In recent weeks a picture is emerging out of Southern California that is actually quite disturbing.  I have assumed that all the anti-ICE, open borders nonsense was simply reactionary – that it was born of simply doing the opposite of what Trump wanted because “Orange Man Bad.”  I am not so sure anymore.

We looked at news a little more than a week ago about how low quality of life ratings for Los Angeles County has grown.  One of the chief issues cited, “Nearly one-third of respondents, 31%, said they are worried that they or someone close to them could be deported, while roughly 30% reported knowing someone who lost income or was afraid to leave home due to enforcement activity.”  That there are a lot of Hispanics in LA in no surprise – that fact was immortalized on film in the early 2000’s.  But I have thought most were legal, though anyone who has lived there for more than a few months knows an illegal or two. When I encountered that story last week I thought it paranoia based in anti-Trumpism and on the fantasy of an old comedy movie from the 1980’s.  But I am beginning to wonder if there is not more at play.

Two stories this week create my concern.  UCLA failed to control its students in anything like a reasonable fashion.  The issue at hand?  Immigration enforcement.  And then this lovely:

Pasadena City College is hoping to hire a full-time “undocumented student success specialist” to operate out of its DEI office.

The Division of Equity, Diversity & Justice position, which pays $82,000 per year, “provides tailored student success services for undocumented students to ensure enrollment, retention, and academic and career success,” according to the job listing.

Back to the quality of life story – 31% of people worried about deportation is an enormous number.  A college supporting its illegal students would indicate it needs those students for its economic well-being.  Like I said, everybody knows an illegal or two, but that does not add up to 30%  Add to that major institutions protecting and promoting the undocumented among them and a picture begins to emerge of a region in which the deportation of illegal immigrants would create an enormous economic hit.  The movie referenced early was also a comedy about how Angelenos would not know how to mow a lawn and lose their domestic help if the Mexicans left – inconvenient, but not devastating.  Yet the picture that is emerging is one of a region that is afraid it could no longer function in the absence of its illegal immigrant population.  It is said that if you degrade a military unit by 30% it can no longer function.  That may be true for cities too.

Despite the coverage and fear mongering, the Trump Administration has been focusing its efforts not on all illegal immigrants generally, but mostly on those guilty of serious criminal activity.  It would appear that if it intends to proceed beyond that point – a very real discussion may be needed.

And from the pile of leftovers:

I do wish doomsayers would get their stories straight.  Which is it?  overpopulation or under?

But then, this says more that it ought.

Why do things like this only happen in blue places?

The ultimate virtue signal.  Seriously – the amount of anesthesia used in the world is hugely insignificant compared to other so-called “greenhouse gases.”

The contrast between this story and this story is startling.  Democrats produce hostility, Republicans churchgoers.  I do; however, pray those churchgoing youngsters are going for more than political reasons.

God’s providence is real.