Friday, March 18, 2011

Political Internationals

Here's one to chew on. The Republican Party as a national party is a member of an international political organization... a New World Order type super political party. The other parties involved is similar international super-parties are the Green Party, the Democratic Socialists of America, the World Socialist Party of the United States, the United States Pirate Party (Hackers/Data Pirates), and Black Bridge International (Anarchists). The GoP is sure following an interesting model here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Democratic_Union

Oddly, the Democratic Party (the one accused of being too global) is not a member of such an international organization. Specific sub-blocks within the Democratic Party are, such as the New Democrat Coalition and the Progressive Policy Institute.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_international

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Small Ideas Add Up

Here are a couple of smallish ideas to help deal with the Federal and Local budget issues. I'm not even going into the mire of Social Security, Medicaide and hospital subsidies.

1. Farm Subsidies: Our government provides $8 Billion is farm subsidies a year. Fully, 75% of those subsidies go to %10 of the farmers. Corporate farms receive $6 Billion a year in federal money. If we cut the corporate farm subsidy, the family farm would still receive help while corporations would have to make or break on their own.

2. Corporate Welfare: Our federal government provides approximately $92 Billion a year in corporate subsidies. Our Local/State governments provide an additional $45 Billion a year. Why are we providing limitless corporate welfare, when the reform passed in 1996 limits the benefits of private citizens?

These two ideas could save the Fed $98 Billion a year and our Local/State governments $45 Billion a year. I'm sure my readers have even more ideas and statistics.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price

If you haven't seen this documentary, I suggest that you do so. It's very informative and will make you seriously think twice about how much you really need that discounted, Chinese made item.

It's not liberal or conservative. The people who appear in the film are from all political persuasions and walks of life.

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

It is currently available on Netflix instaplay.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Violence in the U.S. - The Last 30 Years Part 1

This is purely a list. I will be doing this in several parts. Each part will address a different kind of political, religious or group violence. If you find that I have missed something in my list, please add it as a comment. If it fits my criteria, I will edit my master list to include it.

Lets Start With Riots. I know I'm missing a few prison and jail riots. My criteria here is that it must be an actual mass riot, not the actions of a handful of people.

Arthur McDuffie Riots 1980: In response to the acquittals in the Arthur McDuffie case, the African American population of Miami violently protested, vandalized and looted throughout the city. Racially motivated.

Chattanooga Riot 1980: In response to the acquittals in the KKK murder case, the African American population of Chattanooga violently protested, vandalized and looted throughout the city. Racially motivated.

New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot 1980: Prison riot.

Overtown-Miami Riots 1982: When two Hispanic police officers killed an African American youth, there was immediate rioting. Violent protests, vandalization and looting resumed with the aquittal of the officers involved. Racially motivated.

Washington Anti-Klan Riot 1982: In response to a large KKK presence in Lafayette Park, the African American population of Washington D.C. violently protested throughout the city. Racially motivated.

Sing-Sing Prison Riot 1983: Prison riot.

Cedar Fest 1983-88, 2008-2010: Annual college celebration that devolves to violence and vandalism most years. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Aggieville Riots 1984-86: Sports celebration that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Lawrence Massachusettes Race Riots 1984: Violent riots and vandalism broke out between the Caucasian and Hispanic populations of the Lawrence. Racially motivated.

Cuban Inmate Riots 1987: Cuban nationals in U.S. prisons rioted when it was announced they would be repatriated in Cuba. Anti-socialist political motivation.

Pioneer Days Riot 1987: Student led violent riots and vandalism caused by police crack down on parties at Chico State. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Tampa Riots of 1987: In response AG's refusale to press charges in the Melvin Eugene Hair case, African American populations all over the city violently protested, vandalized and looted. Racially motivated.

Hot Biscuit Riot 1988: Details unknown, Shreveport, Louisianna.

SCI Camp Hill Riot 1988: Prison riot.

Tompkins Square Police Riots 1988: Police action against the homeless in the park sparked violent rioting, the majority of the violence on the police's part. Police riot.

Wisconsin Walleye War 1988-1991: Caucasian sport fishing groups violently protested the fishing rights of the Ojibwe population. Pipe bombs and other violent tactics were used. Racially motivated.

