Monthly Archives: September 2006
I’m A Wetback
No, I didn’t cross the Rio Grande to the Promised Land. I was born here in this region of the modern United States, just like seven generations (at least) of my family before me. But it doesn’t matter to some people. Like that woman I accidently bumped into at Food City last month.
“I am SO sorry”
“Ugh! Go back to where you came from!” – she muttered as she stormed off with her grocery cart with the gimpy wheel.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. While she didn’t call me a wetback, I’ve been called it before. Along with a host of other names that I’ve learned to absorb and transform into something untouchable by the hate of the speaker – orgullo – pride – in who I am and where my roots lie.
There is much gnashing of teeth and swallowing of tongues by anyone who consider human rights something more than a “quaint” notion. It’s justified and certainly the response I share in solidarity.
It is also a reaction that is becoming more and more commonplace as the election nears and the rhetoric is ratcheted up. I cringe everytime I hear an elected official or a candidate espouse policy recommendations that are anathema to me. And I think that’s a good thing. It’s a reminder that I still have a functioning conscience.
People like Arizona GOP State Reprentative Russell Pearce, however, have long been devoid of compassion and fundamental decency. Lofty Donkey fills us in:
In an interview on KJZZ Wednesday, Republican legislator Russell Pearce called for the reinstatement of Eisenhower’s 1953 immigration plan, “Operation Wetback.” The program, which was abolished a year later, sought to round up and deport all undocumented workers.
On “Morning Edition,” Pearce explained his vision of a pre-civil rights era immigration policy of mass deportation: “We know what we need to do. In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower, put together a task force called ‘Operation Wetback.’ He removed, in less than a year, 1.3 million illegal aliens. They must be deported.”
Operation Wetback was a devastating tragedy in the history of the U.S. but you won’t hear much about it in the textbooks. It’s too raw in its hatred and bigotry for the American palate.
This particular program targeted Mexicans, but as can be expected from Minutemen-style tactics, many others were ensnared in the round-up
In some cases, illegal immigrants were deported along with their American-born children, who were by law U.S. citizens. The agents used a wide brush in their criteria for interrogating potential aliens. They adopted the practice of stopping “Mexican-looking” citizens on the street and asking for identification. This practice incited and angered many U.S. citizens who were of Mexican American descent. Opponents in both the United States and Mexico complained of “police-state” methods, and Operation Wetback was abandoned.
Rightfully so; but if you listen to the screeching tirades from a growing number of (mostly) Anglo politicos/extremists, Operation Wetback may see a comeback.
It crossed my mind for a nanosecond that there could be a strong blowback to a repeat of that dark history, but I have little hope for widespread concern for human rights with respect to border policies. After all, the U.S. Congress just removed habeus corpus as the law of the land and endorsed torture.
It’s gone from worse to unconscionable in a short amount of time. Next on the list is tyrannical.
What can we do to stop it? It’s clear that the political system is a failed route.
[UPDATE] Okay, maybe not a failed route, that’s alittle harsher than I intended; but forgive me for the dillusionment after seeing so many rabid extremists using their bully pulpits to send this country further down the path to hell.
The question remains: What can we do to stop it? (the downward spiral)
Crossposted at Migra Matters
Dark Thoughts on a Dark Day
“All mankind is of one author, and is one volume;
when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book,
but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated…As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only,
but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all:
but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness….No man is an island, entire of itself…any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” – John Donne
There are times in one’s life when all that can be seen are shadows. It has nothing to do with depression but rather the true existence of such vast darkness that one can’t help but pause and stare into the abyss.
While I’m relatively young, many events in my life have been secured as these types of moments. Deaths of very close family members and friends, direct assaults on my personhood as a brown-skinned human being in a society that sneers at diversity, and of course world tragedies that are reminders that “no man is an island.”
