My thoughts on Ukraine.

By Silvia Uribe

A country is being reduced to rubbles in front of our eyes. The killing of thousands of people, the fear of children, not knowing why things are exploding around them, if they’re going to be safe, or wondering when they will see their father, their brother, their grandpa again. Women trying to save a new generation by fleeing to another country, to another life that they have no idea how will develop. It is like running towards a black hole. A force is taking them to where, as far as they can see now, awaits them with uncertainty, fear, responsibilities. They will have to face that future by themselves, most likely, with no other support except their two arms to work, and the hope that, life will be good again…for their children.

We, the international community are watching in disbelief, with horror, gasping at the images that leave us with a sense of impotence. What could we do? The U.S.A is giving Ukraine, as a country, humanitarian help already. Perhaps we are donating our hard-earned dollars to an organization or giving other in-kind donations. We are putting sanctions on a country ruled by a crazy, self-centered bas***d, whose mission is to conquer at any cost. But…is this enough? No. Obviously, it is not enough.

On the other hand, the international community keeps buying Russia’s fuel, and who knows in how many other ways we are helping this mad man to kill innocent people. At least the U.S. and Great Britain today declared that they gave the order to stop doing it, but what about the rest of the countries? We are so concerned about the “possible consequences” that those actions can cause our countries. Ukraine’s President, we heard him, is asking for the Allies to help him by protecting their sky, but we are afraid that this will make Putin madder and would try to invade other countries or start a nuclear war. Ukraine is asking for help with troops and weapons on the ground to reinforce what they’ve been doing so valiantly, and the international community keeps showing fear.

Can all countries be strategic about this? The only strategy, from my point of view, is to stop Russia now…today, it is to attack his troops while they are focused on attacking Ukraine. I have no military background, but if 90 percent of Russia’s troops are inside Ukraine, wouldn’t it be logical to get them there now? Or while they are in Ukraine, could we and our Allies nullify their nuclear plants bombard the Kremlin? We have Generals that are great strategic people. Let’s use their skills, please! It seems to me that we are very effectively playing cat and mouse, us being the mouse. Only one man is having the upper hand dictating to the rest of the world what he wants everyone else to do, and we are doing it in a submissive way. It is maddening.

I understand that no one wants a nuclear conflagration in which no one will win, but c’mon! Not offering the help that is really needed is as cruel as what Russia is doing. Someone once said this. “When someone asks you for help, if you can, provide the help they are asking for, not the help that that you want to offer. “

Just sitting in front of the T.V., being horrified, but going on with our normal lives seems inconceivable to me. No, we don’t need to start or participate in another war, no we don’t want to pay higher gas prices, no, we don’t want to take any more risks… but we need to get rid of this cancer called totalitarian Putin and finally do something effective to end Ukraine’s suffering, and to protect the world from him, once and for all. Otherwise, we all will be guilty; he as the invader and us, for our inaction.

Please, call or write to your Representatives in Congress and in your State, and urge them to convince our Allies to take real action now. The kind of action that will effectively save us all.

 

 

SO, WHAT NOW?

By Silvia Uribe

I must confess that I feel kind of lost, kind of empty, kind of afraid and kind of mad. Driving home earlier, and on the wake of the insurrection of January 6^th, which has taken days to sink-in. Having not been in this space before, I needed to understand it.

I feel lost because although all the writing was on the wall, I never expected to see what I saw that day. Not in the U.S. Not living in Santa Barbara, our share of paradise. I felt the same feeling I felt on 9/11 watching the violent images at the Capitol: incredulity, and yet, it was all real. I felt, like many others did, that this country was far from becoming one of those countries in which a nut-head gets to power and never wants to leave it, placing his country and its people in the verge or extreme hunger, and constant social unrest. Well, there you have it. We have our own version of it right here; a “leader” who only takes care of himself and those around him, IF they do as he says, whether legal, good, decent, or not. This is our reality now, unfortunately.  Was he a good “leader”? Some might say yes, “he did good for the economy.” But is that all that we must judge a president by? Is the economy the only standard? Up for debate.

Emptiness: Yes, because the question is, what now? Do we have any options other than accepting the fact that our country, as we know it, does not exist anymore? We do not have what most of us value so much: peace. I have lived enough years to foresee what is there and what is not, and to maybe make a prediction or two. This is not the country that I always admired and loved. A beast, with a familiar name, was unleashed: Hate. When this happens, we must always watch over our shoulders. We would never know whether it may charge us, bite us, or try to kill us. When we hate and distrust each other, as human beings, what do we have? How can we work together? How can we go back to what we thought we knew about each other? I do not have answers, and sadly, I do not feel much hope.  

