Friends,
I have been watching this story with great interest, and it's because my roots are in Southwest Louisiana. For those that do not know, SW La is the heel of the boot, and is rich in culture, cuisine, and and good times. It is also an area rich in oil reserves, and oil and sulphur refineries dot the coast. These refineries are so common that a city is called Sulphur, and when driving into this part of Louisiana, visitors and residents are greeted by the plumes of white fluffy smoke emerging from 'the plant', and usually the smell of rotten eggs that accompanies them. Welcome to Louisiana..or...Bienvenue en Louisiane. Though this plant and many more like it that dot the coast are a major source of industry in Louisiana, the subject of this particular post is a matter of concern that these plants, and offshore drilling plants also bring. The incidences of cancer are high in these areas, and it manifests itself in varying ways. For instance, my Grandmother passed of breast cancer, my uncle of lung cancer (and he was not a smoker), my Godfather died of lung cancer, and my cousin is a survivor of this disease. Like my Uncles, he also is not a smoker, and was 19 when she was diagnosed with it. Thankfully, she is in remission, but other family members, such as my deceased Grandmother's brothers and sisters all have died of this horrible disease. They have all been life long residents of coastal Louisiana and since the water is right there, no matter how much they 'clean' it up, there are traces in the water..water that the residents drink, and that contain a main staple in Louisiana cuisine: fish and shrimp.
This brings me to BP. Like my fellow Americans, I was outraged at what I perceived to be a lackadaisical response to this problem. As of today, BP is capping the oil. The oil has been gushing into the Gulf since late April at the rate of 5000 gallons a day. After viewing the tar balls that have washed up on the shores, as well as some oil covered wildlife, I became incredibly upset that instead of immediately addressing the problem, BP rather blamed the 'other guy' for not capping the valve correctly. As this is their company, BP needs to show accountability. Additionally, the money that is being taken out of the Louisiana economy due to this spill should be paid back. As it is, fisherman and boaters have been advised to stay out of the waters until the cleanup. But the question is: when will this be, and how long will it last? What will be the effects on coastal resident's health? We could only wait and see, but as it is, usually I am an optimist, but this situation looks dire, as the potential effects could be devastating.
...still following this issue,
-DG
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
FRIENDSHIP
Greetings!
This morning, friends, I read 1st Samuel Chp 20 , and reviewed the passage about David and Jonathan. Theirs was a unique friendship because they formed a covenant with God.
The story is this: Saul, Jonathan’s father, was king, and like Samuel had prophesied, Saul was going to start out good, then turn away from the Lord and his commands. David, a warrior who had slew the Philistines, and who was a man after God’s heart was soon revered by townspeople and the army alike. Seeing this, Saul kept David close to him, but begin to become so jealous of David, that he pursued him to kill him. Jonathan, who technically would have been king elect if his father died, saw the error in Saul’s ways, and even attempted to check his father on it. Saul, instead tried to kill Jonathan, and threw a spear at him. Jonathan and David forged a bond in the name of God, and made a promise to one another to always do right by one another, and one another’s descendants,. During this time, David and Jonathan both were aware that Saul was trying to kill David, and David, was understandably upset about it. Once he and Jonathan had a conversation, Jonathan advised David that he would find out for him if his father, indeed was still pursuing him, and if so, he would give him the sign. David, still a bit anxious about the whole scenario was unsure if he could and should trust Jonathan. Jonathan then replied: I made a promise to God; I will NOT abuse your trust, and may God deal with me severely if I do..Then he prayed that David’s enemies perish. Once Jonathan found that Saul was still pursuing him, he did give David the sign to leave, and David fled…prior to leaving, however, they both cried and advised one another of their promise to do right by one another and their future descendants.
What I got out of this whole powerful passage:
Friends will have your back in the midst of strife.
Friends will keep their promises.
