frankj1 wrote:legal not that they were citizens, but they crossed the border properly and were waiting processing prior to being lured by false promises of jobs, housing, and help with said processing.
One other thing, you know Martha's Vineyard better than I do. At the time of the unannounced arrival, wasn't the population pretty much down to the year-rounders...those people who are not celebrity zillionaires with discreet mansions and life styles? I understand out of towners pouncing on the rich and famous, but the wealthy are gone with the Summer.
Let's be fair Joe, I don't know how they are registered to vote, but most of those on the island after Labor Day probably make below the local median income. Coffee shop owners, teachers, landscapers...these were the people who went into their cupboards and pockets in an emergency, not the wealthy celebrity libs everyone loves to hate. There were no mansions available to house these people, maybe a few spare rooms, the Church, stuff like that. That's short term at best.
And the Venezuelans certainly seemed grateful for the instant improvement in their lives. The military base is a far better place for them.
So much wrong with this.
1. They crossed the border, but not "properly". The majority were undocumented.
2. This is the bumper season. I was on the island the night they arrived, or maybe the day after. In Oak Bluffs. Had to wait half hour to sit at Johnny Seas (excellent btw), the line to Back Door Donuts had to be 45 minutes. I don't know their normal crowds, but this was a thursday night.
3. Short term? It was one night and a half. Then ship 'em out! With armed guardsmen herding them onto busses and onto the ferry and into a military base. Not my idea of a romantic evening. YMMV.
4. Far better? Half of them have already left the base. Where do you get your intel? Literally half are gone. Some "relocated". But to where, no one will say. Assuming they know.
But I was kidding. The people on MV would have done their best. I know that.
But look at the hoopla over 50 people.
Now put yourself in the shoes of border state or Florida.