Fear: Of course, if there is no trust among us; if our views are so different, what can we expect? Peace means nothing to those who believe they can take a country with violence, based on nothing but on the lies they were told, which perfectly plays with their leaders’ insatiable hunger for power. If you try to tell them otherwise, with reason and evidence, they will still disregard you. My father used to say, “People will believe what they want to believe.” Americans are well-intended people, with values, and integrity. We are also prudent and quiet, for the most part. We do not like to create controversy, and much less verbal confrontation, so most of us keep our values and opinions quiet, and let the noisy ones raise their voices without challenging them. That is a problem.

I am a Latina, and although I might look as white as the next person, and I have enjoyed the same kind of privilege, many in my family have not, and I fear the racist and discriminatory environment in which my children and grandchildren will be living in the future. I am not a person who brings up discrimination frequently in conversations.  However, the hate that Trump unleashed toward blacks, Latinos, Jews, and women, has no limits, as we all realize now. Hate is, precisely, the fuel that ignites this violence. It is the undercurrent. The noisy, violent individuals come from all walks of life, but their common thread is discrimination, and the preservation of their privilege. They do not believe in Democracy, they like leeches, just benefit from it. They want to keep in check those who they perceive as a threat. It is a very scary notion for some to accept, but if we observe the images of the mob at the Capitol, we will see the Confederate flags, and the discriminatory messages written on their clothes. Is there any doubt?

This re-ignited hate, obviously, started with the election of Obama. Many felt that their country was overtaken and wanted revenge. The election of Trump was their retribution. With him as president, and his servants in Congress, those who felt threatened and disfranchised before, felt that they belonged, and felt safe to express their hate.

So yes, this new reality makes me mad. For me, my family, our community, and for our Country. This is not what most Americans want or look for. This social unrest is imposed upon us, and unfortunately, we will have to deal with it. We might see more acts of violence in the future perpetrated by radicals. These radicals may expand their reach, and recruit, and radicalize more people: maybe some of those we think we know and trust. Trump’s legacy, as I see it, is the beginning of a slow dismantling of our society, if we allow it.

So, this is a call to action for those of us with real American democratic values: speak up and push back on every discriminatory comment, joke, and aggression, against you or those around you, no matter how big or small it may seem. Let the radicals know that they have a steep hill in front of them, and that getting to the top will not be as easy as they’d like it to be.

The Fears of an Optimist

 

There are only a couple of weeks from now to election day. WHAT? have you noticed that we have been in election mode for a good 2 years? I am exhausted! A couple of days ago I heard, really heard for the first time. that this is going to end in 2 weeks. I have tuned all things political out that much. I was surprised that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, to tell you the truth. 

By now, I can’t stand to watch the news, or to hear Trump's lies, and some of the repetitive comebacks from Democrats. I'm tired of the Republican party having no backbone. no decency, no values. I'm talking about the Republican party as a whole. There are some exceptional Republicans, some of which I'm proud to call friends, who see the present reality of their party with pain and with shame. I'm tired of the pundits, and of people who keep repeating what they are fed by Trump and his entourage. People can support whoever they want, but then the question is, can they not analyze and observe for themselves, instead of just repeat what Trump says in his rallies?

Covid made things worse. Not just because all the people who have died, but also because it has killed me and many others with boredom, inactivity or lack of social diversion. We had to sit in front of a screen and become victims of all that they wanted us to hear, throughout the best part of 2020. I just want this to end. But, being an optimist, I want this to end like in a storybook. ...And they live happily ever after. However, I well know that this is not going to be possible. I hope for the best but fear the worse.

I fear that if Trump wins, things are going to get really bad, really quickly. He will be more embolden than ever, and since there's no one branch of government that would call him on his BS, he will really become something no one wants to see. I also fear that if he losses, those who support him, and who believe everything he says, will be brain-washed to do who knows what, in their own detriment, and everyone else's.

I wonder how the US is going to look like after this election. In the past, I never had those fears, and I never, ever, wondered about what would happen to us, the citizens, those of us who do not know who's allowing all of this to happen, or maybe even promoting it. Who are those really in charge behind the scenes? Who is dictating the marching orders? And, what's the purpose? Why those in power want to desensitize us?  Where do they want to take us? Experts are talking about a huge recession coming soon. Well, we don't have to be an expert to see it coming, right?  I'm afraid of it too. How will we look as a country after such immense recession? America is not used to the notion of extreme poverty.