Friends will tell you the truth in love, and give you Godly advice
Friends will also pray for you and with you
Friends are a reflection of who you are (note: David and Jonathan were both warriors, but in the army of the Lord, and were advancing for the good of the people who loved Him, and who He loved).
Friends will revel in your victories, and help you get over the hump of defeat.
Friends will not betray your trust
Friends will intervene on your behalf if needed
Friends will hold themselves accountable for wrongdoing
Friends will hold you accountable for wrongdoing as well
Thought: We cannot choose our families, but we can choose our friends
My question to you: who are your friends today?
MissDeeDee
This morning, friends, I read 1st Samuel Chp 20 , and reviewed the passage about David and Jonathan. Theirs was a unique friendship because they formed a covenant with God.
The story is this: Saul, Jonathan’s father, was king, and like Samuel had prophesied, Saul was going to start out good, then turn away from the Lord and his commands. David, a warrior who had slew the Philistines, and who was a man after God’s heart was soon revered by townspeople and the army alike. Seeing this, Saul kept David close to him, but begin to become so jealous of David, that he pursued him to kill him. Jonathan, who technically would have been king elect if his father died, saw the error in Saul’s ways, and even attempted to check his father on it. Saul, instead tried to kill Jonathan, and threw a spear at him. Jonathan and David forged a bond in the name of God, and made a promise to one another to always do right by one another, and one another’s descendants,. During this time, David and Jonathan both were aware that Saul was trying to kill David, and David, was understandably upset about it. Once he and Jonathan had a conversation, Jonathan advised David that he would find out for him if his father, indeed was still pursuing him, and if so, he would give him the sign. David, still a bit anxious about the whole scenario was unsure if he could and should trust Jonathan. Jonathan then replied: I made a promise to God; I will NOT abuse your trust, and may God deal with me severely if I do..Then he prayed that David’s enemies perish. Once Jonathan found that Saul was still pursuing him, he did give David the sign to leave, and David fled…prior to leaving, however, they both cried and advised one another of their promise to do right by one another and their future descendants.
What I got out of this whole powerful passage:
Friends will have your back in the midst of strife.
Friends will keep their promises.
Friends will tell you the truth in love, and give you Godly advice
Friends will also pray for you and with you
Friends are a reflection of who you are (note: David and Jonathan were both warriors, but in the army of the Lord, and were advancing for the good of the people who loved Him, and who He loved).
Friends will revel in your victories, and help you get over the hump of defeat.
Friends will not betray your trust
Friends will intervene on your behalf if needed
Friends will hold themselves accountable for wrongdoing
Friends will hold you accountable for wrongdoing as well
Thought: We cannot choose our families, but we can choose our friends
My question to you: who are your friends today?
MissDeeDee
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
arizona debate...continued part deaux
Greetings!
My apologies for being in a rush, and as a result, not employing the use of 'spell check', or reading my first post thoroughly.
To pick up where I left off, my dentist became extremely animated and almost angry at this debate. His anger was not directed at me, nor was he yelling at me..he was just extremely passionate about this.
Like I mentioned before, his main justification for his railings, were that, the new movement in Arizona is not racist, and that California's lawmakers should be reprimanded for not supporting AZ and boycotting them.
He did not mention the fact that this law could lead to racial profiling; he just could not see it.
This leads me to my main point. Somehow the party of Lincoln' as they dub themselves miss the points on a lot of issues that underscore race. The simple ignorance, lack of insight, or downright cluelessness and sensitivity to this type of issue is what I like to dub 'socio-economic ignorance'. Certain classes of people do not/have not ever socialized with any minorities, and as a result, either make statements, or in this case laws that affect them.
My point is supported by the advancement of the law that was recently signed by Gov. Brewer that limits ethnic studies in high schools in Arizona...citing...'patriotism', and negation of 'hateful attitudes' towards America. She and a school superintendent also advised that having ethnic studies in place makes the students feel as if they are victims! How can this be? We are all Americans, here! How can anyone outside of my socio-economic group dictate to me, how I feel? A feeling of pride at a particular culture does not undermine the patriotism that a student feels..b/d they are still American. That's asinine. Again, ethnic studies constitutes American history, because America does not consist of just one race/group/cultural structure. This is an asinine law and undermines strides and contributions that our fellow citizens have made in our great nation.
