It Used to Be 'Please Don't Feed the Bears...'

To contact us Click HERE
Now it's "Don't Kill the Bears, or Else..."

At the Los Angeles Times, "More bears mean more strife at Lake Tahoe":

HOMEWOOD, Calif. — She was born under a house on the west shore of Lake Tahoe and quickly became a beloved fixture in this rustic community.

She rambled through backyards and climbed into open windows to snack. She swam in the lake's impossibly blue water and sunned herself on the beach as if on an extended vacation.

Residents nicknamed her Sunny. She was one of Lake Tahoe's "celebrity bears" — animals so familiar, so seemingly at ease around humans that they've become de facto residents of this forested idyll where the boundary between wilderness and civilization has all but disappeared.

"She was the epitome of how bears and humans can coexist," said Ann Bryant, an animal rights activist here. "Until she was murdered."

The morning of July 30, Sunny was found dead on the beach, felled by a shotgun blast.

The killing infuriated Lake Tahoe's large and vocal community of bear lovers, who raised $35,000 for a reward leading to the arrest and conviction of Sunny's killer.

Others thought that wasn't enough.

When no arrest was made, the suspected shooter's name and address were posted on a Facebook page established by a bear advocate to shame businesses with unlocked and overflowing dumpsters.

Reaction was swift — and, at times, disturbing:

I hope the person who did this is not only prosecuted to the fullest, but suffers the same fate Sunny did.

Can we have open season on the person who shot the bear??

Burn his cabin down.

Oh, it's "animal rights activists"? Color me unsurprised. And that Facebook "shaming"? It's now the SOP of the radical left, to release public information on people who haven't even been convicted of a crime.

I'm sure it was a nice bear, and I'm sorry it was killed. But it was a bear. These granola goons would kill their next door neighbor before even entertaining an inconvenience from these creatures.

Underage Southeast Asian Hotties at Lawyers, Guns and Money!

To contact us Click HERE
This is interesting.

I distinctly remember being accused by the LGM thugs of posting underage bikini babes here at the blog, although the alleged "underage" woman was Courtney Messerschmidt's 21-year-old blog-model Lauren. So for a big, lusty laugh this morning let's play some "accuse the accusers" with the f-king depraved clowns at Robert "Che" Farley's hate-site. It turns out these freaks really go in for some lovely young Southeast Asian jailbait:


Clicking on that link for the "23 year-old" "Yan he" and her teen-swinger friends takes us to iDateAsia.com, with some very busty underage girls popping out at the homepage.

And if you refresh the page at Lovers, Sex-Guns and Money you'll be able to "browse singles now" (even younger singles) at FilipinoCupid.com.

And remember, Robert "Che" Farley's a counterinsurgency expert, so he's no doubt looking to help his fellow (young Asian) experts with some of that "love you long time" progressive mojo. You can't touch that, conservatives!

Occupy Wall Street: Deadbeats, Freeloaders, Scofflaws and Terrorists

To contact us Click HERE
Via Maggie's Farm:


#OccupyWallStreet. Just the kinda people of attention-whore Walter James Casper III!

He wants to be a part of it!

"Occupy wherever you are..."!

See: "Harvard Grad, Occupy Wall Street Activist Busted on Bomb-Making and Weapons Possession Charges."

Another day of citing Hate-sac's own words and then watching the progressive dick break down in impotent rage. It's too easy.

Off to a wonderful New Year!

I'M AN IMMIGRANT TOO!

To contact us Click HERE
On a recent trip to Philadelphia, I had the privilege of visiting four Catholic campuses on immigration issues:  Villanova University, St. Joseph's University, La Salle University, and Cabrini College.  I am both impressed and inspired with the faculty and students as they help educate about our immigrant brothers and sisters, and how they are reaching out to them in the greater Philadelphia area.

At Cabrini College I attended a large gathering to give my power point presentation on immigration issues.  A young lady gave an opening reflection, and I was truly impressed.  With her permission I am reprinting it here for you--it is truly insightful and powerful.


I'm an immigrant but not like you think.  You're one too and I'm about to tell you how.