Just look around. Talk to people on the street. If you have not heard how much people are suffering already, try and get out of your comfort zone and talk to those who perform the service jobs around us. They are behind in their rent and a blink away from homelessness, they are indebting themselves into a dark hole, and they don't know when or if they'll be able to overcome their situation. My heart brakes every time I hear one of those stories.

I hope, that for the sake of Americans of all colors, religions, sexual orientations, ages, origins, races and what not, and of those who are not Americans yet, who live here, and love our country, things won't get as bad as I fear they can become. I hope that at some point, we will again be the country that I got to love so deeply, for everything it has given me, but mainly for its people, who I know to be different enough to have their own opinions, but united enough to pull together for the cause of the strong, reliable country that we feel proud of. 

Yes, I am an incorrigible optimist. That's why I voted already. That's why I have been working to encourage people to vote. And, that's why I invite you to vote. Exert your voting power, so our country can see a less dark and a more hopeful time. This is not the time to be complacent and watch from the bleachers. It is not, either, a time to take is as a joke and write-in any name. Take it seriously! Do whatever is in your power, your country is at stake.

Please... VOTE!

VISION AND INTEGRITY ARE POLITICS MAIN INGREDIENTS… OR ARE THEY?

By Silvia Uribe

Maybe I should start with a full disclosure. I am an independent thinking Democrat, which, to me, only means that I don’t follow, or agree, on everything with the Democratic Party. By default, this also means that I have the ability to see, and agree on certain points coming from the opposite side. What? I know, I know. This not only raises a few brows here and there. It also puts me in the “endangered species” category of the, so called, political pragmatics. Precisely because I am an independent thinker, I would like for everyone to be one. However, this seems a lost battle these days when we, as a country, are so polarized, so intolerant of others’ opinions, and so close minded, with the cliche attitude of “it is my way, or the highway.”

The result of that extreme polarization? Donald Trump and his boisterous campaign. In my humble opinion, he is also the result of the lack of imagination and vision on the Republican Party side (sorry Republican friends). If we look back on how things developed, we can vividly remember that the Republican Party never liked Trump as a candidate; they thought he was a “joke”, at the very least. Joke or not, however, Republicans were afraid of him and his threats of creating a third party “if not treated well.” They thought that if he did, it would weaken their party, so, they let him be. By lacking action, they also allowed him prey on people’s primary instincts: fear, anxiety, anger, desire for power, hatred. He used then and now, the "psychology of the masses", as they call it. By the time Republicans were willing to do something about it, it was too late. They most likely will have an unscrupulous presidential candidate, who in his own words, is “greedy for power” and doesn’t care that his inflammatory words can cause riots, or even the possibility of people physically and verbally attacking members of “undesirable” groups, i.e. women, Latinos, Muslims, and counting.

The only good thing that I see about Donald Trump is that, now, many Republicans and most Democrats despise him, and are able to see him for what he is: a fraud and a danger to this country. Hey, we have not agreed on anything else for years now!

The reason that I write this column at this point, is because it is sickening to me to think that the Republican Party could give its endorsement to this “trumper” (urban dictionary: A brash, pretentious, narcissistic man who makes outrageous, controversial statements and engages in attention-seeking behavior for money or fame.) who's willing to trump up ( Dictionary.com: to devise deceitfully or dishonestly. Fabricate.) everything and everyone. His opponents, and other party members, from Chris Christie,  Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, and Carly Fiorina to the Bush family and even Paul Ryan have declared their distaste for Mr. Trump, but some of them have, and others might gather around him, and give him  their endorsement after having a few meetings with him at the White House next Wednesday. Seriously?

Do Republican Party members really think that they can trust this guy? He is going to say anything in order to get his hunger for power satisfied. These are a few examples to prove it:

-         -  Trump  has criticized candidates who raise money for their presidential campaigns – He is, as we speak,  getting ready to raise serious money and has a Super PAC already in formation

        

           - He has said that he doesn’t want illegal immigration (I would rather have those who work on the fields to have the opportunity to live here legally too) and wants to deport people left and right, but he yesterday said he loves Hispanics, and celebrated 5 de Mayo with a “huge” American style tostada bowl.

-         -  He said at a debate that he would order the military to use torture with terrorists, waterboarding or worse, and then when confronted in an interview he said “I would not ask the military to do anything illegal”

-          - He, from the get go of his campaign, has attacked  women. He now wants to gain their vote by being quasi-charming (not really), and so on.

Paul Ryan said that he is not ready yet to support him, unless he thinks that Trump will run a campaign of which Republicans could be proud. Is this a possibility in Ryan’s mind at this point? Is he, and others, ready to go ahead and endorse him just to have a vocally (not politically) strong contestant against Hillary Clinton? I believe it is morally wrong that they are willing to put our country at stake that way.

