As an alumnus who keeps semi-regular tabs on his alma mater, I have to say that it isn't exactly comforting to see that some things remain the same.

Being a former Tribune editorial writer, I was somewhat bemused when Joseph Kastner's inflammatory commentary was delivered, like a clock, every four weeks. While the pace seems to have slowed a bit this year — apparently he no longer aspires to be a de facto member of the Tribune staff — he came through with what can only be described as a true gem on April 4. Not only did he make himself out to be a true caricature of an American ideologue, he also seemed downright (dare I say it?) French.

For instance, Kastner feels that illegal immigrants "have no right to have their voices heard in this debate." Ask any Franco-Muslim — especially an immigrant — what the French feel about their rights to express themselves. I think the French would largely echo Kastner's sentiment. Fortunately, where I come from (America), we feel that all men — and, perhaps to Kastner's surprise, women — have been endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights. Those who aren't French probably know what I'm talking about.

Another pearl from Kastner's mind is this: "To this day I have yet to fully grasp why Hispanics who came to the United States legally are so adamant in their support, intentional or not, of illegal immigration. Stop waving the Mexican flag and start thinking sensibly for a moment."

Well, Joseph, could it be that Hispanic immigrants are supportive of immigration in general? Could it also be that the currently allowed levels of legal immigration are so astonishingly low that the United States has left Hispanics who support immigration with little other option?

If Kastner truly wants to keep the Mexican flag-wavers (I wonder if he objects to Irish flags outside of many local pubs?) out of our country, perhaps he should be encouraging us to abandon the free-trade capitalist system that creates the demand so many immigrants to come into our country. I think we all know another.

In his Viewpoint, Kastner eventually calms down, rationally describes opening up further avenues for legal immigration and dealing with current illegal immigrants in a way similar to the McCain-Kennedy bill.

However, he just can't help himself and the record starts to skip again with conservative boilerplate rhetoric: time to build a fence, time to build a moat, time to let the black knight from Monty Python patrol our borders.

Then comes the coup de grace: "The first person to be caught crossing the border illegally is to be arrested live on television. This will send a clear signal to other potential illegals that we mean business."

Yeah, I'm sure that will be a hit on Mexican television. I can see Univision beaming this image around Latin America and all of a sudden all potential "illegals" (it must be comforting to think that Hispanic immigrants aren't people, but things) will realize the err of their ways.

Public mocking and denunciation of migrants has been tried before in a certain arrogant European country. And I've got to tell you, the immigrants there thought it was a riot.