On Alexandra's post named, "Immigration," she discusses a $600 million dollar bill that the House and the Senate passed. "The bill includes $176 million for 1,000 new border patrol agents to form a strike force to be deployed at critical areas, $89 million for another 500 customs and immigration personnel, and $32 million to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles or drones."
There are major problems along the U.S.-Mexican borders and its only getting worse. The drug cartels are spilling over into the U.S., specifically in southern Arizona. There is about 3,500 acres along the Mexican borders that officials have been forced to close to U.S. citizens. Pinal County sheriff Paul Babeu said, "We need action. It's shameful that we, as the most powerful nation on Earth, can't even secure our own borders and protect our own families." The police are out manned and out gunned and are not able to stop the drug cartels themselves.
In a Mexico City prison, the warden was arrested for letting inmates out nightly to commit drug related slayings. Corruption is everywhere. The people that are suppose to help are being corrupted by these drug lords, receiving pay-offs to look the other way. Recently in Tijuana, 62 police officers were arrested for having alleged links to organized crime and drug cartels. How is anything going to get better if we can't even trust the very people that are suppose to protect us? With everything I have read it is almost like we are at war yet all the president will give is $1,500 agents.
I do agree that this is a start but feel our effort to secure the border needs to be combined with a comprehensive immigration reform. ICE Director John Morton said, "You've got to have comprehensive reform that recognizes a need for strong border security, a need for strong interior enforcement, but also a means for families and workers to come here lawfully ... and an ability for people who've been here for a very long time to get right with the law by paying a fine and learning English and paying their taxes, and getting to the back of the line."
I partially agree with Alexandra when she said, "to have light on this issue is a good thing and I see a good outcome in the future concerning our border patrol." I feel that the government has finally started to take steps in making our borders safer, but it will take more than beefing our borders up to stop all the illegal immigrants already in America. One thing is for sure, Arizona has the attention of the government, as well as, the entire U.S..
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Repeal--"Don't Ask Don't Tell"
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" policy is a practical ban on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals serving in the military. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only law in this country that authorizes the firing of an American simply for coming out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. If one of the service members at anytime reveals his or her sexual orientation to anyone it could lead to being discharged from the armed services. Commanders or
appointed officials aren't suppose to ask and members are not required to reveal their sexual orientation. There are many who are ineligible to serve our military because of inadequate education, criminal records, or health issues but the qualified, smart, law-abiding and physically fit who want to serve, are being excluded just because of their sexual orientation.
In the blog, ThinkProgress, Igor Volsky writes an article about a cadet who came out to her superiors and offered her resignation. Cadet Katherine Miller is among the more than 13,500 service members that have been discharged under the law since 1994. In her statement she explains how she was trying to hide who she really was, going as far as to make up a story about her heterosexual dating history so she would be excepted as well as no one cluing in on her secret.
Miller said, "I have created a heterosexual dating history to recite to fellow cadets when they inquire. I have endured sexual harassment for fear of being accused as a lesbian by rejecting or reporting these events. I have been coerced into ignoring derogatory comments towards homosexuals for fear of being alienated for my viewpoint. In short, I have lied to my classmates and compromised my integrity and my identity by adhering to existing military policy."
What's so interesting is her blogging under the pseudonym, Private Second Class Citizen, for the velvet park website. Miller reported on the “underground” lesbian culture in the Academy and the harassment she underwent to remain in the closet. In my opinion, this policy is ridiculous because basically they want and allow gays to join the military they just don't want to know about it. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that 75 percent of Americans support gays serving openly in the military as well as 73 percent of military personnel are also comfortable with lesbians and gays. We have made great strides in our society growing more excepting of gay and lesbians and we need to move forward to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. The Pentagon has taken the first steps toward repealing the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy, yet it could take a year to finalize. The ultimate decision on whether to repeal the policy rests with Congress. Obama has already expressed the desire to repeal the law.
appointed officials aren't suppose to ask and members are not required to reveal their sexual orientation. There are many who are ineligible to serve our military because of inadequate education, criminal records, or health issues but the qualified, smart, law-abiding and physically fit who want to serve, are being excluded just because of their sexual orientation.
In the blog, ThinkProgress, Igor Volsky writes an article about a cadet who came out to her superiors and offered her resignation. Cadet Katherine Miller is among the more than 13,500 service members that have been discharged under the law since 1994. In her statement she explains how she was trying to hide who she really was, going as far as to make up a story about her heterosexual dating history so she would be excepted as well as no one cluing in on her secret.
