A letter from a greatful immigrant

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  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,050
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    Godfather. wrote:
    my friend I respect all that you have done with your life and your talents and as I have said before ..your word but on this topic "America is best" as far as I can see you are wrong this time,can you tell me a better place to live ? or is your statement not about living here but the flaws we have as a country ? but still to me and many others this is the best country in the world even with it's flaws.


    Godfather.


    i can... australia. even lex luthor thought it. 8-)

    Bunch of convicts. :shock:

    contrary to popular but misguided opinion, not all of us can boast convict stock.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    chadwick wrote:
    you people make me laugh, cry, and drag my fingers across my eyeballs with lit cigarettes and tacks.

    i am totally stealing this for future use.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • Byrnzie
    Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
    mikepegg44 wrote:
    can you elaborate on your Jim Crow laws comparison?
    I am interested. I don't see separate but equal anywhere.


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... on-alabama


    Immigration laws in the south: a new Jim Crow

    Lawmakers in southern states enacting harsh measures against illegal workers are exempting domestics – a stunning hypocrisy

    guardian.co.uk, Sunday 21 August 2011



    Anyone who follows politics long enough develops a certain immunity towards cynicism. It becomes hard to be shocked or disappointed by the too often self-serving and hypocritical actions of our elected officials.

    So, it was almost refreshing while covering harsh new immigration laws in the deep south of the United States to discover that architects of an especially tough new law in Alabama had put in a provision that would exempt "casual domestic labour".

    I was actually stunned. For the first time in ages. Basically, the good folks in Alabama behind the law were saying that, while companies and factories and farmers and restaurant owners should not dare to employ illegal immigrants (who, according to them, are a threat to the US economy), it was still fine to employ them to wash, cook, clean or look after the kids.

    That this was taking place in a state where, during segregation, wealthy white people used to regularly employ black maids as household help, just added insult to injury. It truly exposed some of the real social and political motivations behind the illegal immigration debate, especially in the south. As Isabel Rubio, of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, said to me: "It's Alabama. It means you can still have your Latina household help."

    Defenders of the exemption say it was put in because they did not want to trouble homeowners with having to use the E-Verify system to check someone's immigration status every time they hired casual labour. They say the law would still likely apply to people using long-term, or live-in, domestic employees who are illegal. That cuts no ice with me.

    To my mind, it was simple self-serving hypocrisy. If you don't want brown-skinned illegal immigrants working in Alabama factories and picking Alabama farm crops, then why is it OK for them to – even casually, on a one-off basis – to mow your lawn or wash your clothes or cook your dinner. It was proof that – for a certain sector of the Alabama elite – not so much had changed since the darkest days of Jim Crow.
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    Byrnzie wrote:
    mikepegg44 wrote:
    can you elaborate on your Jim Crow laws comparison?
    I am interested. I don't see separate but equal anywhere.


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... on-alabama


    Immigration laws in the south: a new Jim Crow

    Lawmakers in southern states enacting harsh measures against illegal workers are exempting domestics – a stunning hypocrisy

    guardian.co.uk, Sunday 21 August 2011



    Anyone who follows politics long enough develops a certain immunity towards cynicism. It becomes hard to be shocked or disappointed by the too often self-serving and hypocritical actions of our elected officials.

    So, it was almost refreshing while covering harsh new immigration laws in the deep south of the United States to discover that architects of an especially tough new law in Alabama had put in a provision that would exempt "casual domestic labour".

    I was actually stunned. For the first time in ages. Basically, the good folks in Alabama behind the law were saying that, while companies and factories and farmers and restaurant owners should not dare to employ illegal immigrants (who, according to them, are a threat to the US economy), it was still fine to employ them to wash, cook, clean or look after the kids.

    That this was taking place in a state where, during segregation, wealthy white people used to regularly employ black maids as household help, just added insult to injury. It truly exposed some of the real social and political motivations behind the illegal immigration debate, especially in the south. As Isabel Rubio, of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, said to me: "It's Alabama. It means you can still have your Latina household help."

    Defenders of the exemption say it was put in because they did not want to trouble homeowners with having to use the E-Verify system to check someone's immigration status every time they hired casual labour. They say the law would still likely apply to people using long-term, or live-in, domestic employees who are illegal. That cuts no ice with me.

    To my mind, it was simple self-serving hypocrisy. If you don't want brown-skinned illegal immigrants working in Alabama factories and picking Alabama farm crops, then why is it OK for them to – even casually, on a one-off basis – to mow your lawn or wash your clothes or cook your dinner. It was proof that – for a certain sector of the Alabama elite – not so much had changed since the darkest days of Jim Crow.


    that is just stunning in its hypocrisy.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    hayyyyy how about the moon and life on it :shock:


    .

