Broader Security

We live in the United States of America. The land of the free. The home of the brave. The United States is eternally known as the "land of opportunity". But living in this day and age, I find myself questioning who actually lands this opportunity?

This nation was founded by immigrants. This nation imported immigrants to build its infrastructure for over a hundred years. Since the first man stepped foot of a ship, people have been coming to this land in bunches. From 1850 to 1930, nearly 80 million immigrated to this nation from all across the world. It wouldn't suprise me if less than half of this nation is second or third generation. We are the melting pot.

However, now it's a different story. We got people in this country who seem to forget where their American brothers come from. You know who you are. Legally or illegally, immigration is about as American as lynching and apple pie. However, there are forces in this nation who will lead you to believe that the number one problem in this nation is illegal immigration. Not gang violence, not drug use, not even terrorism. But illegal immigration. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm far from fool, I know the law is the law. Illegal immigration is illegal for a reason. Border security is an issue that needs address and redress. But I'll be goddamn if it's the biggest problem facing the nation. That's insane.

These guys need to get their heads out of their asses and think a little bit broader. Our boarders are important, but our borders shouldn't be of the greatest concern right now. Quite honestly, I don't know how many mexicans are trying to figure out ways to kill American soldiers. The conservative machine in this country is so concentrated on protecting U.S. borders, all the while support a war, wherein American men are killed on a daily basis by Iraqis who aren't really Iraqi. It's like Woodstock and these rebels are coming out the woodwork just to get a shot to get a shot at some Americans. And when I say woodwork, I mean about everywhere but Iraq. And they know that. I've heard the adminstration say this more times than necessary. These foreign elements are coming in and trying to end this new democracy. So what's our response to acknowledged poor weak-ass border patrol in Iraq? One goddamn battalion.

In the last two years, the best we can do is a goddamn battalion. We are essentially that country's standing army. If we are going to be there, we should be the ones providing security for the nation and quite frankly, we are doing a piss poor job. What's worse the attacks at the mall in Jordan was by Iraqi nationals. I almost want to have a Vince Lombardi moment and ask "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE!?" We have Iraqi's in Jordan. Jordanians, Saudis, Yemeni, Pakistanis, Iranis, Syrians, Tatooineians, Nubians and Wookies all dying to get in that country just to die in the country.

So here we are. Conservative forces solely concentrated on stoping Mexicans from coming to America to find a better life, to have a better chance and opportunity and they are so willfully ignorant of the border problems across the goddamn world, particular in the part where we are hated more than Satan himself. You got Osama Bin Laden running all up and down the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. Every idiot what bad intentions running all across the Iraqi border and idiot Iraqis trying to running for everyone else across any border they can find. And they sitting up here worried about some damn Mexicans. Can we get some damn perspective. Tell me how many of the hijackers from the WTC/Pentagon attacks ran across the Mexican/American border? Now tell me if that number is higher or lower than the number that were here in this nation legally.

Can someone get the statistics for how many Mexicans come to American and become serial killers?

Can someone find me the ratio of Mexicans crossing the boarder to become career criminals to career-minded workers?

Can someone tell me the number of Arabs that are making a mad dash across the Mexican boarder?

We have a congressman out west claiming to one. A single goddamn Arab man. God knows this guys intentions. How do we know he isn’t seeking to change his life for the better in this country? Or are we going to simply assume he’s come to kill Americans? Why come across the world to kill Americans when he could have gone to Iraq, where the rest of them congregate? And if that’s the case, then why the hell aren’t we concentrating on Mexican boarder security? We got enough hands to pay attention to Iraq, why not Mexico as well since we are so concerned about boarder security. Hell, why not invade Mexico in a call for regime change there too? We did in Iraq. And now look how that turned out. Border insecurity out the ying-yang.

But I digress. Let’s go back. You seen the movies Scarface. As fictional as it may have been they were based upon real circumstances. Tony Camonte and Tony Montana, both were immigrants. So was Vito Corleone from the Godfather. There was a time in real life that where those in the New York criminal underworld have to be native born Italian or Sicilian in order to be made. We have a historical grounding in letting any and all kinds into our nation. “Give us your tired, your hungry, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free air", we told others. That was the mantra of the land of the free. Now, we turn away those that are tired, those that are hungry, those that are poor and those that are enslaved. What happen to the free air? It just becomes more and more evident.

