This photo just reminds me how screwed up the racist right are. Do we really want to go back to a time when we dehumanized people because of the color of their skin?

Since I vote I feel I have the right to judge politicians and even more so when I voted for that particular politician.

President Obama, has been on the receiving end of my criticism numerous times over the last year, but I think I should give him some credit. Even though the Healthcare Reform is very watered down it did get passed and it is a step in the right direction. Foreign relations are at an all time high and a bill that goes against BIG business was passed, even though it to is not as comprehensive as it should be.

So way to go President Obama and Democratic senators!

Now that we got the pussy bills out of the way do you guys think we could get to the hard ones? I mean seriously healthcare reform was popular among American voters, financial reform is definitely popular since all Americans, well most, have been effected negatively by the crisis, and no one was against recognizing the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and reaffirming the United States-Korea alliance.

So when are we going to address immigration reform, gay marriage, ending the war, or education? My hope has been renewed with a continued effort to get necessary bills through but the congressional dems, most of them, and President Obama have not shown me that they have big enough nuts to address really tough issues yet.

I know that 2010 is pretty much a wrap for our politicians, legislation wise. I’m sure that after mid-terms that at least one of my top 4 issues will be addressed. My bet is on ending the war (Iraq) since it’s pretty popular among voters or they may save that for the 2012 elections.

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Well, I took a break. The immigration debate was getting old. The politicians were saying the same thing over and over and the protesters, for/against, were saying the same thing over and over.

So basically it was the classic childish stand off “Yes you did” “No I didn’t” “Yes you did” “No I didn’t” “Yes you did” “No I didn’t” “Yes you did” “No I didn’t”. Which is never ending, so I needed a break and now that I’ve had one I feel better and ready to take on the new political environment and the new issues. What? Aside from the BP oil spill it’s still the same?

Does no-one, politicians and American citizens alike, know what compromise is? Are we going to be in a constant stalemate? I hope not.

Well anyway I’m back from my little hiatus and look forward to writing again. I think I may journey into vlogging as well…maybe.

I just finished watching a debate, hosted by Univision, about the recent law SB 1070 which Arizona passed legalizing racial profiling. The panel was a little one sided and overcrowded. There was little actual debate about SB 1070 and unfortunately the Univision anchors appeared to be poorly prepared to handle such a polarizing debate.

Among the participants Arizona State Representative Steve Montenegro, Congressman (R-FL) Lincoln Díaz-Balart, Arizona’s Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, Congressman (D-IL) Luis Gutierrez, Arizona’s Santa Cruz County Sheriff Antonio Estrada, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz, and others. As you can see 1 Democratic Senator among 3 Republican politicians. And as all recent debates where the Republicans outnumber Democrats little facts or solutions were discussed.

What bothered me the most was the Latinos against Latinos. Anna Gaines, representative of American Citizens United, who was born and raised in Mexico and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen claimed that only illegal immigrant mothers have children just to draw welfare and when asked if legal immigrants, white, or blacks did the same she said no “only illegal immigrant mothers”. Although this is laughable to most she seemed to sincerely to believe her claims. Another Latino, who was so insignificant that I can’t seem to find his name, was against any kind of reform stood up and blamed the problem on Obama, Reid, and Pelosi then went on to say that Bush was a great president and that we needed to kick Obama out. Even after they had him take his seat he continued like a teabagger at a healthcare town hall meeting.

Let’s forget the fact that the debate was a huge failure because it failed to address to the topic of the debate let’s focus on the culture of political ignorance within the Latino community.

It was pointed out numerous times that President Obama did not keep his campaign promise to pass immigration reform in his first year and I have bashed him on this very site for that before, but what many (my wife included) fail to understand is how the U.S. government is setup. First and foremost, the POTUS does not have the power to pass laws.

The POTUS can write laws and send to Congress and when Congress passes laws he signs them into law but he can not write and sign anything into law without the law being passed by congress. So this misconception that the POTUS is almighty in this aspect is wrong although this belief is prominent in the Latino community. The reason President Bush lost some of the Latino vote was they felt he personally failed them, which is not true because he nor Obama have that power.

What many do not understand is that in order for immigration reform to happen it has to pass through Congress. Right now you hear politicians on the left and the right saying something must be done but Democrats are the only ones moving on the issue. Be for political gains or not at least they attempting to do something yet the same Republicans who acknowledge there’s a problem refuse to work with them to get a bill written and passed.

