WWRD

What Happened to the Pot?

Well, anyone who reads this knows by now my stance on illegal immigration. Its simply just that. Its ILLEGAL. End of Story. No ifs, ands or buts allowed. So, in advance of my coverage of the Presidential address tonight, I outline my plan for solving (at least beginning to solve) the problem.
Step 1: Secure the Border - The National Guard may not be the best fit, but they'll do in this situation. They will, however, need the operational mandate, or even better, command level freedom to act in a manner that will prove effective support and relief for eour overtaxed border patrol. Putting them there to do nothing but look on would be a terrible waste.
Step 2: Make the point that illegal aliens are in fact criminals. - They are a financial drain to our local governments, particularly the social services and criminal justice systems. These criminals are wasting the money that hard working, legal, American Citizens are making, and paying to the government. Americans pay far too much of their hard earned cash to see it wasted on criminals. I salute the actions of Sheriff John Trumbo, of Umatilla County Oregon. He sent Vincente Fox and the Mexican government the bill for the approximately 360 illegal aliens held in his prison last year. Several of the criminals, he added, have already been deported and returned to the same town repeatedly.
Step 3: Penalize those who hire illegal aliens. - You hire a criminal, you become a criminal yourself. I may not agree with all of our nation's labor laws, but I do believe in following them until such time they are removed from the books. These people are making a mockery out of American law.
Step 4: Force the Mexican goverment to take action. - These people are Mexican citizens. Just as America would be blamed for the actions of her citizens abroad, make it so here. Force the mexicans to take accountability, and put a serious effort into stopping these people on the southern side of the border. Also, crack down on those within your country who are encouraging, financing, and running cross border smuggling operations, be they for people or drugs.
After this point, I'm not sure there is a right answer. I don't support amnesty in any way, shape, or form. These people are criminals, plain and simple. I also acknowledge, however grudgingly, that there is no practical way to find and deport every illegal alien in the country. They should never, ever be bumped to the head of the citizenship line. Let them apply like everybody else. Those who have committed crimes (other than labor law violations) should be instantly disqualified and deported. Those who cannot pass an english test and a US History test should be next to go. Those who work and truly attempt to join the great melting pot culture we have in the United States, will be welcomed, provided they abide by the legal process outlined by our goverment. I leave you with this quote from The Right Brothers song "What Happened to the Pot?"
"I know we all came from somewhere else once upon a time.
And being proud of your family tree and your heritage ain’t no crime.
But when the things that make us different are all we’re concentrating on
We’re throwing water on the fire that used to keep this country strong"

Good night, and God Bless America

Israel vs. Iran

A senior Iranian military official said today that if America acts "evil" towards Iran, then the nation will attack Israel. Looking for any excuse to attack a nation they hate on principle, the Iranians have hit a new low. Only cowards would offer such a policy. Think of it like this: China attacks the US. The US responds by attacking North Korea. Sound pretty ludicrous? I think so. Either way, I'd love to see the Israeli's wipe the desert with Iran. The American military is far too spread. And I have no doubt whatsoever that Israel would sucsessfully destroy the Iranian military. If the day comes that the US does have to attack Iran, I hope the Israeli government will be our ally, and stand by our side in removing a threat to freedom. There is no country in the Middle East that we should support more than Israel. Democracy and Freedom are guiding principles. A nation that so strongly supports and stands by those ideals should be given the full support of America.
Goodnight, and God Bless America

Why do we allow the Illegals?

