West Coast ‘Statue of Liberty’
Mayor Bradley’s call for a Western “symbolic monument to welcome immigrants to America’s shore” neglects to remember that the original Statue of Liberty was named “Liberty Enlightening the World.” It was not intended to be an invitation to unlimited and often illegal immigration. It was conceived as a symbol of liberty and a tribute to the long alliance and friendship between France and the United States.
As an appropriate symbol for these times may I suggest a large, open and broken door hanging askew on its hinges. On the inside of this door would be a mountain of tacky counterfeit designer jeans, VCRs, food stamps, welfare checks, inedible greasy fast food and shiny ersatz “luxury” automobiles, all topped by a giant flashing neon dollar sign.
GARY H. REAMS
Los Angeles
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