The Republicans on the panel tonight offered no help in getting something passed and Congressman (R-FL) Lincoln Díaz-Balart even suggested Democrats go it alone citing the Healthcare reform bill and made a poor attempt to blame Democrats without once recognizing Republican inaction.

I know that I will not let my Latino friends and family forget that the racist bill in Arizona was passed by Republicans and signed into law by Republicans. I will not let them forget that Republicans, and only Republicans, on the national scene support this bill legalizing racial profiling. I will not let them forget that immigration reform will not pass without Republican support and that here in Texas, with the second largest Latino population, we have two Republican Senators who can easily be replaced if they do not act and reform immigration law, which both have openly admitted is flawed. I will not forget when I head to the voting booth who stood by and let the roots of racism grow and did nothing to stop it.

This debate, as flawed as it was, did show me that all ethnic groups have their stupids. When a Latino defends a law that legalizes racial profiling and targets his race then I know new levels of ignorance. It kind of reminds me of the Dave Chappelle skit when he plays a blind KKK activists. The only they forgot was calling Latinos spics and wetbacks. If Latinos want reform they first need to educate themselves on how the government works and vote otherwise nothing will get done.

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Nowadays it’s common to hear the Republicans and those on the far right throw around socialist, fascist, communist, etc. when talking about democrats. Although many of their fun little inflammatory keywords are contradictions they don’t seem to care. Yet what bothers me most is when they speak of fascism without realizing that the current direction of their party is headed towards exactly that.

When it comes to government the Republicans, and their supporters, will not compromise on anything and believe that if it is not done their way it is wrong and destructive.  Recently, many on the right have been using talking points that suggest outright revolution and others murder.

• Palin: “Don’t Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!”
• Morris: “Those crazies in Montana who say, ‘We’re going to kill ATF agents because the U.N.’s going to take over’ — well, they’re beginning to have a case.”
• Erickson: “At what point do the people … march down to their state legislator’s house, pull him outside, and beat him to a bloody pulp?”
• Savage: “We’re going to have a revolution in this country”; “These people are pushing the wrong people around.”
• Beck: “To the day I die, I am going to be a progressive hunter.”

And the list goes on and on and some commentaries even more colorful. Some have even starting arming themselves to “take back their country” as if those with different political viewpoints have no right to this country.

This anti liberal movement has gained steam and now the bigots are now emboldened. This is apparent in the recent passage of SB 1070 in Arizona and the hate filled rhetoric that has followed. As if legalizing racial profiling wasn’t enough Arizona Republicans, in order to cement themselves as the top racist state in the country has now outlawed ethnic studies classes. He cited a photo of students protesting the bill as reason for the bill, maybe he hasn’t heard of the First Amendment or maybe since Arizona has taken away the Fourth Amendment they figured “what the hell”.

The problem with all of these issues is that the political climate is  so polarized and heated that we may be on the verge of a revolution and if that does happen and the bigots win then you bet your ass their government will be established to avoid any kind of dissent and it will most likely be a Totalitarian Fascist government.

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Since Arizona Republican lawmakers passed unconstitutional law SB 1070 immigration reform has made it’s way back to the spotlight where it rightfully belongs. Sen. Reid has said that immigration reform will be on the agenda this year.

Naturally, the pros and antis of each side have come out in force and although the anti reform crowd claim that reform needs to happen refuse to pass “amnesty“. If you pay attention when the Republicans and there loyal followers talk you will see that their little inflammatory key word is amnesty and no one challenges their misuse of the word.

Noun

• S: (n) amnesty (a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment)
• S: (n) pardon, amnesty (a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense)
• S: (n) amnesty, pardon, free pardon (the formal act of liberating someone)

Verb

• S: (v) amnesty (grant a pardon to (a group of people))

Amnesty is what President Reagan signed in 1986 and amnesty is what Cubans get when they come here illegally. What does not fit the definition of amnesty is the bill in 2007 proposed by Senators Kennedy and McCain or the current framework presented by Democrats.

The proposed framework would have illegals pay fines, which is normal procedure for misdemeanors, and going through a lengthy process before obtaining resident status. This hardly falls under any of the above definitions of amnesty.

Unlike the Reagan amnesty, which gave millions citizenship, yes CITIZENSHIP, with no criminal fines, has penalties for entering this country illegally and strict steps to achieve residency. So when you hear some asshat conservatard claim that this bill is “amnesty” tell them to take their head out of their ass.

If they want to know what  amnesty is maybe they should look to their hero, Ronald Reagan, and his 1986 bill and study how one of the “greatest presidents of all time” really does amnesty and stop the B.S.

