Oregon State Police Hiring Ilegals???

Oregon State Police (hearts) Illegal Immigrants?

by Troy Nichols

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a die hard San Francisco 49’ers fan. So I took notice today when the Associated Press reported that the Oregon State Police had selected Jose Cortez as one of their newest recruits.

Okay, in full disclosure, I don’t like Jose Cortez. As a place kicker, he’s a bum. He kicked for the 49’ers in 2002 and was terrible.

But when I read the headline regarding the OSP’s proud acquisition, something didn’t sit right. I knew something was wrong with Mr. Cortez given my knowledge of all things Niner. It became very clear later on in the article what was nagging me:

State police are looking for recruits with rich life experiences, good moral character, and the ability to work alone, sometimes under extreme pressure, Markee said.

Cortez fits that description. He survived El Salvador’s civil war, sneaked into the United States through Tijuana, Mexico, at age 15, and settled in a poor Southern California neighborhood thick with gangs.

So Cortez is a known law breaker. Granted, he’s been an upstanding citizen recently, kicking field goals, roofing in Corvallis, and most recently working as a dockworker. But I know a little something about the OSP’s high standards for its troopers (check out the bottom section about “good moral fitness”). Shouldn’t such a fundamental disregard for the rule of law disqualify him from service in the OSP?

Also, what will the hyper reactive radio talk show hosts like Lars Larson and Jeff Kropf say about their beloved OSP’s most recent recruit? Will their anger over illegal immigration cause them to criticize the one state agency that turns otherwise solid fiscal conservatives into big tax and spend liberals?

Should be interesting…