My life has been one continuous learning experience. Back to back to back... one right after another. Maybe you can learn from my experiences and mistakes. Or not..
An old Cherokee Chief is teaching his grandson about life.
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."
He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied,
FAMILIES WHO HAVE A WARRIOR IN THEIR LIVES, PAST or PRESENT...
I follow several blogs written by some of America's unsung heroes. The Military Parents, Siblings, Spouses and their Children. Because of personal safety reasons and Operational Security (OPSEC) I must refrain from calling out their names. Some are tending to Wounded Warriors, and others have their Warrior in a deployed overseas status. And others are in the middle of transitioning to new homes. But all of them are doing more than their share of sacrificing for our freedom. So, when you hit your prayer time today. Please Include ALL Military Family MEMBERS in them.
If you have a family member Serving, or who has served in The United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard; This award is for you.
There are no rules for accepting or posting this Gold Star Medal. I created it and it will appear in my side bar for you to take at anytime you wish. Be well. Be blessed and be a blessing.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION, DEVOTION, COURAGE, STRENGTH AND SERVICE.
Kurt...
Before I go into soap box mode, I'd like to answer a few questions raised in the "Comment Box." In no particular order:
@Karen; I'll be back to my old wittiness soon. Thank you for the compliment.
@Senorita; Thank you for your volunteer work with those people caught in the political crossfire of the Failed American Immigration policy. I see and understand their position. But it is nothing new. The Irish, and Italian immigrants went through the same thing in the USA, when they came here legally. They came from a place that was so full of corrupted Law Enforcement Officials, they never trusted ours for decades after coming here.
@Stoogepie;
1. Police officials stating that "1070 will keep us from doing serious crime" is a not-so-veiled insinuation, that "Cops won't be able to respond to a rape or muder in-progress call, because they'll be shaking down Latino kids in the playground" (to use your analogy). THAT IS FEAR MONGERING.
2. My broad brush statement on LAW ENFORCEMENT Vs GUN OWNERSHIP, was not directed at Arizona law enforcement per say. But as a resident of California, despite what California law says, the police are outspoken about and unapologetic about their opposition to civilian firearms ownership. So while I will retract my statement as it pertained to Arizona gun laws, I stand by the statement that those people have an opinion. But they are trying to give validity to their opinion, under the color of authority. Something that Federal forces are forbidden to do.
3. The point you raise about sovereign nations having rights that individual states in the USA don't have, is not as cut and dried as you state. The Supremacy clause does prohibit states from enacting laws that are contradictory to US Federal Law (Slavery would be an example). But the Arizona law is complimentary to US Law, and gives their police authority nto enforce said laws. Specifically because the FEDS won't do it.
4. All of the rest of my posts were in effort to reinforce my opinion that the Arizona law was not founded under a principle of RACISM. And that there were far more serious problems at the source. So allow me to ask the reciprocal. "WHY DO YOU CONTEND MY POSITION IS WRONG? Are you saying that it was a racist law? The SPIN-DOCTORS have been so successful at detracting from the point of contention, since President Clinton and her husband ran the country.
And now anytime someone has an opposing opinion that differs from the officials currently running The USA, they automatically throw down the RACE-CARD, or the TEA-BAGGER line. And I for one am damn tired of it. This country is at war. And an open border is a security concern of paramount importance. And The USA's failed immigration policy is directly to blame for every attack against US soil, since the end of WWII.
Are previous Administrations complicit in this situation? Yes, most definitely. But that is no excuse to ignore the thing now. And that is exactly what they are doing. For the record, I'm in favor of hardening both land borders of The US. Enemies bent on doing harm to America have been stopped at both.
5. The article on false documents was intended to show that an entire sub-culture has evolved out of the US Failure to do the responsible thing, and "CLOSE THE OPEN DOOR."
6. The CNBC NEWS has lately been running a series that documents the Mexican Drug Cartels hiring Illegals to tend and booby-trap Marijuana fields in remote areas of Southern California. And that doesn't even consider the Costs to Health care brought about by Illegals in this country.