Sad. Very sad.

UPDATE ON CHIPOTLE'S WORKERS

Chipotle workers protested on Dec 22 at a Chipotle Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. No results yet. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGL8MYvrpHE

“The Death of the DREAM Act”.

By Silvia Uribe

Latinos are not only disappointed, but also frustrated by the failure of the DREAM Act  in Congress. The main problem was not that Republicans wanted to derail it– everyone knew that - but that Democrats didn’t have their act together, and some joined the Republicans and voted against it. With those 5 Democrat votes against, the DREAM Act fell 5 votes short from passing. If those 5 Democrat votes would’ve been pro DREAM, the bill would have reached the Senate floor, and could have passed by a simple majority.

Unfortunately, this shows the reality of the Democratic Party. It is disjointed, and unable to organize one vote. This leaves Latinos out in the cold, and with no clear option as to which political party to turn to. Maybe now is the time for an Independent candidate to come forward for 2012, uniting the Latino vote and taking it away from both parties.

Even worse, is that the DREAM Act failure comes on the heels of the passing of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy reversal, which allows for gays in the military to be as openly gay as they may. The country is focusing in celebrating this great success, of course, however, very little has been said in the media about the irrational vote on the DREAM Act.

Why irrational? Because who can possibly think that the youth - who didn’t come to this country willfully, but were brought by their parents - who will become well educated adults, paying their taxes, their social security, expending in consumer products, is not something that our country will benefit from? We’re talking about 1.2 million immigrant youth in this group, according experts. Republicans, frankly, are blindly obsessed with fighting anything that could appear like an amnesty. Whether it could be beneficial or not, they don’t care.

As upsetting as the failing of the DREAM Act is, it is not surprising to those who have been paying attention to the writing on the wall. When the Democrats had the majority in both houses, the Democratic leadership wasn’t able to cash in on that political power. Now things have changed, the fight for the presidential race on 2012 is on, and Republicans will for sure obstruct anything that Obama wants to do.

Although Republicans say that they are interested in passing a comprehensive immigration reform, it is not expected that they will act on it, until “our borders are secured”, as they have expressed. But, curiously enough, they keep opposing the bills that fund border security. It seems that the “statuos quo” is working fine for them. In the meantime, we can expect more abuse of power, and inhumane treatment for those undocumented.

CHIPOTLE'S WORKERS SUPPORT A BOYCOTT

December 16, 2010

In relation to our previous posting, regarding CHIPOTLE "cooperation with ICE" we've received communication from CHIPOTLE's workers' representatives in Minnesota [NAIR_CC:7866]:

Thank you for forwarding this aticle. In Minnesota, we are working with the workers and they are supporting a boycott. From our meeting with workers there are three main demands for Chipotle: (1) that Chipotle tell the truth about what's going on -- they won't say anything to the fired workers or to the media; (2) that Chipotle give people more time, don't fire them immediately; and (3) that Chipotle pay them for their hours work and the year-end bonuses they are due. And they have the demand for ICE to stop these I-9 audits so this doesn't happen to anyone else.
In solidarity,

Anh Pham
MIRAc
 
---o---
 
It seems CHIPOTLE is not only "cooperating" with ICE, but also they're trying to make money out of their employees. Hmmmm...
 
CALL TO ACTION: SUPPORT THE BOYCOTT (and re-post this comment)

CHIPOTLE "COOPERATES WITH ICE" - Fox News

Dozens of Latino Chipotle employees across Minnesota and Wisconsin have been fired in the last week, and several workers who survived the cuts say they are being asked to train white workers whom they fear will become their replacements once the training is complete, a local blog reports.


According to CityPages, an online Minnesota blog, restaurant managers referred all questions to Chipotle's corporate headquarters in Denver. Chipotle released the following statement to Fox News Latino:

"We are fully cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Minnesota in response to a request for documents they have made. Chipotle is extremely proud of its diverse and talented workforce, and is saddened by the loss of some excellent employees."

There is no confirmation that all of the released employees have been fired due to their document status.

The number of fired employees -- at least 80, CityPages reports -- could still grow. The Minnesota Immigration Rights Committee has stepped in to condemn the firings and represent the now jobless employees.

Workers gathered at then Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on Tuesday to share their stories and discuss their options.

---- o ----

CALL TO ACTION: Let's not eat at CHIPOTLE. Pass the word.

When Thinking Immigration Reform, Also Think Integration Management*!