September 11th was one of those dark days that has unfortunately been replayed emotionally inside of me for the past five years. How could it not? We’re constantly reminded that the bloodshed and carnage wrought by our military forces are to “fight them over there so we don’t have to fight them here”. The “them” has never been accurately defined and, in fact, you’ll probably receive a different answer for every person you ask – especially among the atrocity supporters.
Today, September 28, 2006, will also be cemented in my soul as a day I will not soon forget where I was nor what I was feeling – utter despair
The Senate today rejected an amendment to a bill creating a new system for interrogating and trying terror suspects that would have guaranteed such suspects access to the courts to challenge their imprisonment.
[snip]
The bill’s ultimate passage was assured on Wednesday when Democrats agreed to forgo a filibuster in return for consideration of the amendment. Any changes in the Senate bill, however, would have made it impossible for Republican leaders to meet their goal of sending the bill to the White House before adjourning on Friday to hit the campaign trail.
Underscoring the political stakes involved, White House spokesman Tony Snow said today that President Bush will emphasize Democratic opposition to the bill in campaign appearances.
The very fabric of the United States has been altered by the actions of Congress today. While it had already morphed into something totally unrecognizable due to pResidential signing statements, it has now been endorsed by the very people who are supposedly representatives of all Americans.
The political system of this country is dead.
The electorate is changeable with a few computer keystrokes, the corporate citizen carries more weight than the average voter, and at the helm of this ship is a man who will stay the course even if “Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting” him.
That sound carried on the wind is more than just a bell, it’s the promise of destruction on the rocks; and today, the U.S. Senate extinguished the lamp in the lighthouse forever.
Torturing the Country to its Demise
Just a quick recap on what the government has already admitted doing to other human beings:
The CIA sources described a list of six “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques” instituted in mid-March 2002 and used, they said, on a dozen top al Qaeda targets incarcerated in isolation at secret locations on military bases in regions from Asia to Eastern Europe. According to the sources, only a handful of CIA interrogators are trained and authorized to use the techniques:
1. The Attention Grab: The interrogator forcefully grabs the shirt front of the prisoner and shakes him.
2. Attention Slap: An open-handed slap aimed at causing pain and triggering fear.
3. The Belly Slap: A hard open-handed slap to the stomach. The aim is to cause pain, but not internal injury. Doctors consulted advised against using a punch, which could cause lasting internal damage.
4. Long Time Standing: This technique is described as among the most effective. Prisoners are forced to stand, handcuffed and with their feet shackled to an eye bolt in the floor for more than 40 hours. Exhaustion and sleep deprivation are effective in yielding confessions.
5. The Cold Cell: The prisoner is left to stand naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees. Throughout the time in the cell the prisoner is doused with cold water.
6. Water Boarding: The prisoner is bound to an inclined board, feet raised and head slightly below the feet. Cellophane is wrapped over the prisoner’s face and water is poured over him. Unavoidably, the gag reflex kicks in and a terrifying fear of drowning leads to almost instant pleas to bring the treatment to a halt.
According to the sources, CIA officers who subjected themselves to the water boarding technique lasted an average of 14 seconds before caving in. They said al Qaeda’s toughest prisoner, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, won the admiration of interrogators when he was able to last between two and two-and-a-half minutes before begging to confess.
I can’t imagine what else happens after they make sure there are no cameras around. Porter Goss, while director of the CIA, had this to say:
“This agency does not do torture. Torture does not work. We use lawful capabilities to collect vital information, and we do it in a variety of unique and innovative ways, all of which are legal and none of which are torture.”
The problem with that false statement is that at least one of the techniques administered by CIA interrogators was used as evidence for war crimes trials in the aftermath of World War II. cookie jill, over at skippy the bush kangaroo, shares some of the intel:
interestingly, the united states has long since answered that question. following the end of the second world war we prosecuted a number of japanese military and civilian officials for war crimes. including the torture of captured allied personnel. at one of those trials, united states v. sawada, here’s how captain chase nielsen, a crew member in the 1942 doolittle raid on japan, described his treatment, when he was captured, (and later tried for alleged war crimes by a japanese military commission):
q: what other physical treatment was administered to you at that time?
a: well, i was given what they call the water cure.
q: explain to the commission what that was.
a: wthey poured water on this towel until i was almost unconscious from strangulation, then they would let me up until I’d get my breath, then they’d start over again.
q: when you regained consciousness would they keep asking you questions?
a: yes sir they did.
q: how long did this treatment continue?
a: bout twenty minutes.
q: what was your sensation when they were pouring water on the towel, what did you physically feel?
a: well, i felt more or less like i was drowning, just gasping between life and death.
