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Are we back in the 1960s? Racist f-wit demands change to mural
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This is one of the weirdest and most disturbing stories ever. I wonder what the mood is like in the southwest now. Is everyone sort of looking over their shoulders, afraid to speak to their neighbors lest a brawl break out over the immigration issue? I mean, these are the kids who GO TO THE SCHOOL! How do you think they feel getting painted out? Who the fuck at the school said that was ok? I mean, this is Nazi Germanyesque activity...and I don't say that lightly.
On a related sick but funny note, a couple years back the University of Wisconsin got in trouble for photoshopping a black guy into a promo picture to make the school look more diverse. Apparently the collective United States is unsure exactly how many people of color should be in a photo/mural, too few or too many, but, uh, they're working on it...
http://www.azcentral.com/news/article...Wall said school Principal Jeff Lane pressed him to make the children's faces appear happier and brighter.
"It is being lightened because of the controversy," Wall said, adding that "they want it to look like the children are coming into light."
I am hard-pressed to think of worse PR bullshit than comes out of the mouth of pathetic public school officials like this one. Thank God most principals I've encountered are better than this, or I'd be home-schooling.
ah. 'lighten', how nice euphemisms can be.
Dark skin is the mark of a Lamanite, don't ya know? When they accept the true church, they will become white and delightsome.
Hmmm. Works fine for me. Wonder why that is.
Sadly, this is now America, a land where the racist wingnuts have come out to roost.
Canada is looking nicer and nicer every day...
Canada is looking nicer and nicer every day...
It's cold up in Canada.But I'm fascinated by this whole "never locking your doors" thing that supposedly takes place up there. Is that true? I leave my door open a lot, but not all the time.
I'm not sure what good it does to lock one's doors only occasionally.
RA wrote, It's cold up in Canada.
You live in Wisconsin, don't you? So how much colder could it possibly be?
I like cold weather, so I'm game for a relo. The missus, on the other hand, would rather relo to some place like the Bahamas, in the event that the forces of racist douchebaggery do finally come to power here.
You live in Wisconsin, don't you? So how much colder could it possibly be?
I like cold weather, so I'm game for a relo. The missus, on the other hand, would rather relo to some place like the Bahamas, in the event that the forces of racist douchebaggery do finally come to power here.
You live in Wisconsin, don't you? So how much colder could it possibly be?That's a fair question and one about which I wonder sometimes. I mean, once you're at ten degrees F or so, is there a huge difference once you get to -20? I don't think so. I was out in -30 once, though, and my boogers froze.
I think winter lasts longer in Canada. So the question is not one of intensity as of length.
Barb wrote: "RandomAnthony wrote: "So the question is not one of intensity as of length ..."
TWSS ;)"
Atta Girl Barb!
TWSS ;)"
Atta Girl Barb!
Gus,
It is more of a matter of how long the cold stays as compared to how cold it actually can get. Actually northern WI has quite a bit longer winters, and there will still be ice on the lakes long after it is gone here.
It is more of a matter of how long the cold stays as compared to how cold it actually can get. Actually northern WI has quite a bit longer winters, and there will still be ice on the lakes long after it is gone here.
Barb wrote: "RandomAnthony wrote: "So the question is not one of intensity as of length ..."TWSS ;)"
Looks like dirty minds run in the TC family. :-P
RandomAnthony wrote: "This is one of the weirdest and most disturbing stories ever. I wonder what the mood is like in the southwest now. Is everyone sort of looking over their shoulders, afraid to speak to their neigh..."
As someone who is living in the thick of it...it is getting tense.
First Brewer and her immigration bill, then the Tucson School District being told that the Hispanic Ethnic Studies can no longer be offered, now this idiot in Prescott. But there is always something more to the stories then is being reported.
There are a whole host of issues all coming together very quickly out here. The interesting part is that most people out here seem to support 1070. What I heard this morning is that 1070 will withstand legal challenges because it does not supersede federal law and does not indicate the use of profiling. It's funny how those who do not support the law openly admit it, while most of those that do support the law remain silent.
