Public Quick to Sanction Felonies

I don’t get this

Fifty-five percent say they would support a proposal that would make it a felony for businesses in Arizona to hire undocumented immigrants.

linkage (emphasis mine)

The poll was taken by the PBS affiliate in the Phoenix metro area so it’s unclear if the percentage rate holds steady when the entire state (cough::Pima County::cough) is incorporated.

But still. Do people really understand what they are asking for? The biggest reason there was such potent outrage at HR4437 last year was because of the felony provision that would’ve targeted a large swath of people in this country. A felony is not something that the public should take lightly, in my not so humble opinion.

Is this the path that the states are going to choose? If so, perhaps the Governor is not just issuing empty threats.

“We’ve heard too much talk about border security and not enough action,” Napolitano said in a speech at the National Press Club. She urged Congress to “end the rhetoric, stop the politics, provide sustained funding and turn away from extreme, unworkable solutions that solve nothing and only delay the benefits of real reform.”

“All of America is waiting _ and time is running out,” said Napolitano, who is in Washington for the National Governors Association winter meeting.

linkage (emphasis mine)

The obvious question is: what happens when the sand leaves the top part of the hourglass?

[UPDATE] More poll results here

 

Minutemen Circular Firing Squad Forms

Uh oh, looks like the local vigilante group has a fraud scandal unfolding that has already toppled their Grand High Wizard founder Jim Gilchrist.

The Minuteman Project shot into the national spotlight shortly after it was formed two years ago, but now a bitter dispute over its leadership threatens to tear the anti-illegal immigration group apart.

Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court last week after the group’s board of directors fired him and his executive director over allegations of mismanagement and fraud. Gilchrist alleges in the lawsuit that the firings were illegal and that board members also illegally spent Minuteman money, seized its Web site and stole 20,000 pieces of letterhead.

For their part, the board members accuse Gilchrist of embezzling $400,000 in Minuteman Project donations and using $13,000 of the organization’s money for his own legal fees. They recently filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service, alleging that Gilchrist illegally received a non-profit postal discount.

linkage

I wondered if anything would come out of this whole brouhaha. Questions about the other gang of vigilantes’ funds were raised last summer by the rightwing rag Washington Times.

A growing number of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps leaders and volunteers are questioning the whereabouts of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of dollars in donations collected in the past 15 months, challenging the organization’s leadership over financial accountability.

linkage

Rotten roots = Rotten fruit.

The equation never fails to produce its intended outcome. Time to cut the Hater Tree down to a stump.

 

How Convenient…

[bumped up – Man Eegee]

Exhibit VXCIV in the ongoing battle to show how ridiculously editorialized the “journalism” in this country has become:

Law enforcement officials working near the border recovered the body of a suspected illegal border crosser and confiscated 741 pounds of marijuana in separate incidents over the weekend.

A woman found the body of a Mexican woman between 30 and 40 years old west of Peña Blanca Lake on Sunday, said Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada. She found the dead woman while checking on camera equipment for a sensor placed to spot jaguars, he said.

It appears the woman died from hypothermia or exposure, and no foul play is suspected, Estrada said.

linkage

How convenient that the death of this woman, this economic refugee, is reported juxtaposed to the seizure of marijuana along la frontera. The article ends with details of the operation, including the type of weapon being carried by the smugglers.

And what of la mujer from the first part of the article?

Her story, her desperation, is lost to the black hole of journalistic laziness. She, who had nothing to do with the nefarious actions that run rampant on both sides of the line, from both countries and their governments, has had her memory incarcerated with the dark bleat of guilt reserved for the true criminals in our midst.

This is what we mean when he speak of the Human Rights Crisis along the U.S./Mexico border. While that particular line is militarized in bolder moves everyday, the stories of the people seeking a way to survive or provide are blurred into a muddled mess with the smugglers of cargo; human and earth-made goods.

It is a heinous act upon the dignity of these refugees of greed.

 

Welcome DailyKos Readers

Cool.

 

Wall-To-Wall Solidarity Event

From the good gente at Derechos Humanos:

Coalición de Derechos Humanos
with
Middle East Justice Now

present:

Wall-to-Wall Solidarity Event!

Palestinian Delegation visits Tucson on their
2007 USA Speaking Tour

Community Potluck
Saturday, March 3, 2007
5:30 pm

St. Cyril’s Catholic Church
4725 East Pima (Pima & Swan)
Tucson, Arizona, USA

Join us as we welcome two Palestinian activists from the West Bank, *Feryal Abu Haikal* and *Mohammed Khatib*, now on a national speaking tour with the International Solidarity Movement for an evening of solidarity-building between communities challenging militarization.

While we engage in organizing to change and demand human rights at the borders, “national security” and military occupations continue disregarding the communities most directly impacted. Through community-to-community solidarity we strengthen our vision, raising voices to demand justice, demilitarization and the dismantling of all walls between peoples.

