immigration

I woke up this morning with a "bee in my bonnet" about something I saw on the news last night before I went to bed. It was a story about how there is going to be an immigration protest rally in Annapolis, Maryland today. I used to be what people would call a "bleeding heart" liberal when I was freshly graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Social Work. I believed that everyone needs to be treated with respect and everyone deserves an equal chance at living a good life, everything is all hearts and flowers, blah, blah blah. Now, twenty-some years later, I am not so much a bleeding heart but rather a common sense, no-bones-about-it kind of person. I have seen enough of the injustices and misconceptions that have occured because we Americans have been, on the whole, a kind and benevolent country. We have become push-overs, and have become confused about the difference between immigrants and illegal immigrants. This great country has become great because we are a melting pot of different people. Everyone had something to add to the pot, everyone used to be work to better themselves and the communties they lived in. Now, if you listen to the news media spin on immigration, you would think that Americans are evil, cold, closed-minded and selfish because we want our government to enforce immigration laws. If I were an immigrant who came here to work and make a better life for myself, and I did all the required paperwork and passed the required tests,I would be outraged at what the illegal immigrants are doing now. It seems to me that no other country would be asked to do what we are doing. Does Canada allow people to come to their country illegally and make demands of her healthcare system, legal system, educational system, and almost every institution there? Does Great Britain, Ireland, Australia,Japan or any other country? Why is it that when we want to protect ourselves, our institutions and all we have worked for, we become evil and uncaring? I want my children to grow up with every advantage possible, but if we allow illegals to continue to come here and make demands for "equal rights,"when they truly haven't earned them and don't have repect for others' rights, we are risking all that we legal citizens have worked for.

read more

Have you recently discussed abortion and found yourself strongly defending your postition? Do you find yourself either strongly for or strongly against gay marriage? Have you thought about the immigration issues affecting the US?

Congratulations. P.T. Barnum was talking about you when he said there is a sucker born every minute.

I read an article recently (if I can ever find it again, I will post the stats here) that showed the difference between the political parties. When you poll those who attend the National Conventions, there is a VAST divide between the parties. When you poll the average person, things tend to come out much more moderate. What does this mean? Well, it means that the political parties are NOT representing you.

read more

Immigration Issue SCREWS National Guard

That's right The National Guard is no longer the last niche of absolutely do nothing Military Service. For years the Guard, was a convenient way to get out of doing real Military Service for lots of people(like President Bush), but now you've actually got to do something(unlike Bush). Due to the current Immigration Crisis, National Guard Soldiers now have to work the borders building stuff, and helping the Border Patrol.

read more

Today I got an email that really upset me. It was regarding the immigration debate. I am the wrong person to send an email with some quote made by ANDY ROONEY of all people-can you get anymore Arian (for lack of a racier word)?

I don't care what Andy Rooney says on 60 minutes especially when he is ranting about complete nonsense. He would never know what an illegal immigrant goes through. I am not an illegal immigrant and I have been told to go back to my country and called a wetback by Caucasians. Oh by the way, I was born in Manhattan. This is my country, but to those people full of hate, it isn't my country. What do I have to say to them?

read more

For us legal immigrants, the road to becoming a US citizen is a long and treacherous, albeit a rewarding one. The last hurdle was the actual face-to-face interview with immigration, and an exam covering the basics of US history and English competence.

The full story is here.

Wow....I just saw a story on the news about how anti-immigration proponents are planning a nationwide boycott of all Mexican goods and services, including restaurants, tourism, etc. on Cinco de Mayo.

Oh come now, can things get just a little more ridiculous? First we boycott French wine and call those potato sticks we all love so much "Freedom Fries" becasue Mr. Bush said so, and now we are supposed to boycott margaritas and mole on Cinco de Mayo? Estos Americanos racistas se estan volviendo locos. Every time the US gets mad at some other race, religious or ethnic group we are told or suggested to boycott their goods? Wow. Not me. No boycotting in my household.

read more

I am aware of the great consternation and debate over the immigration issue. Of late, it has become vogue, and apparently something politicians think they can latch onto in hopes of solidifying political base.

Whatever.

I have recently listened to Nuestro Himno, the Star Spangled Banner done in Spanish. It is beautiful. I truly enjoyed a song that for years I have not found very musically satisfying.

read more

It's amazing How quickly things change. Here, in Chicago, just a few short weeks ago, everything was fine. White, Latino, Black, Asian... all going about our business in blissful harmony.
Now, today, most of us are still fine. But where are the Latinos? They are standing in shadows, furtively peering around corners, crouched, moving quickly along the sidewalk with collars turned up.

read more

I received this e-mail today. It's a little radical but I am posting it because it raises some valid points about illegal immigration. Let me state: I AM NOT AGAINST IMMIGRATION. IT SHOULD BE.... LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

This country was founded by immigrants and immigrants have long been an asset here. I know many Mexican Americans whom I admire for their hardwork, family values and outstanding scholastic achievement. There are many doctors,actors,execs,business, lawyers,bankers,teachers,public servants, and many more too numerous to mention. They are law abiding citizens and have long been an asset to the American scene. I believe people are people and we are all members of the same human race.

read more

Over the weekend a couple of events happened that got me thinking about this current immigration debate. I'll tell you guys/gals what happened in the two incidents and then I'll state my opinion and pose a question.

Incident number one occured Saturday while I was at work. I work in a gym as a personal trainer. We have a maintenance/cleaning crew that is all hispanic. So one of the gym members comes up to me and tells me that there is no toilet paper in one of the bathrooms. I then go up to one of the maintenance guys and inform him of the situation and he just looks at me and replies, "Espanol."

read more

If you're interested in taking a poll regarding the immigration debate that's going on, take it here.
This survey isn't long, you just click 2 buttons and fill in your name and such and it's done.

Check it out.

I'm from TX and with the Immigration Reform issue going on in Congress, the Mexican population here is up in arms. They've had so many walk-outs from the local highschools, it's really crazy.

My husband and I were just talking and thought, "Wow, they're waving Mexico's flag, but want to stay in the USA!" Where is the USA's flag! If these people really want to stay in our country, shouldn't they be chanting "USA, USA"?

read more

Now yesterday the middle school kids went out vis-a-vis the Senate bill on immigration.

It was a rather disjointed affair, and administrators failed to keep the students on campus. They scattered, then met and marched to a nearby town and back.

Though I can admire their pluck, they will soon realize that a price exists for such actions. Yes, in America you can state your mind and even assemble and march to a cause, but when such a cause costs the school district $32 per kid per day (as it does here) then measures will be taken to stem such actions.

But, still, students have received quite a lesson -- better education than sitting idle in a classroom doing nothing and thinking about less.

Project Seek: Onassis, Kennedy and the Gemstone Thesis

There’s More Where This Came From

read more

When I first pulled into Berkeley five months ago (“C’mon Mick, it really hasn’t been five months already, has it? Oh. Yeah. Damn.�), I heard sounds I hadn’t heard for years and didn’t expect to hear here. The horns of freight trains. And I let it slip, there was still a part of me that wanted to sneak into a boxcar and let it take me where it would. For the hell of it.

read more