Since both of my lockstep Republican Senators have capitulated on the TORTURE issue, I’m once again having to rely on Democrats from other states to make my objections heard regarding any compromises with the Abu Ghraib White House.
So far it’s been nothing but crickets and sideline kettle corn eating by the Dems while the GOP hashes out the details. It would be nice for a human rights coalition to start leading instead of reacting. Thanks to Chris over at Booman Tribune, I find I’m not alone in my disillusionment:
Makes a tear come to the eye, doesn’t it, the way men like McCain and Lieberman keep evoking Lincoln and the Bible as they work to institutionalize torture and continue a bloody, useless war that kills thousands and thousands of people? It’s all very inspirational.
I’m with the snarky Digby. Inspirational Torture – God Bless America.
Text of Nat’l Intelligence Estimate
Major tip of the sombrero to AMERICAblog for transcribing the original .pdf so quickly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Declassified Key Judgments of the National
Intelligence Estimate “Trends in Global Terrorism:
Implications for the United States” dated April 2006
Key Judgments
United States-led counterterrorism efforts have seriously damaged the leadership of al-Qa’ida and disrupted its operations; however, we judge that al-Qa’ida will continue to pose the greatest threat to the Homeland and US interests abroad by a single terrorist organization. We also assess that the global jihadist movement—which includes al- Qa’ida, affiliated and independent terrorist groups, and emerging networks and cells—is spreading and adapting to counterterrorism efforts.
• Although we cannot measure the extent of the spread with precision, a large body of all-source reporting indicates that activists identifying themselves as jihadists, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion.
• If this trend continues, threats to US interests at home and abroad will become more diverse, leading to increasing attacks worldwide.
• Greater pluralism and more responsive political systems in Muslim majority nations would alleviate some of the grievances jihadists exploit. Over time, such progress, together with sustained, multifaceted programs targeting the vulnerabilities of the jihadist movement and continued pressure on al-Qa’ida, could erode support for the jihadists.
We assess that the global jihadist movement is decentralized, lacks a coherent global strategy, and is becoming more diffuse. New jihadist networks and cells, with anti-American agendas, are increasingly likely to emerge. The confluence of shared purpose and dispersed actors will make it harder to find and undermine jihadist groups.
• We assess that the operational threat from self-radicalized cells will grow in importance to US counterterrorism efforts, particularly abroad but also in the Homeland.
• The jihadists regard Europe as an important venue for attacking Western interests. Extremist networks inside the extensive Muslim diasporas in Europe facilitate recruitment and staging for urban attacks, as illustrated by the 2004 Madrid and 2005 London bombings.
We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives; perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere.
• The Iraq conflict has become the “cause celebre” for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.
We assess that the underlying factors fueling the spread of the movement outweigh its vulnerabilities and are likely to do so for the duration of the timeframe of this Estimate.
• Four underlying factors are fueling the spread of the jihadist movement: (1) Entrenched grievances, such as corruption, injustice, and fear of Western domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness; (2) the Iraq “jihad;” (3) the slow pace of real and sustained economic, social, and political reforms in many Muslim majority nations; and (4) pervasive anti-US sentiment among most Muslims—all of which jihadists exploit.
Concomitant vulnerabilities in the jihadist movement have emerged that, if fully exposed and exploited, could begin to slow the spread of the movement. They include dependence on the continuation of Muslim-related conflicts, the limited appeal of the jihadists’ radical ideology, the emergence of respected voices of moderation, and criticism of the violent tactics employed against mostly Muslim citizens.
