Our country is severely divided, and just like our Civil War, one side cannot seem to talk to the other side about it. This led to the bloodiest war in our country's history, and it was Americans against Americans. Today we are just as divided over BIG issues, but our weapons do not need to be lethal. We just need to start discussing the issues with each other again. Not just with the people that share our views, where it is safe and comfortable, but out there on the front lines. Sure, things get heated, but words are better than guns and bombs, and as long as we can remember that we are all Americans, and all care about our nation a lot, maybe we can refrain from physical conflict and start listening to each other a little more, and not to the equally divided media and political pundits. Because they, like lawyers on each side of a divorce case, pit us against each other for their own personal gain.
Maybe if we start talking to everyone about the problems this country faces, the lies will start to be exposed, and the truth will prevail. Now I know bringing up politics at the wrong venue can raise blood pressure and ruin a good family reunion, or light social gathering. So there is a time and place to hear each others arguments. I was reluctant to talk about politics once myself. I did not see the value in discussion as much as I saw the work it took to have it and not wanting to ruffle any feathers. That all changed when George W. Bush was re-elected to office in 2004. That was the year I knew I needed to get involved and be more pro-active. As far as I am concerned, if I hear someone discussing the points of a hotbed issue, or political subject, anywhere, game on!
Social networks are perfect for dispute if you refrain from threats, name calling and swear words, and stick to the discussion of the facts, what you have read, or heard, or just believe is true. A person will quickly realize the fallacies in a debate if they educate themselves on the subject, and can remain open minded and respectful about everyone's opinion. Being able to admit you are not always right is a valuable virtue also.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
SB1070: Do you carry proof of citizenship with you at all times?
I recently read the new immigration law in Arizona, SB1070. This is what I found:
It allows racial profiling by police, which in itself, is against federal law.
It allows a street cop to detain a man/woman of color for making a "nod or gesture" to a passerby, and possibly arrest them. They may be looking for employment, or just saying hello.
A person picking up a man/woman of color who cannot show proof of citizenship, can be arrested, their car impounded, fined, and lose their license. They may be looking for cheap "illegal" labor, or just giving someone a ride.
An employer can be entrapped by law enforcement who "provide the employer with an opportunity to commit the violation" of hiring an immigrant, or maybe is just cutting another human being a break, and giving them a job.
And, the officers are not responsible for the legal costs that are incurred. They are "indemnified" by this law. Which means we, the taxpayer, pick up the bill when they screw up (and they will), and there are no legal, or financial consequences to them.
An officer can "arrest" a person of color for probable cause. The presumption of a crime!
Notice I used "person of color" and not Hispanics, or Latinos. Because anyone that even looks Hispanic can be detained, asked for proof of citizenship, and be arrested. I am a white man of German/Irish descent, and have been told I look Italian, Greek, and even Hispanic when I have a little tan, and my beard is grown in full. Hopefully my last name would save me from arrest. Imagine what excuse a police officer can make for pulling over a light skinned black woman, Arab, Italian, or Greek who has married a Hispanic man, and has the last name of Reyes, or Ruiz! He can legally arrest that woman for not carrying proof of citizenship.
This law now presumes to re-prioritize the very busy jobs of federal ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, by telling them they must now deal with, and rule, on each individual case brought in by local law enforcement. Add to this the fact that these local law enforcement agents can be sued by an Arizona resident for limiting or restricting "the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law", and you have a recipe for legal discrimination being dealt out by common citizens against innocent Americans.
How many lawsuits can you see stemming from this piece of legislation put together in desperation, by a bunch of hacks, in a knee jerk reaction to an angry mob?
Not to mention that any person of color will not bother going to police after witnessing a crime, or being the victim of a crime themselves, out of fear of being arrested.
The good news is that most legal experts are sure it will be thrown out before it becomes law in 90 days. They say the feds control immigration laws, not the states, but some also say the law may have to be enacted, and lawsuits filed, before people really understand its absurdity, and it can be outlawed.
I know immigration is a problem, and it needs to be addressed, but this is a short-sighted quick fix that is full of holes. Jan Brewer and the legislature are not doing what is best for Arizona. They are only bowing to the loud, angry, anxious mob, in hopes of keeping their office. The citizens of this state will be the losers, whether some realize it or not, and the winners will be the lawyers and their clients.
It allows racial profiling by police, which in itself, is against federal law.
It allows a street cop to detain a man/woman of color for making a "nod or gesture" to a passerby, and possibly arrest them. They may be looking for employment, or just saying hello.
A person picking up a man/woman of color who cannot show proof of citizenship, can be arrested, their car impounded, fined, and lose their license. They may be looking for cheap "illegal" labor, or just giving someone a ride.
An employer can be entrapped by law enforcement who "provide the employer with an opportunity to commit the violation" of hiring an immigrant, or maybe is just cutting another human being a break, and giving them a job.