    Known collectively as "The Great Moon Hoax," the articles were supposedly reprinted from the Edinburgh Journal of Science. The byline was Dr. Andrew Grant, described as a colleague of Sir John Herschel, a famous astronomer of the day. Herschel had in fact traveled to Capetown, South Africa, in January 1834 to set up an observatory with a powerful new telescope. As Grant described it, Herschel had found evidence of life forms on the moon, including such fantastic animals as unicorns, two-legged beavers and furry, winged humanoids resembling bats. The articles also offered vivid description of the moon's geography, complete with massive craters, enormous amethyst crystals, rushing rivers and lush vegetation.

    The New York Sun, founded in 1833, was one of the new "penny press" papers that appealed to a wider audience with a cheaper price and a more narrative style of journalism. From the day the first moon hoax article was released, sales of the paper shot up considerably. It was exciting stuff, and readers lapped it up. The only problem was that none of it was true. The Edinburgh Journal of Science had stopped publication years earlier, and Grant was a fictional character. The articles were most likely written by Richard Adams Locke, a Sun reporter educated at Cambridge University. Intended as satire, they were designed to poke fun at earlier, serious speculations about extraterrestrial life, particularly those of Reverend Thomas Dick, a popular science writer who claimed in his bestselling books that the moon alone had 4.2 billion inhabitants.

    Readers were completely taken in by the story, however, and failed to recognize it as satire. The craze over Herschel's supposed discoveries even fooled a committee of Yale University scientists, who traveled to New York in search of the Edinburgh Journal articles. After Sun employees sent them back and forth between the printing and editorial offices, hoping to discourage them, the scientists returned to New Haven without realizing they had been tricked.


    :lol:
    :lol:
    :lol:
    :lol:
    :lol:
    Godfather.
  • Go Beavers
    Go Beavers Posts: 9,546
    pandora wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    Our local news featured the mess going on with the new laws here...

    but it was awesome to see all the students on visas from around the world come out in favor
    of tougher laws.

    They have worked hard and continue to and don't feel anyone should be given a free ride
    to stay in the US without that hard work.

    It was really refreshing to see again an appreciation of hard work and what they have earned
    not wanting to be just given privilege because they crossed a boarder.

    Gave me hope for our country and our world.

    It gave you hope for America and the World that some foreign students (privileged individuals) protested against poor Mexicans coming into America to try and improve their lot in life, and the lives of their families?

    yes it did it was positive for a change instead of gimme gimme :D
    and not so privileged either, that is an assumption and generalization.
    The students weren't protesting but being interviewed
    it was the illegal people protesting... putting down ultimatums that are all to common now.

    Showing they are filled with hate for this country if they don't get exactly what they want
    a country that has done so much for them

    they are not saying what can I do for this country that is not mine
    what can I do to help and to stay here legally... what can I learn

    no .... just what will the country... Americans give me

    how about learn our language... how about learn our history... how about not collect hand outs

    how about not tax Americans to the point they can not afford
    the same food that the illegal immigrants
    are fortunate enough to buy each week in the store... like fresh fruit.

    I don't know if you're referring to food stamps here or not, but illegals can't get food stamps. Also, the whole thing about Americans being taxed too much is entitled complaining. If someone is taxed too much to where they can't afford decent food, then their spending is way off. If someone's income is low and they can't afford food, then that's a different story. They likely pay little in taxes and may qualify for food stamps which can help them afford better food.
  • shadowcast
    shadowcast Posts: 2,336
    I recommend the documentary called "Citizen U.S.A.: A 50-State Road Trip," that was on HBO a month ago. Do I think that America is perfect? no. Do I agree with all the wars we are currently in? no. Do I believe it has become fashionable to hate America....yes. I have also come to a conclusion as I get older is that a lot of people and countries do a lot of damage to themselves. There is a lot of self destruction. To place blame or to give credit to all one country as the states seem to get either way is wrong. All in all I think most of you Americans on this board have it pretty good and there is times to be thankful that you live here.
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    shadowcast wrote:
    I recommend the documentary called "Citizen U.S.A.: A 50-State Road Trip," that was on HBO a month ago. Do I think that America is perfect? no. Do I agree with all the wars we are currently in? no. Do I believe it has become fashionable to hate America....yes. I have also come to a conclusion as I get older is that a lot of people and countries do a lot of damage to themselves. There is a lot of self destruction. To place blame or to give credit to all one country as the states seem to get either way is wrong. All in all I think most of you Americans on this board have it pretty good and there is times to be thankful that you live here.
    XLNT POST !!! :thumbup:

    Godfather.
  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    chadwick wrote:
    Godfather. wrote:
    well Chad maybe you don't understand the real meaning of the word freedom,if getting high is all you want out of this country with all the other things it has to offer I'd say you're cheating your self. ;)
    Godfather.
    now im ignorant or something? i don't understand the real meaning of freedom and all i want to do is smoke a weed. nice one godfather.

    nah, I think he knows exactly what the real meaning of freedom is. It is indeed the ability to smoke weed and not have to worry about the SWAT team breaking down your front door and throwing you/me anyone else in prison.