These are the things people characterize an immigrant as:

     *  how you sound

     *  the language you speak

     *  what you don't know

     *  your mannerisms, and

     *  the questions you may ask.

You're an immigrant too.  Listen close because I'm about to tell you how.

Remember your first day in a new place?

Whether it be college, work or even a new face?

You come to a foreign land, and new country and eventually want to be loved.

Am I wrong?

You expect that over time you will be accepted and that this foreign country won't be one anymore.

That your face won't be a new one but one that's become a part of.

You're an immigrant too, listen close because I already told you.

When you say immigrant it should hit home, no matter where your home lies.

Don't look across the border for someone to sympathize with.

Look in your own eyes and realize you long for that very same prize.

That your face won't be a new one but one that's become a part of.

A part of a melting pot of culture that we all have a piece of in us.

We can't deny someone else our warm embrace only because they have a different face.

Think of immigration as your own immigration.

Jenay M. Smith

GOOD NEWS FOR IMMIGRANTS

To contact us Click HERE
Homeland Security has announced an important change in the process whereby unauthorized immigrants who are immediate relatives of American citizens can apply for permanent residency.

Up to now, such immigrants would have to return to their country of origin and begin the process to obtain a valid visa.  However, this process often took months or even years, separating family members for long periods of time.  Immigrants from Mexico were required to go to Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, to begin the process.  However, Ciudad Juarez is one of the most violent cities in Mexico, and drug traffickers basically control the city.  There is hardly any police protection.

People waiting for visas would have to hide for months or years in great fear of their lives.  The uncertainty and physical threats and risks dissuaded immigrants from following the previous process, and forced people to remain without legal status because of these fears.

Not any more.

This new rule from Homeland Security reduces the amount of time unauthorized immigrants need to be separated from their American families while they seek legal status.  Under the new system, the immigrant completes the process here in the USA and is assured of getting the visa.  He or she then travels to their country of origin to pick up the visa which has already been approved at a U.S. Consulate.

Keeping families united has been one of the pillars of the Catholic Church's immigration policies.  This new process is humane and sensible, and it avoids uncertain and long periods of separation as family members must split up while seeking an uncertain future visa.

To qualify for the expedited visa process the unauthorized immigrant would need to demonstrate "extreme hardship" by following the earlier, lengthy and uncertain process.  For us disciples of Jesus, any uncertain separation between family members is seen as extreme hardship.  To separate a mother from her children, a father from his job and family, and children from a parent--all of these are human hardships.  And there is no need for such prolonged and uncertain separations.

It is sad that the gridlock and stalemate which has developed in Congress makes it virtually impossible to reach consensus on so many issues facing our nation.  Nonetheless, we in the Church continue to pursue all avenues to improve the dignity and lives of all immigrants living among us.  We will continue to work with the President and Congressional leaders to secure comprehensive immigration reform.

Jesus' Gospel imperative remains our inspiration and our focus:  "For I was a stranger, and you welcomed me!"  (Matthew 25:35)

Becoming Legal: An Immigrant's Path to Citizenship

To contact us Click HERE
A short course on immigration in the USA:

1.  Anti-immigrant sentiment is nothing new nor limited to our current affairs or just the U.S.:  all over the world immigrants are shunned and the outside ethnic group is always seen as inferior.  Just a few which come to mind:  Shiite and Sunni,  Japanese and Chinese, Kurds and Turks, Slavs and Croats, Romanians in Spain ( the Spanish gov. recently was offering them money to go back to Romania, if they promised to stay there for 5 yrs ! ), Catholic Irish vs. English Protestants, the Algerians in France etc.  In the US we have historically found groups that were easy to discriminate against:  Native Americans, Italians, Germans, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Africans, and now Latinos.
    2. There is always an element of "otherness" commonly based on religion or skin color or language in the "outside" group.    3.  Those in a position of influence ( talk show hosts, politicians, religious leaders, and in some cases even teachers) tend to take sides.  Those who exacerbate the dislike of the scapegoat, usually focus on the "otherness" and try to foment fear of the unknown.  Most people naturally have certain fears of that which is outside their comfort zone, their realm of familiarity.  So, this is an easy way to persuade the populace of the demons in "those people."   We hear terms like "the axis of evil," and "They are either for us, or against us." or "They are taking away our jobs."  This is a common one in our current financially stressful world.    4.  With the passage of time, at least in the US, our "social mind-set" or popular image softens toward many of our formerly disliked groups.  Think of the changes we have seen in attitudes in our lifetime toward, say, African Americans, Japanese, and the Vietnamese.  These changes come slowly, with influence makers and moms in sneakers speaking out.     5.  Seeing the above pattern repeat itself several times in our lives, we now are much more skeptical of accepting the initial demagoguery.    6.  Based on our own experiences and observations, we have found the hispanics we have met here in the US and Latin America, mostly genuine, generous, hard-working people, who are trying to make the best of their lives.  The newly emigrated are leaving poverty, violence and corruption, looking for a new beginning, a second chance.  When we recently read in an internet forum a comment from a woman who described herself as a conservative, born again Christian who thought that all Mexicans should be deported, what came to mind was that the essence of both Christianity and immigration is a second chance, a new beginning, an opportunity to start fresh.  She obviously saw life differently from us.
    7.  Attempts to force immigrants out of our communities have repeatedly proven unworkable.  The resulting economic impact is disastrous to those on both sides of the tracks.  The citizen farmers and small business owners find themselves without customers and workers.  The immigrants, both legal and illegal, have their lives and families thrown into chaos.  For some, this may be the goal.  For us, it is unfathomable.    8.  So, indeed, we would favor changing our laws to provide a path to citizenship.  Perhaps fines may be a part of the equation, but few will be able to pay them.  If it is found that back taxes are owed, certainly employers would be required to pay their portions, along with penalties and interest.  We think that it will be nearly impossible to find small business employers who have relied in the past on undocumented workers, now willing to step up and pay these back taxes, fines and interest.  Hence, "making up for the past" is a difficult part of the solution.  Criminal records should be examined and not allowed for violent crimes.  Service to the country (USA) in the form of work in the Peace Corps, Americorps etc would be a good thing.  Basic English proficiency should be required, as well as knowledge of our governmental system.  We see this not as amnesty.  Rather it represents a means of earning a way into our system.  In the early days of our country, many people earned their way in - as indentured servants.  When they could not pay for their passage across the ocean, they "borrowed" the money from a landowner already living in this country, then worked for that owner for five to seven years without pay.  Hence, working to achieve legal status and citizenship in the US is nothing new.

Alabama's Attorney General makes claims about "Illegal Aliens"

To contact us Click HERE

Alabama Attorney General, Luther Strange, testifying before Congress. Photo by lutherstrange.

Excerpts from the Immigration Impact by Wendy Sefsaf
Oct 12, 2011

 CLAIM:     Yesterday, Alabama’s Attorney General claimed that “illegal aliens” make up a substantial portion of the state’s prison population.
   FACT:   Alabama's prison population: 31,000  --   182 of which are currently subject to deportation based on holds placed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  That is about 1/2 of one percent.

    CLAIM:     Yesterday, Alabama’s Attorney General claimed “many of these people are taking jobs away from United States citizens."
     FACT:         Alabamas unemployment rate hovers around 10%.   To say that one undocumented worker fired is one documented worker hired might be politically expedient, but the research actually shows just the opposite. Undocumented workers tend to have different skills, education, and experience levels than native-born workers. In fact, if a 1 to 1 worker replacement was the answer, why is the Governor considering using the prison population to alleviate a severe worker shortage on Alabama farms? Where are all those unemployed Americans waiting to work in the fields?

   CLAIM:     The Alabama’s Attorney General claims there are "difficulties in collecting taxes from these persons ["illegal aliens"], many of whom work off the books, means that many of them are utilizing Alabama’s public resources without paying their fair share.”
    FACT:      According to the Institute on Tax and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants in Alabama pay $25 million in income taxes, $5.8 million in property taxes, and $98 million in sales taxes, for a total contribution of more than $130 million.

 The actual costs to Alabama’s economy have yet to be determined, and no real estimates have been provided by the lawmakers behind HB56. It has always been the case that estimating the costs and contributions of unauthorized immigrants is not an exact science. But Alabama is about to make it a bit easier. No longer will losing your undocumented population be an abstract proposition. In Alabama it’s about to be a reality, and with it the economic ramifications of a mass exodus of workers, consumers, and taxpayers from an already struggling state economy.

