Dick Durbin, pro-choice Catholic Senator

Dick Durbin, Catholic Democrat, is not just pro-choice, he's super charged with killing the unborn. The pope knows that, knows he violates long held Catholic moral teaching, and he waffled on being questioned. I have no horse in this race, but we hear enough blather from politicians--no reason to have it from the pope who probably has no problem speaking out about climate or immigration on which there is no Catholic dogma.

Pro-choice politicians, Catholic teaching and the lessons we still can’t learn - America Magazine

I also dislike the so-called moral equivalency of comparing the failings of Communist/socialist ideals with failings of free market/patriotic ideals. Illegal immigration also involves drugs, rape and trafficking. That straw man is also rampant in non-Catholic Christian groups who then equate violence against someone with words they don't like.

"Senator Durbin’s track record of supporting the human dignity of immigrants is worth celebrating, but it cannot erase the moral failure of his support for abortion. We also ought to be equally concerned about the many Catholic elected officials on the right who may accept church teaching on abortion but are even now cheering on, to use the Holy Father’s language, “the inhuman treatment of immigrants.” " (the article)

Springfield, Ohio and adjusting to a population increase

One thing most of the nation found out that they didn't know Tuesday night (debate) is that Biden/Harris has imported 20-30,000 Haitian immigrants to Springfield, OH, a town of under 58,000. I looked back a bit to flesh that out, and the city fathers and the community welcomed this several years ago because they needed some growth and more workers. But that's a lot of non-English speaking people, especially during a lockdown, to resettle, house, feed, an acculturate. It was a big blow to the tax base, although the churches and non-profits initially received government grants. Some homes were sold at really great prices and turned into sort of group homes or dorms. But that depressed the values of other homes in the area, and the neighborhoods splintered. OK. It still looks like (if you can trust the mayor and npr's reporting) they were coping nicely.

Let's take race and immigration status out of the mix. We have home grown Americans and Canadians who also expand in groups. Anabaptists--or more familiarly, The Amish. The Hutterites. The Mennonites. What if real estate scouts from 2 northern Indiana Amish counties decided to purchase land in central Ohio because their tradition of dividing property among their large families had become too difficult and they needed to spread out. How does an influx of maybe 15 Amish families with 6-10 children who own thousands of acres in a school district or taxing district and who have a different set of values about education or health, or technology impact a near-by small town of 5-10,000 Lutherans, Baptists and Catholics? Small Ohio cities are dealing with something like this when the government and its allies in the non-profit world move in and revise all the unspoken traditions of the community.

It was Clinton, not Trump

In 1996, President Clinton signed a law giving the government the power to deny visas to would-be immigrants who cannot support themselves, but it has not been widely enforced. February 25, 2020  Sharyl Attkisson

“The White House on Monday hailed the court's move as a "massive win for American taxpayers, American workers, and the American Constitution."

"This decision allows the Government to implement regulations effectuating longstanding Federal law that newcomers to this country must be financially self-sufficient and not a 'public charge' on our country and its citizens," said White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham in a statement.”

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/480114-supreme-court-allows-trump-administration-to-move-forward-with

Bomb attacks are now common in Sweden

If Trump is a racist for calling out immigrant related crime, why is it the highest in Sweden? https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/10/bomb-attacks-are-now-a-normal-part-of-swedish-life/

In 2019, there were over 230 bombings in Sweden—more than in any other Western country.  Explosions have become normalized.  No other western country is experiencing this. Gang crime is also increasing--nine out of ten perpetrators of Sweden’s gang shootings are either first- or second-generation immigrants. The country has gone from having among the lowest rates of violent crime in western Europe to one of the highest.   Ten years ago this was unheard of.  And sentences for violent crime are very lenient—the kidnapping and violent rape of a child might get a man 4 years.
Swedish leaders are not responding to the crime/assimilation problem.  Patriotism or nationalism are considered dirty words by the leftist governments. Citizens are being told--don't believe your eyes and ears.  Sound familiar?