By Silvia Uribe

It is a well known fact that Immigration represents a challenge for most countries these days. Another fact is that immigrants are blamed worldwide for most maladies that countries face, although most of the time the blame is based on everything (prejudices, stereotypes, suspicion, and racism) but facts. 


In the U.S, past the habitual blame and the political fight regarding the undeniable need for an Immigration Reform is the undisputable priority that represents the well being of the country as a whole. Republicans and Democrats need to understand that our country is more than their narrow, incredibly limited and painfully castrating – to the people – political strategies.


Immigration policy is a serious concern. A concern that our government needs to tackle immediately after this midterm election. Republicans and some Democrats consistently oppose a reform, and later blame the President for not being efficient, and for not making good on campaign promises. Our society cannot afford to wait any longer on the Immigration issue. Otherwise, the price could be too high.


However, an Immigration Reform that covers only a path to legalization, border security and sanctions won’t cut it. It needs to include a well rounded Immigrant Integration Management* piece as the core of this reform. The financial resources to accomplish this could be available by redirecting them from the presently funded failing methods to “control” our borders.


Under this policy framework, things like race relations, ethnic dilemmas, language skills, and the gap in education, plus inter-state cooperation, addressed in the Berne Initiative from December 2004 http://bit.ly/a0qdCk would be put into play.


Studies have demonstrated that although by law there’s no segregation in our country, there’s a lot of it happening from coast to coast. Ethnic groups are not willing to mingle with each other, and as a result, there’s no understanding, and of course, no trust among them.


Moreover, ethnic groups are constantly bombarded with negative information about each other and the division among them could become unsolvable if we don’t address the problem fast, head on, and with determination.


Fear and distrust of each other is fueled by political parties every time these want to accomplish something, stirring an effervescence that could bubble up without control. When groups are so polarized, it is only a matter of time before serious confrontations erupt.


As a country, we’ve lived in denial about this for many years. Now, with such a large Latino minority we can do it no more. It is by addressing the issues, promoting understanding, and integrating the different ethnic groups that they can get to trust each other and work in a concerted effort. This is the kind of political strategy that will propel all of us to the peaceful, bright and thriving future that we all envision.


If our goal is to remain as one of the world’s financial and political powers; one that is relevant, and able to lead in a global economy, it is in our best interest not to allow any minority group to fall behind or be disenfranchised. This is particularly important, in the wake of rapidly developing economies such as China and India, and should be made the number one priority for our representatives in both houses.


It is time to demand that they pass an Immigration Reform with a well thought out Integration Management* component.


*Integration Management: Organization of constituent elements into a coordinated, harmonious whole to achieve specific goals.

Monique Limon Knows What She's Talking About

By Silvia Uribe

Monique Limón is not the only one, but she is definitely a shining example of a success story from our high schools—and her story is just starting.


I met Monique Limón this summer during the Education Achievement Summit in Santa Barbara, organized by Just Communities among others. It brought together important stakeholders and showed all participants what an open and sincere dialogue plus the decision to improve our school district can accomplish. The summit had around 80 participants.

It didn’t take most participants long to be interested in what Limón had to say. The points she made were crucial, and her eloquent way of presenting them was not only smart but refreshing. Coming from someone who is not only a former student in the Santa Barbara School District, but whose meteoric career path has made her a highly ranked administrator at UCSB, her observations packed a wallop. She knows first-hand what our schools already offer, and what they lack. Then, I learned that she was running for Santa Barbara School Board of Trustees.


After that day, I’ve had several opportunities to talk to Limón and to learn more about her and about what she stands for. Limón is a petite woman who’s all vitality and smiles. In her eyes, however, one can see the strength of someone who’s determined to fight for what she believes. She appears to me to be a true leader.


I asked her to share a little bit with Grapevine readers, considering the influence that she would have over Goleta Valley Junior High, San Marcos High, and Dos Pueblos High, which are located in our backyard.


How would you describe yourself?


“I am a native of Santa Barbara and a product of our local schools and community. I am committed to enhancing the educational and career opportunities for Santa Barbara residents through my work as an educator in our community.”


In short, what's your background?


“As a Santa Barbara local, I began my education as a first generation. college-bound, English as a Second Language (ESL) student and transitioned into honors and the GATE program. I earned my BA from UC Berkeley and MA in education from one of the country’s top graduate schools in education: Columbia University, Teacher’s College.