• The jihadists’ greatest vulnerability is that their ultimate political solution—an ultra-conservative interpretation of shari’a-based governance spanning the Muslim world—is unpopular with the vast majority of Muslims. Exposing the religious and political straitjacket that is implied by the jihadists’ propaganda would help to divide them from the audiences they seek to persuade.
• Recent condemnations of violence and extremist religious interpretations by a few notable Muslim clerics signal a trend that could facilitate the growth of a constructive alternative to jihadist ideology: peaceful political activism. This also could lead to the consistent and dynamic participation of broader Muslim communities in rejecting violence, reducing the ability of radicals to capitalize on passive community support. In this way, the Muslim mainstream emerges as the most powerful weapon in the war on terror.
• Countering the spread of the jihadist movement will require coordinated multilateral efforts that go well beyond operations to capture or kill terrorist leaders.
If democratic reform efforts in Muslim majority nations progress over the next five years, political participation probably would drive a wedge between intransigent extremists and groups willing to use the political process to achieve their local objectives. Nonetheless, attendant reforms and potentially destabilizing transitions will create new opportunities for jihadists to exploit.
Al-Qa’ida, now merged with Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi’s network, is exploiting the situation in Iraq to attract new recruits and donors and to maintain its leadership role.
• The loss of key leaders, particularly Usama Bin Ladin, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and al-Zarqawi, in rapid succession, probably would cause the group to fracture into smaller groups. Although like-minded individuals would endeavor to carry on the mission, the loss of these key leaders would exacerbate strains and disagreements. We assess that the resulting splinter groups would, at least for a time, pose a less serious threat to US interests than does al-Qa’ida.
• Should al-Zarqawi continue to evade capture and scale back attacks against Muslims, we assess he could broaden his popular appeal and present a global threat.
• The increased role of Iraqis in managing the operations of al-Qa’ida in Iraq might lead veteran foreign jihadists to focus their efforts on external operations.
Other affiliated Sunni extremist organizations, such as Jemaah Islamiya, Ansar al- Sunnah, and several North African groups, unless countered, are likely to expand their reach and become more capable of multiple and/or mass-casualty attacks outside their traditional areas of operation.
• We assess that such groups pose less of a danger to the Homeland than does al-Qa’ida but will pose varying degrees of threat to our allies and to US interests abroad. The focus of their attacks is likely to ebb and flow between local regime targets and regional or global ones.
We judge that most jihadist groups—both well-known and newly formed—will use improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks focused primarily on soft targets to implement their asymmetric warfare strategy, and that they will attempt to conduct sustained terrorist attacks in urban environments. Fighters with experience in Iraq are a potential source of leadership for jihadists pursuing these tactics.
• CBRN capabilities will continue to be sought by jihadist groups.
While Iran, and to a lesser extent Syria, remain the most active state sponsors of terrorism, many other states will be unable to prevent territory or resources from being exploited by terrorists.
Anti-US and anti-globalization sentiment is on the rise and fueling other radical ideologies. This could prompt some leftist, nationalist, or separatist groups to adopt terrorist methods to attack US interests. The radicalization process is occurring more quickly, more widely, and more anonymously in the Internet age, raising the likelihood of surprise attacks by unknown groups whose members and supporters may be difficult to pinpoint.
• We judge that groups of all stripes will increasingly use the Internet to communicate, propagandize, recruit, train, and obtain logistical and financial support.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meeting at the Sacred Mountain
Etched into the headstone of Urbici Jose Francisco Soler Y Manonelles is the outline of a mountain. A mountain which is within driving distance from his grave in El Paso, Texas – Mount Cristo Rey.
