Some things to say.
The semester is nearly over and with only a couple classes to focus on I have a little bit of time to catch up on some things I had hoped to do earlier. As some of you may know, I have been taking photographs for my college's weekly publication Redweek as a part of my coursework. It has given me the opportunity to shoot things I might not have on my own. I will be posting some of the shots from this semester in the next couple weeks not only to share some of what I have been doing doing but also to add my voice to a few issues. As if I don't talk enough.
April 10th across the country, protesters marched on their various capitols to oppose stricter immigration laws being discussed by congress. Here in Lincoln, more than 4,000 protesters and a dozen or so speakers called for immigration reform. They asked lawmakers to show compassion when faced with legal and illegal immigrant issues and chanted "Si se puede!" or "Yes, it can be done!"
US Senator Ben Nelson emailed a response to my petition for compassion towards immigrant issues with his idea of how "Yes, it can be done." Excerpts of his letter outline the proposal he has put forward in congress.
"A key element of my proposal is an increased presence on our
nation's southwest border. My bill provides for the construction of
a border fence and would double the number of border agents over
five years. It also calls for the U.S. Departments of Homeland
Security (DHS) and Defense to work together to increase the
availability of unmanned aerial vehicles and surveillance
equipment."
"Finally, because lax border security is one of the main causes of
unlawful immigration and drug trafficking and has the potential to
allow terrorists to enter our country, I believe that border security
must be addressed before any other immigration concerns can be
adequately addressed."
While I agree with Nelson on some issues, I respectfully disagree with him on this one. This is not 14th century China. The Mongols and Turkics are not raiding our villages although references to terrorists are surely aimed at conjuring this image. This is also not a sixties era soviet outpost surrounded by democratic nations. This is 21st century America that is nearly 4 percent illegal immigrant. (295 million divided by estimated 12 million illegals) Refusing to address "any other immigration concerns" when 4% of the population is institutionally disenfranchised is inexcusable. I do not purport to have all the answers but refusing to talk about ideas is dumb. Just saying.
Also, in an effort to head off those who are inclined to make comments about how people do or do not 'deserve' citizenship: If you are willing to mop the blood of a shit smelling animal all day long, all week long, all year long in an effort to elevate your family while your neighbor who is eating burgers for cheap prices tells you that you are a drain on his economy than feel free to cast the first stone. If not you might try looking for your economy drainers in some of my large-group classrooms. They are usually the half asleep drooling kids in pink Ugg boots whose white collar jobs will be outsourced before they wake up.
Tired of looking at my bitter cynicism. Take a look at some hardworking people who want to be heard.
Lincoln native Felix Rivas-Sanchez rallies protesters in their cry, "Si se puede!" or "Yes it can be done!" Monday outside the Federal Building. His speech referenced the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall pointing out, "Walls Do Not Work!"
(Left) Nebraska State Senator Ray Aguilar spoke to the peaceful protesters outside the capitol in Lincoln.
Protest placards read "We are America", "Pilgrim = Immigrant" and "Who's Gonna Build Your Fence?" A good question from the backbone of America.
Chris Andersen, member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1055 joined the protest because his jobsite shut down when many of the other workers left to march on the State Capitol and Federal Building.
Nebraska Weslyan Sociology Professor Emeritus John Krejci speaks out against the border security bill proposed by US Senator Ben Nelson.
April 10th across the country, protesters marched on their various capitols to oppose stricter immigration laws being discussed by congress. Here in Lincoln, more than 4,000 protesters and a dozen or so speakers called for immigration reform. They asked lawmakers to show compassion when faced with legal and illegal immigrant issues and chanted "Si se puede!" or "Yes, it can be done!"
US Senator Ben Nelson emailed a response to my petition for compassion towards immigrant issues with his idea of how "Yes, it can be done." Excerpts of his letter outline the proposal he has put forward in congress.
"A key element of my proposal is an increased presence on our
nation's southwest border. My bill provides for the construction of
a border fence and would double the number of border agents over
five years. It also calls for the U.S. Departments of Homeland
Security (DHS) and Defense to work together to increase the
availability of unmanned aerial vehicles and surveillance
equipment."
"Finally, because lax border security is one of the main causes of
unlawful immigration and drug trafficking and has the potential to
allow terrorists to enter our country, I believe that border security
must be addressed before any other immigration concerns can be
adequately addressed."
While I agree with Nelson on some issues, I respectfully disagree with him on this one. This is not 14th century China. The Mongols and Turkics are not raiding our villages although references to terrorists are surely aimed at conjuring this image. This is also not a sixties era soviet outpost surrounded by democratic nations. This is 21st century America that is nearly 4 percent illegal immigrant. (295 million divided by estimated 12 million illegals) Refusing to address "any other immigration concerns" when 4% of the population is institutionally disenfranchised is inexcusable. I do not purport to have all the answers but refusing to talk about ideas is dumb. Just saying.
Also, in an effort to head off those who are inclined to make comments about how people do or do not 'deserve' citizenship: If you are willing to mop the blood of a shit smelling animal all day long, all week long, all year long in an effort to elevate your family while your neighbor who is eating burgers for cheap prices tells you that you are a drain on his economy than feel free to cast the first stone. If not you might try looking for your economy drainers in some of my large-group classrooms. They are usually the half asleep drooling kids in pink Ugg boots whose white collar jobs will be outsourced before they wake up.
Tired of looking at my bitter cynicism. Take a look at some hardworking people who want to be heard.
Lincoln native Felix Rivas-Sanchez rallies protesters in their cry, "Si se puede!" or "Yes it can be done!" Monday outside the Federal Building. His speech referenced the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall pointing out, "Walls Do Not Work!"
(Left) Nebraska State Senator Ray Aguilar spoke to the peaceful protesters outside the capitol in Lincoln.
Protest placards read "We are America", "Pilgrim = Immigrant" and "Who's Gonna Build Your Fence?" A good question from the backbone of America.
Chris Andersen, member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1055 joined the protest because his jobsite shut down when many of the other workers left to march on the State Capitol and Federal Building.
Nebraska Weslyan Sociology Professor Emeritus John Krejci speaks out against the border security bill proposed by US Senator Ben Nelson.
posted by mombok at 10:49 AM
5 Comments:
Well Put
Nice write up. Thanks!
Don't be silly, I'll never get tired of your bitter sarcasm- especially when its 'extra' bitter....
and I agree with your diagreement:
America may be a lot of things, but it is definitely NOT 14th Century China. Hell, China isn't even 14th Century China anymore.
CHad
I got chills Dave. Same in MN, you should have seen the mall yesterday, no one in sight...
Dave,
Your comments bring up some good points. The point remains though that if the illegals weren't here, someone else would have to clean up the blood of the shit smelling animal, or the blood would stay put. If no-one is willing to clean up the blood for what the man's offering, it won't get cleaned up. If the man really wants the blood cleaned up, he'll pay someone more to do it. So by eliminating the cheap worker, we force wages to go up. I'm opposed to giving the folks from Mexico and South America a back door into citizenship for that reason. The problem with my scenerio is that now your pound of chicken or hog costs more and possibly now the consumer will buy something else, hurting the entire industry. We've used the meat industry, but the point is applicable to any industry probably.
A giant electric fence with barb wire????????? Come on Ben, I gave you more credit than that!!
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