Vivid imagery

In an article on the illegal-alien crime wave the author makes very good usage of language tools. One way she uses it is when she talks about how afraid everyone is of illegals, then she says this:
"The ordinarily tough-as-nails former LAPD chief Daryl Gates enacted Special Order 40 in 1979—showing that even the most unapologetic law-and-order cop is no match for immigration advocates."(Par. 13) Here she quickly paints the picture of a tough cop, someone who most people probably look up to as a protectorate and in whom they find hope. Then she proceeds to say that this great police officer who is afraid of nothing, is afraid of the immigration advocates. This in turn creates a feeling of disdain in the audience.

Next she adds the term "Cordon Sanitaire"(par. 13) which is a french term denoting a barrier. It is cleverly used in this scenario to invoke the imagery of the illegals being untouchable to law enforcement. Although, perhaps most of the audience would not understand this play on words, and would only think of some sneaky Frenchman trying to be smart.

Then she adds a very interesting paragraph:

"L.A.’s sanctuary law and all others like it contradict a key 1990s policing discovery: the Great Chain of Being in criminal behavior. Pick up a law-violator for a “minor” crime, and you might well prevent a major crime: enforcing graffiti and turnstile-jumping laws nabs you murderers and robbers. Enforcing known immigration violations, such as reentry following deportation, against known felons, would be even more productive. LAPD officers recognize illegal deported gang members all the time—flashing gang signs at court hearings for rival gangbangers, hanging out on the corner, or casing a target. These illegal returnees are, simply by being in the country after deportation, committing a felony (in contrast to garden-variety illegals on their first trip to the U.S., say, who are only committing a misdemeanor). “But if I see a deportee from the Mara Salvatrucha [Salvadoran prison] gang crossing the street, I know I can’t touch him,” laments a Los Angeles gang officer. Only if the deported felon has given the officer some other reason to stop him, such as an observed narcotics sale, can the cop accost him—but not for the immigration felony."(par.14)

Here she uses very clear imagery by citing problems in the nations courts where it should be one of the safest places in the states. Audiences should be frightened by the words he uses with dangerous illegal gangs flashing their signs in these courts. Or when she uses the wording of casing a target, she uses gang terminology to show just how much of a problem this really is.

In all reality language tools can make or break your argument. In this article the author uses it very well and in turn she is able to manipulate the mood of her audience to reflect her own viewpoints.