Way back on May Day 2006, it is estimated that 400,000 people marched on downtown Chicago to protest. The rallying cry was, “Yes, we can!” but I’m not sure what the question was.
Now 400,000 people is a huge group, twice the size of the audience on the Mall in DC to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. say “I have a dream” way back in 1963.
In July 2006 a survey hit the media and was covered by the Chicago dailies. It proclaimed that nearly 300,000 of those marchers were U.S. Citizens. And 200,000 said they were voters. The newspapers lapped it up as fact.
But let’s take a look at the poll and the pollsters. The sample was 410 people chosen at random at the march. Some of the pollsters spoke only English so they had to bypass people in the crowd who didn’t.
In addition, the fear factor was never quantified. If you were here illegally, would you admit it to someone walking around with a clipboard? I think I would either lie about my status or decline to participate.
Now, who was running this study? A group of college professors led by Nilda Flores-Gonzalez, a Puerto Rican who has made her living doing Latino research. They call the group the “Immigrant Mobilization Project”. (Editors: This ought to be your first clue. Be very skeptical.)
Nilda has written such articles as, “The Racialization of Latinos: The Meaning of Latino
Identity for the Second Generation” and “Latino Youth Culture and Community Action”.
And she is working on an article entitled, “The media’s criminalization of Latino youth”.
Her current position is “Associate Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Sociology and the Latin American and Latino Studies Program, University
of Illinois at Chicago.”
I wonder why the media is willing to fall for such nonsense and print it. It certainly plays to the diversity angle, but they ought to at least use some journalistic diligence and tell us who these people are and why the numbers might not be accurate.
As for the University of Illinois – Chicago, they have been in a liberal free-fall for decades. They must realize that there is a world off-campus that no longer respects their research for this very reason. They are by no means alone among universities.
If we let the likes of Nilda Flores “frame the debate” as they like to say in the ivory tower, it is easy to predict what we will get.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Rent a Card at the Border
For those last-minute crossers, it appears that you can get just about anything in the border town of Juarez (just across the line from El Paso) Mexico. I’ve been to Juarez a couple of times. I remember that there was no waiting line crossing INTO Mexico but a huge back-up trying to get back into the USA. God bless America!
These were the pre-9/11 days, around 1998. Now, having lived in Chicago I am used to waiting in traffic at the rush hour tollbooths. But these waits were ridiculous. It would take 30-45 minutes of inching up to the gate before it was your turn to be inspected.
Usually they would just ask a couple of questions. Sometimes you’d need to open the trunk. Maybe show your company ID badge and/or a Drivers License. The biggest fear was that you would be busted for bringing in cigars without declaring them. Behind the scenes there was a mirror under your car and drug dogs wandering about.
But today things should be different. Congress has been provided with proof that Arabs have entered the US through the Mexican border. And I just read that Cubans are opting for a land assault through Mexico rather than the amphibious attacks on Miami Beach. Customs and Border Protection say 90% of illegals from Cuba now prefer the Mexico route.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20070801-1331-cuba-mexico-peoplesmuggling.html
So, what’s an illegal to do? Well, he RENTS a green card for $500, hopes he looks like the picture of the real owner, then hands it back to an accomplice on the US side. You can get a passport for $400, but once again, you have to give it back once you get across the border.
Now for some numbers: Every day 100,000 people cross at the Juarez/El Paso border station alone. And there are many other entry points along the border. That’s a big number to be processed and people don’t like to wait in line.
For the record, many of those folks are U S businessmen who do that trip every day. They have had various expedited border crossing passes for years. Those passes get more sophisticated every time a new one is designed.
Also, many of those crossers are Mexican citizens who come into the US regularly to shop. Check out the mall or the Wal Mart at any border town and you will be amazed at the high number of license plates from Mexico. 9/11 hasn’t slowed them down much.
So how are they doing at spotting the fraudulent documentation? In the last TWO YEARS Customs agents have only seized 90,000 fake documents and caught 60,000 people trying to use them NATIONWIDE. That’s a drop in the bucket folks!
Here’s the link. Read it and weep. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19337264/
These were the pre-9/11 days, around 1998. Now, having lived in Chicago I am used to waiting in traffic at the rush hour tollbooths. But these waits were ridiculous. It would take 30-45 minutes of inching up to the gate before it was your turn to be inspected.
Usually they would just ask a couple of questions. Sometimes you’d need to open the trunk. Maybe show your company ID badge and/or a Drivers License. The biggest fear was that you would be busted for bringing in cigars without declaring them. Behind the scenes there was a mirror under your car and drug dogs wandering about.