To further this, I have met and encountered fellow students at my alma mater who advised that they had never ever socialized or met a Black person, a Mexican person, and had class with a few Asians. Without knowing the cultural traditions, and the values, it's easy to make ignorant assumptions, and to advance exclusive agendas that hurt, rather than advance our great nation.
This brings me back to my original question that I will pose to lawmakers: WHAT IS YOUR INTENT, AND WHAT IS YOUR DESIRED GOAL of proposing this legislation?
I can speculate, and can really theorize what I THINK they are, but what is the undermining purpose. Not communicating this, and incorrectly using terms, such as patriotism, victimization undermines our democracy, and the principles, that as the 'land of the free' we enjoy as American citizens.
-DG
My apologies for being in a rush, and as a result, not employing the use of 'spell check', or reading my first post thoroughly.
To pick up where I left off, my dentist became extremely animated and almost angry at this debate. His anger was not directed at me, nor was he yelling at me..he was just extremely passionate about this.
Like I mentioned before, his main justification for his railings, were that, the new movement in Arizona is not racist, and that California's lawmakers should be reprimanded for not supporting AZ and boycotting them.
He did not mention the fact that this law could lead to racial profiling; he just could not see it.
This leads me to my main point. Somehow the party of Lincoln' as they dub themselves miss the points on a lot of issues that underscore race. The simple ignorance, lack of insight, or downright cluelessness and sensitivity to this type of issue is what I like to dub 'socio-economic ignorance'. Certain classes of people do not/have not ever socialized with any minorities, and as a result, either make statements, or in this case laws that affect them.
My point is supported by the advancement of the law that was recently signed by Gov. Brewer that limits ethnic studies in high schools in Arizona...citing...'patriotism', and negation of 'hateful attitudes' towards America. She and a school superintendent also advised that having ethnic studies in place makes the students feel as if they are victims! How can this be? We are all Americans, here! How can anyone outside of my socio-economic group dictate to me, how I feel? A feeling of pride at a particular culture does not undermine the patriotism that a student feels..b/d they are still American. That's asinine. Again, ethnic studies constitutes American history, because America does not consist of just one race/group/cultural structure. This is an asinine law and undermines strides and contributions that our fellow citizens have made in our great nation.
To further this, I have met and encountered fellow students at my alma mater who advised that they had never ever socialized or met a Black person, a Mexican person, and had class with a few Asians. Without knowing the cultural traditions, and the values, it's easy to make ignorant assumptions, and to advance exclusive agendas that hurt, rather than advance our great nation.
This brings me back to my original question that I will pose to lawmakers: WHAT IS YOUR INTENT, AND WHAT IS YOUR DESIRED GOAL of proposing this legislation?
I can speculate, and can really theorize what I THINK they are, but what is the undermining purpose. Not communicating this, and incorrectly using terms, such as patriotism, victimization undermines our democracy, and the principles, that as the 'land of the free' we enjoy as American citizens.
-DG
TEA CURRICULUM CHANGE
Greetings-
It's with a heavy heart and extremely downcast countenance that I bring the news from the home front on this measure that the TEA is in the process of debating.
The Texas Education Agency is voting on sweeping changes that will affect the social studies curriculum in grades K-12. What is disturbing are the following changes:
-adding language that the Founding Fathers were guided by Christian principle
-positive references to the Moral Majority
-positive references to the NRA
-positive references to the GOP's 'Contract with America'
-Minimizing the role of Thomas Jefferson due to the fact that he advocated separation of church and state
-requirements that students learn about the 'unintended' consequences of affirmative action
-assert that the right to bear arms is essential in a democratic society..
and the grand finale:
-Renaming the slave trade the 'Atlantic Triangle Trade'.
