Immigration Law

For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise. Benjamin Franklin



Lately I have been having an argument with a co-worker on the immigration laws established by Arizona. It's very difficult for me, as a hispanic american, who doesn't speak spanish, and is having a hard time finding a cultural link to my mexican heritage.

My family has been in this country so long, it's like I might as well be my own nationality. White, but not white skinned. Or a "coconut" as my sister calls us, brown on the outside, white on the inside. I have so many instances where people walk up to me, and immediately start speaking spanish, assuming that I am spanish-speaking.

I wish I could just drop the argument, but my friend's only argument is "They're illegal, they broke the law entering the country, and that's that." Unfortunately, it's not that simple, and I can't quite get her to understand.

I keep reflecting on the movie Gattaca and the quote "Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." ~ Benjamin Franklin

My friend is willing to sacrifice her fourth amendment right to reasonable search and seizure when it comes to dealing with illegal immigrants. She would be willing to allow police to stop her whenever they wish, just to demand proof of citizenship. And not only is she willing to give up her freedom, but mine and yours as well.

For her, it's more important that a person who came to the United States illegally be arrested and deported, than keep the peace at home and avoid the idea of a police-state where we are constantly dealing with the roving drones who demand proof that we are law-abiding citizens.

I pitched a scenario of a legal US citizen walking down the street and is legally harassed by the police. She argued she had been through the scenario already, accused of being a drug addict as she walked home. I wasn't able to continue the argument that the police could continue to harrass this "hypothetical" citizen, day after day after day, because she became quite angry that I refused to see her side. I didn't push the argument because I'd rather concede than lose a friend.

But what if...

If you were that person, harassed every day by the police. They show up wherever you are, at work, at home, on the street with friends, and demand you prove you're a legal citizen, and there's nothing you can do about it. That's what this law has done. It has provided an opening for a peace-officer to make your life a living hell without reason, and without cause. They have the ability to use their own subjective standard to judge you and stop you from going about your day....



The Fourth Amendment


The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.



I'm not arguing on behalf of illegal immigrants, I'm arguing for myself. I'm looking at the ability of a state government to take away my constitutional right and acting as an American who adores her freedom.

As for my opening quote from Benjamin Franklin, if there is any argument that could sway me from giving up my freedoms, I haven't heard them. I've only heard one argument used over and over again, but it's still not enough to give up what our ancestors fought to create and protect. There has to be a better way to secure our country without compromising our best trait.

Atheist Resurgence

Atheist resurgence

I find the coverage of religion and atheism is on the rise with CNN because of their comment pages becoming so popular. But the funny part is the same old, tired, arguments being used over and over again.

1. Atheists are immoral

Why do people believe that? What is it about me that is so immoral? I have never killed anyone. I have never been arrested. I don't cheat on my taxes. I care about my family (sans my sister who has yet to learn how to respect me). I don't abuse animals. I care about the environment.

2. Atheists worship Satan

How can we believe in Satan when we don't believe in God? We don't believe in the Bible as a literal history.

3. Atheists are incapable of committing an altruistic act

There's no such thing. Any time we do something good for someone or a cause, we get this funny little feeling called happiness. The only possible altruistic act would be to die to save another person. But even then, Christians look forward to going to heaven for this act. Therefore, they expect reward for doing good. Atheist's see no reward in death because there is no afterlife in which to revel for our achievements. Would I die to save another person's life? Yes. Do I hope that I ever have to? No.

4. Atheists are only pretending not to believe in god because it's a rebellious act.

Negative. I don't believe in god (or any other supernatural events/figures/gods/goddesses/etc.) because there is no proof. People love to cite the Bible (or other religious texts) as proof of god, but since all of them were written by humans it seems logical to conclude that god doesn't exist.

A Christian friend of mine, who was trying to convince me that the Bible has done miraculous works by converting pagans who sacrificed women and newborns to their pagan gods, argued that God intervenes by inspiring Christians to write these stories. This "reasoning" still doesn't count as proof. But it's a nice way of saying that Christianity was trying to do good and maybe we should learn that killing babies and women as sacrifice to pagan gods is bad. But all kids have to grow up and learn that Santa doesn't exist. They're stories made up by our parents to teach us right from wrong. Which goes back to argument number one. We don't gain our morals from god, we learn them from our culture and parents.

(Click the culture link to see how Japan has become the target of outrage because of simulate rape games)


So my point is, apologetics are tired and old. The world isn't flat , atheists are not the largest number of criminals, and I look forward to reading anyone's truly well thought out arguments that can make me think.

Until then, I am an atheist. I am an American. I am a law-abiding citizen.

I fought authority and authority always wins

woc 123
Originally uploaded by teksalot

Well they win sometimes. If you ever have the pleasure of working with Russ Ketteringham, here's a fun list of ways to annoy and pester him at work.

10. Turn his cap sideways

9. Take lots of pictures of him, especially when he fumbling with his iTouch

8. Constantly point out the fact that he "should have taken that cruise ship vacation when it was cheaper."

7. Hide his life vest.

6. Sing songs his 4 year old son loves, knowing fully well that he'll get them stuck in his head.

5. Wait until you know he's just about to tell you to get back to work, then start saying "No" over and over again until he sighs or tries to throw you down a flight of stairs. (True story)

4. Wait until you see Chuck coming your way, then leave him to deal with the boss all alone.

3. Start and end the day by saying "No me gusta" then refuse to accept his battered spanglish.

2. Laugh at his old pics and call him a hippy.

1. And the number one way to bug him.... post a blog and share with everyone!

Enjoy!