No go zones are very real in Sweden.  Emergency and transportation and mail services need police escorts before going into certain areas. Sweden is deeply segregated; clan governments predominate in these segregated areas. Governments will not discuss for fear of being called racist.  Sound familiar?

Interview by First Things of Paulina Neuding https://www.firstthings.com/media/sweden-is-on-edge

Immigration judges—we’re in good shape

We received 28 new immigration judges on Dec. 20, 2019, the highest level in our history--we now have 465 on the bench. I looked through the bios and see 12 of the 28 are female, and based on surnames the ethnicities are 5 Asian, 6 Hispanic and 2 Muslim. Although you never know who has changed a name because of marriage. Because of the lies from the left intended to divide and conquer, there is more diversity here than you would ever see reported in MSM. That said, their biographies are very impressive. Incredibly qualified people. It doesn't look like they were selected by color or sex. I particularly liked the variety their bachelor's degree college--I think we're in good shape.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/executive-office-immigration-review-swear-28-immigration-judges-bringing-judge-corps-highest

Reparations redux

When the topic of reparations comes up, as it seems to when Democrats get frisky, I wonder how that will work.

Approximately, 300,000 Africans were imported to what became the United States by Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and English slavers, who purchased them from Arab slavers who got them from African tribal leaders whose cultures had used slaves as currency for centuries. Sort of messy to know who owes what.

But on top of that, about 1,000,000 Africans come to the USA as eager, hopeful immigrants in a decade, far more than ever came unwillingly in the 18th century. To add to the complexity, a considerable number of slaves either earned or were given freedom and they themselves used and owned slaves. Dr. Gates of PBS and Obama fame estimated the rate of slave ownership was higher among freed blacks than whites in the south, since so few whites were wealthy enough to own even one slave.

Where is the tribunal that is going to sort all that out? It would mean former President Obama would not be eligible since his only American family were white, and his African father and his family were Moslems, perhaps descendants of slavers. But his daughters would be eligible. Kamala Harris the daughter of two immigrants, a Jamaican and an Asian Indian would not be eligible. What about the descendants of the black slave owners. Would they be eligible? 

And how far back do you want to go? The Vikings were cruel slave masters, stealing women and workers both, leaving their culture and seed on every culture they took over. It was a slave economy, just as many areas of Africa and the Middle East. Just look how they got around (based on a cruise map).

German immigrant Sandra came after 9/11

“I am very much for immigration as I did this. I did the paperwork. I did the doctor visits. Blood work, chest x ray and physical. My mother had to give her financial info and so did my husbands family. Not really a pleasant thing to go through but I wanted to move here so I did all that was necessary to get it done. I stayed a “legal alien” for many years until I felt home was the US and not Germany anymore.

To see people cut in line and totally ignore the laws of this country really bothers me. It’s unfair and quite frankly super disrespectful to the people that you claim you want to live with.
America first is long overdo as I heard the “Ami get out” during the times I lived in Germany. They want your money and protection but not your presence or opinion. When crap goes down they want the US to come and clean it up. For free.

No, enough is enough.

I am tired of the lies told every day. We Trump supporters are not racist. As a matter of fact I only hear and see rich liberals pointing out skin color.

It’s a plan orchestrated for 2020. Let’s paint Trump as a racist and all his supporters will be ashamed and sadly frightened to wear their MAGA hats. It’s started people and the media only shows what they want us to see.

Stay positive, be kind, talk to family and friends. Lead by example. But call out the liars and expose them.”

From her Walk away post.

A patriotic immigrant—not waving the flag of the country of his birth

“I grew up in communist Cuba. I remember standing in lines to get food and my mother holding her little card that allowed for our rations.

My father Raul came to this country with my mother and sister in 1977. I remember how Newark airport smelled. We moved in with my aunt, oh yeah, we were legal immigrants. My father was a CPA in Cuba, a proud man. My mother was a homemaker. When we immigrated, a social worker came to our apartment. She wanted to make sure my sister and I were in school.