“I have spent much of my professional career working with and mentoring students of all ages as well as working with families in Santa Barbara County. As a program advisor for the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP), I coordinated the Parent School Partnership program, and financial aid workshops for all high school seniors and parents, and facilitated the “Transfer: Making It Happen” (California Senate Bill 1898) program for local schools in our district. In my current position at UCSB, I serve as the assistant director of the McNair Scholars Program, where I provide leadership and manage a U.S. Department of Education program. I am also an instructor for Interdisciplinary Studies Courses for undergraduate students at UCSB.”


Why now, and why the School Board?


“My experience as a teacher, administrator, and program manager over the past eight years has allowed me to develop a deep and complex understanding of public education. I am committed to continue enhancing educational and career opportunities for our community. My knowledge and understanding of our educational system brings a much-needed perspective in student learning and achievement to the San Barbara School Board.”


How will your previous professional experience help the board, the students, and the parents?


“I have been an effective educator and a promoter of higher education in our community. I have worked with more than 3,000 junior high and high school students and more than 400 parents advising them on issues such as college prerequisites, financial aid, and career opportunities. These experiences have and will contribute to decision-making on the school board level. It is important to have leaders who are not only qualified to make policy and fiscal decisions, but who also understand the impact these decisions will have on our students both in and outside of the classroom.”


Name your three main goals to accomplish.


“As a member of the Santa Barbara Board of Education, I hope to address the challenges of budget cuts by drawing upon my experience working with state and federal educational programs that required responsible fiscal oversight and expect quantitative and qualitative outcomes. Student achievement is a historical problem that requires stakeholder engagement and starts with parent involvement. Our schools face many challenges and also battle with the realities of shifting priorities determined by the daily needs of our schools and demands/impact of state policies. I will work to achieve the right balance between our state and local priorities to work toward sustaining successful schools.”


Why should people vote for you?


“As someone who has been part of the Santa Barbara community for more than three decades, I bring a diverse range of experiences that include serving on a county commission, local nonprofit boards, and managing programs focused on student achievement and increasing parental involvement. My work in education, our community, and understanding of our local schools gives me a winning combination of experiences that are needed for our school board.”


By now, you probably agree with me that this candidate is like no other, in her background, her vast experience, and her energy. To volunteer or to learn more about Monique Limón’s campaign, please go to her Web site or send an email to limon4sbschools@gmail.com.

Silvia Uribe is a freelance writer with a Latino perspective.

 
Also published at www.independent.com/goleta

Want Money For Defense? Pass The DREAM Act.

By Silvia Uribe

It is time to start talking about Immigration again. Like I predicted sometime ago, it looks like President Obama will try to pass an Immigration Reform before 2011 is over. If there’s one thing that Obama doesn’t need or want is to face this issue right before midterm elections. In reality, passing a reform next year, will gain him the points he needs to win the reelection in 2012.


By the same token, Obama’s already drained image, and lack of character will make it almost an impossible task, counting necessarily, on the stubbornness of the Republicans in the Senate.


Our appetite for a much needed Immigration Reform increased this week when we had the Dream Act delivered as an appetizer. On Tuesday, Harry Reid Senate Majority Leader announced that he will place the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act), inside a defense funding bill set to go before the Senate next week.


Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a 6 year conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service. The DREAM Act has bipartisan support, and we need the vote of 60 senators to pass the bill.


We, of course, need to take into consideration that these young people are here illegally through no fault of their own. Their parents brought them when they were minors, and they have grown up, and learned to love this country, their country. It is these same youth that we’ve encouraged to apply themselves, study, become better persons, and better citizens. When they are ready to do just that, Republicans like John McCain, want to take the rug from under their feet by loudly opposing the Dream Act. With this move, Reid is basically forcing the Senate to pass the Dream Act in order for funds to be allocated for defense purposes.


He must be of the same opinion as the great politician and educator Edward Everett who once said “Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.” On the other hand, misleading politicians like McCain prefer not to have the people of our country well educated in order to manipulate them at their will.


Some others, within the GOP also expressed their disapproval. They don’t want to start the conversations on immigration, and much less on anything that has to do with what they mischievously call an amnesty.


President Obama acknowledged that the Immigration Reform in general and the Dream Act in particular has enemies, but sent a clear message to Latinos when he recently said "don't forget who is standing with you, and who is standing against you. Don't ever believe that this election coming up doesn't matter. ... Don't forget who your friends are." Obama also said “I’m not walking away from this fight...”


However, what’s most important is that Latinos cannot sit back and do nothing. We need to vote, and be politically active. We have power in numbers. Why let others decide? We need to learn how to fight for a common purpose, one that will take us all ahead. We need to unite, and look for the benefit of our children, and for their right to live legally and peacefully in the country we call ours: the United States.