Last night on Anderson 360 Roland Martin finally called out the inaction and the pandering of Congress. Here is the excerpt from the section last night.

ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Hey, Sanjay…

(CROSSTALK)

MARTIN: … just can we just go ahead and call it like it is? We have political punks in Washington, D.C.

GUPTA: This is all preordained, Roland,?

(CROSSTALK)

MARTIN: No, no, no, they are political punks.

(LAUGHTER)

MARTIN: Listen what Gloria just said.

Oh, that moderate House Democrat: I don’t want a tough vote. Well, why in the hell are you in Congress? I don’t understand how you have people in the House and Senate who act as if they can’t do climate control and immigration. Yes, it is a political year. Yes, people are running for office.

But I think one of the reasons why you see so much just — so much just dissatisfaction with political leaders across the country, because they have no guts. And, so, I don’t care if there’s an election. You are sent there to represent the people.

In Arizona, in Texas, in New Mexico, you’re dealing with people who are facing crime and people who are in this country illegally. And, so, what do you do? Not shore up the borders? What do you do? Not deal with 12 million in the country illegally?

GUPTA: Right.

MARTIN: This is why you need people in Congress who have some guts.

(CROSSTALK)

MARTIN: Clearly, they don’t.

(CROSSTALK)

BORGER: Well, they want to write a good bill, though. And I might add they don’t want to hand the House of Representatives over to the Republicans, which would make life a little bit more difficult for the president.

(CROSSTALK)

GUPTA: Roland, were you surprised by the president’s remarks last night? I mean, where…

(CROSSTALK)

MARTIN: Well, first of all, I mean, I don’t know — I’m trying to figure out what President Barack Obama is doing. It’s either the — it’s on one hand, on the other hand.

I’m sorry. Take an actual position. Also, this is where the president should show some leadership. Either they should take it up or not. But to sit here and say, well, yes, I know it’s tough, and there are votes, this, that and the other — no. Say, this is what we’re going to do, and lead.

BASH: And you know what was really interesting? This certainly surprised me, and it probably will surprise you. That — that call for presidential leadership, that actually came from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today, when she was asked about the president’s comments.

She said, you know, they want the Senate to go first in the House, for the reasons that Gloria just articulated, but she said, look, the president’s got to lead on this. President Bush did. President Obama has got to as well — pretty surprising.

Hopefully, Democrats and Republicans pay heed to this sound advice.

Now it’s no surprise that Texas Republicans are not known for an abundance of intelligence and definitely not for their Christ like understanding and love, but if you thought that they would learn from the outrage of the racist bill, SB 1070, has received from the American people you would be wrong.

Texas Republicans in their never ending quest to be the most ignorant and outrageous politicians in the country have decided not to be outdone by the bigot Republicans in Arizona by passing a bill that legalizes racial profiling. State Rep. Leo Berman, the same guy who last week said Obama was “God’s punishment on us”, now says he will introduce immigration law similar to Arizona’s but will especially focus on the part that legalizes racial profiling.

What Leo Berman may not have considered is that Tyler, TX, his hometown, in 2000 non whites accounted for almost 45% of the population and as most know the numbers are much higher now. What can motivate voters of color more than legislation that gives law enforcement the right to harass you and require that we all carry our papers with us?

If you’re a resident of Ditrict 6 (Smith County)  you need to call Leo Berman’s office (903) 939-2400 or (512) 463-0584 and let him know that in East Texas we’re not racist and will not stand for legalized racial profiling in our state.

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As many of you know I am currently going through the immigration process with my wife and stepson who both entered the illegally 14 years ago. The current immigration law requires that any immigrant who enters illegally must return to their country of origin for 3 to 10 years.

The consulate that processes the applications, and where all applicants must go for an interview, is Juarez.

Yes, the same Juarez that is rated as the most dangerous city in the world. This is where my wife, stepson, and I must go sometime within the next 8-10 months. There are 12 other U.S. consulates in Mexico that could easily process the applications and interviews and changing the location does not require any changes to the law. The only thing needed is for the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, to change the location.

I have created a petition asking that the location be changed to a more secure location, basically any of the other consulates and I need your help.

Even if you disagree with any form of immigration reform you can agree it does not make sense for the United States government to send it’s citizens and their families into a hotbed of violence. So, please, sign the petition below and help stop this irresponsible procedure.

http://www.petition2congress.com/2/3152/stop-sending-american-citizens-their-families-to-juarez/