My mother got a job in a factory. My Dad worked 3 jobs. I never saw him except on Sunday’s when we watched the Yankees or the NY Giants. My father spoke to the social worker. She explained  “ entitlements”. She explained  “ Food stamps “. My dad asks her, “ how do I work for the food?!” She laughs at him. , “ oh no! Mr. Diaz, they are free...”.

My dad looks at her, I never forgot his gaze, he said : “ Ms. Do you know where I came from?! Cuba! A communist/ socialist country. Where free food was never free. It was a form of slavery. I came here to work for all I have. I will not accept socialism in my life again!” He never accepted any “free” anything. All we got , we earned.

My father went to school at night after 3 jobs. He earned his CPA firm he still owns. My sister became a CPA as well. I have two Masters Degrees. My sister and I have 1st generation kids born here in the best country. My sons: one a micro biologist. The other working on PhD. The other will be applying to medical school. My sister : her daughter is an attorney, the other an engineer. No entitlements. Work hard. No affirmative action.

Immigrants are great. Just come here legally. Work for what you want. Don’t use race as your excuse. Thankful to this country.”

Marti Dias-Domm from the Walkaway Campaign

Thoughts on the Central American “caravan”

Some in the caravan are women and children, and depending on which cable news channel you watch, that will be the focus of the camera.  But estimates are the caravan is about 80% young males.  There are also a few criminals, and a few traffickers.  Not all, by any means.  But how many do you folks who don’t object to open borders find acceptable?  10 out of 7,000?  20?  30?  How many trafficked children (documented during the Obama years and reported by Washington Post) are OK? 10? 50? Of the 333,000 illegals deported in 2015, some 42% had criminal convictions (that doesn’t count illegal border crossing or not returning for a court date).  So don’t be so naïve to assume this caravan has no men with criminal behavior.

We actually do have a legal immigration system.  Most immigrants (76%) are in the country legally—and I wish Trump would mention that more often--while a quarter are “unauthorized,” low estimates 11-12 million.  In 2015, 44% of the legals were naturalized U.S. citizens. From 1990 to 2007, the illegal alien population tripled in size – from 3.5 million to a record high of 12.2 million. They don’t necessarily come across the border—some overstay a student visa or their H1B1 visa to work for Google and Facebook.  Again I ask you.  What is the right number for illegals to reside, work, start families with children who will be citizens, educate, use medical care, apply for college, send millions back home, etc. in the U.S.?

These people in THIS caravan of October 2018 are NOT refugees—they have not been in a war, have not spent years in a camp waiting for sponsors, they are well dressed, seem well fed, there are organizations helping them with supplies—they do have a crappy government that can’t control crime. Mexico has offered them asylum and they’ve said No which is how we know they aren’t desperate.  Mexico is not the “streets paved with gold” they seem to imagine or have been promised by various non-profits encouraging this.   But they can seek asylum in the U.S. if they go to the right place.  That isn’t walking across the border. 

Why should these people, most of whom will not come back for a court date if released into the population (catch and release), have priority over displaced people from Africa, or Asia or Iraq (including many Christians)?  There are wars going on all over the globe. Millions are moving on foot or in caravans, crossing dangerous rivers, mountains and deserts.  This group is drawing attention because of the election, and both parties are using them as bait—vote for us, vote for us! This caravan is about Trump—let’s just be honest.  Most of the illegal aliens who already are here live in the top metro areas, all controlled by Democrats.  So of course this is a political issue!  What party wouldn’t want millions more voters indebted to it?

The problem with this chart below is it doesn’t distinguish between legal immigrants and illegal aliens.  But you can pretty much tell.  It’s just tough for the Chinese and Indians to sneak in.  That said, in the next quarter century, Asians will out number Hispanics in either and both types. I don’t recall the name of the law, but the U.S. actually discourages people we might say are influenced by western civilization, or make it very difficult for them. Someone in government decided racial diversity was better than continuity, shared values and history.

