Judge’s Comments

What is so disturbing about this affair is the crass superficiality of calling alien smuggling the “modern equivalent of slave trade,” and the fact that this comparison was made by a public official whose whole function is to render rational judgment about such matters.

A Mexican citizen comes to the border with the intent of going to Los Angeles illegally. He has neither the knowledge nor the logistic resources to get there. He hires the services of a coyote, a professional smuggler, who’s in the hands of the coyote, just as he would place himself in the hands of an airline crew for an equivalent legal trip. The client approaches the situation a free man and departs it the same, having been rendered a service for a price, with considerable known risks.

On the other hand, the slave trader kidnaps a man and imprisons him. He takes him far away, in chains. He “sells” him, in chains, to one who will keep him imprisoned. Or he “buys” such an imprisoned person, in chains, and resells him, again in chains.

At best, the comparison is either very illogical or very dishonest or both. At worst, it smells of shabby theatrics. Either way, it is not worthy of one who is trusted by society to make impartial judgments in matters that make or break individuals.

As for the rallying of Judge McCue’s fellow judges to his support, I would question how much serious thought they have given the matter. Are they not simply standing united against another political attack by civil rights zealots.

TOM LAGUE, San Diego