Illegals Immigrants: Stay Out Of Mexico

I came acroos this article on line this morning... I think it speaks volumes and worth reading.

Stepping Over the Line
Don't try sneaking north across Mexico's other border.
by Joseph Contreras
Newsweek

June 5, 2006 issue - Ever since he crossed into Mexico, José Moisés has had nothing but trouble. Now the 30-year-old Honduran mechanic is hunkered down with other young illegal migrants in a rail yard just north of Mexico City, waiting for nightfall to hop a northbound freight. He displays a pale line encircling his finger. He used to have a ring there, he says—until Mexican cops slammed him against a squad car in the southern border state of Chiapas and grabbed it. "They took everything," says Moisés. "Here the Central American has no value."

As tough as the United States can be for workers who slip in from south of the border, Mexico is in a poor position to criticize. The problem goes far beyond the predatory gantlet of thugs and crooked cops facing defenseless transients like Moisés. There's ample precedent in Mexico for just about everything the United States is—or isn't—doing. Calling out the military? Mexicans may hate the new U.S. plan to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops on the border, but five years ago they cheered President Vicente Fox for sending thousands of Mexican soldiers to crack down on their southern frontier. Tougher laws? Hispanic-rights groups are enraged over U.S. efforts to criminalize undocumented aliens—yet since 1974, sneaking into Mexico has been punishable by up to two years in prison. Foot-dragging on amnesty? Fox has spent the past five years urging the United States to upgrade the status of millions of illegals from Mexico. Meanwhile, his own government has given legal status to only 15,000 foreigners without papers.

Some of the worst abuses take place on the coffee plantations of Chiapas state, where some 40,000 Guatemalan field hands endure backbreaking jobs and squalid living conditions to earn roughly $3.50 a day. Some growers even deduct the cost of room and board from that amount. "If you ask them, 'Why are you bringing in Guatemalans to work?' they say, 'You can't depend on Mexicans. They don't work hard; they're irresponsible'," says George Grayson, a political scientist specializing in Mexico at the College of William & Mary. "The truth is, you can pay [the guest workers] a pittance. And if they cause the slightest disturbance, you can send them back to Guatemala."

At least a few Mexicans are balking at the hypocrisy. Late last year their National Human Rights Commission issued a report criticizing Mexico's widespread mistreatment of aliens; the report described sub- human facilities where captured illegals are kept until they can be deported. Several international news agencies ran stories on the publication. But most of Mexico's leading papers ignored it.

With Monica Campbell

QOTW 5.19

If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.

-Aristotle

Reason Still Lives in the Senate

Today the senate panel advanced a measure that would amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. It was passed in a closed door sesion with other senators and staff present.
Senator Feingold objected to the closed-door policy and walked out of the session. Senate Judiciary chairman Arlen Specter shouted "Good riddance!" as he left. The ammendent bill was passed along party line votes 10:8 and will go to the senate floor in June.

Senator Feingold, who quite obviously understands that such an amendment needs real scrutiny and should be debated in a public forum, issued the following statement:

Today's markup of the constitutional amendment concerning marriage, in a small room off the Senate floor with only a handful of people other than Senators and their staffs present, was an affront to the Constitution. I objected to its consideration in such an inappropriate setting and refused to help make a quorum. I am deeply disappointed that the chairman of the judiciary committee went forward with the markup over my objection. Unfortunately, the majority leader has set a politically motivated schedule for floor consideration of this measure that the chairman felt compelled to follow, even though he says he opposes the amendment.

Constitutional amendments deserve the most careful and deliberate consideration of any matter that comes before the Senate. In addition to hearings and a subcommittee markup, such a measure should be considered by the Judiciary Committee in the light of day, open to the press and the public, with cameras present so that the whole country can see what is done. Open and deliberate debate on such an important matter cannot take place in a setting such as the one chosen by the chairman of the Committee today.

The Constitution of the United States is an historic guarantee of individual freedom. It has served as a beacon of hope, an example to people around the world who yearn to be free and to live their lives without government interference in their most basic human decisions. I took an oath when I joined this body to support and defend the Constitution. I will continue to fight this mean-spirited, divisive, poorly drafted, and misguided amendment when it comes to the Senate floor.

Thank God reason is alive and well in the U.S. Senate.

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid31112.asp

The Rules for Being Human

I was cleaning out a drawer and came across these rules sent to me by an old friend years ago. I forgot I had them. There is irony here - read for yourself.

YOU WILL RECEIVE A BODY.
You may like it of hate it, but it will be yours for as long as you live. How you take care of it or try to take care of it can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life.

YOU WILL LEARN LESSONS.
You are enrolled in a full-time, informal school called Life. Each day, you will be presented with opportunities to learn what you need to know. The lessons presented are often completely different for those you THINK you need.

THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, ONLY LESSONS.
Growth is a process of trail, error and experimentation. You can learn as much from failure as you can success…maybe more.

A LESSON IS REPEATED UNTIL IT IS LEARNED.
A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it (as evidenced by a change in your attitude and ultimately your behavior) then you can go on to the next lesson.

LEARNING LESSONS DOES NOT END.
There is no stage of life that does not contain some lessons. As long as you live there will be something more to learn.

"THERE" IS NO BETTER THEN "HERE".
When you "there" has become a "here," you will simply discover another "there" that will again look better that your "here." Don't be fooled by believing that the unattainable is better than what you have. Happiness is choosing what you have.

OTHERS ARE MERELY MIRRORS OF YOU.
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself. When tempted to criticize others, ask yourself why you feel so strongly.

WHAT YOU MAKE OF YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU.
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you created with those tools and resources is up to you. Remember that through desire, goal setting and unflagging effort you can have anything you want. Persistence is the key to success.

THE ANSWERS LIE INSIDE YOU.
The solutions to all of life's problems lie within your grasp. All you need to do is ask, look, listen and trust.

YOU WILL FORGET ALL THIS.
Unless you consistently stay focused on the goals you have set for your self, everything you've just read won't mean a thing.

By Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott

Soy Americano!

I went into work today like most Americans did. The powers that be decided to let us go at 1:00 so that we would will not get caught in the boycott parade that was due at 4:00. My office is on Wilshire Blvd, the afternoon protest route.

I left my office and jumped on the Red Line to down town. The march was beginning there and people had been gathering for speeches since morning.

There was an new energy in the air as I rode towards downtown. Latino and Asian families and friends laughing and nodding salutations. No one was a stranger today. It seemed we all shared a connection as we made our way towards City Hall. I imagined going to Times Square at the end of WWII was very similar. This was more than a protest. It was a celebration of who we are.

I got off the train and was greeted by a sea of familar looking faces drapped in red, white and blue. I walked amougst the crowd of white t-shirts and viewed the parade.

I silently struggled to fight back tears that were building within me. I wanted to joyfully cry for the power that I felt and the pureness in their intention. It was a great moment even if I did not completely agree with the cause. I secretly wished that this was happening in Mexico where change needs to occur, and I thanked the creater for allowing me to live in country where this can happen today.

I was never prouder to be a Mexican-American. Soy Americano! Viva the USA!

Related blog:
http://gayperspective.blogspot.com/2006/04/mexicansget-some-cojones.html

Oil is Your Friend

The oil companies are not just linning their pockets with gross profits, they are now going to spend a mere $30 million for a public relations campaign or what they call “educational outreach” to convince us how hard it is to make gas and that windfall profits are just the man behind the curtain we should ignore. I have some possible ideas for a slogan.

Your income belong to us
Billion dollars earned
Got oil stocks? Too bad.
It's not easy being greedy.
Sure, were profitable but dont blame us, we dont make the stuff, we just sell it.

Any other suggestions?


http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/042606/news2.html

25 Signs The You Have Grown Up

1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel for fun.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and break up."
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweat shirt no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those fucking kids next door won't turn down "that noise."
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You need antacid tablets, more often than you need condoms.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good shit."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "Oh no, what the #$%* happened?"
25: You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorr y old ass.

Bush Stops Turning His Head?

Finally the federal governement is going after the parties responcible for creating the illegal immigration problem in this country... the busniess owners. There are federal laws on the books against hiring illegal citizens, and finally the Bush administration has decided to apply them. Take away the work and we take away their resaon to come here. It's that simple. Now the question is, is this change in policy enforcement a new standard or is Bush trying to look like he's doing something other than turning his head so that his donor base can continue to reap the benefits of cheap (slave) labor? We shall see.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060420/ap_on_go_ot/immigration_raids

Oh Ricky You're So Fine

Mexicans...Get Some Cojones!

Being a proud 2nd generation US born Mexican-American who has seen this problem with ILLEGAL immigration (not "undocumented workers" - called it what is really is) explode over the past ten years, I am still grateful that I live in a country where even the people who are not here legally have the right to protest and raise their voices.

Maybe if these temporary workers candidates had more "cojones" to stand up against their own oligarchic government, they would not be here searching for a better life, they would be in Mexico demanding it. (1776, America did not become America by protestors matching through England!)

I do not fault Mexican immigrants for wanting a better life but when did it become our responsibility to provide it and not Mexico's. Our neighbors to the North got it. Canadians are not selling gum in their streets to survive. When I see all those protestors, I see people who are mad at the wrong political administration. Mexicans need to look at the failures of their own government and demand changes from it.

To my Latino bretheren- You and your children deserve a wonderful life; the USA is not denying that from you…your own Mexican leaders are! Fight them... not us!

Republican Parent Ban Pending

After two months off due to manage some personal projects, I return to my blog to share this inspiring and "classic" legislative act...

Bill Would Block Republicans From Adopting Children
http://365gay.com/Newscon06/02/022406gopAdopt.htm

2005 Year in Review News Quiz

It was a banner year for news junkies. The death of a pope. The selection of a new one. BTK. Terri Schiavo. Katrina. Iraq. London bombings. Pakistan earthquake. White House indictments.
But how much attention were you REALLY paying? Here’s our 25-question, tougher-than-our-usual-weekly-news-quiz test — your chance to measure your news-junkie mettle (and a good excuse to avoid that holiday-time chin-wag with boring old Uncle Charlie).

2005 Year in Review News Quiz
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10531435/

The Gays Are Everywhere

Teachers, lawyers, doctors and now even neo- Nazi leaders - by God, we are everywhere!

Apparently the spokes-hole for a neo-nazi group is gay! Is this shocking? But in all honesty, can we really blame him?

Hot guys, shaved heads, rampant testosterone and big black boots, it's a gay man's fantasy. (Well one of them at least.)

To Bill, my d-sucking, a-eating, bend-over-and-take-it-like-a-man brother/sista' I say: You go fräulein!

Bill White - The gay spokesman for the neo-nazi, National Socialism Movement
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/1723353.php

QOTW 12.23

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments."

~ Benjamin Franklin

Bush Pardons His Coke Dealer?

Having "demonstrated full acceptance and responsibility and remorse for their offense, and each has repaid his debt to society," Bush pardon some old friends this week.

One, was "a Denver lawyer for drug-related crimes she committed more than two decades ago."

Has Bush been dreaming of a white Christmas?

Am I crazy or does this look like Bush just pardoned his former coke connection? (Pure speculation ofcourse, I don't know what the nature of the relationship was of these two former cocaine users.)

For her appreciation to the President, she sent him an antique hand mirror once owned by Eva Peron and a Williams Sonoma spice grinder.

Bush Pardons Denver Attorney
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4331378,00.html

No Fruitcup for God-fearing Non-activist Judge

Their efforts have failed, despite Christian conservatives hopes to get a U. S. district ( or a.k.a. an activist in their favor) judge to support a repackaged creationism called "Intellegent Design" in public schools. This failure is the result of a decision by a well read, legally compentent, socially conscience judge who saw "I.D." as “ a religious view, a mere re-labeling of creationism, and not a scientific theory.”

And more telling... this judgment was issued by a God-fearing, chuch-going Republican appointed judge! Yes, he is one of their very own.

No doubt, he just lost his place in line for heaven. I have a feeling this year, this dark siding Republican judge will be eating at the little kids table during Christmas dinner to. And no fruitcup!

Again whats right wins over what's righteous. As it should be.

Judge Rules Against ‘Intelligent Design’
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10545387/

Thank You Terri

Terri Schiavo's death was not in vain. Her contribution to our society maybe impacting and immeasurable. We shall see in 2006 and more importantly in 2008. One thing is certain, Terri is at peace and the GOP is struggling with unrest.

For this I cannot thank you enough Terri.

Terri Schiavo Derails Social Agenda of Christian Right
http://pageoneq.com/rssfeedstuff/index.php?id=4964

Tom Cruise and the Right Path

This is an interesting LA times article about Scientology, Tom Cruise and an "evil tyrant named Xenu" who lived 75 million years ago and apparently is still impacting our lives.

Now, this posting is not meant as judgment. If Tom wants to believe in some accient bully, this is his right. This is his chosen path. If it helps him become a better man, I encourage it. I encourge doing anything that makes us better Beings. If reading Marianne Williamson, Gary Zukav or L. Ron. Hubbard or the bible for that matter lifts you to your higher self, do it. If attending church, weekend retreats or doing The Forum helps, do it.

We are all here, a part of evolution. Asking questions, learning more about the Universe, what others believe and finding out those things that we didn't know but now like to hear more about are what helps us evolve. This is what life is. Questioning, thinking, learning and evolving and hopefully becoming something greater than we imagined was possible.

Tom is doing it. He is on his right path and I wish him well on it.

In the future year, I would like to share more of my personal experiences and insights that I have learned on my path. And as they have helped me evolve, I hope they will help you.

At Inland Base, Scientologists Trained Top Gun
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-fi-scientology18dec18,1,278560.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

We Are The Stockholders Of America

A Letter from Marc, to America:

Hello to my closest Friends and Family,

I have never been politically active except as to read the news and vote. I have never felt as strongly as I do today that it is my responsibility to get involved and do something, even is it "just" writing letters. Who knows, someday it may turn into something more. But I' ll get to my point...

I am sick and tired of President Bush! I have had it with him. He has lied to me, mislead me, ruined my surplus, acted egocentrically, shown his lack of concern for the less well to do, shown a lack of leadership skills, displayed his lapse of morals on numerous occasions, shown his inability to articulate his thoughts in an intelligent manner countless times, and behave in a rational and caring manner during times of hardship, crisis, and disaster.