See more from the source:  http://immigrationimpact.com/2011/10/12/the-facts-and-numbers-don%e2%80%99t-matter-in-alabama/

I'M AN IMMIGRANT TOO!

To contact us Click HERE
On a recent trip to Philadelphia, I had the privilege of visiting four Catholic campuses on immigration issues:  Villanova University, St. Joseph's University, La Salle University, and Cabrini College.  I am both impressed and inspired with the faculty and students as they help educate about our immigrant brothers and sisters, and how they are reaching out to them in the greater Philadelphia area.

At Cabrini College I attended a large gathering to give my power point presentation on immigration issues.  A young lady gave an opening reflection, and I was truly impressed.  With her permission I am reprinting it here for you--it is truly insightful and powerful.


I'm an immigrant but not like you think.  You're one too and I'm about to tell you how.

These are the things people characterize an immigrant as:

     *  how you sound

     *  the language you speak

     *  what you don't know

     *  your mannerisms, and

     *  the questions you may ask.

You're an immigrant too.  Listen close because I'm about to tell you how.

Remember your first day in a new place?

Whether it be college, work or even a new face?

You come to a foreign land, and new country and eventually want to be loved.

Am I wrong?

You expect that over time you will be accepted and that this foreign country won't be one anymore.

That your face won't be a new one but one that's become a part of.

You're an immigrant too, listen close because I already told you.

When you say immigrant it should hit home, no matter where your home lies.

Don't look across the border for someone to sympathize with.

Look in your own eyes and realize you long for that very same prize.

That your face won't be a new one but one that's become a part of.

A part of a melting pot of culture that we all have a piece of in us.

We can't deny someone else our warm embrace only because they have a different face.

Think of immigration as your own immigration.

Jenay M. Smith

Immigration: Perry likes Arpaio, the Department of Justice doesn't

To contact us Click HERE
It is inconceivable that Texas Gov. Rick Perry would ally himself with Sheriff Arpaio just before a damning report on how Arpaio mistreats his inmates.

Click HERE for the Department of Justice report

HERE for the Department of Justice report in Spanish

-----------------
Pattern of civil rights abuses alleged in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County - LA Times

The Justice Department charges that Latinos were illegally arrested and abused in jail repeatedly in the Arizona county and that hundreds of sexual assaults weren't investigated.

---------------
Rick Perry turns to Joe Arpaio on Immigration Issue - LA Times
Texas Gov. Rick Perry had hoped to assuage concerns about his views on illegal immigration by winning the backing of tough-talking Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz.

San Antonio Military Base Used as Children's Shelter

To contact us Click HERE
Due to an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border into the U.S., a San Antonio Air Force base has been turned into a shelter to house the children.  According to the article below, the majority of the children are from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.  A smaller number of the children are from Mexico.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/immigrant-children-air-force-base-shelter_n_1431584.html?1334749309&ref=latino-voices

The Fiscal Cliff is a fiscal scam

To contact us Click HERE

Reject the Fiscal Cliff, Tax the Rich, Invest in Infrastructure and Services
 DSA rejects the “fiscalcliff” hysteria of the corporate establishment and the pressure for a “GrandBargain” that would cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. While unemploymentremains high and economic growth slow, the government should not imposeausterity measures that reduce essential programs that benefit the middle andworking classes and that further shred the safety net for the most vulnerable.Rather, government policy should prioritize investments in job creation, publiceducation and healthcare reform, while raising essential revenues by taxing thelarge corporations and wealthiest citizens who can afford to pay.

Those who will suffer.  Photo. D. Bacon

Immediately after theelection, Wall Street-backed foundations such as Third Way and the ConcordCoalition organized a “Campaign to Fix the Debt” to spin the election resultsas a mandate for a “bi-partisan” focus on reducing the deficit as the highestnational priority. For decades the billionaire Pete Peterson has funded groupsthat claim that the universal entitlement programs Social Security and Medicareare bankrupting the nation and that their future growth must thus bedrastically trimmed.  These neoliberalsscored an initial success in 2011 when the Simpson-Bowles Congressional Commissionput to a vote a long-term “budget compromise” that would have instituted threetimes as much in budget cuts than in tax increases.

