Vote "NO" on E-Verify

**UPDATE** via Crowley at http://www.rifuture.org/. Area legislators voted AGAINST this bill with one exemption- Jackson, who was absent. The bill barely passed, but pass it did, however, with a much CLOSER margin than last year (38-33 versus 53-17). Now on to the Senate where it died last year in committee. A bit THANKS to Reps. Martin, Rice, and Ruggiero. The Republican caucus (all 5) voted in favor. I e-mailed my Rep & Senator & Fox & Murphy (House leaders). Except for Murphy all e-mailed back. Except for Rice, all were non-commital. Why?

"“We’re building racism into a system where there is none now,” said Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston.

Rep. Peter F. Martin, D-Newport, recalled that his grandparents suffered similar obstacles by “Irish need not apply” signs. And while some proponents said immigrants like Martin’s grandparents were not illegally in the country, Rep. David A. Segal, D-Providence, reminded lawmakers that there were no laws restricting immigration until 1921.

Go, Peter! I knew that I liked that guy (NDN)***



Read the article by Rep. D. Segal in http://www.rifuture.com/ on why. Most of my husband's & my family (Azores & Eire) came over legally, but not all. There was the young kid who hid in the hold of a ship...

We have a LOT of immigrants here. They are the ones who mow your grass, work on your house, wash restaurant dishes, etc. Most are legal, and even more came legally, but let their papers lapse. Their kids sit next to yours in school. Many have left or gone further underground with ICE officials now stationed here. Did they have an effect on our local economy? Notice all housing vacancies, the long-time businesses gone or on the verge of leaving? It's not unconnected.

"The Social Security Administration estimates that if E-Verify were mandatory across the country SSA database errors alone could result in 3.6 million workers a year being misidentified as not work authorized, that's potentially thousands of Rhode Islanders."

The lege will be voting on this bill Tues. Let them know you are against it. Click here to do it- EASY!

Go, Father Malm!

He is the Pastor at St. Joe's in Newport. He was the only local along with Bishop Tobin & 14 others to sign a letter reading in part:

“We the undersigned…urge you to declare a moratorium on immigration raids in the State of Rhode Island, until our nation can implement a comprehensive and just reform of our immigration laws. It is our hope that such reform will make immigration raids obsolete. Until then, we believe that raids on the immigrant community are unjust, unnecessary, and counter-productive.”

“As religious leaders we understand and support the need to apprehend and arrest individuals who are responsible for felonies and other serious crimes. The enforcement of just laws is necessary for public safety and the common good. But the arrest of serious criminals is not what we have observed in the arrest and detention of immigrants that has taken place recently in our State, particularly in Newport and in Providence.”

“What we have witnessed is that the police action of ICE against immigrants has divided the community, instilled fear in our streets, disrupted the everyday life of good people and separated family members, innocent of any crime, from one another. The confusing and secretive detention of those arrested has further complicated the situation. As religious leaders concerned for our people we ould be negligent of our pastoral duties if we didn’t speak out against these unjust government policies and practices.”

“…we encourage the agents and staff of ICE to evaluate the morality of their participation in immigration raids in the context of their faith and sanctity of their conscience. If their discernment leads them to the conclusion that they cannot participate in such raids in good conscience, we urge them not to do so. If ICE agents refuse to participate in immigration raids in conformity with their faith and conscience, we urge the Federal Government to fully respect the wellfounded principles of conscientious objection.” (http://www.dioceseofprovidence.org/?id=14&uudis=69)

I am told that there are now ICE agents stationed permanently in Newport. If you don't personally know any of our immigrant population, then you're not really paying attention to who mows your lawn, serves your lunch, works in the kitchen, etc., etc. These neighbors pay taxes, pay rents, & buy goods & services. They came here for the same reasons your grandfather and great-grandparents came. Exactly the same reasons. The problem is that the rules were changed. And we waited 10-20 years before we decided that we might give a try to actually enforcing those rules which often make little sense anyway. (BTW, in the interest of full disclosure, I actually have a great-great grandfather who came over here ILLEGALLY. He hid in a ship's hold coming here from Portugal to New Bedford)

Thanks to Matt at RIFuture which gave me the heads-up.

They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.’ - Matthew 25:41-45

And then there are those pesky little beatitudes. Those things are always getting in the way of a new "ownership" society, aren't they?

The text of St. Matthew runs as follows:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.

Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Captain Crunch, Captain Hook, & Captain Mike

What, you may well ask, do all these Captains have in common? Well, at least one's existence is doubtful & the other two are unclear.

While "Wild Man" Tom Kalinowski was reading & blogging about the NDN Guest Editorial on Tues., I was also reading the notorious Pt. 1 & wondering about Captain Mike Caldwell's bio (great minds DO think alike). I thought it rather odd that a guest editorial would feature someone who had no current "status" anywhere. So I dug.

While the reported bio says that he has been a Middletown resident for 10 yrs., he is not on any of our recent tax rolls, not listed in phone books, & is not a current pilot listed as residing here. He also has no voting record. The only info on him is a recent Projo letter in the same ilk as his new "guest columnist" status.

This alone makes me doubt all of his given bio- pilot, degrees, etc. So who is Captain Mike or has the NDN been bilked?

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, but I'm delighted that the "Wildman" has been on the job. My 2 yr. old Dell laptop died less than 1 mo. after its warranty expired. I'm now borrowing my son's set-up. It just ain't the same. New one coming (not a Dell).

I'm so sad that Tom wasn't able to make his voter signature quota to run for St. Rep. That task is not as easy as you may think, especially when you're a working-Joe (or Tom).

His previous post on the NAACP lege candidate forum was a delight to read. I get awfully sick of generic love-fests by the NDN. The neutrality lasts until they sock us with endorsements a few days before election with often elusive reasoning behind them & an attending quick grotty quip on the unendorsed slob or, worse yet, nothing at all on the sucker. They "love" candidates in the generic until they actually run.

I have sat in an editorial interview when the question was, "Why are you running?" My opponent, the good Sen. Gibbs, then seem flustered & responded that she really didn't know what else she would do. Hey, I was trying my best to give her a chance to find out- I'm big-hearted like that. A heckuva answer, don't you think? But you never saw a word of that show up in print. And I could continue. Giving us only some of the facts and not delving into backgrounds (e.g., you get a yearly Lege run-down on attendance & bills introduced but nary a word on missed votes or committee no-shows) doesn't really give a complete picture, let alone remain neutral. Just quiet. Picture the 3 monkeys who see, hear, & speak no evil.

Publishing some actual campaign press releases which Projo is now doing, might actually give us all a clue as to what's going on in campaigns, rather than the measly coverage we now get. I remember when WADK actually used to do reporting, too.

Mind you though, I'm happy that we still have a daily rag with local ownership. A recent improvement in local coverage is also noted, although much of what we read is features with in-depth reporting often consisting of "he said," "she said," and self-forum coverage. Where are Clark Kent & Brenda Starr when we need them? How many times has the NDN gotten scooped in its own backyard because of its seemingly defunct coverage of local topics e.g., poverty, lack of affordable housing, health care, and various political topics. The best job I've seen recently was their coverage of the local immigration raids which featured some actual reports. Dead topic now, I guess, although I' m hearing of Immigration officials now permanently stationed here.

But I digress. Later.

Immigration Meeting in Newport

I was not able to make the gathering Thurs. nt. at St. Joe's (Newport). Fortunately, I have friends.

Local clergy were present including Father Frank from Jesus Savior (Newport), Father McKenna from St. Lucy's, and Father Jack from St. Joe's among others. A number of lawyers provided free advice and info for the immigrants.

Some explained mistreatment by local police stopping them for having Brazil flag etc. It was explained to them how to treat a visit from officers at their door ( see bottom). It was also noted (by a legal immigrant) as an example of why America is such a great country. Only in America can you have a meeting with undocumented immigrants in a basement of a church across the street from a police station!

Thanks to my correspondent. The attachment follows. Remember, these are their Constitutional rights. You know- the document the Supreme Court just reinforced. Next Thursday is another meeting.

If local, state, federal, or immigration officers come to your door do not open the door. Say:

"I do not wish to speak with you or answer your questions based on my Fifth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my Fourth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.

I will only permit you to enter my home if you show me a warrant signed by a judge or magistrate.

If you have a search warrant please tell me & slide it under the door.

Newport Immigration Problems

Various friends are telling me of restaurant closings or short-staffings in Newport due to the recent immigration arrests. Building/landscaping contractors have also felt the effects. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that hotels are also having problems. Some speciality stores catering to recent immigrants are also feeling a severe business drop.

There is a meeting this week at St. Joe's where immigration lawyers will be offering services.