There’s a lot of people defending the indefensible with lies and half-truths. So, let’s go over the basics.

Are you, too, surrounded by people spouting lies and normalized half-truths? Then this handy reference list is for you: 

Immigrants, legal or no (especially those not) are the bedrock of our economy, and worthwhile human beings. ICE is harassing and attacking even those on the legal immigration process, as well as US citizens. Also, all of us are descended from immigrants unless our ancestors were Native, or forced to be here.

ICE is making US less safe.

There is a way to have safe, secure borders. Hate is not the way. Law enforcement should enforce laws, not claim to be and act as if they are above them. There is a legal process for becoming a citizen, and ICE has been repeatedly obstructing that, even in courts.

Law enforcement should serve US. Law enforcement should identify themselves with a visible badge number, and never mask themselves, always have bodycams, never break down doors without a warrant, never use excessive force and always be responsibly trained to de-escalate.

The billions of dollars we are pouring into ICE was meant for our healthcare, where costs are now rising thanks to Trump, and teachers should be paid more than ICE, not far less.

We are a nation of immigrants. The melting pot is part of our national creation story. Native Americans are the only original Americans. Unless you were trafficked here as a slave, or Native, you are descended from immigrants. No one flees their home country, their home, unless it is to be safe, to make a better life for themselves and their children.

Immigrants can not take advantage of our system, but do pay into it. Immigrants make life in the US affordable and enrich our economy to the tune of many billions of dollars a year. Immigrants, legal or otherwise, are human beings. They should always be treated as such—with kindness and consideration. Children should never be separated from their parents.

We are the richest country on earth, but behind on many fronts. That is because we do not invest in our people, anymore. We spend our money on tax breaks for businesses, we fail to tax businesses as we did under Republican President Eisenhower, we do not care for our homeless or mentally ill or addicted brothers and sisters, helping them to lead productive lives.

Trump is the least moral man ever to occupy the White House. He is a likely pedo, a conman, enriching himself and assaulting our basic freedoms and democratic institutions. He is burning up our planet and with it, our children’s future.

But, as Jane Goodall might remind us, there is hope. We are not powerless. We are powerful. Speak up. Find your voice. Not a voice of hate, but a voice of fierce love. Love is not love if it is passive, comfortable. Love is active, caring, engaged, and includes kindness and rest within it.

Take a moment, today, to do nothing but connect with Nature. Nature is our portal to what some call God, and what others call the present moment, and it is the foundation for our children’s safe, joyful life on this planet. Use that moment of rest in Nature to find your active voice of Love.

Together, in community, we are unstoppable. Separate, afraid, we are defeated. Decide.

~ Waylon