We seem to only be 5 votes away from the 60 votes needed to pass this bill. We can do it if we all help.

CALL TO ACTION: To support students' dreams in five minutes by making just two phone calls. Please ask Senators Hatch and Bennett from Utah to support the DREAM ACT. To reach them, please call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-888-254-5087. If this number is busy, please call 1-202-224-3121. Please consider asking five people you know to join you in making calls.


For information on who to call and for a script to make your call click http://www.dreamactivist.org/

The Burning Of The Koran - A Dilusion Or A Plan?

By Silvia Uribe

September 10, 2010

Terry Jones is the man who was, or is planning to burn 200 plus Koran (Quran) against all better judgment. But, who is this character anyway? And how did we get to learn about him and his plans? Yes, what he’s planning to do is outrageous, but what’s really interesting to me is that we know what this ‘pastor’, in the middle of nowhere – a town called Gainsville, Fla – is planning to do. Isn’t it strange? Not only that, but ‘miraculously’ – pun intended – he got the attention of the mass media.

I didn’t even know how this frenzy started. So, in searching the internet, I was able to find that the earliest mass media report that appeared was from August 12, 2010 by Fox Orlando. Interesting coincidence. In their report, they cited a Facebook page for the “Dove World Outreach Center” as the source of the Koran burning announcement.

Being the Facebook fan that I am, and having seen other outrageous events announced there before, I launched a search for their page, but the results that Facebook produced related to this name showed no ‘official’ page or announcement. I found a few pages created against this group, and against the nonsense they stand for. These groups compiled a few thousands of people joining the opposition ranks. So, I had to wonder, was Fox the original source “uncovering” this story?

Then I learned from Terry Jones himself that they worship while carrying a gun. In that particular interview he said that Jesus would do the same, even if this act would induce violence because “he [Jesus] was not always nice.” With those statements, who can give him the benefit of the doubt? What became clear to me is how easily a man like this can be manipulated with the promise of power, money, and fame.


Think about it. He is a nobody. Not even a good speaker that could clearly articulate why he wanted to burn these books. Jones is a man that at his old age has only been able to gather a flock of 30 to follow him and his ideas. It is too late for him to dream about leaving anything relevant and good for posterity. But his irrational ambition would settle for the opportunity to leave his name imprinted somewhere, no matter that it is in the dark records of our nation’s craziest. What the hell!
Those who claim to be the only ones who understand Christianity, and the only ones that can interpret our Constitution, would also be capable of coming up with the idea that Jones claims as his, and use him as a puppet. Also, thanks to Fox News they can make this be known worldwide. Why would they? To harm the present administration internationally. This, of course, will translate in political gain. Clever plan!


These Machiavellian minds’ purpose is instilling distrust of one another, and ultimately fears of one another. Nothing new. Divide and conquer is the oldest strategy to gain power.

Except this time, they could have dragged us all into seriously dangerous business.

Fortunately, it was reported, that Jones put a halt to his plans and no burning will take place, provided that he receives a promise that a Mosque will be relocated from “Ground Zero” in New York. Weird. He despises Muslims, but he trusts their word? Not very congruent.

However, much damage has been done, and repercussions around the world are taking place already.


The scariest thing of all is the fact that our country is at close risk to be underhandedly, and hopelessly ruled by those Machiavellian minds that are willing to do any-thing to get the power, and have no limits to their ambition.

Hold on to your Holy Book!

Cross-published on www.edhat.com

Community Values Forum

Discussion of Car Impoundments and Secure Communities Program

By Silvia Uribe

Yesterday in Goleta, immigrants and their allies came together to talk about what’s happening in Santa Barbara County in relation to immigration.

The goal of the Community Values Forum, organized by P.U.E.B.L.O at San Raphael’s Church, on Hollister Avenue, was to create an opportunity for community members and elected leaders to learn about and discuss issues of immigration reform and local enforcement policies that affect our immigrant community.

Around 100 people, including a handful of elected officials, including Supervisor Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara City Council members Grant House and Das Williams, and Goleta City Council member Ed Easton, were present at the forum. A representative of Congresswoman Lois Capps read a message from her boss, and a representative of Police Chief Cam Sanchez was also present.

Those attending the event listened to a very informative panel touching on two main topics. The first was titled “Car Impoundments in Santa Barbara: Good for Public Safety?” The second topic was the Secure Communities Program, and how it operates in our criminal justice system. Attendees were also able to hear a couple of very touching testimonies on how our immigrant community suffers the most consequences from these programs.

