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The Southern Poverty Law Center released it's 2008 Intelligence Report, detailing the rise of hate groups in the U.S. The headline that "the number of hate groups operating in America increased last year to 888, a rise of 48% since 2000" is probably as surprising to most people as the fact that gas prices have risen since 2000. Political divisiveness and angry "U.S. & them" rhetoric of the past 8 years (where them can include anyone from hard-working migrant workers to non-Christian women and children in bombs way) have regretfully sent our country on a difficult path. 

Most alarming is the segment that details the concentration of these hate groups targeting Latinos and residing in the border states of California, Arizona & Texas. The vast majority of the growth in hate groups are anti-immigrant and add fuel to the already fiery demonization of Latino communities, resulting in an increase of hate crimes against Latinos up 35%, according to FBI statistics. It is hard to argue that the corporate media's framing of a one-sided debate on immigration bears no responsibility for this increase of socially destructive hate groups.

Also available in Spanish:

El Año de Odio 2008



In the article, "Immigrant prostitutes: victims or criminals?", the following ethical question is raised by Chief Charlie T. Deane, "I think we just have to step back from all these cases and say, 'What are we trying to achieve?' Our philosophy, the overall goal, is to protect crime victims regardless of immigration status."

I think this is somewhat similar to the question raised in the following April 2007 interview between Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Rivera regarding the media making a raucus over a drunk driving death involving an illegal immigrant in order to make what Geraldo calls "a cheap political move" by capitalizing on a tragedy.

 

 

In really tragic situations involving human suffering, where does the law fall? I am not sure we'll find a clear cut answer, but I think this is a hugely important and complex legal and moral issue.



www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immig5mar05,1,6010147.story

 
This article by Nicole Gaouette, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer tells us how Senate Republicans are introducing extremely tough immigration measures - Gaouette says the bills "also reflect a shift toward harsher immigration rhetoric and legislative proposals from both parties since Congress failed to pass a comprehensive overhaul in 2007." - The rhetoric is definitely getting tougher, just when we thought it had become as heated and emotional as it could.
Bills would mandate prison time for illegal border crossings and compel English in dealing with federal agencies.
 

 



Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Urge una Reforma Energética

Este Video hace evidente la necesidad de inversión privada en Pemex.

Podemos darle autonomía de gestión a PEMEX y decirle adiós al 40% de los ingresos del gobierno. Ingresos que se destinan a educación, saludo, seguridad....  o bien darle la bienvenida a recursos de inversionistas privados.

Dinero en Pemex hay pero lo estamos usando para desarrollar el país. Tenemos que elegir... si el dinero sale de PEMEX o de privados....