Immigration ala Lindy

My sister-in-law's social networking page had an interesting exchange on it. It educated me a little bit, and I really appreciated the attitude of the exchange. I thought I might share:

Initial Post:

"The Mexican population law, article 67 says: "Authorities, whether federal, state or municipal ... Are required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country, before attending to any issues.""

E:Hope you have your papers in hand next time you go to AZ. I figure everyone with brown hair and eyes better be prepared to be stopped for being brown. ;)

C:It's not about racial discrimination, it's about being a legal citizen. You wouldn't be stopped for how you look, you would only be stopped if you did something illegal (which if you get pulled over for no matter where you are you would be required to show some kind of documentation, ie: driver's license, etc).

N:It is so interesting being so close to the drama here in Az. I was talking to chad about it all and he informed me when he was in Brazil he had to keep his Passport and papers on him at all times. I just wish that it would stop being a political jumping board and for people to really look at the law and laws in other countries before they jump to the law being a race issue!

Ch:So, since my husband is German and looks exactly like everyone else in this country, does he still have to carry them around too? Or will he get stopped for looking...American? Stupid AZ

Poster: When [my husband] lived in Germany for two years, he had to have his papers on him at all times, and check in with each new city when he moved.

I'm an immigrant. I'd rather have to carry my documents with me all the time to prove that I'm allowed to be here, than to know that people aren't here legally.

I just think it's funny that Mexico's law (which is what was quoted above) is more strict than Arizona's.

Alana (me):Sad that your political statement went over everyone's head! I guess that's just a token that Americans need to be more educated on this than find red flags of discrimination everywhere.

Ch:I think, then, that they also need to be reminded that this country has long been a great melting pot. And having just gone through the green card process, I can completely understand why people would try to be here illegally. It's complicated and expensive for someone like my husband who is here through work and now marriage, and has been a taxpayer for 5 years and did everything correctly. Maybe there should be fewer laws excluding people, and more education to help them stay here legally.

Poster:You're right. I went through the process. It's by no means easy, or cheap, or fun, or fast for that matter. I moved to the U.S. in 1992. I had a green card for 12 years before I became a citizen in 2004. The process sucks. But that's how it works. Just like how it sucks to go to the DMV, or sometimes the post office. But that's your option if you want a driver's license or want to mail a letter.

I also learned a lot while I went through the citizenship process - like why it has to be so hard. They fingerprint you and do a background check so they know they're not letting some serial killer or bank robber into the country. They interview you to see if you speak a basic conversational amount of English. They test your basic knowledge of the country's history and government - so you are at least somewhat aware of what you're getting into.

What most people don't realize is that EVERY country has immigration laws and processes. It's not easy to become a citizen anywhere. It's not just the U.S. picking on people...even though I hated the year or more I spent completing the process, I at least see why they had to do it.

B: It IS funny. If you go anywhere else in the world, say, France...you have to have your paperwork or VISA. Mexicans, or Canadians, or whoever, are not exempt just because we're all neighbors. We ALL pay the price in the end.

And the comments continued. Not only was this a very respectful political exchange, but it reminds me that America is not the only one with immigration laws. Draw whatever conclusions about it that you must, but I've gotta say, this makes the people boycotting AZ sound a whole lot more unfounded.

I'm married, so this doesn't apply to me anymore, but I still found this video pretty dang funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfBVVLFfbAo

I can't get the video to save onto my computer, but it's put together by a bunch of late 20 somethings in one of my old single's wards. Just so you know, the cultural joke is,
NCMO=Non-Commital Make Out.

Graceful Politics

I wrote to my political representatives this week. I felt like the American Deaf population needed some support in continuing funding for their telephone services. I drafted a letter stating what I felt like, how the current program was a good service to the people, and how if the funding cut by 50%, as was planned, all Deaf telephone interpretation services in the country would go bankrupt.

I said it nicely, with respect for how these people might be feeling that day, and signed it with my credentials as an educated and experienced person on this issue.


I’d like to contrast that respectful communication with a certain phrase that is circulating through popular political commentary: “trying to destroy our Country.” I recently made a comment on a friend’s networking website, and was responded to with the statement “People who are trying to destroy our country deserve to be spoken unkindly about.”

Really? Do you really believe that the people who are on the other side of the bi-partisan spectrum from you are actively trying to “destroy the country?” I hear this phrase repeated in spam emails and by political commentators. Do these people actually believe that when Nancy Pellosi wakes up in the morning, that she immediately begins crafting a plan for how she can nuke Texas? Or that our President is actively trying to introduce flesh-eating piranha into the sewer systems to attack us on the john?

To me it just sounds like an excuse to loose your temper or vilify someone else. And it sounds like its own brand of ignorance.

The people who we ask to make choices for the country are just like you and me. I submit that if you were in their position, you might be doing the same as them: trying to address the problems that you see in society. Our country is nothing if we do not stand together and support our leaders. I see it as the highest mark of maturity to stand up for the Presidency when your candidate lost. If you do not agree with the direction the country is taking, write letters RESPECTFULLY. Lobbying is not mudslinging. And spouting verbal sewage on your couch is not going to make our country a better place.

Guide to a Sober Las Vegas Vacation

During the cold February months when there was little to look forward to other than layers of long johns and bad traffic, Dale and I planned a little get away. Dale's graduation, and our First Anniversary gave a good excuse for us to have our first trip "just because we wanted to," and we planned and dreamed for months for our trip to Vegas!

Dale and I asked our good friends and neighbors, the Nowlings, to go with us, and booked rooms at the Sahara Hotel. Now, whenever I told people I was going to Las Vegas for the weekend, they gave me this look--like a disappointed (but lenient) parent, or a mischievous "I know what you're up to" teenager--and I was completely shocked each time they responded that way. Yes, there are plenty of intensely stupid things to do in that town, but there is more to do in a beautiful city than engage in illicit activities. In defense of that statement, I have assembled this itinerary and picture story of the clean--and mostly free--fun we had, and invite any others to do the same!

(Note: all * marked activities were FREE!!)

Roller Coasters at NYNY

M&M World *

MGM Lion Habitat *

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef and Aquarium

Cheesecake Factory

Landscape Art Galleries *

Bellagio Fountains *

Shopping at Caesar's Palace *

Performances at the top of the Circus Circus Tent *

A stop at the Picture Booth to collect a row of silly faces

Travel to the top of the Eiffel Tower replica (50% size) in Paris, Las Vegas

      --An example of the view from up top

Peruse the Bellagio Gardens *

Walk through the Venetian shops and outdoor fountains *

Hang out by the pool in the good weather *

A Las Vegas buffet at Texas Station

Walk through Downtown Las Vegas at Freemont Street *(getting a little bit of spirit from the local Gay Rights Demonstration)

 --Notice the show on the world's largest Movie Screen (very appropriately playing Queen in honor of the ensuing demonstration.)

Explore the Stratosphere* (we decided against going on the roller coasters on top because two of our party claimed a fear of heights)

Parouse the Luxor and take pictures next to the weird statues in front *

Watch the Mirage Volcano erupt *

And then go home.  Don't spend more than 3 days there if you don't have family in town.