But today things should be different. Congress has been provided with proof that Arabs have entered the US through the Mexican border. And I just read that Cubans are opting for a land assault through Mexico rather than the amphibious attacks on Miami Beach. Customs and Border Protection say 90% of illegals from Cuba now prefer the Mexico route.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20070801-1331-cuba-mexico-peoplesmuggling.html
So, what’s an illegal to do? Well, he RENTS a green card for $500, hopes he looks like the picture of the real owner, then hands it back to an accomplice on the US side. You can get a passport for $400, but once again, you have to give it back once you get across the border.
Now for some numbers: Every day 100,000 people cross at the Juarez/El Paso border station alone. And there are many other entry points along the border. That’s a big number to be processed and people don’t like to wait in line.
For the record, many of those folks are U S businessmen who do that trip every day. They have had various expedited border crossing passes for years. Those passes get more sophisticated every time a new one is designed.
Also, many of those crossers are Mexican citizens who come into the US regularly to shop. Check out the mall or the Wal Mart at any border town and you will be amazed at the high number of license plates from Mexico. 9/11 hasn’t slowed them down much.
So how are they doing at spotting the fraudulent documentation? In the last TWO YEARS Customs agents have only seized 90,000 fake documents and caught 60,000 people trying to use them NATIONWIDE. That’s a drop in the bucket folks!
Here’s the link. Read it and weep. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19337264/
Friday, August 3, 2007
Standards, Telemundo Style
The Spanish-language TV giant Telemundo announced on August 2nd that Mirthala Salinas will be suspended for two months without pay following her exposed affair with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
This is like a novela. Is it reality TV?
A little chronology.
Mirthala, in her capacity as a political reporter, got a little too close to the mayor a year ago. When the station found out, they quietly reassigned her.
The sin for which she is now being punished was that she was anchoring the news and read the story about the mayor confirming the rumors of his affair, and pretending not to be involved. It seems to me that her bosses at Telemundo ought to also serve some hard time since they knew about it eleven months ago as well. It is true she had no business reporting the story, but she wasn’t acting alone.
By contrast, Amy Jacobson (see the July blog) here in Chicago was FIRED for joining a pool party at the home of a suspected wife killer.
It just goes to show you that ethnicity matters. The Hispanic media has a lower standard (I never thought that was possible) than U S media in general. And it isn’t just the news. Take a look at the programming in your town. You will see more bikini-clad bimbos used as props in sitcoms. You will see more female erotic gyrations on music videos. The soap operas are more sexually graphic. It is true-to-form of the “Latin lover” stereotype.
Where are all the liberals complaining about women-as-objects when it comes to Univision and Telemundo? Is it right to get a free pass here in the U S just because of their non-white, non-European culture?
And when you look at the higher incidences of wife abuse, rape, and other crimes against women at the hands of the macho, it goes beyond culture to crime.
But in response, the media refuses to acknowledge the problem. Instead they publish nonsense like Jesse Diaz of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) that Americans are responsible for crimes committed by illegal aliens because of our bad example to them. He told the media back in January that illegals “are picking up those bad habits of cheating, of drinking and drugs” from American citizens.
And defense lawyers in Tennessee are complaining that illegal aliens can’t get a fair jury trial. Again, the problem is US, not THEM in the eyes of the press. Give me a break!
This is like a novela. Is it reality TV?
A little chronology.
Mirthala, in her capacity as a political reporter, got a little too close to the mayor a year ago. When the station found out, they quietly reassigned her.
The sin for which she is now being punished was that she was anchoring the news and read the story about the mayor confirming the rumors of his affair, and pretending not to be involved. It seems to me that her bosses at Telemundo ought to also serve some hard time since they knew about it eleven months ago as well. It is true she had no business reporting the story, but she wasn’t acting alone.
By contrast, Amy Jacobson (see the July blog) here in Chicago was FIRED for joining a pool party at the home of a suspected wife killer.
It just goes to show you that ethnicity matters. The Hispanic media has a lower standard (I never thought that was possible) than U S media in general. And it isn’t just the news. Take a look at the programming in your town. You will see more bikini-clad bimbos used as props in sitcoms. You will see more female erotic gyrations on music videos. The soap operas are more sexually graphic. It is true-to-form of the “Latin lover” stereotype.
Where are all the liberals complaining about women-as-objects when it comes to Univision and Telemundo? Is it right to get a free pass here in the U S just because of their non-white, non-European culture?
And when you look at the higher incidences of wife abuse, rape, and other crimes against women at the hands of the macho, it goes beyond culture to crime.
But in response, the media refuses to acknowledge the problem. Instead they publish nonsense like Jesse Diaz of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) that Americans are responsible for crimes committed by illegal aliens because of our bad example to them. He told the media back in January that illegals “are picking up those bad habits of cheating, of drinking and drugs” from American citizens.
And defense lawyers in Tennessee are complaining that illegal aliens can’t get a fair jury trial. Again, the problem is US, not THEM in the eyes of the press. Give me a break!
