I will never forget 9/11. It’s one of those days that will be forever burned in my memory. I may only have been ten years old but I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember sitting in music class. I remember we were singing “The Greatest American Hero” from that old TV show. I remember the names beginning to be called over the intercom; dismissal after dismissal. I remember standing in the hall way for a water break talking to my friend Jenny and her saying that I shouldn’t be so nervous.  I remember the lies from the administration. I remember the rumors. I remember talking to my math tutor and her telling me that I couldn’t be tutored that day because there was a problem with some buildings. I remember driving back home with my carpool and the driver insisting it was Bin Laden. That was the first time my ten year old self became aware of Al Qaeda. That was when it dawned on me that some people over seas wanted to kill Americans. I remember being dropped off in my driveway as I raced inside to see my parents glued to the TV. I remember asking if everything was all right then turning to the TV screen myself and watching in horror as replays of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I remember how scared I felt. I remember it all.

Ten years later and I’m more convinced than ever that the fight against radical Islam is worth fighting. I’m more convinced in the greatness of these United States. We will always prevail.

Right now I’m traveling on a Megabus from Burlington to Boston. I’ll be updating this as my journey unfolds.

Remember the enemy. Islam did 911.

Never forgive. Never forget.

I have actively opposed illegal immigration since I first became aware of the subject when I was around 14 or 15 years old. I have been a consistent voice opposing multiculturalism, affirmative action and supporting English as our national language. However, I will not tolerate people who will lump legal and illegal immigrants together. I have never been one to identify with racial politics, my conservative beliefs have always led me to adopt a color blind mindset, but it appears that some of our bloggers and activists on the right have lost sight of this vision. I am thinking of a certain prominent Loudoun blog especially.

Illegal immigrants are a drain on our economy, they cost us jobs, and lives. Illegal immigration must be stopped for a whole boat load of reasons. One key reason is that this fight has been perpetuating stereotypes against law abiding Hispanic citizens. It seems that this battle against illegal immigration, among some quarters, has moved beyond a law and order issue. More and more I see various people pit this as a battle between “The West and South of the Border.” I’m not one to throw the R word around, but seriously?! Illegal immigrants come here and exploit our resources, I will not apologize for them. Legal Hispanic immigrants have come, assimilated and are perfectly well to do, western, Americans, thank you very much.

There is a danger in falling back to a nativist, “clash of civilizations” mindset. The fact that I am a Hispanic does not make me a threat. My cultural background does not make me less of an American. Former Bush administration official Linda Chavez got it right when in 2006, she wrote a column in the National Review calling out the right’s willingness to at times, tacitly embrace nativism. America is a nation where all can thrive if they try hard enough and enter this country the right way.

Looking at this more on a national scale, The National Review has honestly been one of the leading players in this. NRO contributers such as John Derbyshire and Mark Krikorian are prime examples. The immigration reduction movement, which has it’s basis in the eugenics movement, is still something which is somehow seen as acceptable by some. Legal, law abiding Hispanic immigrants are citizens just as natural born, white citizens are. Hispanic culture does not pose any danger to “the West.”

The majority of conservatives do not tow this nativist line. Hell, I’d be willing to bet only about 5% do. But that five percent can be damaging. I am an American above all else (other than a Christian) and I enjoy the benefits and privileges of living on the greatest nation on earth. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have been a Republican activist for years. George Allen inspired my activism and my conservative beliefs many years ago. I’ve had people ask me how I can be a Hispanic and conservative. I used to laugh at this, I still do. First because my ethnicity does not influence my life or play any great deal in it at all. Now though, with some of the LEGAL immigrant bashing that seems to be acceptable in some conservative circles, I can begin to see why some might ask this. Is it still a question that is loaded? Absolutely. When nativism rears it’s ugly head though, I have to speak up. Legal immigrant/Hispanic bashing used to be something that could be attributed to the fringe Pat Buchanan types, but now thanks to the likes of Derbyshire, MacDonald, Krikorian and a certain Prince William/Loudoun blogger, hostile attitudes towards all immigrants and Hispanics in general, is creeping it’s way into the mainstream.

