Let's Keep it Rational

Let's Keep it Rational

A repeating problem with local reporting on the City Council is the focus
only on comments made by public officials. Many concerned citizens take the time
to speak to the Council but the journalists ignore them just as the arrrogant
officials do. Now we are told that concerned citizens are haters. (Erin Smith,
"Haters: Illegal immigrants should move in with Tim," Cambridge Chronicle, July
6, 2006)
Illegal immigration is a major problem straining the emergency services and
health care systems. The solution is not easy. There is no consensus. But
designating a group of persons as haters, because a journalist does not agree
with their position on this issue is journalism at its worst. Ad hominem attacks
have no place in rational debate. It has less of a place in a newspaper that
pretends to be objective. Save the personal attacks for the political hack's
back rooms where they belong.

Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Cambridge MA USA
Haters: Illegal immigrants should move in with Tim
By Erin Smith/ Chronicle Staff
Thursday, July 6, 2006

If you're an illegal immigrant, one anti-immigration group wants you to pack
your bags and move to Sixth Street.
A Washington, D.C.-based organization, angered by the council's vote to keep
Cambridge an immigrant sanctuary, is advertising city councilors' personal
contact information and home addresses on its Web site. The group, ProjectUSA,
has launched a campaign to move immigrants from New Jersey to Cambridge and
urges Web browsers to buy an illegal immigrant a bus ticket to Cambridge.
ProjectUSA concentrates most of its ire on Vice Mayor and state Rep. Tim
Toomey, who recently co-sponsored the measure.
On the Web site, Toomey is depicted wearing two golden halos, and immigrants
are urged to call him for any of their needs.
"Tim's house. Looks big. Move in," reads the caption over a satellite view
of Toomey's East Cambridge home, which is circled in red. [...]
Erin Smith can be reached at esmith@cnc.com.