Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Fox News Nazi Problem

  Nazi Germany comparisons have long been used when discussing the opposition and persons of power you disagree with. I disagree with it from both the left and right. However, at Fox News it is trend when speaking of Hitler and Nazi Germany. Particularly with paranoid host Glenn Beck. Many other hosts, and guests have joined the choir, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

This rhetoric, sparks bigotry and fear in gullible Americans. Whether it be the right-wing talk about health care and "death panels" or bailing out General Motors, Chrysler and banks, the right used veiled  fearmongering to say it was a "takeover" and "Hitler did this!". However, it was not a takeover of any of these industries. It was a tax payer loan that saved alot of jobs in tough economic times. As these companies continue to repay those loans, we will see the private sector grow again.

Newt Gingrich, who was shamed into resignation by his own party years back, has a new book. In this newly published book, says "Obama poses a Hitler like threat", really Newt? That is the best you have? Resorting to this level just to scare people and gain political points shows you hate America and American workers whose jobs were saved from the stimulus and bailouts. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, and again with Meridith Veira,  Newt tried to defend the quote.



Newt, the President, the Democratic Leadership in the House and Senate, and my own ilk are just as American and patriotic as you and the Tea Party, so move on, and don't pretend to be so offended when some made the ill advised comparison to Arizona's immigration law.


 

Senate candidate wishes to do away with Americans with Disability Act??

  Kentucky candidate Rand Paul, who has garnered great support from the Tea Party crowd, stated in an interiew 

" like for example if you have a three story building and you have someone apply for a job, you get them a job on the first floor if they’re in a wheelchair as supposed to making the person who owns the business put an elevator in, you know what I mean? So things like that aren’t fair to the business owner. [...]"

  Paul, son of Republican/Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul is sure to today's Kentucky primary against Trey Greyson. However, for his wish to support business over the individual shows a deep disregard for the work of Richard Pimentel. Pimentel, a public speaker and Vietnam war vet who lost his hearing and crusaded to train businesses and Government agencies in employing and training Americans with disabilites. The Americans with Disabilities Act is great achievement of his.





Terrorist in a Bikini??

 With the crowning of Rima Fakih in the Miss USA pageant, the right-wing has used her Lebanese-American heritage to smear her. While I don't watch pageants, and normally could care a less, but the attack on my fellow Michigander has pushed my hot buttons. The worst smear comes from Conservative blogger, and psycho talker Debbie Schlussel, who is making claims Fakih has ties to Hezbollah. Debbie, Rima's hometown of Dearborn is 4 miles from from, it is a great area to shop in, eat at, and even talk with the large population of Arab-Americans. There is a chance that one or more may have known or is related to someone in Lebanon who supports Hezbollah. Even of Metro Detroit's favorite Arab  American Restaurants, La Shish had ties with Hezbollah. Guess what Debbie, when my grandmother was a kid, her and her best friend found KKK hoods in her friend's attic, which apparently belonged to her friend's Dad. This does not mean my family has ties to the KKK.

While the terrorist accusation was not enough, the right wing then sought retribution for Carrie Prejean and "pole dancing" contest photos began to emerge . The event sponsored by local radio personality Mojo in the Morning, has sparked controversy. Instead of seeing a gorgeous Arab-American woman win this pageant, the conservative machine chooses to show their bigotry and hatred of people unlike themselves. They like to pretend to stand up for Arab women in the Middle East, saying they are oppressed, yet do not seem to notice that Ms. Fakih certainly is not. They choose to ignore what pride Arab-Americans feel with her victory. If you follow the links in this post, you may no longer ask why the right-wing are considered bigots.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Documentos, Por Favor

  With the passage of Arizona's immigration law, the news has been saturated with common sense and compassion from moderates and liberals. While the far right has displayed greater bigotry than usual.

  The argument has been made that targeting undocumented immigrants will lead to "racial profiling" and it will. Ask those in favor of the new immigration law what an "illegal immigrant" looks like. American citizens abroad recognize that America has a poor immigration system, yet targeting individuals is "un-American".

  We are witnessing one of our states transform into a police state. In the year 2010, at a time when more and more American citizens attempt to reach out to one another, some people are more and more isolated. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to some that entered our country illegally. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act also targeted employers who hired undocumented workers. While the enforcement of this act was lax, it was on target. Thom Hartmann routinely says "we do not have an illegal immigrant problem, we have a illegal employer problem", I agree. Employers favor cheap labor, and most American citizens demand more, that argument is never going away. However, citizens are "legally" allowed to work here. If we crack down on the employers, the undocumented workers will stop coming here to work "illegally". If fines are increased and the chance of serious jail time is initiated, we would likely see a decrease of border crossing.

  In addition to this "misguided" law, there are other factors people are not taking into account. The United States is staggering out of a couple rough economic years. Rounding people up and deporting or jaillng them is removing revenue from our economy. Estimates state there are 20 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. These people send some money home to their families, and the rest goes into the economy. You really want to remove 20 million people from spending on daily needs?

  Arizona has also passed a conceal and carry weapons law, which begins this summer, it does not require a permit. So, while this law already put law enforcement officials in danger, it now puts every Arizonan in danger. Criminals are already carrying without a permit, yet what will become of anti-immigrant gun nuts? Will they just begin opening fire on those seeking  better life? Will they open fire those who are helping immigrants achieve legal status? The scenarios are endless.

  People around the country are opposed to Arizona's new law because we thought about the consequences and possibilities. Humans Rights organizations, ordinary citizens and the federal government are making the case to repeal it, and with possible success, we demonstrate what it is to truly be an American.
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