There are so many issues that could be debated because of the immigration issues. It's also unfortunate that so many from other states are drawing conclusions about the law without all of the information.
For example, there are running gun battles on a major transportation corridor, I-10, between coyotes, human smugglers, and law enforcement. Citizens and officials are being shot and killed by people trying to enter the country illegaly.
What most people who suport the bill say is that illegal is illegal. Are the laws just to be forgotten simply because you have been here for a little while? It's like saying,"I know I murdered someone, but that was 20 years ago, you shouldn't hold me accountable because I haven't killed anyone else since then." If that example seems extreme, ask the family of southern Arizona rancher Robert Krentz. Krentz was murdered by immigrants crossing his land.
As someone who is living in the thick of it...it is getting tense.
First Brewer and her immigration bill, then the Tucson School District being told that the Hispanic Ethnic Studies can no longer be offered, now this idiot in Prescott. But there is always something more to the stories then is being reported.
There are a whole host of issues all coming together very quickly out here. The interesting part is that most people out here seem to support 1070. What I heard this morning is that 1070 will withstand legal challenges because it does not supersede federal law and does not indicate the use of profiling. It's funny how those who do not support the law openly admit it, while most of those that do support the law remain silent.
There are so many issues that could be debated because of the immigration issues. It's also unfortunate that so many from other states are drawing conclusions about the law without all of the information.
For example, there are running gun battles on a major transportation corridor, I-10, between coyotes, human smugglers, and law enforcement. Citizens and officials are being shot and killed by people trying to enter the country illegaly.
What most people who suport the bill say is that illegal is illegal. Are the laws just to be forgotten simply because you have been here for a little while? It's like saying,"I know I murdered someone, but that was 20 years ago, you shouldn't hold me accountable because I haven't killed anyone else since then." If that example seems extreme, ask the family of southern Arizona rancher Robert Krentz. Krentz was murdered by immigrants crossing his land.
Excellent post, Mike...thanks for putting out the perspective of someone who lives there...
It's a thorny subject, that's for sure.
As a Hispanic, I can empathize with Arizonans (?) regarding their immigration bill. I agree that something has to be done to curb the massive flow of illegal immigrants through Arizona and the rest of the Southwest, but forcing Hispanics to produce some kind of proof of residency smacks of jack-booted quasi-Fascism, and that's why Hispanics (and non-Hispanics) are screaming bloody murder: it's profiling, plain and simple.
Additionally, imposing a chain-link border isn't going to work, either. America must rethink its relationship and priorities with Mexico, and understand that Mexico is our partner, and not some country we should look down upon with condescension or disdain.
On a side note, I heard a very interesting conversation on NPR's Here and Now this afternoon regarding this very same thing. Professor Andrew Bacevich, a professor of history at Boston University, thinks America's National Security priorities are too skewed. Take a good read at this article, and I think you'll all agree.
An excerpt:
A century ago, Americans paid considerable attention to their “near abroad.’’ Today they all but ignore it. Compare US policy toward Afghanistan, located on the other side of the world, with US policy toward our neighbor, Mexico. To assist Afghans, Washington will seemingly spare no expense. When it comes to Mexico, Washington builds a chain-link fence. Yet whether the issue is trade, drugs, or security, Mexico’s importance to the United States outranks Afghanistan’s by orders of magnitude.
What’s going on here? Americans have somehow persuaded themselves that faraway problems deserve the most attention. Just the reverse is true. Here in the northern half of the Western Hemisphere is where the future of the American way of life is being determined.
As a Hispanic, I can empathize with Arizonans (?) regarding their immigration bill. I agree that something has to be done to curb the massive flow of illegal immigrants through Arizona and the rest of the Southwest, but forcing Hispanics to produce some kind of proof of residency smacks of jack-booted quasi-Fascism, and that's why Hispanics (and non-Hispanics) are screaming bloody murder: it's profiling, plain and simple.
