Doing without

What a great day... Rush Limbaugh's been arrested, and immigrants have taken over the streets!

The pictures already from a Day Without Immigrants are astonishing--businesses closed down, thousands of people on the sidewalk linked arm-to-arm. And it's just the beginning, this afternoon's mass marches will probably draw millions.

Not sure why immigrants are protesting and boycotting? Just take a look at the major news websites at 12:16 p.m.

New York Times, 3rd story
Employers Gird for Immigrant Boycott Today
Companies set out a wide range of plans and braced for a new wave of immigration demonstrations today.

CNN, lead
What's the cost of illegal workers?
Illegal immigrants are gathering across the nation for "A Day Without Immigrants," a protest meant to show the economic impact of immigrants. Many experts agree the economy is stronger because of illegal immigrants, but some see a negative impact on low skilled U.S.-born workers.

MSNBC, lead
Immigrant Anger
Nation braces for day of boycotts and rallies.

Los Angeles Times, lead
City Prepares for Effects of Major Immigration Protests
Mayor warns of gridlock as huge crowd is expected along Wilshire. Other cities around nation brace for marches.

USA Today
Immigrant boycotts underway

Wall Street Journal, 5th story (right below Playboy Playmate ruling)
Illegal immigrants gathered
with their allies on a planned national day of protest to show their importance to the U.S. economy.

Washington Post, 3rd story
Rift May Shrink Boycott's Impact
On eve of national economic protest, immigrant groups remain divided on whether to participate.

It's pathetic the Washington Post story and front-page callout is still from yesterday; but even worse is the tone of the nation's major news websites.

Look at the word choice--Nation braces; city prepares; employers gird. Yo, guess what--illegal immigrants are part of the nation; they are part of our cities; and they're employers too.

This is exactly why immmigrants are so mad--it's time to stop casting immigrants as them, as something outside the national fabric.

They are us.

Photo of NYC demonstrators by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday.