Classion Discussion Reflection: Illegal Immigration 4/28/11

This class discussion was, perhaps, the most interesting yet as there were a lot of curiously awesome thoughts exchanged between my peers. Before having the discussion with the class, I had a talk with my dad on his thoughts on illegal immigration. Like what most people say, he says that illegal immmigrants are taking away jobs, receiving free financial aid from the government, and taking advantage of our free education. He didn't believe that these immigrants didn't come here for "the American Dream." Although what he says, or at least the way he said these things, sounded a bit harsh, I agreed with him by the statement that if immigrants are to come to the U.S., they should do it fairly and legally, despite the process being extremely long. Our class discussion provided several options to alleviate the immigration issue such as helping to better Mexico so that less immigrants will come over, and the idea of creating a pool of smart immigrants to create a better United States. I enjoyed this class discussion, and I look forward to the next one (if there's going to be another one at this time of the year).

New York Inmate Separates Guards Fighting Over Food

"NY inmate separates guards fighting over food," as posted by the Associated Press. April 29, 2011.

Yup, the title says it all. The officers were suspended with pay, and the inmate needed medical attention, but privacy laws prevented him from disclosing his injuries. The inmate kindly stepped in to break up the fight because he didn't want neither of them to get fired.

Church: Arrests Violated First Amendment

"Church: Arrests violated First Amendment," by John Asbury. April 29, 2011.

Three members of Hemet Church were arrested for preaching in front of Hemet DMV. The case was immediately known when a YouTube video of them preaching reached almost 50,000 hits. Church members filed a lawsuit against the California High Patrol and said that they were not told that they needed a permit to exercise their religious freedom on DMV premises.

The Deadliest Tornado Since March 1932

"Even rescuers hobbled by worst twisters since 1932," by Jay Reeves and Greg Bluestein. April 29, 2011.

In some of the most recent, unfortunate events in seven states in the South and Midwest, many homes, vehicles, and buildings were utterly destroyed by tornardoes. In Alabama, 238 people were killed and hundreds (maybe even thousands) were injured. President Obama was shocked at the grotesque sight of this.

Awesome-looking Beds

"The 8 craziest beds you'll ever see," by Piper Weiss. April 19, 2011.

                                            [More pictures in the link]

Once again, I was looking through Yahoo and saw several pictures of awesome-looking beds. The book bed is my most favorite out of all the others.

An 80-year-old Man's Threat

"Police: 80-year-old man threatens to blow up Sears," by Claire Webb. April 25, 2011.

An 80-year-old man from Laguna Beach threatened to blow up Sears. The man was complaining/frustrated with their customer service staff with a Sears employee over the telephone.

Immigration Advocacy on Good Friday

"N.J. immigration advocacy groups hold Good Friday march through Newark," by The Associated Press. April 22, 2011.

Fellow members of a church were marching down the streets Newark, New Jersey in support for immigration rights. They likened Jesus's suffering to the sufferings and struggles that immigrants face. Kathy O'Leary says, "We are called as people of faith to recognize the suffering of Jesus in the faces of our brothers and sisters and our neighbors."

Immigration: Should Feds Sue Utah Over New Immigration Rules?

"Immigration: Should feds sue Utah over new immigration rules?," by Sandra Hernandez. April 22, 2011.

The Department of Justice was asked U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith to sue Utah for their new immigration law that allowed illegal immigrants to work in the state and give more power to the police force to check the immigration status of those arrested. He states that such a law should go into court for it is unconstitutional.  Utah Gov. Gary Herbert fights back saying that it would be a waste of time doing this, and that it's better to use the time between now and 2013 to address immigration issues.

SB1070'S Anniversary

"Arizona's SB1070 Immigration Law One Year Later," by Fox News Latino (contributed by the Associated Press). April 23, 2011.

Today marks the first anniversary of SB1070, and many showed up at Cesar Chavez's Plaza to march in protest against the law. A federal judge had blocked some of the most controversial sections of the law, while other parts were allowed to take effect.

Treasure in the Backyard

"Austrian authorities reveal find of buried treasure," by George Jahn. April 22, 2011.