Additionally, imposing a chain-link border isn't going to work, either. America must rethink its relationship and priorities with Mexico, and understand that Mexico is our partner, and not some country we should look down upon with condescension or disdain.
On a side note, I heard a very interesting conversation on NPR's Here and Now this afternoon regarding this very same thing. Professor Andrew Bacevich, a professor of history at Boston University, thinks America's National Security priorities are too skewed. Take a good read at this article, and I think you'll all agree.
An excerpt:
A century ago, Americans paid considerable attention to their “near abroad.’’ Today they all but ignore it. Compare US policy toward Afghanistan, located on the other side of the world, with US policy toward our neighbor, Mexico. To assist Afghans, Washington will seemingly spare no expense. When it comes to Mexico, Washington builds a chain-link fence. Yet whether the issue is trade, drugs, or security, Mexico’s importance to the United States outranks Afghanistan’s by orders of magnitude.
What’s going on here? Americans have somehow persuaded themselves that faraway problems deserve the most attention. Just the reverse is true. Here in the northern half of the Western Hemisphere is where the future of the American way of life is being determined.
Gus you are exactly right!The US needs to put pressure on Mexico to get itself together. If Mexico could get loose of the drug cartel's grip and get corruption out of the picture, it's citizenry wouldn't feel the need to flee the country.
Now as far as profiling, like it or not, everyone does it and it has been a part of law enforcement, I would wager, since organized law enforcement started. It is a survival mechanism that everyone uses, ask any mental health professional-- without it, people would find themselves in constant danger. But, put a badge on it and train that person to discern characteristics that the normal person would overlook and suddenly people are screaming all kinds of legal/ethical/personal freedom violations.
There is an enormous level of irony, or hypocisy, when people say 'do I look illegal?' when they themselves are exhibiting the exact same kind of racist/profiling attitude when they look at me...they automatically assume that I am here legally because I am white. It is too easy to shout how evil profiling is when everyone uses it.
This doesn't even touch on how incredibly dumbfounding the amount of misinformation that has been offered by the media and how that misinformation effects what everyone is saying and doing.
I guess more than anything, I am dismayed and truly saddened, that so much is being said and done with half truths and out right misrepresentation of the facts-- maybe I am too naive or have too much faith in people. More so when people from other states try to say what is right for our state. I would like to offer this; come live here for a several years get a feel for the condition of the state, get ALL of the facts, after that, offer constructive suggestions. Don't add to the problem by creating more conflict.
A little food for thought:
All of the 'boycotts' of the state are actually hurting all of the people it is trying to support. When tourism falls the people that work in the industry are directly effected-- tourism in this state has long been a major employer of migrant workers.
As far as producing documents, think about this: when you are pulled over by a law-enforcement officer what is the first thing they ask for? Drivers license and registration. When you are hired for a new job, what do you have to give the HR department? Your SSN or Birth Certificate. So to say that providing papers for residency/immigration status is violating personal freedom/civil rights is misguided.
Above all, this is just my two cents worth...
Now as far as profiling, like it or not, everyone does it and it has been a part of law enforcement, I would wager, since organized law enforcement started. It is a survival mechanism that everyone uses, ask any mental health professional-- without it, people would find themselves in constant danger. But, put a badge on it and train that person to discern characteristics that the normal person would overlook and suddenly people are screaming all kinds of legal/ethical/personal freedom violations.
There is an enormous level of irony, or hypocisy, when people say 'do I look illegal?' when they themselves are exhibiting the exact same kind of racist/profiling attitude when they look at me...they automatically assume that I am here legally because I am white. It is too easy to shout how evil profiling is when everyone uses it.
This doesn't even touch on how incredibly dumbfounding the amount of misinformation that has been offered by the media and how that misinformation effects what everyone is saying and doing.
