Odin's Beard! ICE Raids on Home Depot Parking Lots Threaten Our Mead Halls!

A Land of Opportunity or Just Another Wessex?

By Odin's beard! I Ragnar Lothbrok have seen many lands in my time from the shores of England to the glittering cities of Frankia. But this 'America'… this land of opportunity I hear is now plagued by troubles even a Viking would find perplexing. They say men gather at places called 'Home Depot,' seeking work like thralls at a market. But these are not slaves to be bought and sold but free men striving to build and provide. Or so they were until the 'ICE' came.

The Wrath of ICE: A Winter Fimbulwinter Descends Upon Construction

This 'ICE,' I am told sweeps through these gatherings taking men away like Odin claiming warriors for Valhalla. But these men are not dying in battle they are simply trying to earn a living. And what of the builders the contractors who rely on these strong arms? They are left with empty sites projects delayed and the bitter taste of frustration. The Hispanic Construction Council cries out claiming a shortage of 500,000 workers! 'We are getting farther behind on projects,' they wail. Sounds like a Fimbulwinter descending upon the land does it not?

Home Depot's No Soliciting Policy: A Shield or a Deceptive Veil?

Home Depot the very ground where these laborers seek their fate claims innocence. 'We have a no solicitation policy,' they declare. Hmph! Sounds like King Aelle washing his hands after throwing me into the snake pit. They say they don't invite the ICE but turn a blind eye as men are dragged away? Is this honor? Is this the way of a great kingdom? I think not. Remember my words: 'I do not have to be what you want me to be. I am free to be what I want.'

The Ripple Effect: When Small Hammer Blows Cause Big Earthquakes

They say these day laborers are but small cogs in a great machine. Helping with painting and small jobs. But what happens when those cogs are removed? The machine sputters stalls and the entire kingdom feels the tremor. One 'Jason Greer,' a labor consultant says these men are 'scared to death' to seek work. Fear is a weapon more potent than any axe. I’ve always said: 'Fear only the consequences of your own actions.'

Inflation's Bite: Higher Wages Empty Pockets?

Now these wise men of economics start blathering about 'inflation' and 'labor pools.' They say that by cracking down on these laborers the wages will go up prices will rise and soon even a flagon of ale will cost a king's ransom. It seems these 'experts' are as confused as I was when I first tried to understand the Christian God. This fellow Hermanns claims neither party is serious about the issue! By the gods are they all truly lost?

Easy Pickings or a Deeper Malaise? A Nation Divided

This 'immigration attorney,' Loren Locke speaks of a 'gray immigration status' and of children who were allowed to come to this land. The current situation is that the authorities seek the easiest prey for their arrest quotas. She questions if these men are really dangerous criminals. Are they all just easy targets or are these ICE raids just a symptom of a nation unsure of itself? Like a longship sailing without a rudder America seems lost at sea. 'How little they know of the Vikings,' I say.