Arizona Elected officials have openly stated that they hope to force the Federal Government to take action. And I believe it is a noble undertaking in the same league as "The civil Disobedience employed by the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.
I will try to show that the policy of immigration law of Mexico is a very serious deterrent to having unwanted, useless, poor, unhealthy human burdens allowed into their society. And that it is far more draconian and harsh than the Arizona law. And how their hypocrisy is so incredible, as to be without credibility.
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PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I HAVE TO WEAR A HELMET BECAUSE THE STATE SHOULDERS THE COST OF MY HEALTH CARE IF I GET INJURED, WITHOUT ONE.
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Please take note that the above videos are from before the Federal Government pushed heath care onto the shoulders of the Individual states. There's your supremacy clause Stoogepie.
And according to the New York Daily News:
It isn't just a border state issue,
Then the President of Mexico says this about Arizona:
And if you read the Policy on Mexico Immigration laws at Wikipedia, You will see this:
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Only Mexicans by birth or naturalization and Mexican companies have the right to acquire ownership of lands, waters, and their appurtenances, or to obtain concessions for the exploitation of mines or of waters.[1] The Mexican government may grant this right to foreigners if they agree before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to invoke the protection of their own governments in any matters relating to the property they wish to buy. This is known as the Calvo Clause. This is generally done via a permit process. The 1917 Mexican constitution imposed restrictions on the purchase of land on those without Mexican citizenship. In particular, it prohibits direct ownership of real estate in what is known as the "restricted zone". This zone encompasses all land within 100 km of either Mexican land border and within 50 km of any Mexican coastline. Land 'purchases' in these areas can only be done via a mechanism called a fideicomiso, which roughly is a real estate trust, with a Mexican bank designated as the trustee and having possession of the land title. This mechanism was created to allow for foreign investment in these areas without violating the constitutional principle. The beneficiary of the trust, the foreigner, has all the rights to use, build and sell the property at its market buyer to any eligible buyer. These trusts have a term of 50 years and are renewable.[2]
Illegal immigration has been a problem for Mexico, especially since the 1970's. In 2006 Mexico detained more than 182,000 people who entered the country illegally, mainly from nearby Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, all being Central-American countries neighboring Mexico to the south. Smaller numbers of illegal immigrants come from Ecuador, Cuba, China, South Africa, and Pakistan. [3].
"The Law of Population" is to regulate immigration as to volume, structure, and distribution. This law was written to distribute immigrants across Mexico. [4] Immigration must be deemed appropriate, and assimilate to the national average and their proper distribution throughout the country.{article 3, section 7} Foreign nationals are restricted when the national interest so requires.{article 3, section 8} Immigration to urban population centers can be restricted to ensure effective delivery public services.{article 3, section 9} The immigration of foreigners is allowed according to their potential to contribute to national progress.{article 32} Foreigners are subject to approval concerning appropriate activities they will pursue, and the location of residence.{article 34} Immigrants nust be useful elements for the country and have the income needed for subsistence and persons under their economic dependence.{article 34} Foreigners may be denied entry for the following reasons, if: No international reciprocity, The national demographic balance is altered, It is deemed harmful to the national economic interests, he/she has violated national law or have a poor record abroad, deemed not physically or mentally healthy. For a foreigner to pursue other activities in addition to those that have been expressly authorized, requires permission from the Interior Ministry.{article 37} The authorities of the Republic, whether federal, local or municipal, as well as public notaries, are obliged to check if foreigners are legally in the country.{article 72} The judicial authorities are required to notify the Interior Ministry of defendants of foreign descent who are being prosecuted, and sentencing handed down.
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And at one of my favorite extreme right wing news venues The NATION, has this to say:
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Mexico's Immigration Law: Let's Try It Here at Home
by J. Michael Waller (more by this author)
Posted 05/08/2006 ET
Updated 04/12/2010 ET
Mexico has a radical idea for a rational immigration policy that most Americans would love. However, Mexican officials haven’t been sharing that idea with us as they press for our Congress to adopt the McCain-Kennedy immigration reform bill.