A couple years ago, a man decided to dig in his backyard, and, with great fortune, little bits of ornaments and pieces of fragments worth loads of money. The reason he dug in his backyard was to expand a pond, and luckliy he found the jackpot.

Best Bedroom in the World?

"6-year-old's jaw-dropping pirate bedroom," by unknown. April 19, 2011?



So, yeah... I was looking through Yahoo, and wow, I found this. Ships may not be so related to me, but I wouldn't mind living in this extremely-themed bedroom.

Georgia Passes Immigration Bill: “Rule of Law is Important”

"Georgia passes immigration bill: “Rule of law is important”," by unknown. April 16, 2011.

Like the Arizona bill regarding illegal immigration, Governor Nathan Deal plans to sign an extensive bill on illegal immigration that was recently passed. The "rule of law" is reinforced inside the people of Georgia's minds. This legislation allows law enforcement offiicers to verify the immigration status of criminal suspects and detain them if they're illegally present.

Immigration Official Agrees to Probe Alleged Abused by Local Agents

"Immigration official agrees to probe alleged abused by local agents," by Niraj Warikoo. April 16, 2011.

Detroit immigration officials agreed to investigate cases of allegations of abuse by federal immigrant agents. The issue came into question when immigrants and minorities were being followed, or harrassed, when kids were being dropped off at school by their parents. In some cases, Latinos were wrongly detained and mistreated and others were being racially profiled.

High Bacteria Levels in Meat at U.S.

"High bacteria levels in meat at U.S. stores: report," by Aman Ali. April 15, 2011.

About 96% of raw meat observed in grocery stores contained bacteria that were resistant to one certain antibiotic and 52% to three or more types. This is a great concern because it is one of the greatest threats to our public health today.

Black Hole on Earth

"Satellite Photographs 'Black Hole' on Earth," by OurAmazingPlanet. April 15, 2011.

The Kompsat-2 took shots on an island in Mexico with photos that appeared to be a "black hole" called the Holbox. The freshwater lagoon surrounding the area makes the water appear black, hence the reason for it being named "Holbox," which is the Mayan translation for "black hole."

Hotter than Ghost Chili Peppers

"New chili pepper crowned world’s hottest," by Brett Michael Dykes. April 12, 2011.





A new chili pepper came into town, and his name is the "Trinidad Scorpion Butch T." It's Scoville rating is at a whopping 1.46 million. If you ever dare to eat such a monster, good luck defecating.

Illegal Immigrants Charged up to $60,000 for Fake Marriage Papers

"Illegal immigrants were charged up to $60,000 for fake marriage papers, authorities allege," by Robert J. Lopez. April 7, 2011.

Three people were arrested for arranging fake marriages for illegal immigrants, and were charged up to $60,000. The three suspects own "an immigration-consulting business that caters primarily to Indian nationals who sought marriage certificates and work visas, according to federal authorities."

Is it Worth $700 per Month?

"Simple life in Manhattan: A 90-square-foot home," by Kirsten Dirksen. April 7, 2011.



Felice Cohen’s apartment is a mere 90 square-feet, and she seems to be perfectly fine with the way things are. Extreme frugal living, I must say. She claims that she pretty much has everything she wants and needs, including occasional trips to the gym and Central Park. When she first moved in, she had a bit of a panic attack because of the very small bed to ceiling ratio. Felice has been living in the small apartment for about three years so far.

California Anti-illegal Immigration Bills Die

"California anti-illegal immigration bills die," by Cindy Carcamo. April 6, 2011.

 The bills AB26 and AB1018, inspired by Arizona's recent anti-illegal immigration law SB1070, were rejected by a 7 to 3 vote by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. If they had been passed, AB26 would have allowed file lawsuits against any local government providing safe havens for illegal immigrants, and the AB1018 would have required all state agencies to use a federal verification program to ensure that the person was eligible for state-funded benefits.

Florida Pastor Burns Quran

"Florida paster burns Quran," posted by Letters editor. April 4, 2011.



A Florida pastor named Terry Jones burned a Quran on March 20. He has received a lot of death threats, and is willing to die for what he did and will continue to do. Jones is also armed with a gun for self-defense.