It’s fitting that the image of can be found on his tombstone. Here’s why:
[In the 1920s/30s] A parish priest dreamed of a white cross on the top of a mountain and from this dream grew the monument of Cristo Rey, the largest of its kind in North America. Father Lourdes F. Costa, pastor of the San Jose de Cristo Rey church in Smeltertown, northwest of El Paso, arose with the sun each morning and turned in the direction of the conical peak outside of his window. He always thought that was a perfect setting for a monument to Christ the King, the Prince of Peace.
The Pope called parishes throughout the world for spiritual or material monuments for the 19th Centennial of the Redemption, and Father Costa saw Cristo Rey as a “divine inspiration.” With a few hundred of his parishioners, he began the main action of carving out a trail up the steep mountain to the highest point. They put in position a small wooden cross and prayed that a bigger monument might some day be made there.
…
Although the mountain geographically is in New Mexico, the base also lies in Texas and Old Mexico. The cross of Cristo Rey is 33.5 feet high resting on a nine foot base with an overall height of 42.5 feet. The statue of Cristo Rey was chiseled out of Austin limestone, a product of the Texas Quarries. The sculptor was Urbici Soler, of international fame, who also helped construct the Christ of the Andes.
linkage (emphasis mine)
Back in July, the border community of Sunland Park, New Mexico, made headlines by rejecting the popular calls for militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border. They refused to issue permits allowing the National Guard to patrol their sacred space – their sacred mountain.
And, on July 18, the City Council distinguished Sunland Park from other border communities by voting 4-2 to keep the National Guard away, by denying a right-of-entry permit to the mountain.Demonstrating that border communities can have a say in how their borders are secured, Border Patrol officials decided to heed the decision.“For us, it’s a sanctuary, a place of worship,” Sunland Park Mayor Jesus Ruben Segura says. “Having troops on the mountain is not appropriate.”Sunland Park is a community of about 16,000, but each fall on the last Sunday of October, a pilgrimage up Mount Cristo Rey attracts 25,000 to 35,000 people, Segura says. The mountaintop, which offers views of New Mexico, Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico, is 1,000 feet above the surrounding valleys and deserts and nearly 4,600 feet above sea level. Pilgrims go up the mountain singing hymns and reciting the rosary. Fourteen stations along the trail represent the way of the cross.
When the Spanish conquistadors made their way through this area centuries ago, they brought with them the Catholicism that would ultimately dominate the spirituality of the indigenous people; but the forces of synergy have produced something in the modern era that endures.
It is in our blood to be connected to the land – la tierra sancta. It is a deep respect and knowledge of our commonality with the life that surrounds us in all forms.
In the context of pilgrimage and prayer, it goes beyond a simple gathering as a group in a special place – it is about familia, nuestra fe y la paz – family, our faith and peace. Mount Cristo Rey, which I didn’t know much about until elRanchero mentioned the permit denial in July, is a symbol of the bi-culturalism that is deeply rooted in the borderlands.
Each year since the first pilgrimage in 1934, faithful worshippers have climbed the path, which begins at the end of McNutt Road at the base of the mountain. Some worshippers carry wooden crosses, rosaries and flowers in the tradition they learned from parents or grandparents. Still others walk barefoot over the rough path; some climb on their knees, fulfilling a promise made during the year. The winding dirt trail is 5,650 feet up the mountain. Young or old, an individual in good condition can walk up to the summit in about two hours.
The anniversary mass each October is observed at noon on the mount’s summit. It is said in both English and Spanish so everyone can understand the ceremony. The celebration ends with the proclamation, “Viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King!”). Celebrants respond with, “Viva!” which resounds softly over the valley below.
I’m glad that the people who join the pilgimage each year will be able to do so again this year without armed National Guard troops standing on the sidelines. This past Saturday marked the beginning of the 13th Annual Celebration of Our Mountains – it’s a reminder that while politicians play games with respect to immigration reform and border rhetoric – this land is still our home and no one can change that.
More resources:
- RoadsideAmerica.com
- Wikipedia: Urbici Soler y Manonelles
- HispanicOnline.com – Heritage: Mount Cristo Rey
Georgia On My Mind
Georgia,
Georgia,
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
2006 Edit: And not in a good way
A Georgia Republican says he’ll apologize to a national Latino advocacy group he accused of supporting racism and illegal immigration if the organization agrees to a list of conditions.
