Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Opinion

A new Halloween costume was pulled off the shelf at Target stores last month.

It was made by Forum Novelties and featured a bug-eyed, green mustached alien with an orange inmate jumpsuit and a large green alien green card - just for laughs, the advertisement reads.

I find little humor in immigrant bashing or making fun of those who help us with our children, our yards and our cars.

Of course, some of you will say I don't have a sense of humor and can't I put up with a little fun?

I can't laugh when I see these same people go to work checking food, working in restaurants, and taking care of the children of the better-off classes.

Perhaps we could collectively laugh at an out-of-work-banker, or real estate salesman.

Where is the homeless costume? No, no laughing there either.

What has happened to compassion in our society, or is that for wimps?

Ask a priest, a monk or a nun about compassion.

Nowadays, it's "Buddy can you spare a buck?" And it's not usually used on food.

That reminds me of an old friend, Father Mateo Sheedy, who would ask the downtrodden when giving them a dollar, "You sure you're going to spend it on food?" with a twinkle in his eyes.

He knew about compassion and about helping the poor.

He never turned anyone down for help no matter how dirty or down on their luck. They always got a good word and a hug from Father Mateo.

As a matter of fact, Father Mateo's Spanish was so good that he was carded on the U.S./Mexican border, and he would laugh uproariously when he told the story.

The border guards thought he was Mexican, but he's Irish and loved their baffled looks as he stated his nationality.

So, what do you think of illegal immigrants among us now?

There was once an American Indian chief, part of the Buffalo Bill show, who traveled to Europe in the 1880s. When asked for his passport, he said, showing a bundle of horsehide and feathers, "These were my papers when I left and before your people showed up, so these should work."

The immigration person let him pass.

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