As reported by the MDJ's Jon Gillooly in his July 13 story, "A hunger for change," the smooth-talking Rich Pellegrino, head of the Cobb Immigration Alliance, has conned a couple of Latinos into conducting a ridiculous and ineffective hunger protest against a law passed by our elected representatives. The law, known informally as HB-87, states that illegal immigrants must obey the same laws that we all obey.

The fly in the ointment, of course, is that illegal immigrants have to become legal residents if they want to reside in and work in Georgia. They do not want to comply with that law. Why should they? They work for "under the table wages" on which they pay no income tax. Contributing little to the maintenance of our society, they avail themselves of all the benefits.

These two men, a native of Mexico claiming he became a citizen last year, and a Honduran not claiming citizenship, were joined by a pastor of a Unitarian Universalist church. I confess I had to Google Unitarian Universalist to find out what they believe. I learned that the basic tenet appears to be, "If it feels good, do it! It's OK with us."

One has to wonder why this pastor is willing to throw the citizens and legal residents in his congregation under the bus in favor of intruders.

Hunger protests are inane ways to bring pressure on others anyway. They are based on the premise that the others really care whether or not you eat.

The mere fact that Pellegrino was able to talk these two guys into doing this definitely does not conjure a warm fuzzy feeling of concern for their well being.

It kind of reminds me of hitting myself in the rear with a switch in order to convince my Mamma I needed to go to the picture show.

Some defenders have used the term "fast" as opposed to "hunger protest."

That's not quite accurate. A fast, normally a religious observance, is usually done in connection with some high or noble purpose.

Trying to get permission to break the law and take that which other people have worked for does not fit the definition of a high or noble purpose. The terms "low" and "sleazy" come to mind.

Besides, what they are overlooking is the fact that a lot of folks in Georgia, due to the presence of these illegal immigrants, are already on an involuntary "hunger protest."

My friend and fellow columnist Dick Yarbrough learned that the dastardly villains, probably incited by Jerry Gonzalez, were planning the ultimate hunger protest - a broccoli boycott.

It apparently never fully developed once it was discovered that a large percentage of the country's male population, with the exception of some who actually grow the stuff on purpose, and a few Hollywood wimp types like George Clooney, are already boycotting broccoli.

Among Georgians, as well as most other Southerners, I am pretty sure that broccoli ranks somewhere below breakfast without grits or unsweetened tea in terms of epicurean preference.

In reaction to all this, Cobb's D.A. King, champion of the move to rid our state of these lawbreakers, launched his "Un-Hunger Un-Protest" campaign. He plans to eat three squares a day in support of HB-87.

A number of groups and individuals have joined him in support of this movement.

The aim, of course, is the exact opposite of the Latino foolishness. The object, in King's case, is to un-protest HB-87 by un-starving ourselves.

Eating makes a lot more sense than starving, don't you think?

King's food of choice for this un-protest is the all-American chili dog. While the chili dog certainly enjoys great popularity with those joining King in this effort, I prefer the simple irony of the taco.

What I propose is that we each eat three tacos a day in support of HB-87. I am presently seeking the co-operation of that world famous taco chef, Taco Bell, to promote this effort.

It should do wonders for their business here In Georgia. If that fails, Moe's Southwest Grill will get the nod and all the resulting influx of income.

I can see the promotional banners now. "Three tacos for just 87 cents, 'cause HB-87 just makes sense."

Join our Un-Hunger Un-Protest and "eat a taco for law and order." Hey, we all know it ain't that often our lawmakers do something right. Let's support them. It'll probably be a long time before that "blind hog finds another acorn."

Pete Borden is a brickmason in east Cobb.