I guess more than anything, I am dismayed and truly saddened, that so much is being said and done with half truths and out right misrepresentation of the facts-- maybe I am too naive or have too much faith in people. More so when people from other states try to say what is right for our state. I would like to offer this; come live here for a several years get a feel for the condition of the state, get ALL of the facts, after that, offer constructive suggestions. Don't add to the problem by creating more conflict.
A little food for thought:
All of the 'boycotts' of the state are actually hurting all of the people it is trying to support. When tourism falls the people that work in the industry are directly effected-- tourism in this state has long been a major employer of migrant workers.
As far as producing documents, think about this: when you are pulled over by a law-enforcement officer what is the first thing they ask for? Drivers license and registration. When you are hired for a new job, what do you have to give the HR department? Your SSN or Birth Certificate. So to say that providing papers for residency/immigration status is violating personal freedom/civil rights is misguided.
Above all, this is just my two cents worth...
Mike wrote: "As far as producing documents, think about this: when you are pulled over by a law-enforcement officer what is the first thing they ask for? Drivers license and registration. .... So to say that providing papers for residency/immigration status is violating personal freedom/civil rights is misguided."I'm not a pro at interpreting legalese. In the AZ law, would a drivers license and registration be enough to satisfy the "are you here legally" question?
Phill-- in Arizona it is because the State requires one piece of 'primary' identification. The state will not accept as ID anything from states that don't require establishment of legal presence in the US.
And Bun, I'm not trying to pick a fight or start anything, but I am sure there will be loads of anecdotal stories about how people were detained.
And Bun, I'm not trying to pick a fight or start anything, but I am sure there will be loads of anecdotal stories about how people were detained.
Mike wrote, Gus you are exactly right!The US needs to put pressure on Mexico to get itself together. If Mexico could get loose of the drug cartel's grip and get corruption out of the picture, it's citizenry wouldn't feel the need to flee the country.
I don't agree. Both the US and Mexico both need to get their act together. The citizenry isn't fleeing the country because of corruption and the drug cartels; they're fleeing because across the border is a better way of supporting their families. And the reason why I say the US needs to get their act together is because for too long, they've ignored Mexico when the cartels were blossoming throughout the land; now that American citizens have been targeted, US officials now feel the need to act. Drug cartels are just as much of a national security threat to the United States as Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization. And, believe me, the cartels are more organized, financially and militarily.
You know the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions?" Well, NAFTA was exactly that, a good intention that's proven to be a horrible reality. It's only made corporations working in Mexico richer, it's fostered even more corruption, and it's made the rest of Mexico even poorer. Ergo, more of a rise in illegal immigration since 1993.
It's time we gave NAFTA the boot and worked on fair trade agreements, and mutually beneficial relationships, that will benefit both Mexico and the United States.
I don't agree. Both the US and Mexico both need to get their act together. The citizenry isn't fleeing the country because of corruption and the drug cartels; they're fleeing because across the border is a better way of supporting their families. And the reason why I say the US needs to get their act together is because for too long, they've ignored Mexico when the cartels were blossoming throughout the land; now that American citizens have been targeted, US officials now feel the need to act. Drug cartels are just as much of a national security threat to the United States as Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization. And, believe me, the cartels are more organized, financially and militarily.
You know the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions?" Well, NAFTA was exactly that, a good intention that's proven to be a horrible reality. It's only made corporations working in Mexico richer, it's fostered even more corruption, and it's made the rest of Mexico even poorer. Ergo, more of a rise in illegal immigration since 1993.
It's time we gave NAFTA the boot and worked on fair trade agreements, and mutually beneficial relationships, that will benefit both Mexico and the United States.
People are within their rights in this country to refuse to provide any form of identification when asked to do so by a law enforcement officer, or anyone else for that matter.Of course, if one is driving a motor vehicle, or attempting to get on a commercial airliner, then one should expect to have to show ID.
But just walking down the street, there is no real reason for having to prove who you are.
Gus wrote: "It's time we gave NAFTA the boot and worked on fair trade agreements, and mutually beneficial relationships, that will benefit both Mexico and the United States."Yes, what he said.