   If your tax bill goes up$2,200 a year, or you're one of the millions who would stop receivingunemployment benefits, the cause of your economic pain is not some a naturaldisaster, or a major structural flaw in the economy. The cause is Republicanfear of being beaten in a primary by people like Sarah Palin, Sharon Angel orRichard Mourdock - funded by far Right Wing oligarchs like Sheldon Adelson andthe Koch Brothers. It's that simple.


What is the fiscal cliff? IfCongress makes no changes to the Budget Control Act of 2011, the Bush tax cutswill expire on January 1, 2013. In addition, automatic cuts of $55 billion eachin annual defense and “discretionary domestic” spending will begin. These taxincreases and spending cuts, combined with the expiration of the FICA payrolltax cut and the end of extended unemployment benefits, will create asignificant fiscal drag on the economy. The annual budget deficit will fallfrom over $1 trillion in 2012 to $500 billion dollars in 2013; and theresulting drop in aggregate demand from this combination of spending cuts andincreases in taxes would almost definitely cause a double-dip recession.
Like other progressivegroups, DSA rejects the notion that some “unified” fiscal cliff must beaddressed in the lame-duck session of Congress. It is in fact a “fiscalobstacle course” that Congress should address without panic early in 2013, whileheeding the election results. A progressive solution would include restoringall automatic domestic cuts, while making more strategic and deeper cuts indefense procurement spending. The revenue for expanding domestic social welfarespending can be raised by ending the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% and corporatetax-giveaways, while instituting a modest financial transaction tax on stockand bond transactions. In addition, Congress should restore the tradition ofnot requiring a separate authorization vote every time the current debt ceilingis crossed. Requiring such a vote provides the right with endless opportunitiesto blackmail the Congress into counter-productive budget slashing.
Specifically, DSA advocatesthat Congress pass legislation to:
1. Restore all the automaticcuts to the domestic discretionary budget. These cuts would deny WIC nutritionto 750,000 mothers and children, eliminate Title I funding for 1.8 millionlow-income school children and would deny 734,000 households home heatingassistance. In addition, it would cut financing of all federal regulatoryagencies by 10%.
2. Reauthorize federalfunding of extended unemployment insurance. Otherwise, on January 1, 1.5million unemployed workers and their dependents will lose their unemploymentbenefits.
3. Restore the improvementsto the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Care Credit that have reduced thetax burden on the middle and working classes. To preserve the purchasing powerthat would be lost by an end to the 2% FICA payroll tax cut, reintroduce the2009 Recovery Act refundable tax credit of $500 for individuals and $1,000 forfamilies earning under $110,000.
4. Abolish the Bush tax cutson the top 2% and tax capital gains and stock dividends at the same rate asearned income. Increase effective corporate taxation through the elimination ofcorporate tax loopholes and corporate “tax expenditures.”  These reforms would yield $275 billionin additional annual revenue. In addition, instituting a “Robin Hood Tax” couldnet another $300 billion in annual revenues.(This financial transaction tax is a small sales tax , for example, 0.25 % onall trading in stocks and debt instruments such as bonds, derivatives, andfutures.5. Make major cuts in ourbloated defense budget, while creating a public jobs program that trains theunemployed to rebuild infrastructure, creates an alternative energy grid andexpands mass transit.  
6. Extend and strengthenSocial Security for future generations, funding enhancements by progressivelylifting the cap on earned income subject to the FICA tax and extending it toincome derived from capital.
7. Progressively extend andstrengthen Medicare/Medicaid, until it covers U.S. residents of all ages, whileinstalling effective cost controls.
DSA welcomes and will workwith broad national and local coalitions that are forming to fight cuts inSocial Security, Medicare and Medicaid; to preserve programs that benefit theworking poor and most vulnerable; to promote greater investment in publiceducation and healthcare and to raise revenues by taxing the rich andcorporations.  We also supportTavis Smiley’s and DSA National Honorary Chair Cornel West’s call for PresidentObama to convene a White House conference on poverty.
Sacramentolocal DSA. https://sites.google.com/site/sacramentodsa/

