pay” at the payment window and then being picked up by family or friends in a shiny, new Lexus or other expensive vehicle.

Truth stumbles when people make excuses for not doing their jobs.

• Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff: The secretary told reporters on June 17, 2007, that "We’re living in a world in which lettuce and fruit is not being picked because we are enforcing the law." In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Chertoff said this: "... we have 12 million people who aren't going to be deported. They aren't going anywhere." And on July 1st, 2007, Chertoff had this to report on FOX News Sunday: "We're going to continue to enforce the law. It's going to be tough. We don't really have the ability to enforce the law with respect to illegal work in this country in a way that's truly effective." Mr. Chertoff, isn't it your job to enforce the law? How can a country that defeated both Germany and Japan in WWII, won the Cold War, and put men on the moon, not be able to enforce the law within its own borders?
• Manassas Park Virginia Governing Board: Defending the Park's inaction on their growing illegal alien problem, Councilwoman Fran Kassinger made these remarks about those challenging city leaders to begin taking the necessary steps to remedy this pressing issue: "There are those that are working off an emotional base, combining the two groups [illegal and legal immigrants] into one and saying that, basically, we need some ethnic cleansing in this area ... And I think that is unjust, I don't think that's the American way." Ms. Kassinger is making unsubstantiated claims to avoid her responsibility.

When truth stumbles, as it is in our nation today, then what is right and fair is turned back at the city gates, and cannot find its way in. And goodness keeps its distance from us as well, reluctant to taint itself with the colors of betrayal. We are living in an age where falsehood and deception, even from our elected and appointed officials, have cast a foreboding shadow over our land.

These spineless and defectively motivated leaders of ours remind me of a crooked stream, which is formed by following the path of least resistance.