Tucker on open borders

Historically, Democrats supported strong borders because they knew American workers could never compete with illegal immigrants. Now, they regularly support “open borders.” So why the drastic change? They know it hurts American workers. Why don't Democrats care anymore? Watch them flip on immigration issues in this video, even since 2006.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUU2iWxrH2M

Mexico immigration

I haven’t checked the details, but I know the reason the Central American refugees/illegals don’t stop in Mexico, is because they are stricter about illegal immigration.

Mexico doesn’t want illegals from Central America

After reading about Salvadorans and others from Central America who come to the U.S. illegally, I can see why Mexico doesn't support the wall. They don't want those people escaping poverty and crime within the borders of Mexico (which has much harsher laws about illegals remaining there). So they want them to go north. Mexico is an extremely wealthy country--but further south is not the case. ThinkProgress recently sent a memo that Democrats need DACA in order to get the political votes. How perverse is that? I mean, we knew that the left is never about American values or security, and always about power, but to see that from a former big shot in Hillary's campaign, Jennifer Palmeri, well--I suspect she'll be asked to apologize or leave.

http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/08/leaked-memo-dreamers-are-critical-to-dems-future-electoral-success/

Many Democrats supported the wall both under Bush and under Obama.  It was bi-partisan.

http://freebeacon.com/issues/flashback-democrats-supported-mexico-border-fence/

And why do Democrats quibble over terms?  Is a fence better than a  wall?

“Where I don’t understand the pushback is, in 2013 if everybody was for the 700 miles of double fencing, but now they’re not for it because Trump calls it a wall — to me that does not make sense,” said Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, the labor union for the Border Patrol agents. “Whether we call it a fence or call it a wall, it acts as the exact same thing — a physical barrier that makes it more difficult to enter the United States illegally. I don’t understand the whole fight over this.” (quoted in WaPo)

Trump’s accomplishments—according to Trump

The White House listed the 12 categories and highlighted achievements for each. A summary is below:

Jobs and the economy

• Passage of the tax reform bill providing $5.5 billion in cuts and repealing the Obamacare mandate.
• Increase of the GDP above 3 percent.
• Creation of 1.7 million new jobs, cutting unemployment to 4.1 percent.
• Saw the Dow Jones reach record highs.

Killing job-stifling regulations

• Signed an Executive Order demanding that two regulations be killed for every new one creates. He beat that big and cut 16 rules and regulations for every one created, saving $8.1 billion.
• Signed 15 congressional regulatory cuts.
• Withdrew from the Obama-era Paris Climate Agreement, ending the threat of environmental regulations.

Fair trade

• Made good on his campaign promise to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
• Opened up the North American Free Trade Agreement for talks to better the deal for the U.S.
• Worked to bring companies back to the U.S., and companies like Toyota, Mazda, Broadcom Limited, and Foxconn announced plans to open U.S. plants.

Boosting U.S. energy dominance

• Expanded energy infrastructure projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline snubbed by Obama.
• Ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to kill Obama’s Clean Power Plan.
• EPA is reconsidering Obama rules on methane emissions.

Protecting the U.S. homeland

• Laid out new principles for reforming immigration and announced plan to end "chain migration," which lets one legal immigrant to bring in dozens of family members.
• Made progress to build the border wall with Mexico.
• Ended the Obama-era “catch and release” of illegal immigrants.
• Boosted the arrests of illegals inside the U.S.
• Started the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program.

Helping veterans

• Signed the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to allow senior officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire failing employees and establish safeguards to protect whistleblowers.
  
• Signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act. 
• Signed the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, to provide support. 
• Signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to authorize $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program. 

Restoring confidence in and respect for America

• Trump won the release of Americans held abroad, often using his personal relationships with world leaders.
• Made good on a campaign promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

List from Washington Examiner

Latest terrorist came here on diversity visa

Why do we have "diversity" visas? [NYC Uzbeki jihadist] for special treatment? We have probably hundreds of ethnic and racial groups who are now citizens or with green cards, plus some 800 American Indian tribes with whom the Government has treaties and millions of Americans particularly millennials who are mixed race. The U.S. has more Nigerian Americans than all the Africans who came here in the 3 centuries of the slave trade, but they are all lumped into "black." In the census "Hispanics" is a made up word that includes many countries--even Brazil--completely ignoring their own unique cultures and languages--and "Asian" which also can be hundreds of countries. Ironically, Uzbeks are "white," with all that privilege we white folks are supposed to have. Many of those who come with hopes for a better life have been turned into victim groups and radicals by the leftist politics of our government and political movements of special interests, especially through "multiculturalism" policies and programs in our colleges.