I am tired of him "talking down" to me and explaining issues to me as if I were in sixth grade. (You know what I mean by this.) This manner of speaking pretty much occurs in every one of his speeches that he knows a large percentage of the public will view or hear. Well, I say, "I am not stupid! You can not speak to me this way! Don't talk to me like I am stupid! No longer buddy, this must end!"

I am tired of President Bush's corporate, "good ole boy", "i'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine", treatment of The Presidency. The giving of favors to corporations in return for favors is not how to run a country. The running of this country demands the highest of standards. We set an example to the world and we bare much responsibility to it.

I do not feel safer, I do not feel better off, I do not feel more secure, I do not feel better prepared for my future life (except for what I have done) and I have seen the erosion of personal freedoms, I have seen the places in nature where I've been to and the places in nature I want to go be thrown into the back seat (the trunk for that matter), I do not feel like my heath care is a concern, I do not feel like children are given high priority (they should be given first priority, in my view), I have seen the religious right gain enormous power within this presidency, I have seen rational thinking come under attack, I have experienced a lack of respect for freedom of religions occur this Holiday Season, I have seen a surge in world dismay and dislike over United States Policy and actions, and I have seen the use of torture come into use. I have seen so many policies that I am not in agreement with, so many actions that I do not agree with, I have seen so many mistakes, over and over again, that it's time for me to say something.

It is high time for The People of The United States to take back their country. Take it back from the corporate funded politicians and give it back to elected government representatives that have The People's best interest in mind. I do not care the for running our country like a corporation as President Bush and his coterie have done. I get treated like "an employee" enough at work, I do not want to come home to hear and see that I am being treated in this same manner by MY government. At work we expect it. If we do not like the way we are treated at work, then we can leave and find a new job that gives us the respect we demand. My country, I can not leave. My country should work for me. We are the stock holders of these United States.

By this point you can clearly see that I am sick and tired of President Bush. This is not about Republicans versus Democrats or Conservatives versus Progressives, I definitely have some of each in me. This is about accepting responsibility (before you are made to!) with sincerity and by behaving accordingly for a person in this highest of positions. He is a world leader for God's sake! Act like it!

It is time to do something. I am tired of feeling powerless, that I can not have an effect on this great nation of ours and even the world. It is time for me to do something.

This evening, I sent out three e-mails to my two state senators and my congresswoman. I expressed my displeasure with the Bush Presidency. I requested that they do everything within their power to remove President Bush from office. I also asked for advice on what I could do to participate in removing this man from office.

The past two or three years I have been reading books on politics, listening to the news, and reading the news online (both sides and down the middle even!). I have educated myself about many things and have discovered how much more there I have yet to learn.
If you have not already done so,I suggest you to do the same. I think you might be suprised how interesting it can be. Listen, read, and watch! From the left to the right and then back again. Do some of your own writing to get your thoughts down and ask yourself what really, really matters to you. Revisit it over and over and over again, further clarifying each time. Are YOU being served with YOUR best interest in mind? Have you really taken the time to decide where your best interest lie, or have you come to rely on someone else to tell you? well, I'll let you decide to decide now, you know how I feel now.

This took me quite lot of courage to write, my first mass e-mailing of me sharing my thoughts with all of you. I hope it gives you pause for consideration. I do not intend to be offensive but to be honest and share my feelings.

I have also provided links to the Senate and Congress so that you can find your representatives. I urge you to follow them and find out what they believe in and how they are representing you. Most importantly, let them know what you think. It will take 10 minutes or less to get involved and write them a letter by e-mail.

As you may or may not know, I am a gay male, 36 years old, in a long term, 13 year relationship. We have had our ups and downs and have come out all the stronger. I have experimented with drugs. I have questioned organized religion's intentions and beliefs. I have never been particularly outstanding. I'm pretty low key. I have my insecurities. I feel like those few things alone would make me one of the least "wanted to be heard from" voices that most of America would want to hear from. But here I am. I am going to make a difference in this world and I began tonight.

I urge you, beg you to do the same. Write a short letter and let your representatives know how you feel, even if you disagree with me! Get to know who they are and what they stand for. Get just a little bit more involved. It is your responsibility you know! Don't be like Bush and disregard it! (okay, that's enough guilt. No one will ever know what you do : )
Please feel free to distribute this e-mail as you see fit. Please use a cut and paste format instead of simply forwarding. This is my opinion only and do not wish for anyone else's name or e-mail to be associated with it unless they decide to forward it themselves.

http://www.senate.gov/ Find your Senator here!
http://www.house.gov/ Find your Congressperson here!

I wish you all the best and thank you for your time.

Marc

QOTW 12.16

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.

~ Erma Bombeck