Miller said, "I have created a heterosexual dating history to recite to fellow cadets when they inquire. I have endured sexual harassment for fear of being accused as a lesbian by rejecting or reporting these events. I have been coerced into ignoring derogatory comments towards homosexuals for fear of being alienated for my viewpoint. In short, I have lied to my classmates and compromised my integrity and my identity by adhering to existing military policy."
What's so interesting is her blogging under the pseudonym, Private Second Class Citizen, for the velvet park website. Miller reported on the “underground” lesbian culture in the Academy and the harassment she underwent to remain in the closet. In my opinion, this policy is ridiculous because basically they want and allow gays to join the military they just don't want to know about it. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that 75 percent of Americans support gays serving openly in the military as well as 73 percent of military personnel are also comfortable with lesbians and gays. We have made great strides in our society growing more excepting of gay and lesbians and we need to move forward to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. The Pentagon has taken the first steps toward repealing the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy, yet it could take a year to finalize. The ultimate decision on whether to repeal the policy rests with Congress. Obama has already expressed the desire to repeal the law.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Response to: Obama: The Post-Race President
I would like to respond to Luke's blog: Obama: The Post-Race President. I feel everyone hoped Obama becoming President would be the one who would end the racial tension in America. His election created a great deal of change in attitudes, but the change didn't last long.
I agree with you when you said, "if American racial tensions were really over, why would we be excited about a black president?" I think it was a sorry excuse for a quick cure for racism as well as false hope. Maybe for African Americans it is hope that everything will be okay. Or maybe for some having an African American President gives them hope for their future. In a poll conducted by PollingReport.com reports, about 40% of people think Obama's presidency has improved race relations, with blacks more likely to see positive change.
The election of a black man to the U.S. Presidency did not mark the beginning of post-race society but instead seems to have ushered in a hyper-raced society.
I really liked what you said below and agree wholeheartedly.
"If we really want to prove that racism in America is dead, we have to show that we really truly don't care about people's skin color. People who vote for Obama because he is African-American are in my eyes just as racist as those who refuse to for the same reason. Let the man be judged on his policies and his ethics, as any other candidate is, and not by his race. This is America, aren't we all supposed to be created equal? Obama is not the post-race president."
Racial problems are still rampant across America, and Obama's presence in office is doing nothing to stem the flow. Instead of voting for a president because of his skin color we do need to concentrate on his/her policies and ethics. Think of how many voted just so we could have the first black President. I hope that one day we will be able to say that race (color) isn't an issue but it is going to take more than one person to make a difference. I sure wish it was that simple. I feel in order for there to be less racism we have to teach our children to be respectful of every race. There is no quick cure to end racism but I do feel that having Obama as our President has proven that America has come a long way to overcome racism.
I agree with you when you said, "if American racial tensions were really over, why would we be excited about a black president?" I think it was a sorry excuse for a quick cure for racism as well as false hope. Maybe for African Americans it is hope that everything will be okay. Or maybe for some having an African American President gives them hope for their future. In a poll conducted by PollingReport.com reports, about 40% of people think Obama's presidency has improved race relations, with blacks more likely to see positive change.
The election of a black man to the U.S. Presidency did not mark the beginning of post-race society but instead seems to have ushered in a hyper-raced society.
I really liked what you said below and agree wholeheartedly.
"If we really want to prove that racism in America is dead, we have to show that we really truly don't care about people's skin color. People who vote for Obama because he is African-American are in my eyes just as racist as those who refuse to for the same reason. Let the man be judged on his policies and his ethics, as any other candidate is, and not by his race. This is America, aren't we all supposed to be created equal? Obama is not the post-race president."
Racial problems are still rampant across America, and Obama's presence in office is doing nothing to stem the flow. Instead of voting for a president because of his skin color we do need to concentrate on his/her policies and ethics. Think of how many voted just so we could have the first black President. I hope that one day we will be able to say that race (color) isn't an issue but it is going to take more than one person to make a difference. I sure wish it was that simple. I feel in order for there to be less racism we have to teach our children to be respectful of every race. There is no quick cure to end racism but I do feel that having Obama as our President has proven that America has come a long way to overcome racism.
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