In a press release this week, Rep. Charlie Norwood called the National Council of La Raza a “radical,” “anti-American” organization that “supports racist groups calling for the secession of the western United States as a Hispanic-only homeland.”
[snip]
In offering a conditional apology, Norwood asked NCLR to sever all ties with a leftist student group and its “racist doctrines,” to repudiate all claims that any American territory belongs to Mexico, and to seek outside supervision to ensure that NCLR-sponsored programs do not discriminate.
Oh boy, looks like the “leftist student group” MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) got under the ignoble Congressman’s skin. Let’s see what these scary Aztlanistas really stand for:
What is the purpose of MEChA? MEChA’s main purpose is to encourage more Latinos to enter and finish college. MEChA is also where Chicano/Mexicano and other Latino students organize for political purposes such as fighting for latino student rights and other progressive political causes.
Does MEChA want the Southwest part of the US to become part of Mexico? This is probably the most ridiculous question and the biggest untruth put out by the racist anti-immigration groups. No MEChA group wants to overthrow the US or put the Southwest under Mexico. In fact, most Chicanos and Mexicans know that Mexico is a country suffering from serious political and economic problems. Why do you think Mexicans are leaving their country? The US has its problems but it is still the country that has a very fair political system and does a fairly good job in respecting human rights. Most MEChA members are just trying to get an education and stay politically active to help other latinos. These days with the universities getting more expensive it is hard enough just to hold some part time job and go to school. The overwhelming number of Latinos are struggling economically in college. There is no time, let alone desire, to overthrow the US. Most Chicanos find it astonishing that anyone would believe that MEChA members are really actually thinking or are making plans for overthrowing the US. MEChA members do not participate in or plan any violent protests. Ask the racist organizations out there to offer any kind of proof that MEChA has participated in violent acts. MEChA is a peaceful and law abiding organization.
linkage to MEChA FAQ
Someone must’ve slipped in some powdered stupid into the Republican caucus’ meeting room coffee because Jeebus! It seems like everywhere you look, another one forgets to keep their white sheet in the closet. Speaking of supremacists, the original article continues:
John Stone, a spokesman for Norwood, said it is significant and drew an analogy with a conservative think tank: “If the Heritage Foundation gave one small donation to the Aryan Brotherhood, I think that would cause quite a stir.”
MEChA = Aryan Brotherhood = WTF?
Gotta luv projections of inadequacy. Let me take the opportunity to remind any readers of this blog whom happen to be a member of the majority race that the advocacy groups within the minority populations exist as means of equalizing centuries of bias. There are also no calls for domination and oppression of other groups of people (you) in exchange for political or social power. No, it’s usually about human equality and dignity, ideas that I’m sure are completely foreign to the lizard-brained among us like Rep. Norwood.
So where could this (regrettably) elected nut be getting his information from? Ah ha! Here’s a trailhead that leads one down the path to the true racist organizations in the U.S. It is just one example of many hit pieces that have been fired from the right towards groups like MEChA and NCLR.
Sher Zieve — The American Conservative — May 25, 2006
MEChA — the Mexican Nazi Movement
MEChA (“Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan” or Chicano Students Movement of Aztlan) is neither a fraternity nor a “good-natured and altruistic college campus organization”. Rather, it is the Hispanic version of the Nazis, Ku Klux Klan or Islamic Jihad- take your pick or mix ‘n match.
You almost have to give credit to the political right for their message coordination. They have a series of vultures parrots all over the place harping on the same stuff, over and over again until it penetrates (eew) the public psyche.
So why the fear and vitriol in Georgia, aside from general ignorance?
I’m sure this has alot to do with it. This too, which provoked responses like the following:
“We need to run you out of this country. You are destroying it,” said the caller, according to a tape of the call made available by the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, which is leading the voter registration drive.