I’d ask my fellow conservatives to reject and condemn these attitudes. They have no place in the conservative movement. We are the party of Civil Rights. While we should never cave into the amnesty and identity politics crowd, I would hope that the movement does it’s best to rid itself of those who want to play white or European identity politics. Conservative politics is about being color blind, so for the love of God let’s keep it that way!

From Mr. Sarvis’ website:

“

I am running for the Virginia Senate because I care about people and I have seen all the myriad ways our elected officials have failed us at every level of government. I am campaigning for a new, better, more intelligent generation of leadership for Virginia. Leadership that is focused on keeping government within its means and within its proper bounds. Leadership that resists attempts by any party or interest group to undermine the rule of law and restrict our freedom.

I believe I offer voters in the 35th Senate District an opportunity to vote for someone unlike any Virginia politician in recent memory. I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and I am raising my family here as well. I am the youngest of three children of an immigrant Asian mother and a Kansas-born father. I know what it’s like to lose a job when economic conditions result in layoffs, and also what it’s like to start a new company and decide whether to hire employees. I have worked in private industry and for the federal government, in both the executive and judicial branches. I have worked as a teacher, and I have followed education policy for years. I have a sharp intellect, a love of learning, a science background with a liberal arts education, and a broad knowledge of economics, law, and public policy. I understand the beneficial and detrimental roles government can play in our lives. I have breathed in the entrepreneurial air of Silicon Valley and I have choked on the stagnant, statist, partisan fog of DC. I am a strongly independent-minded Republican who puts the rule of law above personal or party interest and who will criticize Democrats and Republicans alike whenever appropriate. I can represent the entire community because I appreciate the diversity of opinion in Northern Virginia and eschew partisanship and political showmanship.

I will bring to the State Senate a strong, unique voice and a balanced and principled view of good government, freedom, and the rule of law.”

–

Please join me in supporting Mr. Robert Sarvis for state senate.

http://robertsarvis.com/

Some of my friends has been worried about the state of my conservative beliefs and I need to stress that I’m still a staunch conservative. I’m also a very satisfied Republican. I shunned party politics for a while but the Republican Party is my home and I look forward to building a more vibrant party in Vermont and continuing to volunteer on local campaigns here in the 8th district of Virginia.

Out of my political adventure of the past month and a half, I’ve really started to reintegrate my faith with my politics. Faith needs to shape political views and not vice versa in my opinion. My commentaries from here on out will reflect a Catholic bend to social politics and economics. I believe it was Michael Gerson who stated that we need to create a “New Social Gospel.” I agree completely.

Anyways, with summer comes the warming up of the presidential contest and a whole host of local races. I’m looking forward to getting to an FCRC meeting and really getting caught up on what’s going on with the local party and catching up with old friends.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/-204211-1.html

The spirit of the student body was alive and well last night as almost the entire school poured into the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel for a memorial service. Moments like this are humbling. It’s a wakeup call to reality, the reality of mortality, and of vulnerability. I can’t begin to put into a coherent sentence, my thoughts and prayers to the family of student involved and to our campus community as a whole. At a school our size, one loss is a shock wave that hits all of us. My heart goes out to the young man’s friends, family and associates. Although I did not know the student in question, I couldn’t help but be moved to more than tears during the memorial. A loss of any life at any age and by any cause is a tragedy. The world will forever be incomplete without the presence of a life cut too short.

I know I’ve issued a plea on this topic before, but I want to address the topic again. If you know anyone who may be at risk for suicide, please speak up, please reach out and do not be afraid of the consequences of speaking out. You never know how one word may save someone’s life. Although life will go on, and tragedies will go on, please raise your voices and spirits in prayer so that no one may again be affected by the tragedy of suicide.

To anyone who has ever felt that maybe life just isn’t worth it anymore, always remember that there is a God who loves and although that love my be hard to find at times, He is there and will always be by your side. There is always someone out there who loves you, a friend, a family member, even someone you may not know, who loves you and cares for you. You are perfect in all of our eyes and worthy of respect, dignity and love. Never, ever feel like you’re less than perfect.

For the St. Michael’s Community:

(Above video contains graphic scenes.)

RIP Jordan Porco – St. Michael’s College, 2014

Who do y’all plan on voting for in the CPAC straw poll? See you guys there!