That's too bad, because Mexico, which annually deports more illegal aliens than the United States does, has much to teach us about how it handles the immigration issue. Under Mexican law, it is a felony to be an illegal alien in Mexico.
At a time when the Supreme Court and many politicians seek to bring American law in line with foreign legal norms, it’s noteworthy that nobody has argued that the U.S. look at how Mexico deals with immigration and what it might teach us about how best to solve
our illegal immigration problem. Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:
* in the country legally;
* have the means to sustain themselves economically;
* not destined to be burdens on society;
* of economic and social benefit to society;
* of good character and have no criminal records; and
* contributors to the general well-being of the nation.
The law also ensures that:
* immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;
* foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;
* foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country’s internal politics;
* foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;
* foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;
* those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.
Who could disagree with such a law? It makes perfect sense. The Mexican constitution strictly defines the rights of citizens -- and the denial of many fundamental rights to non-citizens, illegal and illegal. Under the constitution, the Ley General de Población, or
General Law on Population, spells out specifically the country's immigration policy.
It is an interesting law -- and one that should cause us all to ask, Why is our great southern neighbor pushing us to water down our own immigration laws and policies, when its own immigration restrictions are the toughest on the continent? If a felony is a
crime punishable by more than one year in prison, then Mexican law makes it a felony to be an illegal alien in Mexico.
If the United States adopted such statutes, Mexico no doubt would denounce it as a manifestation of American racism and bigotry.
We looked at the immigration provisions of the Mexican constitution. [1] Now let's look at Mexico's main immigration law.
Mexico welcomes only foreigners who will be useful to Mexican society:
* Foreigners are admitted into Mexico "according to their possibilities of contributing to national progress." (Article 32)
* Immigration officials must "ensure" that "immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance" and for their dependents. (Article 34)
* Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets "the equilibrium of the national demographics," when foreigners are deemed detrimental to "economic or national interests," when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, and when "they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy." (Article 37)
* The Secretary of Governance may "suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest." (Article 38)
Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:
* Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)
* A National Population Registry keeps track of "every single individual who comprises the population of the country," and verifies each individual's identity. (Articles 85 and 86)
* A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).
Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:
* Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)
* Foreigners who sign government documents "with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses" are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)
Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:
* Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)
* Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)
* Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121). Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico -- such as working with out a permit -- can also be imprisoned.
Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony. The General Law on Population says,
* "A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally." (Article 123)
* Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)
* Foreigners who "attempt against national sovereignty or security" will be deported. (Article 126)
Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law:
* A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)
* Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)
All of the above runs contrary to what Mexican leaders are demanding of the United States. The stark contrast between Mexico's immigration practices versus its American
immigration preachings is telling. It gives a clear picture of the Mexican government's agenda: to have a one-way immigration relationship with the United States.
Let's call Mexico's bluff on its unwarranted interference in U.S. immigration policy. Let's propose, just to make a point, that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) member nations standardize their immigration laws by using Mexico's own law as a model.
This article was first posted at CenterforSecurityPolicy.org.
And only in The USA could it be considered an insult to display the Flag! Or is it only California? I can't tell anymore.
And before you jump up about Cinco De Mayo being an Important Mexican Holiday. Read this:
DATELINE MEXICO CITY:
And as a side note, I'd like to announce that my Son applied to, and was accepted into The Masters Of Divinity Program at THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BAPTIST SEMINARY!
And my daughter just finished her semester with all A's in her Psychology Major. One semester left and Y'ALL best beware.
Have a great day! I'll be at the doc's for a day or two.
@Stoogepie; I am diametrically opposed to so many of your opinions, I don't know where to begin. So let me start with the 3 things you said that I agree with.
