Does Dave Swiderski not understand that calling someone "anti-American" is the exact same thing as playing the race card, or does he just hope that people who read his letter don't ("Decision to play race card hurts credibility of liberals," April 19)? But the latter would not be too ridiculous, considering the current trends in politics today.

Reading the opinion pages of newspapers and listening to those who call into television pundits (and, indeed, often the pundits themselves), it is clear see that the good majority of political discussion today is name-calling. When it escalates, it is two people barking the obvious to each other. Of course, illegal immigration is bad, and something must be done about it. But our country is built upon immigration, and to close borders or, as Swiderski would like, force American culture upon immigrants, would go against American ideals.

If the issue were simple, there would be a solution everyone agreed on years ago. So before writing to The Daily Collegian, one should really think about what they have to say. Contrary to popular belief, stating overly generalized facts and attacking your opponent personally are not forms of debate. Neither is using any sort of "card," race or otherwise.