 "The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The DV Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS)." https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/diversity-visa

This guy won the lottery, but I doubt if the families of the 8 dead bikers are feeling good about that.   Why are people from countries with "low rates of immigration" more important than the immigrants and descendants of immigrants who are already citizens? They'll need jobs, government benefits and a community, same as all the rest of us. Why are they more special?

I don't think it matters that it was Chuck Schumer's idea to have a diversity visa lottery, but I do think it's important that he and some other politicians feel the need to dilute the racial make up of the U.S. when that is happening naturally -- millennials and their children will greatly increase the mixing of European heritage with those of other continents to about 50%. Why is he against the descendants of the English, Germans, Irish, French, Spanish, Italians, Dutch, Scandinavians, Russians, Jews, Chinese, Japanese, and particularly Christian groups who built the most multicultural country in the world? (That's a rhetorical question; we all know the answer.)

The wrong questions about immigration; why do we aid Mexico?

We're asking the wrong questions about immigration. Why is Mexico exporting its poor and brown citizens north when it is a wealthy country?

Actually, we know why. Immigrants, legal and illegal, send money home. For Mexico, it's $24.8 billion, higher than oil revenues--and Mexico has a lot of oil. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.TRF.PWKR.DT.GD.ZS Stop that. It's cheaper than a wall, and more humane.

Have you ever seen a person of color or any ethnic diversity on Telemundo or Univision (both American companies immune from all diversity rules)? Is Mexico working to get rid of its population that is not European heritage? The Mexican government seems to be working with sanctuary cities to make sure they don't get their citizens back, especially the criminal element.

For U.S. businesses, Mexican immigrants are concentrated in service and construction industries and are good workers. For U.S. higher education institutions, Mexican immigrants are a ready source for ambitious students, eligible for aid. About 90% of DACA applicants and renewals are for Mexicans not born in the U.S. 

 

For the Democrat party, Mexican immigrants are seen as voters to be held close through special favors.

DACA, the Executive Order mess

I don't know what President Trump intends to do about DACA, but it is a mess that Obama handed him that should have been decided by Congress, not the President. So. . . he should turn it over to Congress and step aside. Let the Republicans get some backbone and the Democrats take back their party. Obama had a Democratic Congress his first two years, but he squandered his power on the failed ACA theft instead of getting Congress to make some tough decisions on immigration.  Also, he knew the Executive Order could be undone by the next president, but it made him look good--compassionate, kind, and power hungry.

The main problem with the current immigration law is it wasn't followed.

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the exclusive right to legislate in the area of immigration. Most of the relevant laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), are found in Title 8 of the United States Code. State governments are prohibited from enacting immigration laws. Despite this, a handful of states recently passed laws requiring local police to investigate the immigration status of suspected illegal aliens, creating some controversy.

Three federal agencies are charged with administering and enforcing immigration laws. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigates those who break the law, and prosecutes offenders. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles applications for legal immigration. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for keeping the borders secure. All three agencies are part of the Department of Homeland Security. https://www.hg.org/immigration-law.html

The underreported accomplishments of the Trump administration

The underreported: (From American Thinker)

"While the Democrat/media complex tries to whip their base, and the country into a frenzy, this administration is putting good things in place. First and foremost for our culture is the restoration of law and order. That begins with giving the respect due to our law enforcement officials, which has been a hallmark of this administration. The outrageous demonization of law enforcement by the previous administration is gone. The ongoing praise of and cooperation with our police from Trump et al is not only refreshing, it’s going to have a long term positive effect. Violent demonstrators are no longer being coddled (except in Berkeley), instead they are prosecuted. Eventually, they won’t even get away with being lawless thugs in Berkeley. 

