CNN profiled seven Silver Star recipients in Afghanistan -- the third highest military award for battlefield valor. Look at the surnames:

Gonzales

Roland

Pinilla

Gould

Bocanegra

Clouse

Nunez



Nunez died saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.

I highlight the Spanish surnames because it's a reminder that as Republicans demagogue Latinos and their families, they are putting their lives on the line for their country. And while there are Latinos whose families have lived in this country for centuries (in New Mexico, for example), most are recent immigrants (Pinilla was born in Colombia). Yet these guys aren't engaged in the criminal enterprises that conservatives fantasize about. Rather, they are serving their nation in uniform, and sometimes giving their lives in its name.

Instead of strutting around the border like tough men, the Minutemen could walk into their local military recruiters office and maybe, someday, do half as much for their country as the names above.

(Via DWT)