This isn’t the land of the free anymore.

The Party's In Good Hands

With a great regret and sadness, I had been withdrawn from my forum for nearly two weeks. I have been away, distracted by a good greater than my own. In other words, I have been insanely busy achieving a feat many across the country will obvserve, emulate and congratulate. I was at the end of a election for office of governor in the Commonwealth of Virginia, fighting for my candidate, the Democrat Tim Kaine. And we were victorious. The next governor of Virginia is Tim Kaine.

But now I'm back and I've come with the realization that the political well-being of the Democratic Party is all good. After what many would have seen as the crumbling and demise of the party at the end of the 2000 election where George Bush retained the presidency, few saw any promise ahead. Many thought that the Democrats had nothing left, that a loss to a weak candidate with a divisive, but indoctrinating and simplistic plan was enough to cripple and embarrass the party for years beyond any recognizable repair. They were accused of being simply out of touch with the American people.

Well, here we are, a year later and the Party and the people who comprise the party are well within grasp of the reigns of the nation, if not they have the strength to not just survive but to fight for what is good and just.

Tim Kaine has won an election. Not just any election either. A Virginia liberal who wasn't a very known and popular Lieutenant Governor. Already at a extreme disadvantage being a Democrat in a state that is dominated by a conservative legislature, dominated by republican congressmen, beaten in spending and fundraising, both senators are jems of the Republican Party, and being a state that overwelmingly votes strongly Republican consistently. Virginia's strong conservative roots are known and anyone questioning them is rather insane or knows dick about politics. But beyond that Kaine still won. Using a great asset of a popular governor and running a up-beat, positive campaign with those, like myself who worked extreme hours, victory was assured. It was an uphill battle that was won. No, we are not out of touch. If we are so out of touch, how do we win a race where every poll had is down until two weeks before the election? Virginia saw a good message, someone they can trust and knew he was the right man for the job.

The Commonwealth was also helped by the hand of the Democratic Pary's newest and probably strongest memeber, Barak Obama. He arrived a few weeks ago to bring out our core and to energize our base in a time where it would be crucial. And energize he did. Barak Obama is the future of the party and as he goes, so does the Democrats. He has the message, the pedigree and the ideals the party has embraced. Everyone, within the Democratic Party and outside the party have recognized his power. Everyone knows he will be a force in politics and world society for years to come. And everyone, especially Republicans know they will have a fight ahead of them, one in which it will be a struggle for them to win. The more he is around, the more he strengthens our voice, one we struggled to have before and one we will be without any longer.

However, he is not alone. Over the last several months, I have had the pleasure of working with a great lot of people who care, who have principle and who will always stand with their nation. Democrats have had their identity defined by those who wish ill upon them, but now they define themselves. With the likes of Anton Gunn, my brother who has been with people who have helped bring them life and hope with social and political education many are without. Many people believe there is little they can do to affect their world, but those like Anton are there to tell them otherwise. He shows them what they can do and how to be involved to help more than just themselves.

With our new, young faces willing to prove their worth and ability, the Democratic Party is in good hands. Yes, it was hurt with the loss of the Presdential race, but that was not the end. It may have been a victory for them, but for those who lost, it was a realization. A realization that there is more out there. A realization that there is no where left to go but up. A realizaton that with more people out there without political direction, there is no way anyone can be out of touch with the people. You just have to get intouch with them, which we did in Virginia's Democratic Coordinated Campaign.

I once said that American cannot be right if there is nothing left and that is the truth, literally and figuratively. If the domination by the Republicans is a signal of the death of the Democratic Party, then there is nothing to combat it, but yet, we won this election. Yet, we still have a voice. Yet we have not and will not go away. So we will stay. American is not America without those on the left. We are part and parcel of this nation, since the inception and will be a part until the bitter end. The domination of the right is not only unthinkable, but it is impossible. Our leadership, our future and our legacy will ensure the well-being of the Democratic Party. So without a shadow of doubt, without question or pause, I can assuredly tell you as I breathe God's air that the Democratic Party is in great hands.

Now witness in our glory and fire.