This is disturbing on many levels. My first reaction was of anger, and then, I was incredibly sad. Sad that we as a nation, in our lust to establish our own political interests would take the choice away from our children to obtain a free education. This education is not free, as it is skewed towards certain political interests. Additionally, to undermine the slave trade as the 'Atlantic Triangle Trade', is more horrific, and in fact, suggests, that slavery, was not one of the greatest horrors known in the world, but, that it was simply a Wall Street business deal gone awry. "Unintended consequences" of affirmative action? What are those? To add more fuel to the fire, the TEA board members aer using words such as 'Christianity' and 'patriotism' to advance this ridiculous agenda. As a Christian, this infuriates me, because Christianity is about inclusion, not exclusion. Patriotism is acknowledging past wrongs, and rights, and still being a proud and active member of your country. To suggest that this curriculum is Christian, and patriotic, is a gross misuse of both terms. The TEA board members, particularly, Don McLeroy, and Cynthia Noland Dunbar should be ashamed for their lackadaisical use of two terms that they clearly do not understand. Factually, as a colleague pointed out to me, the Founding Fathers of this nation actually were not Christian, but occultist, which means, that there is Christian logic that guided the principles of the Founding Fathers.
Also, my question is this: when our President was about to make his speech to the kids about staying in school, such 'noble' minds as Glenn Beck and his followers had already made the predetermination that this speech was an indoctrination, and words such as 'fascism', and 'communism', in addition to the already overused 'socialism' were used to describe a speech that has not been made. To include, and undermine certain history that does not cater to one's interest, does this not suggest glimmerings of the same type of 'fascism' that this vanguard is suggesting? Implementing a program where only one side is presented, and presenting positive images of a political agenda..isn't that somehow indoctrination, since the choice is taken away from our children? How can we as a nation employ and educate some of the best and brightest, if we do not know who we are as Americans to begin with? Slavery, the Civil War, the KKK, the Civil Rights Movement, the Battle at Little BigHorn, the discovery of America, the Battle at the Alamo, and the struggle of America to free themselves from the tyranny of the British ALL are American history. Regardless of how pretty, or not so pretty is was, social studies/history are used as a lesson to demonstrate how as a nation, we rose up from the ashes like phoenixes, and were able to repair the social ills of our nation, and how not to commit those same grievances against the citizenry again.
The TEA'S actions....now are they taking us one step back, or one step further into healing our social ills?
I have my response. Think about it!
-DG
It's with a heavy heart and extremely downcast countenance that I bring the news from the home front on this measure that the TEA is in the process of debating.
The Texas Education Agency is voting on sweeping changes that will affect the social studies curriculum in grades K-12. What is disturbing are the following changes:
-adding language that the Founding Fathers were guided by Christian principle
-positive references to the Moral Majority
-positive references to the NRA
-positive references to the GOP's 'Contract with America'
-Minimizing the role of Thomas Jefferson due to the fact that he advocated separation of church and state
-requirements that students learn about the 'unintended' consequences of affirmative action
-assert that the right to bear arms is essential in a democratic society..
and the grand finale:
-Renaming the slave trade the 'Atlantic Triangle Trade'.
This is disturbing on many levels. My first reaction was of anger, and then, I was incredibly sad. Sad that we as a nation, in our lust to establish our own political interests would take the choice away from our children to obtain a free education. This education is not free, as it is skewed towards certain political interests. Additionally, to undermine the slave trade as the 'Atlantic Triangle Trade', is more horrific, and in fact, suggests, that slavery, was not one of the greatest horrors known in the world, but, that it was simply a Wall Street business deal gone awry. "Unintended consequences" of affirmative action? What are those? To add more fuel to the fire, the TEA board members aer using words such as 'Christianity' and 'patriotism' to advance this ridiculous agenda. As a Christian, this infuriates me, because Christianity is about inclusion, not exclusion. Patriotism is acknowledging past wrongs, and rights, and still being a proud and active member of your country. To suggest that this curriculum is Christian, and patriotic, is a gross misuse of both terms. The TEA board members, particularly, Don McLeroy, and Cynthia Noland Dunbar should be ashamed for their lackadaisical use of two terms that they clearly do not understand. Factually, as a colleague pointed out to me, the Founding Fathers of this nation actually were not Christian, but occultist, which means, that there is Christian logic that guided the principles of the Founding Fathers.