Miami Riot 1989: In response to the acquittals in the William Lozano case, African American populations all over the city violently protested, vandalized and looted. Racially motivated.

Tampa Riots of 1989: In response to the death of Edgar Allen Price at the hands of police, African American populations all over the city violently protested, vandalized and looted. Racially motivated.

Crowne Heights Riot 1991: In response to the death of a child in an auto accident, the African American and Carribean American population of the area violently protested, vandalized and looted the Jewish population. Racially motivated.

Mount Pleasant Riot 1991: In response to the shooting of a Salvadoran immigrant by police, the Hispanic population of Mount Pleasant violently protested, vandalized and looted. Racially motivated.

Riverport Riot 1991: Violence and vandalism incited by the band Guns and Roses leaving the stage early. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Rodney King Riots 1992: In response to the acquittals in the Rodney King case, African American populations all over the country violently protested, vandalized and looted their own neighborhoods. Racially motivated.

Southern Ohio Correctional Facility 1993: Prison riot.

Mifflin Street Block Party 1996: Violence and vandalism at a local street party. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

St. Petersburg, Florida Riot 1996: The African American population in the Midtown area violently rioted, vandalized and looted during the investigation of the police killing of Tyron Lewis. Racially motivated.

Miami University Riots 1998: Students celebrating end of final exams violently rioted. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Washington State University Riot 1998: Students violently rioted against the ban of alcohol at fraternity events. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Woodstock 1999: Music concert turned into violence. Violence and looting during the performance of Limp Bizkit's song, "Break Stuff." No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

WTO 1999: Protest action turned into violence. Violence and vandalism conducted by a mix of anarchist groups during the legal protest activity of labor unions and other groups. Anarchist, anti-globalization motivation.

Michigan State University Riot 1999: Sports celebration that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Staples Center Riot 2000: Sports celebration that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Washington A16 2000: The riot that wasn't. Peaceful protest action that was harshly put down, due to petty vandalism by a handful of Anarchists. Overreaction was caused by the WTO riots the year before. Anarchist, anti-globalization motivation.

Mardi Gras Riots 2001: Violence, vandalism and robbery was committed during Austin's, Fresno's, Philidelphia's and Seattle's Mardi Gras celebrations. It was proven later to be committed by African American youth against Caucasian targets. Racially motivated.

Cinncinatti Riot 2001: In response to the death of Stephen Roach at the hands of police, African American populations all over the city violently protested, vandalized and looted. Racially motivated.

University of Maryland Riot 2001: Sports game loss that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

University of Maryland Riot 2002: Sports celebration that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Ohio State University Riot 2002: Sports loss that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Benton Harbor Riot 2003: In response to the death of Stephen Roach in a police chase, African American populations all over the city violently protested, vandalized and looted. Racially motivated.

University of Minnesota Riot 2003: Sports celebration that turned into violence and vandalism. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

San Luis Obispo Mardi Gras Riot 2004: Violence and vandalism incited by the police shutting down several parties full of college students. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

VEISHA Riot 2004: Student celebration that turned into violent rioting. No political motivation, pure hooliganism.

Toledo Riot 2005: In response to a Neo-Nazi rally; the African American population, Anarchists and Socialists violently protested in the city's North End. Racially motivated.

San Bernardino Punk Riot 2006: Music concert turned into violence. Violence broke out between Neo-Nazi skinheads and non-racist skinheads that drew in most of the crowd. Racially motivated.

New Castle Correctional Facility Riot 2007: Prison riot.

Northpoint Training Center Riot 2009: Prison riot.

From looking at this list, the vast majority of riots appear to be either racially motivated or general hooliganism.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Immigration Law and Mexico

I pick Mexico, not out of racism. I pick it, due to the shear percentage of illegals that originate from that nation and how much it's government attempts to interfere with our immigration law.

Whenever the United States makes moves to duplicate any of Mexico's immigration laws; the Mexican government and it's people protest, lobby and otherwise interfere in the actions of our country's citizens. You know why this is? Remittances from Mexicans working in the United States accounts for $25-$26 billion annually. They are Mexico's second largest source of hard currency, after oil. Mexico fights to keep our borders weak, not because they hate Americans. They do it, because their economy will collapse without the money illegals send home.