Debate rages today over illegal immigrants and their place in America. Outside of any controversy, there is one thing definitive about this group of people. They are criminals. They have entered this country illegally in direct violation of our laws. They continue to spit on American law on a daily basis as they go to work in violation of labor laws. They financially drain the governments of locales where their presence is in great number. They take advantage of government services, and burden the American taxpayer who lives legally. They do not respect our culture, nor do they care about our way of life, our language, or our traditions. And obviously, they have no respect for our law.
America is a nation of immigrants. You'll find no rational person arguing against either that statement, or against the continuation of that tradition. However, it is vital that we maintain some level of control over the people entering this nation. There is a process that must be followed. There are rules that must be obeyed. You must learn a small portion of our nation's great History. You must pass a test on the subject. And more importantly, you must learn English to an 8th grade level. I understand English is a difficult language. I've learned it, I've spent my entire life learning it. Its complicated. It is, however, the language that this country speaks. It is the language of the forefathers of this nation. English is the language that was used to write two of history's greatest documents, the Declaration of Independance and the Constitution of the United States. American workers pay their hard earned money into taxes which support public schools, which teach children English and American History amongst other subjects.
The diversity created by our nation of immigrants is certainly one of the contributing factors to America's greatness. However, there are many other nations in the world that are "diverse." The Balkans are certainly a diverse nation. Iraq has several differing sects, certainly a level of diversity. Both regions are torn apart by sectarian violence between their diverse peoples. The current protests in America would seem to be aimed at producing a similiar, though certainly less violent (I hope) version of that split here in America. Diversity is all well and good. But what gives America such great strength is the unification of those diverse peoples into one nation, one great Melting Pot.
Certainly no immigrant to the US is asked to give up their previous nationality. However, there is a reason they are coming to the states. In most modern cases, they come for work. Others come for political reasons, religous reasons, or to escape opression. But basically, immigrants come to America simply because conditions here are better than anywhere else. Freedom reigns supreme. In America, one can worship any god they choose, or not worship if they choose (Unless the ACLU gets their way, anyhow. Then it'll be any religion except Christianity). America has the greatest freedoms in the world. Many of the people who feel the need to protest America's policies do so only because they are allowed by the first Amendment. I welcome any of them to protest the Mexican government in Mexico City, or to protest against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. See what happens then. Just make sure your will is in order first.
Bottom line: If you come to America, you should make some effort to become American. If you do not attempt to learn the language, you should start making travel reservations to return to where you came from. Speak English. Know our history. And Respect our Law.
Immigrants who come here illegally are a smack in the face to those who respect our law and follow the procedures to become an American Citizen. Those who have spent the time in line, waiting their time, learning American history, learning English. Now, here come pouring thousands across our border illegally. Even worse a smack would be if we were to offer the amnesty suggested by many in congress. Giving citizenship to criminals is a terrible idea. If they want to enter our country legally, send them home and allow them to begin the process like everyone else. Amnesty basically boils down to rewarding those who have broken the law.
Make no mistake about that. The Law has been broken. Crossing the American Border illegaly is a CRIME. Working as an undocumented alien in the US is ILLEGAL. Not paying taxes on money made working in the US is ILLEGAL. Hiring undocumented aliens is ILLEGAL. Illegal aliens burden America financially.
A nation has a sovereign right to protect and secure its own borders. The first step in solving the problem of these criminals is to secure the border. Militarize it if needed. But stop the flow of criminals into our nation. You never know what kind of people will sneak in with them. There is little in place to stop Al-Qaeda from sticking a few operatives with weapons and and plans of destroying America into Mexico, then allowing them to sneak across with the other criminals. Once the border is secure, we can then move to deal with the criminals already in America. First, punish those who hire these criminals. Take away the work, and you will begin. Then, we can begin to solve the problem. If these aliens wish to enter the US that badly, then allow them to enter the US legally. Send them to the back of the line for citizenship. Under NO circumstances should they be allowed to jump the line or be given an easy avenue to citizenship. If they wanted in, they should have had the respect to begin the process legally.
The issue boils down to nothing more than respect. Respect for American culture, tradition, and law. Respect that these criminals and their supporters do not have any measure of. A respect obviously lacking in the recent immigration protests, which have featured centerpieces of upside down American flags, Mexican Flags above American Flags, and burning American flags. Let me offer a little piece of advice to those who hate America so much that you can disrespect our flag and our laws to that degree: GET OUT! There are conveiniently located borders to the north and south of our nation that require nothing more than your own two legs to get there.
Goodnight, and God Bless America

United 93: Have We Forgotten?