    Simple rule, do whatever you want, just do not hurt other people. If you want to be high, be high. If you want to be low, be low. ;)

    btw Chad....smoking is bad for you, try Vaporizing :mrgreen: You get higher, and it's so much cleaner :lol: Not that I don't hit the bong or roll a J every once in a while.

    :P
  • SatansFuton
    SatansFuton Posts: 5,399
    Not to nitpick Idris, but a SWAT team isn't going to be breaking anybody's door down simply for smoking pot. I agree that marijuana laws need to change, but let's not be overly dramatic about it.
    "See a broad to get dat booty yak 'em, leg 'er down, a smack 'em yak 'em!"
  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    Not to nitpick Idris, but a SWAT team isn't going to be breaking anybody's door down simply for smoking pot. I agree that marijuana laws need to change, but let's not be overly dramatic about it.

    heavy body armor, sub machine guns, riot gear...what do you call them? Because they are the ones who do it, I have seen it being done, and it has happened to many people I know. First hand accounts.

    Yes, all for smoking pot.

    You need to factor in the incompetency of the 'American Intelligence' (hmm that's an Oxymoron) agencies and Police. Overreactions, wasting time and resources on pot smokers. Remember, it's a war on drugs. A silly war that only an idiot would support in it's current form.
  • SatansFuton
    SatansFuton Posts: 5,399
    A SWAT team is not going to be called in on pot smokers. Dealers, maybe, because there is a chance of conflict as many people protect a valuable stash. But just a couple people sitting around smoking pot and watching "The Wall" aren't going to find themselves looking down the barrel of a gun with their door splintered on the floor. Especially since in many states the amount a casual smoker would have is only considered a misdemeanor. I think here in Texas you have to have somewhere approaching a pound before you can be looking at a felony.

    I seriously doubt you've seen a SWAT team bust down somebody's door for simply sitting there and smoking some weed. Now it is possible some bad intelligence might lead to police thinking a person is more involved in drugs than they really are, and busting in. Like the examples you listed. But that's a mistake, and not a policy. I've never even know a person get busted for possessing marijuana in their home. Everybody I know who ever got busted for pot, got busted driving around with it. And the time I got busted, the cop was cool and didn't even bring me up on charges, he dumped it out and sent me on my way.
    "See a broad to get dat booty yak 'em, leg 'er down, a smack 'em yak 'em!"
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    Go Beavers wrote:
    I don't know if you're referring to food stamps here or not, but illegals can't get food stamps. Also, the whole thing about Americans being taxed too much is entitled complaining. If someone is taxed too much to where they can't afford decent food, then their spending is way off. If someone's income is low and they can't afford food, then that's a different story. They likely pay little in taxes and may qualify for food stamps which can help them afford better food.
    Yes I was speaking of food stamps
    and yes the children born to illegal immigrants can get food stamp coverage and other aid.

    Is it now over half the population in America is on food stamps? :?

    Many selling them... not even using them.

    My daughter is working her way thru college... paying student loans and books
    and all her living expenses

    her spending is not way off and she can not afford the luxuries now ... like fresh fruit
    and clothing... which is available and plentiful in the stores to those on aid.

    She is and most are taxed way too much ... entitiled complaining :wtf:
    perhaps you may still be red white and blue... not me not after all this crap.

    My son is taxed a third of his paycheck a week... he's not interested in fresh fruit ;)
    but would like to be financially able to go out on the weekend
    after working 60- 70 hours a week, back breaking work I might add and have some fun.
    He earned it!

    Instead he see his money going to the illegal immigrant family in line at the grocery store....
    people who stormed our country. Lets talk who thinks they are entitled!

    Its not that we don't want to give a reasonable amount but when will this flooding into America stop
    and with hands out for more more more.

    Then we hear the country's economy is failing...we are printing more money
    we lost our AAA rating so everyones credit card debt will go up due to a raise in interest....
    some people are using credit cards to live on. 401K retirement money... hard earned is disappearing,
    houses no longer a nest egg...

    but we can still afford to take care of an army of illegal immigrants and unemployed?

    No we can't.

    If growth in aid continues there will be a break...
    one of some kind cause we are making funny money to cover it
    and talking taking benefits away from our legal elderly citizens. :crazy:

    At least Ga is trying to take a stand and say out.. don't come here
    we will put others to work in your place you are draining our economy.

