Springfield City Councillor Dave Ralston is positively glowing about the support he’s receiving for his anti-immigrant email.

Let’s put this into perspective. Oregon’s a very white state. Outside of Portland, the Black populations are thin. Latino populations are larger, but sporadically scattered to a few areas of high concentrations. Historically, Lane County has had very few.

But blue-collar Springfield has seen a rising influx of Latinos in the past decade. Presumably, some are illegal immigrants, though I remain unconvinced that Ralston can tell the difference between the legal and illegal ones. His complaint about them calling themselves ‘Latino’ does not suggest his ire is directed at ‘illegals’ alone.

I’ll continue to call this as I see it, and I maintain that Ralston’s a racist. One of those racists who thinks he’s not a bigot because he lacks a noose.

Some states do have serious needs to address about illegal immigrants, but Oregon’s not on that list. And it’s not surprising that he’s received support from so many others. Especially when you consider that, historically,  after periods of military adventurism, this country traditionally retreats to isolationism and xenophobia.

That’s the wave Ralston’s riding.  Perhaps it’s a majority wave, since the national Republican Party is using it as their wedge issue du jour. But the majority has not always been on the right side of justice, liberty or decency.

And it’s a pity that of all the waves Ralston could choose to ride, he’s choosing one that will ultimately limit his political aspirations and leave him tarnished in an arena full of tarnished and entirely forgettable politicians.

Are you a Ralston supporter? Okay, then, tell me what contributions he’s made to Springfield as a City Council. If his latest ‘truth’ is so profound, surely there must be some ‘there’ there, beyond his divisive words.