Also, my question is this: when our President was about to make his speech to the kids about staying in school, such 'noble' minds as Glenn Beck and his followers had already made the predetermination that this speech was an indoctrination, and words such as 'fascism', and 'communism', in addition to the already overused 'socialism' were used to describe a speech that has not been made. To include, and undermine certain history that does not cater to one's interest, does this not suggest glimmerings of the same type of 'fascism' that this vanguard is suggesting? Implementing a program where only one side is presented, and presenting positive images of a political agenda..isn't that somehow indoctrination, since the choice is taken away from our children? How can we as a nation employ and educate some of the best and brightest, if we do not know who we are as Americans to begin with? Slavery, the Civil War, the KKK, the Civil Rights Movement, the Battle at Little BigHorn, the discovery of America, the Battle at the Alamo, and the struggle of America to free themselves from the tyranny of the British ALL are American history. Regardless of how pretty, or not so pretty is was, social studies/history are used as a lesson to demonstrate how as a nation, we rose up from the ashes like phoenixes, and were able to repair the social ills of our nation, and how not to commit those same grievances against the citizenry again.
The TEA'S actions....now are they taking us one step back, or one step further into healing our social ills?
I have my response. Think about it!
-DG
arizona debate...continued
Greetings!
I have much more to say, but in the absence of time to do so, I will make this as brief as my fingers will allow. I know I said it would be my last word on this, but anyone who knows me knows...it won't be. LOL.
I had a very spirited debate with my dentist this morning. What I took from it is one, the man knows now without a shadow of a doubt knows that I keep up with political trends, and the other, is that I will now pose a new question when I am about to vote for a law. My dentist said that he felt the AZ law was put in place to send the message that if one is here , illegally, then that person will have to become legal and pay the same taxes that legal citizens do...to him, it's an issue of fairness. He did not address the whole racial profiling aspect of it. My take on the intent of the AZ law is totally different. So, now, this brings me to my second point. My second point is this: when voting for a law, I will now ask the law maker their intent of making the law, and DESIRED GOAL. Though politicians will lie to ensure that they maintain their constituents interests, but also, really, what is the desired goal of the law. When drafting these two bills and signing them into law (SB 1070 and the new ethnic studies law, which I will blog about tonight), what was Gov. Brewer's intent, and what is her DESIRED GOAL. What does she HOPE to accomplish by enacting these laws? We know what the politically correct language says...but what is her desired goal and intent? Asking these two questions to me, places the voter at the advantage that they are truly informed, because, this gives the true meaning and spirit of the law. As it is, two different people, have different ideas of what this law represents, and what the desired goal SHOULD BE, as opposed to what it is.
Okay, have to run to work...i came home to change clothing, pick up lunch, and write down my thought on this.
-LATER FOR MORE!
-DG
I have much more to say, but in the absence of time to do so, I will make this as brief as my fingers will allow. I know I said it would be my last word on this, but anyone who knows me knows...it won't be. LOL.