And, the officers are not responsible for the legal costs that are incurred. They are "indemnified" by this law. Which means we, the taxpayer, pick up the bill when they screw up (and they will), and there are no legal, or financial consequences to them.
An officer can "arrest" a person of color for probable cause. The presumption of a crime!
Notice I used "person of color" and not Hispanics, or Latinos. Because anyone that even looks Hispanic can be detained, asked for proof of citizenship, and be arrested. I am a white man of German/Irish descent, and have been told I look Italian, Greek, and even Hispanic when I have a little tan, and my beard is grown in full. Hopefully my last name would save me from arrest. Imagine what excuse a police officer can make for pulling over a light skinned black woman, Arab, Italian, or Greek who has married a Hispanic man, and has the last name of Reyes, or Ruiz! He can legally arrest that woman for not carrying proof of citizenship.
This law now presumes to re-prioritize the very busy jobs of federal ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, by telling them they must now deal with, and rule, on each individual case brought in by local law enforcement. Add to this the fact that these local law enforcement agents can be sued by an Arizona resident for limiting or restricting "the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law", and you have a recipe for legal discrimination being dealt out by common citizens against innocent Americans.
How many lawsuits can you see stemming from this piece of legislation put together in desperation, by a bunch of hacks, in a knee jerk reaction to an angry mob?
Not to mention that any person of color will not bother going to police after witnessing a crime, or being the victim of a crime themselves, out of fear of being arrested.
The good news is that most legal experts are sure it will be thrown out before it becomes law in 90 days. They say the feds control immigration laws, not the states, but some also say the law may have to be enacted, and lawsuits filed, before people really understand its absurdity, and it can be outlawed.
I know immigration is a problem, and it needs to be addressed, but this is a short-sighted quick fix that is full of holes. Jan Brewer and the legislature are not doing what is best for Arizona. They are only bowing to the loud, angry, anxious mob, in hopes of keeping their office. The citizens of this state will be the losers, whether some realize it or not, and the winners will be the lawyers and their clients.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Jan Brewer and John McCain must go
Your next Senator Kyl, but as Kurt Warner says, first things first:
Can anyone see the pattern here of knee jerk reaction by some politicians to the loud, and the demonstrative, angry crowd? This is desperation politics at its worst. No thought, no study into what is right. Just react to the biggest, loudest crowd to court their vote and get re-elected. Always preaching to the choir and bowing to their demands so they can hang on to their power for another term, and then serve their cronies, special interests, and the lobbyists until the next election nears. They do this because that is where their power really lays. That is where they get their money to fill their coffers, to influence their "friends", and to bamboozle the electorate when re-election time comes along with expensive campaigns and commercials.
John McCain has been doing this for 28 years now. He started in 1982 moving to Arizona as a war hero, born and raised in North Carolina. Did he come here because he loved Arizona, and wanted to help and fight for its citizens? No, he saw an easily won seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a conservative state that would feel honored that this national figure would want to represent their state. He was right, and his journey to become President of the United States had begun. Next step U.S. Senator, and it was accomplished in 1986. 14 years later he would make his first bid for President. Arizona has been a nice stepping stone for him, and I do not doubt that he has acquired affection for our state over the years, but Washington has always been his goal, and that is where he wants to stay. He sometimes does the right thing for this state, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes, but his goal has always been to get re-elected, and someday be President. He almost made it, but a less qualified, yet more powerfully financed ladder climber named George W. Bush was crowned President, stealing Senator McCain's dream. Now he desperately holds his position by standing at the border with crony-in-chief Jon Kyl (another blog) surrounded by an angry mob and screaming, "This state is going broke, we need 3000 National Guard troops at our border". What does one have to do with the other? He has lost his focus, his only goal is to get re-elected, and it is an election year. So he stands amongst the angry, loud, demonstrative crowd, surrounded by TV cameras, and tells them what they want to hear.
Jan Brewer was not born in Arizona, but moved here with her husband from California, started and raised her family here, as many do, and was elected to the state house of representatives in 1983. She became a state senator in 1987, served as majority whip from 1993 to 1996, before defeating Ed King to become Maricopa County Supervisor from 1996-2002. Her last elected post was Secretary of State in 2002. A position she obviously seemed qualified for due to her understanding of the inner workings of the state, but like Sarah Palin, it was a position too close to the top for a journeyman legislator. Now she stands as the primary decision maker in our state, and she has clearly risen above her level of competency. Do we need guns in bars? To what end? Concealed weapons without training? To what purpose does this serve? A birther bill that is more racist than functional. Wasting our state money with a lawsuit against the federal government, that has already been filed by other states. And she is now signing a bill that supports racial profiling, and will result in the filing of hundreds, if not thousands , of lawsuits against our state. She clearly should not have the steering wheel to this state in her hand, but there she stands, bowing to the loud, demonstrative, angry crowd. Doing what she ignorantly thinks is right, so she can get elected and hold onto power that she was never elected to have in the first place.