If only I were a Physical Therapist
Ah, to be in orthopedics these days, especially in Washington and the various state capitals around the country. Surely there will be injuries with all the knee-jerking going on the past couple of days.
Virtually everywhere newspapers are asking the question, “Are our bridges safe?” And our elected officials are scrambling with immediate inspections and statistics about how many have been declared unsafe in recent years by government experts.
And First Lady Laura Bush is making her obligatory helicopter fly-over and “I feel your pain” speech in Minneapolis (with the wounded and grieving as a backdrop in the photo-ops).
We’ll hear new promises of highway money from all over as government attempts to hide the fact that they have failed at the most basic duty of government – infrastructure. The county road commission has been an American institution wherever civilization has settled. Our ancestors were taxed, a local was hired, and teams of horses and oxen were sent out to drag log scrapers along the trail to make it wide and smooth.
FYI, Parley’s Canyon, outside of Salt Lake City, was mapped out by Parley P Pratt. It was NOT a charitable venture. It was a TOLL road. Parley did the work of clearing and grading the trail and he charged people to use it!
It won’t happen, but it would sure be nice if this disaster served as a reminder to politicians that their priorities are out of whack. They ought to take care of schools, roads, cops, and foreign enemies before they spend time and money on universal health care, welcome centers for illegals, congressional hearings about drugs in baseball, monuments to themselves, setting electric rates, dictating the MPG of vehicles, telephone number portability (for a fee), the content of Talk Radio… If they are ignoring the basics, what business do they have dabbling in the rest?
Virtually everywhere newspapers are asking the question, “Are our bridges safe?” And our elected officials are scrambling with immediate inspections and statistics about how many have been declared unsafe in recent years by government experts.
And First Lady Laura Bush is making her obligatory helicopter fly-over and “I feel your pain” speech in Minneapolis (with the wounded and grieving as a backdrop in the photo-ops).
We’ll hear new promises of highway money from all over as government attempts to hide the fact that they have failed at the most basic duty of government – infrastructure. The county road commission has been an American institution wherever civilization has settled. Our ancestors were taxed, a local was hired, and teams of horses and oxen were sent out to drag log scrapers along the trail to make it wide and smooth.
FYI, Parley’s Canyon, outside of Salt Lake City, was mapped out by Parley P Pratt. It was NOT a charitable venture. It was a TOLL road. Parley did the work of clearing and grading the trail and he charged people to use it!
It won’t happen, but it would sure be nice if this disaster served as a reminder to politicians that their priorities are out of whack. They ought to take care of schools, roads, cops, and foreign enemies before they spend time and money on universal health care, welcome centers for illegals, congressional hearings about drugs in baseball, monuments to themselves, setting electric rates, dictating the MPG of vehicles, telephone number portability (for a fee), the content of Talk Radio… If they are ignoring the basics, what business do they have dabbling in the rest?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Like anyone could really KNOW that, Napoleon!
It is amazing how well the federal government operates. Less than two hours after the I-35W bridge fell into the Mississippi River, some spokesman from Homeland Security in Washington DC declared that it was NOT a terrorist act. It is simply amazing.
And when the steam pipe burst in New York a few weeks back, the response was the same and equally rapid. Amazing.
Here in Elgin Illinois a masked gunman shot five Hispanic young men who were hanging out in front of their house. Two of the five were killed. The police haven’t caught anyone. No one is even named as a suspect. But the police chief and mayor were absolutely certain that it was not the work of an illegal alien. Again, amazing.
What is amazing is that they think they have any credibility with the public. I’m amazed that they think we are stupid enough to believe they’ve done anything except open the emergency manual and follow step 1: “Reassure the public that there is no problem.”
No wonder the conspiracy theorists abound whenever there is a catastrophe. When the government plays us for fools it’s easy to think they are hiding something.
And when the steam pipe burst in New York a few weeks back, the response was the same and equally rapid. Amazing.
Here in Elgin Illinois a masked gunman shot five Hispanic young men who were hanging out in front of their house. Two of the five were killed. The police haven’t caught anyone. No one is even named as a suspect. But the police chief and mayor were absolutely certain that it was not the work of an illegal alien. Again, amazing.
What is amazing is that they think they have any credibility with the public. I’m amazed that they think we are stupid enough to believe they’ve done anything except open the emergency manual and follow step 1: “Reassure the public that there is no problem.”
No wonder the conspiracy theorists abound whenever there is a catastrophe. When the government plays us for fools it’s easy to think they are hiding something.
Obama on Hazleton
Which is like saying: Obama on illegal immigration
You know how I feel about the Munley ruling on the Hazleton Ordinance, but perhaps you missed the comments made by Barack Hussein Obama (his real name) on the subject.
He called the Munley decision “a victory for all Americans.” Hmmm.
Obama told the La Raza national convention that he supports the cause of the illegals. It has been his message since May 1, 2006 when he joined the marchers and egged them on.