$5 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Please bring a dish to share for more info, please call 520.770.1373

Mohammed Khatib and Feryal Abu Haikal both live in West Bank communities that are immediately threatened with destruction due to actions of the Israeli military and settlers. From February 1 – March 7, they will be speaking in 23 cities around the US about their personal experiences with Israeli efforts to seize Palestinian land and violently expel Palestinians from their homes and communities, as well as Palestinian efforts to mobilize to nonviolently resist those measures.

Largely unreported by the media, thousands of Palestinians and hundreds of Israelis are waging a grassroots, nonviolent campaign of resistance to Israel’s apartheid system of military occupation and discrimination against Palestinians. They will speak in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Cyril’s Church, alongside local organizers challenging the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border region.
~~~~~~~

 

Sunday "What a day, what a day" tour!

Honeys, I’m home! Well, not exactly home, but here! Well, here in the sense that any of us are anywhere, especially when we are essentially nowhere when online! Or something like that.

Anyway here we are! And there we are too! And you know what that means… time to go on tour!

Arcturus is remembering Manny Babbit, tying it in to war and death and the shame of Walter Reed medical center. I’ve only skimmed it, but it looks like another must read! Also, the US is #1! If you are counting from the bottom up, that is… otherwise, it looks like we are dead last in the health and care of children department. I can’t imagine why…

Olivia is in the pink! Color bursts all over the site, between daisies not at all like you’re used to seeing and inquisitive orchids and shocking primroses, you’ll have your fill! But wait, save room for cloud blogging!

I’ve spotted dove… but NOT in her aviary! She’s been hanging out at the new and improved (and moved) everybody comes from somewhere – which has a new address! Anyway, dove has an ordinary person’s guide to human development, which sounds interesting although I’ve not had time to read it. Also, NLinStPaul is musing on peacemakers, and there is lots more there to read. At the new address!

[UPDATE!] You ever noticed what a racket birds make when settling in for the evening? At least, I think that is what they are doing… heading on for dusk here, and they are just chirping and chattering and no doubt gossiping away about their day. All outside my window, it sounds like.

Anyway! the art crit…. this person doesn’t seem too awfully hopeful about tomorrow! Or maybe they just think it’ll make quite a splash. Also, giving an entirely new meaning to yon rabbity faced fellow! And, in Art News, deano is verklempt, but we won’t hold it against him! Well, and plus he has links to an artist and interviews!

Well! Family Man is having a time of it, for sure. Quitting is hard work! Especially if there are stresses, like poor little sick puppies! And outrageously priced pharmaceuticals! AND broken glasses… funny thing tho, when mine broke, I also went to an old, old pair and found I could see out of them better too! Anyway tho, you can do it, Family Man! Eegeehoodians are pulling for you!

Boran details the “liberal judicial conspiracy” against Gov. Goodhair in that bastion of liberalism… um… Texas? Also, our condos are coming along nicely! Almost ready for the move in date! And cracking the Negroponte Code!

Janet and friends plant themselves in front of a townhall meeting with politicians and say… Let Us In! With details and pictures.. and a bullhorn!

[UPDATE AGAIN!] ILJ wonders what campaigns say about our culture in Champagne, the Price of Beer and Presidential Politics. Do we really want to know what it says about our culture? Yes, so go read! Also, did Hillary and Obama cancel each other out in their recent tussle, thus tossing the ball to a competing politician? And ILJ wants you to ask your boss for free drugs. How times have changed!

Over where the meta is mo betta, James has an essay on handling dissident bloggers in gated community blogs… lots to think about there, go read!

Speaking of James, Original James has an editorial response to the “creeping pacifism” nonsense. Also, the Iraq debacle week in review and interesting parallels between settler cultures a world and a few lifetimes apart.

All done! computer is doing Odd Things, so have to shut down… if I’ve forgotten you, tell me in comments and I will add you soonish!

 

Friday Bud Blogging

 

Building a Coalition of Humanity

The ongoing conversation that needs to be had…

When immigrants took to the streets last year to protest a punitive anti-immigrant bill in the House of Representatives and to seek a pathway to citizenship, the public conversation focused in part on the relationship between African Americans and immigrants. And much of that conversation was framed in terms of competition and conflict.

[snip]

So what does it mean to turn the conversation toward positive solutions that reflect our shared values and interests? It means, for example, replacing the “nation of immigrants” slogan with the more nuanced language of community—that we are all in it together, interconnected in our hopes and dreams, as well as in our successes and setbacks. As part of this narrative, we can invoke the history of our country as a place where people of different races, religions and nationalities have always come together to pursue the common goal of opportunity. And we can emphasize that keeping opportunity alive takes work and investment in effective public structures, systems and programs.

It means advocating a pathway to citizenship for immigrants hand-in-hand with job training, childcare and other opportunity-expanded programs targeted towards African-American and other communities with the highest unemployment and poverty rates.

It means a shared call for investment in the public systems that are crucial to the mobility of African Americans and immigrants: well-financed public schools, college aid and access, guaranteed quality health care and economic incentives for the creation of affordable housing. And it means insisting on anti-discrimination and fair labor enforcement, as well as living wages for all workers.