1. I did fight for your right to speak your mind.
2. You could be wrong.
3. It really is too bad those police unions and Associations don't agree with me.
Please don't challenge anyone but me on my blog. Otherwise you come off as a bully. And I won't defend your right to throw your weight around at bystanders. Are we clear on that?
Next, I maintain that the Arizona law does not pose a threat to law abiding citizens of the USA, regardless of skin color. And those sheriffs who oppose the new law on the basis of "It will detract from Police doing some real crime fighting" I think they are the fear mongers. And your lengthy list of "LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS OPPOSED TO 1070 LAW",
Sounds to me like a "WHO'S WHO" OF POLICE GROUPS OPPOSED TO CITIZENS OWNING GUNS. Just another pile of opinions that are out of sync with the reality that is America.
@Spiky Zora Jones, Yes the law makes no mention of race. And as I'll show momentarily, Hispanics and Latinos are not the only people crossing the border from Mexico. And I'll touch on the facts of Immigration laws in Other countries, as well.
But first I would like to say "That it is ALREADY Against U.S. Federal Law to be in Arizona without documentation. And no matter how it plays out in your mind, The Federals are shirking their duty and responsibility to protect Arizona and the other 49 United States."
AND NOW/
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The crime wave of violence is not new.
It is a political issue. And this Citizen gets it.
Amnesty Internationalhas this to say:
The Drug Problem is felt on bth sides of the border.
And if this is RACIST in Arizona, Then it must be racist in Brazil and Paraguay as well!
And once again It is not just Arizona.
And Mexican Border Bandits Prey upon other Latinos.
And if you need papers...
And If you still think it's about RACE...
AND GUNS HEADED SOUTH ARE A CONCERN;
But once those guns get into Mexico! A MIRACLE HAPPENS:
AND THIS SHOWS IT ISN'T JUST LATINOS
Please join me for the Third and final portion of My Outrageous Distortion of the facts. Hopefully tomorrow after Church. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
If you should decide to stop following my blog, there will be no hard feelings. I have some things to say that may offend you. But here in the USA, you have the right to be offended by everything I say.
In the State of Arizona, their Congress passed a law that has the rest of America Talking! Chicano and Latino Citizens are screaming "RACIST" and "PROFILING" at the top of their lungs.
The political leaders of both the Republican and Democrat parties are demanding the law be challenged and stricken as UNCONSTITUTIONAL! California is $145 Billion in the red, and the Mayors of San Francisco and San Diego are crying for a boycott of ARIZONA.
WHAT'S all the HUB-BUB??? BUB!
Well first of all, The politicos are all trying to woo the next great voting bloc in America. So you can't expect those vote whores to do anything to offend anyone who represents the possible future of their existence. And The SAN DIEGO VISITOR'S COUNCIL stated on our local NEWS station That, "If Conventions boycott Arizona, maybe San Diego Can benefit from this." MONEY and VOTES!!! Can it be that simple? NOPE, NOT LIKELY.
I would like to show you a few reasons why the good people in ARIZONA are right.
US CONSTITUTION
Article 4...
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican
Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on
Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature
cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
And why are the so called "Main Stream NEWS" sources CNN and MSNBC running off at the mouth like they know what is in the heart of Arizona's citizens, and declaring them racists one and all? Well MSNBC Marches to the drumbeat of the DNC, and CNN has become confused with being incredible, and having no credibility.
The facts of the matter are being obfuscated by the politics of "Please The People." Illegal Immigration is a burden on America, that can't be fixed by ignoring it. But I contend that the poor and indigent Mexicans crossing the border are not the primary concern.
The sign at the border does not look like this:
But it does say this:
Here are some of the real news articles I see, that never appear on CNN. (PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO READ THE ARTICLES)
Maybe This is why CNN isn't covering the true story:
THE WASHINGTON POST GETS IT:
And it's not just an ARIZONA PROBLEM:
This is just the start. I'll have part two soon.
If you're still here, THANKS For TUNING IN. STAY CLASSY SAN DIEGO.