I just saw United 93. It was extremely well done. The film brought back many emotions to me. That marked the first time in several months I've watched the footage of the aircraft striking the towers. Far too long, I feel. Many Americans seem to want to push those tragic events to the back of their minds. But 9/11 should never, never be forgotten. And remembrance isnt just putting a bumper sticker, or a magnetic ribbon on the back of your car. True rememberance is never forgegting the sacrifices that day. Never Forgetting that we were attacked senselessly, and that the lives lost that day were not soldiers, it was not a war. Never forgetting that in this war with terror, America did not throw the first blow, but only acted in self defense. The lives lost that day were ordinary citizens, men, women, children, neighbors, friends, and family.
This movie reminded me of a different category of people who lost their lives that day. Rush Limbaugh described them as "The first group of people to live in the post 9/11 world. The men and women aboard that aircraft were true American heroes. Faced with their own deaths, they took action to save the lives of their fellow citizens in the capitol. They rose up, told the terrorists they would not go quietly into the night, and fought for freedom. Courageous, self-sacrificing, patriots. True American Heroes. Washington and Jefferson would have been proud of them.
The 9/11 footage is a touchy issue. People claim its wrong to show it repeatedly, it would only cause grief. Certainly, but it would ensure rememberance. I had forgotten how it felt. During the Moussaui trial I watched the tapes they showed, of men and women jumping to their death out of the World Trade Center, to escape the terrible fires and explosions inside the building. During the movie, they showed the CNN footage of the the second flight slamming into the second tower. That brought back a powerful flood of feelings. None of which are feelings I would like to forget. 9/11 was a tragedy, but it is one we as a nation must learn from. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to make it's mistakes all over again. I leave you with a quote from Daryl Worley's "Have you Forgotten"

"They took all the footage, off my TV. Said it's too disturbing, for you and me. It'll just breed anger, thats what the experts say. If it was up to me I'd show it everyday. Some say this countrys just out looking for a fight. After 9/11 man, I'd have to say thats right. Have you forgotten, how it felt that day, to see your homeland under fire, and her people blown away. Have you forgotten, when those towers fell, we had neighbors still inside, goin through a living hell."

There is no news. There is the truth, of the signal.....

Who am I? Why should you read the words I type, my small corner of this vast internet? Why should you give any thought to my opinions, my thoughts, my rants, my raves, and my point of view? There is no one true answer to that. Truth, as you may already know, is subjective. As Obi-Wan said, "What I told you is true, from a certain point of view." What I'm going to write here is largely my own opinion. When I do post facts, I will try to cite them, try to give you some idea where you can read them for yourself. That, as I have learned, is the key to true knowledge. When someone informs you of something, and you take it at face value, as is, you have learned a small something. When you take that information and research it yourself, you have gained true knowledge of the situation. You should read what I write because learning the opinions of others not only on your own side of an arguement, but on the opposing side can be healthy. I don't expect everyone to agree with what I say. I'd quite frankly be kind of scared and worried if everyone did. Diversity of thought is one of the reasons this nation is so great today. Lets keep it that way. If you don't agree with something I say, by all means, let me know. But let me know throught an intelligent arguement, not an insult. Give me facts, not fuck yous.
Who am I? I'm 22 years old, grew up on Long Island, New York nearly my entire life, barring two and a half years where I went to school in Daytona Beach, Fl. The Greatest City in the World, New York. Nothing like it, anywhere else. One trait we New Yorkers have in common is we like to curse alot. I'm not much of an exception. Ye be warned.
I'm an engineering student, gonna go into the Aerospace/Aeronautical Field when I graduate.
I'm a hardcore sports fan, I live and die by the Mets and Giants, and I love the Islanders. I'll show a little love to the Steelers too. But when it comes down to it, I bleed Blue and Orange. A Big Blue loss ruins the entire week, and the Mets are probably gonna put me into an early grave. But I love 'em anyhow. I love to play sports too, 'specially football, baseball, and my newest hobby, Paintball.
I love music. Wouldn't make it through life without it. I play sax myself, alto/tenor/bari/soprano. My listening interests are pretty diverse, my playlist runs from classic rock to country to jazz to heavy metal and everything imbetween. Not too much rap, and none of that hardcore shit. No whiny-ass emo either. But Rock is my main stable. In my opinion, Aerosmith is the greatest rock band ever. Zeppelin, Sabbath, Metallica, the Beatles, the Stones are all great acts. New shit I like RHCP, Greenday, Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, and Nightwish. A little Toby Keith, Tim Mcgraw, and Garth never hurts either.
My politics tend to be pretty far right on alot of things. But dont assume I stick to the party line on everything, you'd be dead wrong. You'll get alot more of that as this blog grows. Politics will be my main topic here.
Last but not least, there is little to nothing I love more than my country, the United States of America. I am Patriotic near to what others might consider a fault. As far as I'm concerned, that much patriotism can't be a fault. America, Love it or leave it. There is no other option. And, if you're here, at least make an attempt to learn English. Otherwise, we have convenient borders to the north and south for you to exit the country at your earliest opportunity.
Thats enough for now. More to come, sooner rather than later. I hope you enjoy, and even if you dont agree with what I say, I welcome you to continue to read.