    Even if it doesn't work it helps the moral of the working class who are drowning.

    We can put those on unemployment back to work...
    we can help find work for those recently released from prison or jail.

    We can take back our country and try to make it work again.
  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    A SWAT team is not going to be called in on pot smokers. Dealers, maybe, because there is a chance of conflict as many people protect a valuable stash. But just a couple people sitting around smoking pot and watching "The Wall" aren't going to find themselves looking down the barrel of a gun with their door splintered on the floor. Especially since in many states the amount a casual smoker would have is only considered a misdemeanor. I think here in Texas you have to have somewhere approaching a pound before you can be looking at a felony.

    I seriously doubt you've seen a SWAT team bust down somebody's door for simply sitting there and smoking some weed. Now it is possible some bad intelligence might lead to police thinking a person is more involved in drugs than they really are, and busting in. Like the examples you listed. But that's a mistake, and not a policy. I've never even know a person get busted for possessing marijuana in their home. Everybody I know who ever got busted for pot, got busted driving around with it. And the time I got busted, the cop was cool and didn't even bring me up on charges, he dumped it out and sent me on my way.

    errrr, exactly, it's about bad policy and stupidity.
  • SatansFuton
    SatansFuton Posts: 5,399
    That's not what I said. I said those 2 examples (the same two examples that always pop up) were mistakes and NOT policy. It isn't policy to use a SWAT team on people who are sitting around smoking pot with only a misdemeanor's worth of weed.

    Now the drug policy (just punishing people in general, whether it be a ticket/fine, probation or jail time) I feel does need to change. But it's not like if you're sitting around with a quarter sack getting high and watching cartoons that your door is about to get rammed in. Once in a blue moon it happens, but it's a mistake. It's probably likely to have somebody else break into your house than the police.

    And we get it, you think Americans are stupid. Common theme in most of your posts. And I'll just go ahead and say I'm stupid if it will make you feel better.

    Besides it's not like there aren't drug raids in Canada. I remember about 5 years ago hearing about a raid in Canada where 4-5 RCMP were killed during a raid on a pot farm.
    "See a broad to get dat booty yak 'em, leg 'er down, a smack 'em yak 'em!"
  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    That's not what I said. I said those 2 examples (the same two examples that always pop up) were mistakes and NOT policy. It isn't policy to use a SWAT team on people who are sitting around smoking pot with only a misdemeanor's worth of weed.

    Now the drug policy (just punishing people in general, whether it be a ticket/fine, probation or jail time) I feel does need to change. But it's not like if you're sitting around with a quarter sack getting high and watching cartoons that your door is about to get rammed in. Once in a blue moon it happens, but it's a mistake. It's probably likely to have somebody else break into your house than the police.

    And we get it, you think Americans are stupid. Common theme in most of your posts. And I'll just go ahead and say I'm stupid if it will make you feel better.

    Besides it's not like there aren't drug raids in Canada. I remember about 5 years ago hearing about a raid in Canada where 4-5 RCMP were killed during a raid on a pot farm.

    I think you are missing the point. So I'll let it go.
    --
    Common theme in most of my posts? Please, direct me to most of these posts. :ugeek: Or else shut up and don't speak about things you know nothing of,

    or just stick to what you are good at, photoshopping Pearl Jam with Cats.
  • SatansFuton
    SatansFuton Posts: 5,399
    I'll re-phrase that, most posts in conversations I've had with you. I could go digging through some of the conversations (and PM's but that would be against the rules) but the thread isn't about you and I. Or even about drugs for that matter. And you shouldn't tell people to Shut Up, good way to get a thread locked, but I'll drop it as well. Not trying to derail a thread with a personal argument.
    "See a broad to get dat booty yak 'em, leg 'er down, a smack 'em yak 'em!"
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    A New Jim Crow... sensationalism at its best :lol:


    I think it funny when people who don't live in a region or country,
    do not experience it first hand,
    can pass judgements and feel they know and understand more than those that live it daily
    those that see the downfall in their hometowns.

    I wouldn't even pretend to know what it was like to have been in London during tough times.
    I could read about, see it on TV but never really know or feel the impact.

    The South's climate and proximity to Mexico
    has attracted a huge percentage of the illegal workers
    who stormed our country.
    They then had children and now collect aid and over fill the schools
    and have a cause and effect on many things.

    Our corporations and business got very accustomed to nice low wages for labor,
    no benefits, lower taxes... we all know about the greed.

    The new laws in the South are an attempt for change. I appreciate the attempt.
    I appreciate the attempt to keep more illegal immigrants from our state and the effort to fill
    the jobs left empty by their departure with an American Workforce the unemployed,
    the recently released from incarceration, the students who can not even find a summer job.

    I hope it works.