The existing border laws are being enforced. Illegal crossings are down 70%. ICE agents have been reenergized, rounding up criminals and deporting them. Bad guys are on notice. Drug trafficking will slow. MS-13 is being fought. This is just the beginning. The Attorney General is simply enforcing laws that exist. With Trump’s resolve to control the borders, these border issues will get better, and become reasonably controlled. If this is successful, the nation will be able to take a deep breath. Genuine assimilation will have a chance to succeed.

Having been a GOP poll watcher in a Democrat precinct, I have witnessed the Democrat drive to encourage vote fraud. Watching my Democrat counterpart demand that anyone be allowed to vote, regardless of identification, regardless of being on the precinct rolls, regardless of their legal status as citizens -- I knew this was a problem. Trump was laughed at when he claimed that Hillary’s popular vote margin was due to vote fraud, yet having been up close and personal, I am certain that more than just a couple of percentage points of voter fraud has gone on many places for many years, including 2016. 

We now have an administration that intends to do something to ensure vote fraud is curtailed. A few may have complained before, but no member of the GOP has seriously challenged this crime. The new executive order, along with the new investigative commission is long overdue. It is certain they will allow states to clean up voter rolls, press for the common-sense demand that voters have proper ID, are US citizens, and vote only once. Other ways to ensure a true vote will be recommended and put in place. We can now be assured there will be less Democrat crime on this front; those who commit vote fraud will be fearful of real prosecution, and our precious franchise will see enhanced integrity. This is an important issue, far more so than discussed. It’s a great move for our country and it will change elections.

Another major push is for economic revitalization. The administration’s proposed policies in this area are wonderful. The response of American business to the Trump administration is a good indicator. The undoing of so many bad regulations from prior administrations is one giant step, with more underway. The unleashing of our energy resources and businesses has been a major win. The first step in positive change to the failing Obamacare is a good sign. If health care legislation, and economic reforms pass, we will be on an economic trajectory that will be exciting, one that will repudiate the failings of Obama’s policies, and we can be confident of another Reagan style recovery. 

In foreign relations, nothing has been a bigger surprise than Team Trump’s many successes. In spite of the media perception of disarray, the Trump team has put together a burgeoning alliance in the Middle East, one that includes Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and others. This alliance will be key in dealing with the noxious mess left by the Obama/Clinton years. When Iran tries to flex its might, we will need the repair that the Trump team is working on.

Likewise in Asia. The disaster left us by the feckless Clinton/Abright deal with North Korea is being navigated well. There is no easy fix to having been duped by a mad dictator into enabling his acquisititon of nuclear weapons. Democrats can take solace that most people don’t know the degree of stupidity of their policies with North Korea, and don’t yet grasp the elevl of peril. Trump’s clear skill in negotiating and forming relations with China’s premier was extraordinary. That China is helping us with the Korean mess, perhaps for the first time, is a testament to Trump’s skills.

All of this as a reminder that there is much to be praised since the Trump administration took office. The leftist media wants us to think all is horrible, every day being a constitutional crisis that will end the world, and it’s all Trump’s fault. Truth be known, it’s the reverse. Trump’s successes are finally beginning to overcome the awful years of the Obama/media collusion and their inept failures. Failures in virtually everything they did."

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/05/the_underreported_success_of_the_trump_presidency.html#ixzz4hjiKeG4k

President Obama called slaves immigrants--in 11 speeches at least

Bob Beckel (Fox) said Dr. Carson and President Obama did NOT say the same thing at all because Obama used the word "involuntary" in the clip being circulated and Carson didn't. Dense and Denser. What does he think the word slaves means? Obama used this example of slaves as immigrants eleven times, according to someone (not me) who researched it.

