Stopped by the cops for no reason (alien bias?)...

Originally Posted By KatieKate123

wow that is wrong. I am sorry that happened mr. X

I have had 3 horror stories like that.
1 I was walking to work (didn't have a car) they had no crosswalks so i crossed at the light and got pulled over for jaywalking. That made me late for work, and the worst part was the guy harrased me asked me if I didn't see his lights flashing and crap like that. Like seriously do I have eyes behind my head.

2. I was driving my car and speeding. Ok so I got pulled over fine whatever. Well they got my husband out of the car (not me) and asked him for his identification (he is already involved with the immigration board b/c hes being deported) they actually took him in b/c he was in my car. They released him a couple of hours later when they realized HE's already been caught. The truth is he got arrested for a dui (yes hes stupid and his green card was revoked)

3. I was arrested for a dui b/c I was tired which can be just as bad. I had worked at 17 hour shift as a waitress with only a 30 minute break b/c they were so busy they needed someone to stay so I did. Made good money that night but anyways, I couldn't get the stupid breatherlizer to work for me and they arrested me. Later on found out I wasn't guilty but I had to pay to get my car out of the pound something like 100 dollars. Brought that to civil court and got my money back.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

"Here's the police sketch of the guy...."

You shall pay for that 2oony.

I don't know how.

I don't know when.

But mark my words, my friend; you shall pay.

Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.



Oh, who'm I kidding? That was great.

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

Maybe that isn't the Wooly Willy they were looking for.


(Must. Stop. Now.)

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

I'm all about America being "free" but there is the isssue of right and wrong. I live amongst hundreds of thousands of LEGAL immigrants here in South Florida who took the necessary steps to become legal citizens. They are not hiding from the feds, they are contributing to society, they are not a burden.

There must be a way to deal with those that are here illegally and are weighing down an already overburdened social system.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Yes, there must be.

But stopping people on the street without cause is NOT the way...too many innocent people can get hurt that way.

Like I mentioned before, I have concerns about my daughter when it comes to stuff like this. My daughter who IS American, and yet due to growing up elsewhere has less of a command of English than other American kids. My concern is that this, under the worst circumstances, could lead to great harm for her.

So for her, and others (including LEGAL aliens who might be harrassed unduly under laws like this), I worry. And I'm against it.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

What is the solution?

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

We all know there's no ONE solution, but I would say that leaning HARD on those who would employ illegal immigrants would be a step in the right direction (and the bigger the company, the harder the punishment too...as in, go after the big corporations that look the other way and go after them bigtime, bankrupt them if necessary).

Beyond that, I would also suggest that we reward LEGAL immigration by closing some of the loopholes and making it easier for someone who wants to immigrate to do so (I'm not sure if you know this Wahoo, but it's NOT an easy process to say the least...).

And finally, I would add that things should be more fair and less racist.

As I mentioned before, it's relatively "easy" for illegal Cubans to settle down in Florida compared to their Mexican brethren. This is a throwback to the cold war mentality of "saving" the Cubans from oppression. But when you stop and think about it, is the financial repression of the Mexicans so desperate to find work that they'll willingly risk their lives so very different from the plight of Cubans?

In reality, it's just politics in one form or another, used in order to to exploit some, demonize others, and in general promote a particular political agenda.

So now, let me ask YOU. What do you think should be done?

 

Originally Posted By ecdc

The best solution is the crackdown on employment. We enact Draconian laws for the immigrants but do almost nothing to the companies that give them a reason to come here in the first place.

If people are really that worried about jobs and immigration, support laws that will devastate companies that employ illegal immigrants. Give companies a reason to hire citizens (and for good measure, not offshore jobs). Sure, their profits might return to healthy levels instead of obscene levels, and the CEO might only make 100 times what the average employee makes, instead of 1200 times, but these are the sacrifices we have to make.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

I think both of you get us part of the way there with going after the employers. But, what of those folks who are unemployed? They still require resources in the form of social services.