Since then, the volunteers in 10 Georgia counties that are working to register Latinos have been told to work in teams for their safety, said GALEO’s director Jerry Gonzalez.
“It demonstrates the dangers of political rhetoric fanning the flames of anti-immigrant sentiment,” he said.
Political rhetoric? You mean there’s more bile to be found? You betcha
Civil rights advocates charged Gov. Sonny Perdue on Monday with seeking to score political points on the illegal immigration issue at the expense of Georgia Latinos.
During a news conference at the Capitol, Hispanic and black leaders criticized remarks Perdue made recently in announcing an initiative targeting criminals who use false documents to obtain driver’s licenses.
“It is simply unacceptable for people to sneak into this country illegally on Thursday, obtain a government-issued ID on Friday, head for the welfare office on Monday and go to vote on Tuesday,’’ the governor said.
Such incendiary comments both oversimplify the issue and foster racism, said Teodoro Maus, an advisor to the Coordinating Council of Community Leaders, one of the groups that organized Monday’s news conference.
“It has opened a Pandora’s box for direct discrimination,’’ he said. “We have to stop it. We have to come back to reality.’’
That’s exactly it – Pandora’s Box; and they are trying to nationalize the issue to make sure it’s a big box.
Not to be outdone by the GOP Governor of his state, however, Rep. Norwood decided that he would also use this whole voter i.d. thing to trot out the tired “activist judge” meme. From a tantrum he threw on your floor of the United States House of Representatives:
Yesterday, State Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford Jr. ruled that requiring a photo ID, in his opinion, is unconstitutional, because it imposes a duty on the voter not specifically required in our state constitution.
He did not address the fact that without a photo ID, the illegal votes of hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens could negate the legal ballots of hundreds of thousands of our citizens.
[snip]
Our Governor and state legislature must fight this tyrant in Georgia.
But we can speak loud and clear against those who show this contempt against the right of American voters across our nation.
We can stop election fraud today by voting for this magnificent restoration of our Constitutional rights by my friend and colleague, Chairman Hyde.
Defend the Republic. Support this bill. Thank you, and I yield.”
linkage (emphasis mine)
It would sorta be amusing to see these rabid hardliners screech like gouls in the graveyard, if their actions didn’t lead to sad faces like that of Victor Perez-Lopez, a two year-old Georgian with more dignity in his pinky than Perdue and Norwood combined/multiplied exponentially.
That face is sad for a very good reason, and it has nothing to do with Values™.
Crossposted at Booman Tribune
Amnesty – A Dirty Four-Letter Word
Jim Pederson, who’s running for the Senate seat here in Az against Jon “Round ’em all up” Kyl, penned an Op/Ed in the Arizona Republic over the weekend. Here’s the opening salvo
I am no Pollyanna. When I got into this Senate race, I knew it would be tough. The philosophical differences between my opponent and me are stark, and I expected those differences to be fodder for television ads.
There’s a big difference, though, between highlighting my positions in a negative light and simply fabricating them.
That’s why I’m writing to set the record straight: I oppose amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
I have always opposed amnesty, and I always will.
Blah, Blah, Blah.
Look, nothing would make me happier than to see Kyl permanently retired in November. He is among the worst of the worst – especially with respect to immigration reform; but I’m sick of dragging myself to the polling station and touching the hackable choice that’s the lesser of two evils.
Now, I’m not suggesting that Sen. Kyl supports amnesty today. If fact, I think that word cheapens the discussion. It’s used to elicit an emotional response, which is exactly why Kyl included it in his ad.
I agree, Jim. That word does cheapen the discussion. I hope someone on your staff brings it to your attention that you just published a 493 word column and used it 10 times.
Much love,
A Concern Troll
The Come One, Come All Delurk for a Day Tour!
That’s right! There were confessions of extreme lurkdom (not to be confused with slackdom) in the previous thread, so this week it’s incumbent on everyone to delurk! And we have just the tool to make sure you do… it’s something so terrifying, so monumental that the thought of being the focus of it just fills people with dread.