Finally, this conversation is not only about African Americans and immigrants but, ultimately, about everyone in our country. Embracing our shared values and linked fate, promoting common solutions and investing in the stepping stones of opportunity are essential to our nation’s progress in a new century and a changing world.

Go read the whole thing. It’s well worth it.

 

Rising from the Ashes Redux

[originally posted last year, but always timely]

As you may know, Mardi Gras is over and today is Ash Wednesday for the Christian Church across the world, signaling the beginning of the season of Lent. I thought I would take some time to share with you how the entrance to this season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving relates to my personal passion as a liberal.

First, a bit of history.

According to the entry over at AmericanCatholic.org, the use of ashes dates back to the earliest recorded histories of Christianity.

Thomas Talley, an expert on the history of the liturgical year, says that the first clearly datable liturgy for Ash Wednesday that provides for sprinkling ashes is in the Romano-Germanic pontifical of 960.

It is a ritual that was clearly inherited from our Judaic roots. The books of the prophets depict numerous references to the use of ashes and sackcloth as signs of repentance and atonement. It is a cycle that is mirrored with fasting in other traditions, such as the Muslim season of Ramadan. It is the outward expression of the people to re-center their priorities as they relate to the outward expressions of their faith.

Focusing on the Christian aspect to all of this, since it is my personal journey, I can tell you that these words of Jesus are what I focus on when I start to feel like I’ve moved off the beaten path of my faith:

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ — Matthew 25:35-40

I see nothing about unborn children, homosexuals, or other forms of oppression and divisiveness in those words. That’s why I get so infuriated when I see leaders of my Church join the likes of Pat Robertson and James Dobson in their crusade of “morality”. It doesn’t ring true to the tenets of our faith, and I have to remain hopeful that over time the institution of the Church will correct their focus and return to the noble work of fighting for the rights of the marginalized and poor.

One of the images I use during this season of introspection is the labyrinth, specifically this design:

It is a replica of the labyrinth at the cathedral in Chartres, France that is laid in stone in the sanctuary of the chapel. The difference between a labyrinth and maze is that a labyrinth has only one pathway and doesn’t feature wrong decisions or dead-ends. This particular design begins at the bottom-center and the path winds its way through the four quadrants till it reaches the center.

My passion as a liberal is best expressed when I am true to my center. I am most alive when I reach out to others in tolerance and respect. My soul and spirit are most inflamed (in a good way) when I am fighting for those who are victims of injustices. That is why I have such a strong reaction to real and perceived threats to the marginalized.

The past few days have been very difficult for me as I’ve wrestled with the various emotions that I’ve allowed to consume me. I’m extremely glad that Lent has arrived, because it forces me to do some inner-searching for peace and listening to my heart. How can I expect to bring peace to the world, when I don’t have it fully within me? That is the question that I will be pondering when I receive the ashes on my forehead today, as well as the journey for the next 40ish days.

I hope the outcome for me will mirror that of the Phoenix. That I will be able to sing its song of passion and renewal to the world, rising out of the ashes and signaling growth and new life.

Namaste – I bow to the spirit within you

 

Reclaiming New Orleans

Highlighted on Mardi Gras as a reminder that the injustice continues

On Saturday, February 10, six residents of the C.J. Peete Public Housing Complex reclaimed their apartments against the will of the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO). In a scene more fitting for a block party than a protest, tenants danced, laughed and chatted with their old neighbors, while children played and sang. Residents sang “I don’t know what you been told, but these projects are livable!”and boogied on their ballon and ribbon decorated porch to the Hot 8 brass band.

“I’m home,” declared Dianne Allen, one of the residents moving back in, “I’m home at last.” Allen has lived at C.J. Peete since she was a baby, raised 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren there and beamed with pleasure as she swept her steps. When asked about HANO’s plans to demolish, Allen pointed out that no public housing residents have been legally evicted yet. “When I left for the hurricane my rent was paid” she said, “I still had a lease, and today I still have a lease…a valid lease.”

Having been barred from their homes for over 17 months, the Peete residents decided to return to their apartments in the face of possible arrest, the threat of terminated housing assistance, and HANO’s plans to demolish the complex. “Since they don’t want to do nothing to fix up the units, we’re going to fix them up ourselves” said Allen ‘Lenny’ Harris, resident of C.J. Peete for 52 years. The tenants have generators and supplies to keep them going and plan to clean out dozens more apartments.

linkage

These people are reclaiming their homes after nearly a year and a half of b.s. bureaucracy at all levels of government. The Red Tape Brigade obviously doesn’t understand what it means to lose everything, and the anguish caused by having to wait on the foot-draggers to start a new chapter of a life interrupted by tragedy.

This campaign has come about from true grassroots organizing. Good on these NOLA residents for telling the Housing Authority where to go and how to do it.

Instead of going out and getting drunk tonight for Fat Tuesday, how about throwing some coinage into the coffers of the ongoing hurricane relief campaigns? I’ve got my eye on the NOLA Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund and Direct Relief Int’l.