Here is how Mexico's immigration law works:

Illegal immigrants in Mexico do not benefit from any government subsidies; no unemployment checks, no welfare, no food stamps, no free medical, no subsidized or free housing, no social security, nothing. Under the Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. Immigrants who are deported and attempt to re-enter can be imprisoned for 10 years. Visa violators can be sentenced to six-year terms. Mexicans who help illegal immigrants are considered criminals. The law also says Mexico can deport foreigners who are deemed detrimental to "economic or national interests," violate Mexican law, are not"physically or mentally healthy" or lack the "necessary funds for their sustenance" and for their dependents. Citizens in Mexico are required to carry papers that prove their status. Visitors and tourists are also required to carry papers proving their legal right to be in the country. Anyone who is stopped (even without cause) and doesn't have their papers, can be arrested as an illegal immigrant.

As much as I dislike the idea of Mexico's economy collapsing and the ensuing chaos is will cause, I dislike their parasitic dependence on us even more. The claim by big agra and others that the illegals perform work that no one else will is a business tactic, nothing more. It's the same claim that big agra on Mexico's southern border uses to work Central and South Americans at less than Mexican minimum wage. The business world wants to rip the poor man off. It's easier and more profitable to do so than it is to rip the rich man off. Bust the business who perform such practices. Make it cost more to rip off the poor man than it does to rip off the rich man.

I support us reforming our system to make it less difficult for law abiding people to legally enter our country. Our great nation was built on immigration. Those who have illegally come here need to go to the back of the line, as they have proven that they aren't law abiding people. I also support the United States enacting and enforcing immigration law similar to that in Mexico. The National Guard should work the border alongside our Border Patrol. Border violation is a military issue. Yes, there are a lot of "innocent" people. Unfortunately, violent criminals and terrorists can easily use them as cover. This is dangerous to the United States and it's just as dangerous for the immigrants.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070

I absolutely support the strict enforcement of our borders. There is zero racism or nativism behind this sentiment. I love and support the legal immigration of all kinds of people. Immigrants have built this country and continue to build this country. For me, it's a security issue. The United States has a lot of enemies. We also have a huge crime problem. Spotty enforcement of immigration law and poor control of the borders increases the risk posed by both of these problems.

I have mixed feelings about the Arizona law. At it's core, I support the concept of the law. The fact that they thought to eliminate the possibility of "sanctuary" areas is good too. My single biggest concern is the fact that since it's only one state, it creates a situation of unequal enforcement. Since the control of our borders is supposed to be a Federal concern, immigration enforcement should also be a Federal concern.

The rampant spewing of reactionary fear and threats of boycotts is due to the media's misinformation. No, the Arizona police can't just stop you for no reason. They can't just go, "let's stop all the brown people." You have to be stopped for a reason other than "looking illegal." In other words, you have to be doing something wrong already.

For any lawful contact made by a law enforcement official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person.

The one part of the law most likely to be struck down is the section on day worker solicitation. The Supreme Court has already addressed that issue and it had been killed on a Freedom of Speech concern. So long as Arizona enforces this fairly and doesn't trump up charges against specific ethnic groups, most of the law should stand in court.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Political Power

If you haven't heard yet, apparently Sonoma County separated an elderly gay couple and sold off all of their worldly possessions. This, despite the two men having used every legal device open to them. Rather than re-printing all of the details here, I will just give you the link. Sonoma County Separates Elderly Gay Couple

Yes, this incident is terrible. Yes, we should protest, write letters and spread the word. Yes, Sonoma County should get the crap sued out of it and the money should go to Clay. Yes, the county personnel responsible for this tragedy should all be fired. None of this will bring Harold back or reduce the hurt that Clay will feel for the rest of his life.

Incidents like this bring to mind something that my mother taught me. Our votes and protests have power, but it's our wallet that really speaks. When locations and businesses refuse to support your rights and/or ideals, stop giving them money. This may mean that the children of religious fundamentalists lose out on Disney products. This may also mean that gay people won't be able to get their cheap WalMart fix. If you truly believe in what you say you believe in, you're willing to sacrifice for it.

If you aren't willing to give up that cheap Chinese toy, or listen to your kid beg for their Mickey fix, or forgo your favorite Sonoma wine... don't complain. If you aren't willing to sacrifice for your beliefs and/or rights, why should someone else?