I couldn't sleep last night. This is something associated with my chronic illness. The pain becomes unbearable, I cannot sleep, and no amount of pain medication helps. I've been living with this since 1993.

So, there I was awake thinking about a conversation I've been having with an extraordinary individual, by e-mail, over the illegal alien issue. This reader, and I always feel honored when someone bothers to write me about my columns, has been extraordinary in that he has been kind enough to write and gently point out some deficiencies in my thinking.

He hasn't called me names (and I have been called some doozies), he hasn't preached, but he has challenged my thinking with facts.

I won't tell you who he is because I think he is the type of person who might be a bit embarrassed so I won't (and I promise you Marty Lich that I will never reveal who you are!).

I want to cover some ground that this reader got me to thinking about that may clear up some things (or shock you half to death).

1. I am not a liberal. Did you fall to the floor? Did your clocks and watches just stop? I am actually a conservative Republican who voted for Bush (both of them) and have been a Republican since I was 18 years old.

2. I think there is a border problem. (Get out the smelling salts and your heart meds because it is going to get worse.)

3. I think are some "good arguments" out there for restricting who does and who does not come across ALL the borders. However, I think the problem has been going on for a heck of a long time and the Mexican illegals are not the only ones about whom we should be concerned. I have to add here that my view is the concern about the Mexicans is not as large as some make it out to be. There are much "bigger fish to fry" as they say!

4. I think there are some very, very "BAD ARGUMENTS" for restricting the borders and I think these "bad" arguments may have been born out of a "XENOPHOBIC" position or ideology. (Note I have attached that label"XENOPHOBIA--to a position or ideology and not to a person.) I think these "BAD ARGUMENTS" are unfairly leveled against a people whom I dearly love and feel a great burden for"The Mexicans.

I have a bias. (Does the word "Duh!" come to mind?)

Something specific I have been learning from Marty (oops, sorry Marty) is that mudslinging accomplishes little. I think I need to be clearer in attacking an ideology or position and not people.

Therefore, what I want to do is file one more story on the history of American Xenophobia toward Mexicans. My reason for this is that it is a historical fact I think could be playing a part in some of today's rampage about the current illegal Mexican problem. I think it applies. I hope you find it interesting. In addition, please, please write me with your well-constructed and critically thought-out questions and comments.

Then I plan to launch several columns on the issue of "critical thinking""just how can we discern which are the "good" and which are the "bad" arguments applied specifically to this issue of Illegal Mexicans in America.

Lastly, I am compiling a list of reader's questions and comments to take to the Governor of Guanajuato"the state in which my wife and I live. Governor Romero has an American mother and Mexican father and kept his dual citizenship for many years. We think he might have some interesting viewpoints, as a Mexican-American, on this entire issue.

If you want me to ask the governor something specifically be sure to write me NOW!

The interview isn't a shoe-in (nothing ever is in journalism) but we are working hard to get into his office through my contacts.