Their stories are different, but their tactics to hold onto power are the same. One is much smarter than the other, but they both bow to the lowest common denominator. The change we voted for from our federal government needs to take place in Arizona.
p.s. This is not an endorsement for that dufus JD Hayworth (Hoss Cartwright). Electing him would drive us back into the Stone Age.
Can anyone see the pattern here of knee jerk reaction by some politicians to the loud, and the demonstrative, angry crowd? This is desperation politics at its worst. No thought, no study into what is right. Just react to the biggest, loudest crowd to court their vote and get re-elected. Always preaching to the choir and bowing to their demands so they can hang on to their power for another term, and then serve their cronies, special interests, and the lobbyists until the next election nears. They do this because that is where their power really lays. That is where they get their money to fill their coffers, to influence their "friends", and to bamboozle the electorate when re-election time comes along with expensive campaigns and commercials.
John McCain has been doing this for 28 years now. He started in 1982 moving to Arizona as a war hero, born and raised in North Carolina. Did he come here because he loved Arizona, and wanted to help and fight for its citizens? No, he saw an easily won seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a conservative state that would feel honored that this national figure would want to represent their state. He was right, and his journey to become President of the United States had begun. Next step U.S. Senator, and it was accomplished in 1986. 14 years later he would make his first bid for President. Arizona has been a nice stepping stone for him, and I do not doubt that he has acquired affection for our state over the years, but Washington has always been his goal, and that is where he wants to stay. He sometimes does the right thing for this state, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes, but his goal has always been to get re-elected, and someday be President. He almost made it, but a less qualified, yet more powerfully financed ladder climber named George W. Bush was crowned President, stealing Senator McCain's dream. Now he desperately holds his position by standing at the border with crony-in-chief Jon Kyl (another blog) surrounded by an angry mob and screaming, "This state is going broke, we need 3000 National Guard troops at our border". What does one have to do with the other? He has lost his focus, his only goal is to get re-elected, and it is an election year. So he stands amongst the angry, loud, demonstrative crowd, surrounded by TV cameras, and tells them what they want to hear.
Jan Brewer was not born in Arizona, but moved here with her husband from California, started and raised her family here, as many do, and was elected to the state house of representatives in 1983. She became a state senator in 1987, served as majority whip from 1993 to 1996, before defeating Ed King to become Maricopa County Supervisor from 1996-2002. Her last elected post was Secretary of State in 2002. A position she obviously seemed qualified for due to her understanding of the inner workings of the state, but like Sarah Palin, it was a position too close to the top for a journeyman legislator. Now she stands as the primary decision maker in our state, and she has clearly risen above her level of competency. Do we need guns in bars? To what end? Concealed weapons without training? To what purpose does this serve? A birther bill that is more racist than functional. Wasting our state money with a lawsuit against the federal government, that has already been filed by other states. And she is now signing a bill that supports racial profiling, and will result in the filing of hundreds, if not thousands , of lawsuits against our state. She clearly should not have the steering wheel to this state in her hand, but there she stands, bowing to the loud, demonstrative, angry crowd. Doing what she ignorantly thinks is right, so she can get elected and hold onto power that she was never elected to have in the first place.
Their stories are different, but their tactics to hold onto power are the same. One is much smarter than the other, but they both bow to the lowest common denominator. The change we voted for from our federal government needs to take place in Arizona.
p.s. This is not an endorsement for that dufus JD Hayworth (Hoss Cartwright). Electing him would drive us back into the Stone Age.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Now that the ISP's have taken control of our Internet
I have been writing about Net Neutrality and warning people about the need to keep the Internet open for a long time, only to be met with apathy on one side, and indignation on the other. Now we are going to get what we get from ISP's. What will that be? The same thing you get from your cable and dish companies. Chopped up services, and packages that cost you more and do not allow you to go, and do, whatever you want on the Internet. We just handed our free Internet over to corporate America to do with what they want. President Obama, and the FCC, have been warning us about this for the last year and a half, but everyone has been too worried about Kate Gosselyn, and Tiger Woods, or wringing their hands anticipating the windfall! Now the Republicans, lobbyists, and special interests have created another cash cow so they can line their pockets with our money. Billions of dollars of our money!
What do we do now. Write the FCC, write your congressmen, and tell everyone. Maybe it is not too late if everyone would finally get behind this President, who cares about us, and drown out the squeaky wheels. They do not need any more grease, because they just bank it, keep on squeaking, and ask for more!
What do we do now. Write the FCC, write your congressmen, and tell everyone. Maybe it is not too late if everyone would finally get behind this President, who cares about us, and drown out the squeaky wheels. They do not need any more grease, because they just bank it, keep on squeaking, and ask for more!
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