Deportation By Attrition

While surfing for "odd news" I ran across this article. It is about illegal immigrants returning to Mexico because of stricter laws going into effect in Arizona.

Just a couple exerts from the article: (emphasis mine)

Dozens of immigrants are leaving the U.S. daily, and even more are expected to leave once the sanctions law takes effect in January, provided the law survives a last-minute legal challenge, said Rosendo Hernandez, president of the advocacy group Immigrants Without Borders.
"If people can't find work, they won't be able to pay their bills, so they will leave," Hernandez said. [Thats the idea]
In what are considered bellwethers of permanent moves back to Mexico, the Mexican consulate in Phoenix has seen a dramatic increase in applications for Mexican birth certificates, passports and other documents that immigrants living in Arizona will need to return home.

The situation of the specific family featured in the article is described:(again, emphasis mine)

They and their two children had originally entered the United States legally with tourist visas and then stayed beyond the expiration dates. The couple had no legal status to work in the U.S., but both were able to get jobs using fake documents, Jorge at a small landscaping company, Liliana at a Burger King. Two years ago, their third child, Michael, was born in Arizona, making him a U.S. citizen.

Just a heads up - some of the comments on the article are just flat racist. Two communication problems can be seen when the issue of immigration is discussed:
1) Some people have a problem expressing their political views without stating their prejudice; this gives rise to the other problem
2) Some people seem to feel that any comments concerning the illegal immigration problem are inherently racist.

Look folks, any country that cannot (or will not) defend its borders ceases to be a sovereign nation. Illegal immigration in this country is a problem and it's not racist to say so. To ignore the problem of illegal immigration is tantamount to putting your head in the sand.

Merry Christmas.

Eye are a kowledge stewdant (again)

Okay, just under the wire (with a little less than 22 hrs left before the end of early registration) I am registered for the Spring 2008 semester at the University Texas - Brownsville (UTB) in their brand new online Bachelor's degree program in cancer registry. And it's only 2:15 am.

I would have been registered for the beginning of the program (Fall 2007) but I ran into a snag. Let's just say that I was sorely tempted to deny that I took one lousy class at another university in Texas because it was SUCH a hassle getting my transcript from them.

But all the paperwork is in, I'm registered, I'll contact my advisor tomorrow (during business hours) to let her know. Then, Jan 14 I can officially add another thing to my busy schedule. It occurs to me that I should have my head examined but, since I'll have to take a psych course anyway, maybe I can get college credit for it.

Then, I promise to get all the "catch up" entries posted.

Maybe.

Happy Anniversary VoG

December 12 is a big deal in Mexico. According to news shows on all the local Spanish channels this morning, the Virgen de Guadalupe (Virgin of Guadalupe - i know, you never would have guessed, right?) appeared to Juan Diego on this day 476 years ago.

The easiest way to tell that this is a big deal in Latin American culture was NOT the costumes, NOT the parades, NOT even the cheering crowds. No, the easiest way to tell that this is a big deal in Latin American culture is the fact that all three psuedo news shows used this as their Lead Story at the Top of the Hour superseding the morning Bush-bashing.

It really is humorous how predictable the Spanish-speaking "drive by media" (to use a Rushism) is in their "reporting". And as far as fact-finding goes, they make CBS look good. Sightings of chupacabras are reported just as seriously as if they were a train wreck or chemical spill with hundreds injured. More than once I have heard the statement "No one has ever seen chupacabras, This is what it looks like." (When i see that "artist rendition" the first thing i think of is a "gray")

I can hear it now - "You're White, you can't say stuff like that!" Whatever. Obama wasn't weak on foreign policy because he's black, he was just weak on foreign policy. Hillary isn't wrong on healthcare because she's a woman, she is just wrong on healthcare. McCain is overreacting to all the waterboarding nonsense - the fact that he's a former POW doesn't add any actual weight to his opinion on the matter.

The truth hurts.

Jeff Foxworthy is talking about me

Redneck Fashion Tips (this is part 2) The part where my friends will recognize me starts at about 3 minutes 38 seconds and runs up to 4 minutes 23 seconds (give or take). The only difference is that my windbreaker advertises my kid's school (I don't smoke).

And honestly, for most self-respecting Rednecks you could include "ballcaps" on that list as well.

Hectic Day - But I asked for it

[Sunday] This day has been hectic (starting entry at 1:00pm - i'll finish it later tonight - maybe) but it beats having to get up WAY BEFORE the chickens to catch an airplane that leaves at 5:30am tomorrow morning. I complained enough ( you know - in a "nice" and "professional" way :-) last time I traveled that this time they gave me the option of flying out the night before.


One problem - our local international airport only has 3 flights a day to Houston. These would be: 5:30am, 11am & 6:40pm.


[Monday] Wow! It was so nice to be able to take my time coming in to the hotel last night. No panicky, rushed feeling "I'mgonnabelate, I'mgonnabelate".


Last night I took a leisurely, unintentional scenic turn on the way in, then I stopped at a little out-of-the-way eatery for dinner. (that would be a euphemistic way to say "i got lost". poetic, doncha think?)


Anyway, today [Monday] I had a good day of meetings, I have felt rested all day and I think that I'll retain more than I would have if I'd caught a 5:30 am flight this morning. Right now it's 10:30pm and I'm about to turn in - just have to get to my room. (We're staying in a big name hotel but there is no wireless access outside of the lobby so here I am, but that's a rant for another day)