The news is a funny place these days. Less about what is happening and more about what someone says is happening.
Back at the ranch. I recieved this email, i missed this on the evening news or the paper. Did you?
Dear Friends,
I am writing to any friends living outside Illinois, whether I've spoken to you recently or whether it's been years. Yesterday we had an immigrant rights march that drew 100,000 people. Arrests? None. (in fact, protesters were having their pictures taken in front of Chicago's equestrian police) Injuries? 2 people fainted.
Why? A congressman in a neighboring state, US Rep. Sensenbrenner, has managed to get his bill, HR 4437, passed through the House which would turn all 11 or 12 million undocumented immigrants (that includes people who entered without inspection as well as people who entered on temporary visas and overstayed them) into "aggravated felons" as well as turning the people who help them - aiding and abetting - into just regular ol' felons (which would mean folks like me). In addition, it has tons of other horrid shit which only the wonks know about.
The bill is currently being considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee, among several competing bills. Our champ in this is Sen. Durbin (D-IL), and we're wanting folks to call him, as well as Judiciary Committee Chair Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Senate Majority Leader Frist, and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (because whatever comes out of the Senate will head back to a conference committee between the two chambers).
If you agree that criminalizing 12 million people (as well as millions more who work with them) overnight is no answer to the immigration problem, I'm asking you all to take a moment and call the folks at their D.C. offices (or via their electronic contact forms). If you agree that people who work and pay taxes and otherwise obey the law should earn a path to citizenship, then tell these officials "No to Sensenbrenner HR 4437, and yes to McCain-Kennedy S. 1033"
Speak your mind my friends. Create Community.