But we can’t allow that to deter us this week… it’s time to break out the wonderful, the terrible, the most effective tool in our online arsenal…
It doesn’t matter if you are new or old, or even if you are just visiting! I’m very sorry but no one escapes….
THE PETITION:
Dear Everyone,
Please say hi.
Thanks!
Whew! Sorry to have to do that to y’all, but sometimes you just gotta do what a tourguide’s gotta do. If you agree with the petition, please sign your name. This includes dove.
If everyone has recovered from the shock, we’ll go on to the tour now!
ILJ has another podcast interview, this time with Thom Hartmann! A dynamic voice for the aggrieved middle class, he says (and boy, is it ever!). Go listen and read!
Buenos tardes! Oh… what? That’ll get me put in jail? The way things are going, I wouldn’t wonder… XP highlights the attempts to criminalize all Spanish speakers and immigrants. Also a poignant mourning for and activist attempts to save historic ethnic districts from “gentrification”.. this time, El Paso’s historic El Segundo barrio!
I think supersoling needs a hug! Or at least a hi… it’s been a time of music and drama queens, it seems!
James thinks it’s time to embrace connectiveness… he has a neat compiliation of reasons, too! Also, read more banned books! It’s good for you.
[UPDATE!] Gasp. deano is running on empty! He has no art! And you know what they say happens when deano has no art…. — yes, exactly! And we don’t want that to happen, do we!? So, if you know of artists, know of people who want to get their art out there (and have it critiqued… the site IS, after all, the art crit), then send them to deano! Or deano to them! Let’s band together to end artlessness!
Ahem.
Family Man is being the strong, silent type and is giving us photos (of that gorgeous pond, some in the rain, some in the fog… I am jealous) instead of updates on Family Mom! We’ll just assume that things are pretty much going along as these things do… healing, but taking its time to do so. Also, he’s compiled the recent wonderful series on labor that was on BooTrib.
Congressman Peter King is apparently a friend only until the chips are in his pocket… then, watch out! Duke highlights his perfidy. Also, racist endorsements of this guy were apparently too much even for Republicans!
[UPDATE AGAIN!] Guess what! It’s about katiebird… should I tell? hmmm. Yes! Not only has she been delurking, and not only is she firmed daily, and not only is she still nosy, wanting to know what you are going to do today… but now she she wants to tax your brain! On Sunday! No, no… not that kind of tax, a penny for your thoughts… she has a crossword puzzle! That she made herself, and it’s really fun. Go see!
Olivia is brazenly displaying awkwrightii’s inner bits! And that’s all I’ll say about that. Also, greedy (and lovely) delicacy, and replacing the sun on a bright day!
Well, I was beginning to think that everyone was gruntled, serene and all was right with the web… but, I was wrong! Whew! There is finally more META at Mo Betta!
Speaking of catnip, she speaks of the voices of the tortured and wonders what it will take? Also, she wonders if the RCMP Commissioner is being muzzled? Seems more than one person thinks so, regarding the Arar case. It wouldn’t surprise me, if so!
[UPDATE THE LAST! I think] Boran has made progress on our car! It’s taking on depth and the background is coming into focus. Soon, we’ll have the finished product! Also, those pesky judges keep saying “uh uh… no you don’t!” to Bushco and foiling their plans! Yay for them! And I bet you can’t guess who was voted off the island this time!
Facts on the ground – dollars in the pocket… Arcturus ties some loose threads together and comes up with quite a tapestry!
And right here, our Manny’s a concern troll! Yay for him, I am too! And a purity troll as well, of course. Would there were more of us, eh? Plus I think some may have missed scribe’s excellent other hate piece (cuz of deep in lurkdomness) so go see it this time around!
All done! I think… some haven’t updated and let me know if I’ve missed anyone.
Use this as an Open Delurking and Saying Hi Thread!
LatinoPolítico.com 