I know the process of becoming a legal immigrant is complicated and time consuming. As I said, I personally know many legal immigrants. (The community I live and work in is over 42% latin.) But, those folks resent the illegal immigrants as much as anyone because they did what had to be done.

You know, while I was travelling in Italy I had to show my passport at every hotel. Not only show it, but they kept it until I checked out and moved on. I didn't resent that. I just chalked it up to part of the process of being in a foreign country.

Up until I went bald I had to show my ID to purchase liquor well after I turned 21. I had the baby face so I looked younger. Well, I showed it...they gave me the beer...and I moved on. When I go back to the DMV this year to renew my license I'm going to have to take all kinds of stuff. My wife did it last month and she took her passport, birth certificate, and several other forms of ID. It was incovenient...but it didn't kill her.

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

>>I think both of you get us part of the way there with going after the employers.<<

I think that would get us more than part of the way there were it actually enforced in a big way. It would eliminate the #1 reason people come here illegally if employers truly faced severe consequences for knowingly hiring illegal workers.

But until we get really serious about doing that, it won't even get us part of the way there. In a "no new taxes!!!" era, how willing are people to pony up the true cost of the food they eat? There's a reason produce is so cheap.

There are certain economic realities we tend to not like to think about, and that's one of them.

For those in favor of this Arizona law, I would think the concept of a national ID card would be right up their alley, following the logic. But more likely, they'd view that as a huge invasion of privacy.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

Considering the numerous forms of personal identification these days I don't comprehend the resistance to a National ID Card. Outside of my Passport and Driver's License I know at the moment that I have a Sam's Club Card (with picture), library card, AAA card, Blockbuster card, Hallmard Gold Crown card, etc. And, of course, an employer ID card with picture.

Privacy?

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

I agree with you. But every time it comes up, some people come unhinged about it.

 

Originally Posted By ecdc

>>Blockbuster card<<

Is it by your Milli Vanilli fan club card?

Netflix, man! It's 2010, gotta do Netflix!

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

I'm all about the Netflix movement but that 1/2 hour of walking the Blockbuster aisle is still nice time with my little ones. When they get older I'll be on to Netflix...or whatever comes next.

(But, I must secretly admit that I grooved with the Milli Vanilli music. Girl...you know it's true.)

 

Originally Posted By ecdc

LOL! Excellent taste.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

Yeah, I don't care if they were a couple of fat guys behind a curtain. I just blame it on the rain.

 

Originally Posted By barboy2

///So the only thing that saved me from jail (for flashing, by the way!) in at least the short term, and quite possibly the long term if this lady had been convinced it was me///

Contrary to the Declaration of Independence, all men are ***NOT*** created equal----- you would have had a sporting chance to show that you were not the 'flasher' if things progressed further than just a questioning and very short arrest.

 

Originally Posted By barboy2

///while I was travelling in Italy I had to show my passport at every hotel. Not only show it, but they kept it until I checked out and moved on. I didn't resent that. I just chalked it up to part of the process of being in a foreign country.///


In Italy is that an 'industry standard'(private sector) or a state directive/law?

I've been in several foreign countries a few times over(even European Union but not Italy) and I have never surrendered my passport to hotels/motels or private parties.

A bank in SE Asia demanded that I leave my passport at the front desk before I was allowed to ascend to the 22 floor and meet with a manager. I flat out told the security and front desk personnel "NO WAY, NO HOW". They heard my concern and allowed me to go up.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

"Contrary to the Declaration of Independence, all men are ***NOT*** created equal----- you would have had a sporting chance to show that you were not the 'flasher' if things progressed further than just a questioning and very short arrest."

LOL.

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

>>We all know there's no ONE solution, but I would say that leaning HARD on those who would employ illegal immigrants would be a step in the right direction<<

Indeed. Bu the US Chamber of Commerce will simply neither accept or tolerate that solution. And they have big lobbyist guns.