I had a very spirited debate with my dentist this morning. What I took from it is one, the man knows now without a shadow of a doubt knows that I keep up with political trends, and the other, is that I will now pose a new question when I am about to vote for a law. My dentist said that he felt the AZ law was put in place to send the message that if one is here , illegally, then that person will have to become legal and pay the same taxes that legal citizens do...to him, it's an issue of fairness. He did not address the whole racial profiling aspect of it. My take on the intent of the AZ law is totally different. So, now, this brings me to my second point. My second point is this: when voting for a law, I will now ask the law maker their intent of making the law, and DESIRED GOAL. Though politicians will lie to ensure that they maintain their constituents interests, but also, really, what is the desired goal of the law. When drafting these two bills and signing them into law (SB 1070 and the new ethnic studies law, which I will blog about tonight), what was Gov. Brewer's intent, and what is her DESIRED GOAL. What does she HOPE to accomplish by enacting these laws? We know what the politically correct language says...but what is her desired goal and intent? Asking these two questions to me, places the voter at the advantage that they are truly informed, because, this gives the true meaning and spirit of the law. As it is, two different people, have different ideas of what this law represents, and what the desired goal SHOULD BE, as opposed to what it is.
Okay, have to run to work...i came home to change clothing, pick up lunch, and write down my thought on this.
-LATER FOR MORE!
-DG
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
IMMIGRATION LAW
Now, I have a chance to FINALLY comment on this. This will be my official sounding board on this topic.
The Senate Bill in Arizona is absolutely ludicrous. This is the same state that barely started celebrating the King Holiday, the same state where a man walked around openly armed at a Presidential rally, the same state where....a man was threatening to take out the President, and the same state where that obnoxious sheriff takes pride in demeaning inmates (and I dare say turning them into worse criminals) than trying to at least rehabilitate them. Needless to say: Arizona has some serious explaining to do.
Okay, I have a couple of questions/arguments and of course statements.
Now, I pride myself on growing up along the border. My Dad was in the military, and I grew up part of my life in Northern California (Monterey), and spent my teenage years in El Paso, Texas where the population is about 95% Hispanic. Across the border is Juarez, Mexico, currently, one of (if not the number 1) deadliest cities in the world. I use this as my disclaimer of saying that I've seen the immigration debate in motion long before it exploded into the headlines.
Now, the main part of this law that really bugs me is that law enforcement officials can stop those who 'look' illegal, and prompt them to show documents, proof of legal residency, etc, etc. What about those Mexican-Americans whose families have been here since the days of General Santa Anna? What about the illegal families who have had their children here legally? Another facet of the law that bothers me is that the law is proposing sending the families home..with their children who were born here. Now, if a child is born here, regardless of who their parents are...doesn't that make them an American citizen?
The really bad implications of this: legal racial profiling. It's not right, and it's not okay. Being pulled over because of one's skin color and demanding documentation is not a way to resolve the 'immigration issue'. This also opens the state of Arizona to a lot of lawsuits. Currently, the government is exploring this option. This new law screams reform at the federal level. From doing a bit of research on current immigration policies, the current immigration process is both costly, and time consuming. It's not as easy as 'avoiding taxes' as some would like to suggest, and coming to America, the land of opportunity is not a walk in the park. The same supporters of this law who say that 'illegals are coming over here doing the work that Americans should be doing', also benefit from the labor of the 'illegal' people. And they are lying when they say that Americans would gladly take $75.00/day to do some back breaking work. I would safely say, an American worker would ask for $150.00 easily, and dare the company to offer anything less. I would suggest, there are a lot more underlying reasons as to why people are coming over here and staying illegal than avoiding paying taxes. Separating families is just wrong. If a child is born over here, why penalize that child? The family came over here to seek out opportunity that they could not receive in their home countries. In Mexico right now, we all know that the war on drugs is not a war...the cartels have won and continue to win, as most of the country is bathed in fear, intimidation and blood. Again, this all points back to our federal government.
The one good thing that came out of this law, is that it exposed the inefficiency of the current law, and the lack of attention that the federal government is paying to such an explosive issue. It can be speculated that maybe this is why Gov. Brewer brewed this law up in her pot; to bring attention to it, and search for some resolution. It is hard for me to believe that in a state with as strong of a Hispanic population that Arizona has, that the governor and her team did not anticipate this type of backlash.