When he talked about the comprehensive immigration reform debate in the Senate he characterized it as "both ugly and racist in a way we haven't see since the struggle for civil rights."
I suppose with an attitude like that he would agree with Munley. Obama speaks as though illegals have all the rights of citizens.
You know how I feel about the Munley ruling on the Hazleton Ordinance, but perhaps you missed the comments made by Barack Hussein Obama (his real name) on the subject.
He called the Munley decision “a victory for all Americans.” Hmmm.
Obama told the La Raza national convention that he supports the cause of the illegals. It has been his message since May 1, 2006 when he joined the marchers and egged them on.
When he talked about the comprehensive immigration reform debate in the Senate he characterized it as "both ugly and racist in a way we haven't see since the struggle for civil rights."
I suppose with an attitude like that he would agree with Munley. Obama speaks as though illegals have all the rights of citizens.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Impunity through anonymity
I don’t know who coined the phrase, But Pres. Bush often refers to illegal aliens as living “in the shadows” of our society. One pictures foreigners lurking in alleyways, afraid to even walk on the street.
But I think that image is a distortion. Certainly, an illegal alien would suffer more anxiety when stopped by the police than your average citizen. After all, they are hiding a few past sins and exposure could spell trouble.
Yet I suppose that most of them realize that there is little real danger to them. Schools are safe. Hospitals are safe. Even the welfare office is safe.
I’ve proven that getting license plates for your car is no problem. You don’t need to show a Drivers License or even proof of insurance (despite what the law says).
Now, getting a Drivers License these days can be a problem, since they run a match on your Social Security Card. You’d better be the same person or you’re in trouble. Well, not really “in trouble”; the penalty is that they tell you the information doesn’t match so you won’t get a license. But they don’t arrest you and investigate the identity theft.
Most major immigrant enclaves have non-profit offices called “Centro de something or other” that assist the immigrant to get housing, work papers, food, medical care, jobs, transportation, translation of documents…all the things you need when you are new to our country. I have yet to find one that screens applicants. And they certainly aren’t in the business of turning in illegals. The vast majority of them are in favor of open borders and legalization.
The truth is that rarely does anyone challenge the presence of illegal aliens. I’ve talked about the lack of deterrence before. One generally has to commit the most serious of crimes before immigration status becomes an issue. The police don’t check, the courts don’t check, the newspapers don’t tell.
This Munley opinion (Hazleton ordinance ruling) makes it clear that only federal officials can be involved in “outing” an illegal. Any other effort to stand up to unlawful presence is against the law.
If Munley is to stand as the law of the land, a multitude of local agencies will need to be part of the 287(g) program. Local police, welfare offices, the DMV, Social Security, even the coroner will all need to be trained and deputized as immigration police. I really think there must be a way to stand up to blatant disregard (and disrespect) of the law.
“The curse of ages will rest upon you if ever you surrender to domestic lawlessness the precious liberties for which your fathers bled.” - John Mitchell Mason
But I think that image is a distortion. Certainly, an illegal alien would suffer more anxiety when stopped by the police than your average citizen. After all, they are hiding a few past sins and exposure could spell trouble.
Yet I suppose that most of them realize that there is little real danger to them. Schools are safe. Hospitals are safe. Even the welfare office is safe.
I’ve proven that getting license plates for your car is no problem. You don’t need to show a Drivers License or even proof of insurance (despite what the law says).
Now, getting a Drivers License these days can be a problem, since they run a match on your Social Security Card. You’d better be the same person or you’re in trouble. Well, not really “in trouble”; the penalty is that they tell you the information doesn’t match so you won’t get a license. But they don’t arrest you and investigate the identity theft.
Most major immigrant enclaves have non-profit offices called “Centro de something or other” that assist the immigrant to get housing, work papers, food, medical care, jobs, transportation, translation of documents…all the things you need when you are new to our country. I have yet to find one that screens applicants. And they certainly aren’t in the business of turning in illegals. The vast majority of them are in favor of open borders and legalization.
The truth is that rarely does anyone challenge the presence of illegal aliens. I’ve talked about the lack of deterrence before. One generally has to commit the most serious of crimes before immigration status becomes an issue. The police don’t check, the courts don’t check, the newspapers don’t tell.
This Munley opinion (Hazleton ordinance ruling) makes it clear that only federal officials can be involved in “outing” an illegal. Any other effort to stand up to unlawful presence is against the law.
If Munley is to stand as the law of the land, a multitude of local agencies will need to be part of the 287(g) program. Local police, welfare offices, the DMV, Social Security, even the coroner will all need to be trained and deputized as immigration police. I really think there must be a way to stand up to blatant disregard (and disrespect) of the law.
“The curse of ages will rest upon you if ever you surrender to domestic lawlessness the precious liberties for which your fathers bled.” - John Mitchell Mason
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