Again, not trying to pick a fight or start a flame war but, Gus, do you really believe that people aren't leaving because of corruption, drug cartels and violence as well as leaving for a better way to support their families?
I'm not going to say that the US has been perfect in it's relations with Mexico, but was the bail-out of the Peso nothing-- if it weren't for the US bail-out, no telling what would have happened. You are correct an alternative to NAFTA needs to be in place. However bad NAFTA is it is something in place that wasn't there before-- a starting point.
Mexico has much more work to do than the US can even begin to offer help for. For example, Mexico's human rights records are among the worst in the world. The violence in Ciudad Juarez is astounding.
I can't think of a better reason to get out of a country than those.
As for the US acting when it's citizen's are attacked, it is only prudent that the US government protect itself against all threats "foreign and domestic". Mexico is an independent country, the US shouldn't have to intervene every time Mexico can't handle it's own internal affairs-- corruption and drug cartels controlling everything and everyone.
It seems that you supported my original statement about people leaving because of drug cartels and corruption when you said,
"It's only made corporations working in Mexico richer, it's fostered even more corruption, and it's made the rest of Mexico even poorer. Ergo, more of a rise in illegal immigration since 1993."
and again when you said,
". . . they've ignored Mexico when the cartels were blossoming throughout the land; now that American citizens have been targeted, US officials now feel the need to act. Drug cartels are just as much of a national security threat to the United States as Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization. And, believe me, the cartels are more organized, financially and militarily."
So I'm not really sure how you can disagree other than to say the US needs to be more involved.
I'm not going to say that the US has been perfect in it's relations with Mexico, but was the bail-out of the Peso nothing-- if it weren't for the US bail-out, no telling what would have happened. You are correct an alternative to NAFTA needs to be in place. However bad NAFTA is it is something in place that wasn't there before-- a starting point.
Mexico has much more work to do than the US can even begin to offer help for. For example, Mexico's human rights records are among the worst in the world. The violence in Ciudad Juarez is astounding.
I can't think of a better reason to get out of a country than those.
As for the US acting when it's citizen's are attacked, it is only prudent that the US government protect itself against all threats "foreign and domestic". Mexico is an independent country, the US shouldn't have to intervene every time Mexico can't handle it's own internal affairs-- corruption and drug cartels controlling everything and everyone.
It seems that you supported my original statement about people leaving because of drug cartels and corruption when you said,
"It's only made corporations working in Mexico richer, it's fostered even more corruption, and it's made the rest of Mexico even poorer. Ergo, more of a rise in illegal immigration since 1993."
and again when you said,
". . . they've ignored Mexico when the cartels were blossoming throughout the land; now that American citizens have been targeted, US officials now feel the need to act. Drug cartels are just as much of a national security threat to the United States as Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization. And, believe me, the cartels are more organized, financially and militarily."
So I'm not really sure how you can disagree other than to say the US needs to be more involved.
You mean colder, with a rabid interest in hockey?
I only disagreed, Mike, with your comment that Mexico needs to get it's act together. Whether the US likes it or not, their relationship with Mexico is a two-way street, so whatever is best for Mexico is also best for the US. It's reasonable to assert that any domestic problems that occur in Mexico will certainly make themselves known in the US.
I think you and I both agree that much work needs to be done. I really want to see the finger-pointing come to an end, and real solutions be discussed and brought to fruition, for the sake of both our nations.
I think you and I both agree that much work needs to be done. I really want to see the finger-pointing come to an end, and real solutions be discussed and brought to fruition, for the sake of both our nations.
On that I totally agree with you Gus. Both countries nees to work together for everyone's benefit.
http://wonkette.com/415815/arizona-co...
A councilman in Prescott, AZ., demanded on his radio show that a city mural be altered, because some of the children depicted in it were black or Latino.
And you know what? I know there are many people in my own state who would support him. That's one of the reasons I stay here -- to try to expose people to a different point of view.