 

"We say it so often, we sometimes forget what it means — we are a nation of immigrants. Unless you... are one of the first Americans, a Native American, we are all descended from folks who came from someplace else — whether they arrived on the Mayflower or on a slave ship, whether they came through Ellis Island or crossed the Rio Grande."(Barack Obama, 2012)

 

 He linked crossing the Rio Grande, arriving at Ellis Island, and coming on slave ships 10 times as a shared heritage, (I only saw the Mayflower used once) leaving out my ancestors who came in the 17th and 18th centuries.

 

If it weren't for double standards Democrats would have no standards at all.  

Withdrawing books

I'm withdrawing books. That's librarian talk. We also call that deacquisitioning. I have three locations to take them--church, library sale, and cancer resale shop (four if you count my son). Each item is recorded on my book blog and they are in piles by topic/theme on the floor of my office. This is the first time I've ever given away cook books. We have become ROMEOs. Retired old men eating out. (Need any Martha Stewart?) The shelves seem to look the same.

Then my husband gets inspired, takes a break from the watercolor of Granada he's working on, and brings up about 50 titles from his office. Bad idea. He doesn't know how to do it. I found one of my grandfather's books on farm buildings with terrific drawings from early 20th century, and half of what he "contributed" were my books which were on his shelves (too large for mine). 

This introduction to book blues is to tell you I found a pristine copy of Saturday Evening Post, Fall 1972, with a portrait of Richard Nixon on the cover. That surprised me a bit since neither of us ever voted for him, or liked him. However, what is stunning is an article by Paul Ehrlich on "Population Control." He was very influential in the 60s and 70s and totally misled all western nations about the dangers of overpopulation and advocated ZPG. (It was really a disguised message I think about keeping blacks and browns under control.) Anyway, if you sort through his hints, hysteria and hyperbole, it sounds exactly like the "climate change" gooble-degook we hear today.

Erhlich is still around. There's a Vatican workshop on Biological Extinction Feb. 27-Mar.1 and he's a speaker. What a shame. Abortion, contraception, euthanasia. Speakers completely violating all church teaching. But then, so do Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry. All advanced and Western countries, U.S. Europe, Japan, China have birth rates below replacement. That's what is behind the push for more immigration--there aren't enough workers to fund the social programs. But I'm not sure Somali-Swedes or Yemeni-Germans really want to work and merge into a thrifty, hard working value system. Of course, Japan and China aren't taking in middle east refugees despite birthrates well below replacement. Nor are Nigeria or Kenya--they are coming to the U.S.--over a million in the last decade under our "diversity" immigration plan.

Local channels promote fake news

Let your local news channels hear from you when they repeat the fake news script "Muslim ban" or "immigration ban." It's 7 countries out of 50 (and that number should raise some questions--most used to be Christian countries). It dates to 2015 when President Obama recognized the danger of trying to vet people from governments with terrorist ties (and he would have NEVER used the word Muslim). I've written to Channel 10, WBNS. They not only misuse this term, they misuse their audience with anti-administration stories.

The big boys that bring in super smart and well educated workers on legal visas are getting nervous. They must make us think the worst. Google. Amazon. AMA. Academe. They are bringing in foreign workers in every imaginable category--while American graduates struggle to pay off their college loans working as secretaries and copy editors. I'd be shocked if Google is bringing in any Somalis or Yemenis except to work in the kitchen to feed their millennial staffers organic, vegan salads. I think large universities like Ohio State would close tomorrow if their supply of foreign students all getting a full ride from their governments back home, would have their visas questioned.  This is BIG money.

http://fortune.com/2017/02/09/h1-b-silicon-valley-tech

These companies don't import steel or light bulbs or bicycles to compete with American factories, they import workers to compete with American workers. So what happens when a labor field is flooded? Wages stay flat--STEM workers' wages haven't progressed much since 2000, according to Fortune Magazine. But it probably looks pretty good to someone from India. So how is an American college grad to pay off that $30,000 debt if Silicon Valley is filled with workers from Asia and India here on H1-B visas? The college slots are also filled with foreign workers. I don't think these guys at Google and FB worry about Muslim terrorists, but they probably stay awake at night thinking about a level playing field for American IT workers. So let's call it an "immigration ban."