Becoming Legal: An Immigrant's Path to Citizenship

To contact us Click HERE
A short course on immigration in the USA:

1.  Anti-immigrant sentiment is nothing new nor limited to our current affairs or just the U.S.:  all over the world immigrants are shunned and the outside ethnic group is always seen as inferior.  Just a few which come to mind:  Shiite and Sunni,  Japanese and Chinese, Kurds and Turks, Slavs and Croats, Romanians in Spain ( the Spanish gov. recently was offering them money to go back to Romania, if they promised to stay there for 5 yrs ! ), Catholic Irish vs. English Protestants, the Algerians in France etc.  In the US we have historically found groups that were easy to discriminate against:  Native Americans, Italians, Germans, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Africans, and now Latinos.
    2. There is always an element of "otherness" commonly based on religion or skin color or language in the "outside" group.    3.  Those in a position of influence ( talk show hosts, politicians, religious leaders, and in some cases even teachers) tend to take sides.  Those who exacerbate the dislike of the scapegoat, usually focus on the "otherness" and try to foment fear of the unknown.  Most people naturally have certain fears of that which is outside their comfort zone, their realm of familiarity.  So, this is an easy way to persuade the populace of the demons in "those people."   We hear terms like "the axis of evil," and "They are either for us, or against us." or "They are taking away our jobs."  This is a common one in our current financially stressful world.    4.  With the passage of time, at least in the US, our "social mind-set" or popular image softens toward many of our formerly disliked groups.  Think of the changes we have seen in attitudes in our lifetime toward, say, African Americans, Japanese, and the Vietnamese.  These changes come slowly, with influence makers and moms in sneakers speaking out.     5.  Seeing the above pattern repeat itself several times in our lives, we now are much more skeptical of accepting the initial demagoguery.    6.  Based on our own experiences and observations, we have found the hispanics we have met here in the US and Latin America, mostly genuine, generous, hard-working people, who are trying to make the best of their lives.  The newly emigrated are leaving poverty, violence and corruption, looking for a new beginning, a second chance.  When we recently read in an internet forum a comment from a woman who described herself as a conservative, born again Christian who thought that all Mexicans should be deported, what came to mind was that the essence of both Christianity and immigration is a second chance, a new beginning, an opportunity to start fresh.  She obviously saw life differently from us.
    7.  Attempts to force immigrants out of our communities have repeatedly proven unworkable.  The resulting economic impact is disastrous to those on both sides of the tracks.  The citizen farmers and small business owners find themselves without customers and workers.  The immigrants, both legal and illegal, have their lives and families thrown into chaos.  For some, this may be the goal.  For us, it is unfathomable.    8.  So, indeed, we would favor changing our laws to provide a path to citizenship.  Perhaps fines may be a part of the equation, but few will be able to pay them.  If it is found that back taxes are owed, certainly employers would be required to pay their portions, along with penalties and interest.  We think that it will be nearly impossible to find small business employers who have relied in the past on undocumented workers, now willing to step up and pay these back taxes, fines and interest.  Hence, "making up for the past" is a difficult part of the solution.  Criminal records should be examined and not allowed for violent crimes.  Service to the country (USA) in the form of work in the Peace Corps, Americorps etc would be a good thing.  Basic English proficiency should be required, as well as knowledge of our governmental system.  We see this not as amnesty.  Rather it represents a means of earning a way into our system.  In the early days of our country, many people earned their way in - as indentured servants.  When they could not pay for their passage across the ocean, they "borrowed" the money from a landowner already living in this country, then worked for that owner for five to seven years without pay.  Hence, working to achieve legal status and citizenship in the US is nothing new.

Alabama's Attorney General makes claims about "Illegal Aliens"

To contact us Click HERE

Alabama Attorney General, Luther Strange, testifying before Congress. Photo by lutherstrange.