Now, my question: what about the political power of the Hispanics in Arizona? Again, I speculated that maybe Gov. Brewer brewed this law for the purpose of bringing attention to the issue of immigration in Arizona. But, was she really that arrogant to think that the political powers of the Hispanic people in Arizona aren't that strong? She, and other constituents who voted for this law will see in November. At this point, it's up to those opponents of this law to flex their political muscles. I just took a class on this very issue, and I hold the opinion that the old vanguard of political elitists are losing their political power, and this is evidenced by a power shift that is changing to a different demographic.
In reading a recent article, there was a line in the article that read that similar legislation may be in the works for other states. I don't remember all of them, but Texas stood out. Any politician in Texas who even thinks of supporting such a law would be committing political suicide. The state of Texas has the largest population of Hispanics (California may outnumber Texas by a slight margin) in the nation; it would not behoove any politician to even take a conservative version of this law into consideration. As it is, Texas is in the midst of having their gubernatorial races, and when asked about the law, both candidates shied away from stating their positions. Rick Perry, stick to shooting coyotes! LOL.
This is all I have to say about this issue. I'm neither qualified or disqualified for speaking about it..but I CAN give my opinion. What do you think world?
Signing off, but not signing out,
MissDeeDee
The Senate Bill in Arizona is absolutely ludicrous. This is the same state that barely started celebrating the King Holiday, the same state where a man walked around openly armed at a Presidential rally, the same state where....a man was threatening to take out the President, and the same state where that obnoxious sheriff takes pride in demeaning inmates (and I dare say turning them into worse criminals) than trying to at least rehabilitate them. Needless to say: Arizona has some serious explaining to do.
Okay, I have a couple of questions/arguments and of course statements.
Now, I pride myself on growing up along the border. My Dad was in the military, and I grew up part of my life in Northern California (Monterey), and spent my teenage years in El Paso, Texas where the population is about 95% Hispanic. Across the border is Juarez, Mexico, currently, one of (if not the number 1) deadliest cities in the world. I use this as my disclaimer of saying that I've seen the immigration debate in motion long before it exploded into the headlines.
Now, the main part of this law that really bugs me is that law enforcement officials can stop those who 'look' illegal, and prompt them to show documents, proof of legal residency, etc, etc. What about those Mexican-Americans whose families have been here since the days of General Santa Anna? What about the illegal families who have had their children here legally? Another facet of the law that bothers me is that the law is proposing sending the families home..with their children who were born here. Now, if a child is born here, regardless of who their parents are...doesn't that make them an American citizen?
The really bad implications of this: legal racial profiling. It's not right, and it's not okay. Being pulled over because of one's skin color and demanding documentation is not a way to resolve the 'immigration issue'. This also opens the state of Arizona to a lot of lawsuits. Currently, the government is exploring this option. This new law screams reform at the federal level. From doing a bit of research on current immigration policies, the current immigration process is both costly, and time consuming. It's not as easy as 'avoiding taxes' as some would like to suggest, and coming to America, the land of opportunity is not a walk in the park. The same supporters of this law who say that 'illegals are coming over here doing the work that Americans should be doing', also benefit from the labor of the 'illegal' people. And they are lying when they say that Americans would gladly take $75.00/day to do some back breaking work. I would safely say, an American worker would ask for $150.00 easily, and dare the company to offer anything less. I would suggest, there are a lot more underlying reasons as to why people are coming over here and staying illegal than avoiding paying taxes. Separating families is just wrong. If a child is born over here, why penalize that child? The family came over here to seek out opportunity that they could not receive in their home countries. In Mexico right now, we all know that the war on drugs is not a war...the cartels have won and continue to win, as most of the country is bathed in fear, intimidation and blood. Again, this all points back to our federal government.
The one good thing that came out of this law, is that it exposed the inefficiency of the current law, and the lack of attention that the federal government is paying to such an explosive issue. It can be speculated that maybe this is why Gov. Brewer brewed this law up in her pot; to bring attention to it, and search for some resolution. It is hard for me to believe that in a state with as strong of a Hispanic population that Arizona has, that the governor and her team did not anticipate this type of backlash.