Excerpts from the Immigration Impact by Wendy Sefsaf
Oct 12, 2011

 CLAIM:     Yesterday, Alabama’s Attorney General claimed that “illegal aliens” make up a substantial portion of the state’s prison population.
   FACT:   Alabama's prison population: 31,000  --   182 of which are currently subject to deportation based on holds placed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  That is about 1/2 of one percent.

    CLAIM:     Yesterday, Alabama’s Attorney General claimed “many of these people are taking jobs away from United States citizens."
     FACT:         Alabamas unemployment rate hovers around 10%.   To say that one undocumented worker fired is one documented worker hired might be politically expedient, but the research actually shows just the opposite. Undocumented workers tend to have different skills, education, and experience levels than native-born workers. In fact, if a 1 to 1 worker replacement was the answer, why is the Governor considering using the prison population to alleviate a severe worker shortage on Alabama farms? Where are all those unemployed Americans waiting to work in the fields?

   CLAIM:     The Alabama’s Attorney General claims there are "difficulties in collecting taxes from these persons ["illegal aliens"], many of whom work off the books, means that many of them are utilizing Alabama’s public resources without paying their fair share.”
    FACT:      According to the Institute on Tax and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants in Alabama pay $25 million in income taxes, $5.8 million in property taxes, and $98 million in sales taxes, for a total contribution of more than $130 million.

 The actual costs to Alabama’s economy have yet to be determined, and no real estimates have been provided by the lawmakers behind HB56. It has always been the case that estimating the costs and contributions of unauthorized immigrants is not an exact science. But Alabama is about to make it a bit easier. No longer will losing your undocumented population be an abstract proposition. In Alabama it’s about to be a reality, and with it the economic ramifications of a mass exodus of workers, consumers, and taxpayers from an already struggling state economy.

See more from the source:  http://immigrationimpact.com/2011/10/12/the-facts-and-numbers-don%e2%80%99t-matter-in-alabama/

Immigration: Perry likes Arpaio, the Department of Justice doesn't

To contact us Click HERE
It is inconceivable that Texas Gov. Rick Perry would ally himself with Sheriff Arpaio just before a damning report on how Arpaio mistreats his inmates.

Click HERE for the Department of Justice report

HERE for the Department of Justice report in Spanish

-----------------
Pattern of civil rights abuses alleged in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Maricopa County - LA Times

The Justice Department charges that Latinos were illegally arrested and abused in jail repeatedly in the Arizona county and that hundreds of sexual assaults weren't investigated.

---------------
Rick Perry turns to Joe Arpaio on Immigration Issue - LA Times
Texas Gov. Rick Perry had hoped to assuage concerns about his views on illegal immigration by winning the backing of tough-talking Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz.

I'M AN IMMIGRANT TOO!

To contact us Click HERE
On a recent trip to Philadelphia, I had the privilege of visiting four Catholic campuses on immigration issues:  Villanova University, St. Joseph's University, La Salle University, and Cabrini College.  I am both impressed and inspired with the faculty and students as they help educate about our immigrant brothers and sisters, and how they are reaching out to them in the greater Philadelphia area.

At Cabrini College I attended a large gathering to give my power point presentation on immigration issues.  A young lady gave an opening reflection, and I was truly impressed.  With her permission I am reprinting it here for you--it is truly insightful and powerful.


I'm an immigrant but not like you think.  You're one too and I'm about to tell you how.

These are the things people characterize an immigrant as:

     *  how you sound

     *  the language you speak

     *  what you don't know

     *  your mannerisms, and

     *  the questions you may ask.

You're an immigrant too.  Listen close because I'm about to tell you how.

Remember your first day in a new place?

Whether it be college, work or even a new face?

You come to a foreign land, and new country and eventually want to be loved.

Am I wrong?

You expect that over time you will be accepted and that this foreign country won't be one anymore.

That your face won't be a new one but one that's become a part of.

You're an immigrant too, listen close because I already told you.

When you say immigrant it should hit home, no matter where your home lies.

Don't look across the border for someone to sympathize with.

Look in your own eyes and realize you long for that very same prize.

That your face won't be a new one but one that's become a part of.

A part of a melting pot of culture that we all have a piece of in us.

We can't deny someone else our warm embrace only because they have a different face.

Think of immigration as your own immigration.

Jenay M. Smith