Now, my question: what about the political power of the Hispanics in Arizona? Again, I speculated that maybe Gov. Brewer brewed this law for the purpose of bringing attention to the issue of immigration in Arizona. But, was she really that arrogant to think that the political powers of the Hispanic people in Arizona aren't that strong? She, and other constituents who voted for this law will see in November. At this point, it's up to those opponents of this law to flex their political muscles. I just took a class on this very issue, and I hold the opinion that the old vanguard of political elitists are losing their political power, and this is evidenced by a power shift that is changing to a different demographic.
In reading a recent article, there was a line in the article that read that similar legislation may be in the works for other states. I don't remember all of them, but Texas stood out. Any politician in Texas who even thinks of supporting such a law would be committing political suicide. The state of Texas has the largest population of Hispanics (California may outnumber Texas by a slight margin) in the nation; it would not behoove any politician to even take a conservative version of this law into consideration. As it is, Texas is in the midst of having their gubernatorial races, and when asked about the law, both candidates shied away from stating their positions. Rick Perry, stick to shooting coyotes! LOL.
This is all I have to say about this issue. I'm neither qualified or disqualified for speaking about it..but I CAN give my opinion. What do you think world?
Signing off, but not signing out,
MissDeeDee
Thoughts on Completing an arduous semester
Greetings, Friends!
I made it, and thank God that I did! Working full time, and grad schooling full time (yes, I made it into an action verb), have officially worn me out. I do not gripe about the three things that consistently have my life in a constant state of action, I have two books that I have lined up to read and take notes on, but my inspiration to do so is non existent at this point. The only inspiration I have as of now, is to write. So to that end, I will toy with blogspot, and keep this moving. Tonight, I will pick up my recent nightly activity, which is reading the Word, and filling my notebooks up with thoughts. Currently, I am in the exciting book of Judges. My thoughts are too many, but I love the story of Barak and Deborah. My first thought when I saw this name..is this were our President received his name? So many people pick names out of the Bible, and do not know the meaning of them. For instance, in middle school, I knew a girl named Vashti. Later, I found out this was the queen of Xerxes who was deposed for being rebellious against her husband and replaced by Queen Esther instead. I thank you all in advance for reading my thoughts and posts. Tonight, I admit they are random. Without the bondage of school to shackle me to an assignment, paper, or reading material, I feel free, but almost do not know what to do with this new found freedom, so my apologies for going all over the place. I look forward to speaking and e-meeting those of you, as I have a lot to share.
Talk to you soon!!
MissDeeDee
I made it, and thank God that I did! Working full time, and grad schooling full time (yes, I made it into an action verb), have officially worn me out. I do not gripe about the three things that consistently have my life in a constant state of action, I have two books that I have lined up to read and take notes on, but my inspiration to do so is non existent at this point. The only inspiration I have as of now, is to write. So to that end, I will toy with blogspot, and keep this moving. Tonight, I will pick up my recent nightly activity, which is reading the Word, and filling my notebooks up with thoughts. Currently, I am in the exciting book of Judges. My thoughts are too many, but I love the story of Barak and Deborah. My first thought when I saw this name..is this were our President received his name? So many people pick names out of the Bible, and do not know the meaning of them. For instance, in middle school, I knew a girl named Vashti. Later, I found out this was the queen of Xerxes who was deposed for being rebellious against her husband and replaced by Queen Esther instead. I thank you all in advance for reading my thoughts and posts. Tonight, I admit they are random. Without the bondage of school to shackle me to an assignment, paper, or reading material, I feel free, but almost do not know what to do with this new found freedom, so my apologies for going all over the place. I look forward to speaking and e-meeting those of you, as I have a lot to share.
Talk to you soon!!
MissDeeDee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)