A study presented by Greg Prieto, from UCSB, showed that in 2007 and in 2008 the number of cars impounded at check points from people whose licenses were suspended or revoked due to previous DUI’s or for some other reason, was around 300 both years; whereas the number of cars impounded from those who had no license at all (as distinct from a suspended or revoked license) went from 900 in 2007, to 1250 in 2008. What this means, Prieto said, is that those checkpoints are not making our roads safer from dangerous drivers, as they’re supposed to, but are instead hurting the immigrant population.

From this presentation, attendees learned that the law states that if a person who has no license gets pulled over by the police, the officer can use his discretion to not have the car impounded immediately, but to give the driver a chance to have someone with a valid California driver’s license pick up the car and take it away. However, this discretion is rarely practiced, and the car is almost always immediately impounded. Prieto said that in San Francisco, as a result of public pressure, police allow for a 20-minute window for a licensed driver to show up.

Mateo, a 39-year-old man, in his testimony on this issue (in a compilation published by PUEBLO, called En Las Sombras del Paraiso, or In the Shadows of Paradise) said: “It is very traumatic having to drive without a license all the time. I fear an encounter with police. Because of this fear, and my nervousness, I make mistakes that give me away with police. Now I drive a $500 car, to reduce my loss in case the police stop me and impound my car simply because I don’t have a license.”

Melissa Keaney, from the National Immigration Law Center, informed the audience that Santa Barbara’s agreement with Secure Communities was made with the Sheriff’s Office, and that it started on January 5, 2010. She ennumerated some of this program’s irregularities.

1) ICE (Immigration Control and Enforcement) is not paying attention to racial profiling cases or to arrests with no reason.

2) There is no transparency: The Department of Homeland Security has not regulated any part of this program, and there are no records to be reviewed.

3) The numbers are not clear: None of ICE publications have information on Secure Communities and there’s no provision for data collection or for audits.

After listening to these presentations and the testimonies of a couple of people, Supervisor Carbajal made the commitment to meet with Sheriff Bill Brown to talk about the current situation and how we want Santa Barbara County to be fair with all its residents.

Likewise, Das Williams and Grant House said that they will start the conversation at the Santa Barbara City Council to talk about these issues. Ed Easton said that he will do as much as he can to promote this conversation within the City of Goleta government. A committee put together by PUEBLO will be formed to follow up on these commitments in order to further the movement against discriminatory and un-American Legislation.

Silvia Uribe is a freelance writer with a Latino perspective.

Cross-posted at Independent.com

In Politics Words Matter

By Silvia Uribe

During election times more than ever, negative words and comments are at the forefront of our minds and our attention. Candidates seem not to understand that voters get as tired of dirty tactics and low blows, as we get discouraged from voting for those who cannot have a clean campaign.

We all use words in many different ways. How we use them, however, says more than the words themselves. The way we communicate, and the words we choose show who we really are, and what we're about. They show our intentions, our feelings, and even our ulterior motives. We can have problems with others due to our words, or we can create long-term alliances.

Hate words, as we know, can promote dissension and division between individuals, groups, governments, and even among countries.

Some politicians take words very lightly, and people around them would like to think that the repercussions of a word said are as short- lived as the sound of such word. They forget that a simple word can break strong bonds, separate friends, siblings, parents and children, and that certain words that are carelessly said at a given moment could be engraved in others' memory forever.

The fact is that some candidates take many liberties and many risks with their words. In their pursuit of power, some politicians say regrettable things, and then they act surprised and offended when others call them on it. They don't learn the lesson. They do this over and over, pretending that those to whom their harsh words are directed, and the voters in general, have the obligation to forgive them, and forget their lies and whatever negative discourse they've created, just with the purpose of winning an election.

The main thing, however, that they forget to take into consideration is that other candidates are not the only ones who are negatively impacted or the only ones who suffer the consequences of the detrimental words they use. It is they too, who fall victim to those negative, hurtful, or mean expressions of their ambition.

Some politicians may think that by bad-mouthing, criticizing, or trying to hurt another person's reputation, people will be convinced to turn their backs to such person, and choose to be on their side. But, much to their surprise, their own name, reputation, and motivation is being judged as much, or even more, than the object of their criticism.

We, as voters, tend to doubt the motives of those who throw attacks at another person just to accomplish whatever they want to achieve. We immediately wonder how someone can invest so much effort, energy, and money to soil another person's name. It definitely leaves us with a bad taste, and with a great deal of distrust for the attacker.

To the contrary, those who use positive words and messages, and focus on their campaigns and on their own accomplishments (because they do have them), even in the face of baseless attacks, take the high road. By doing that, they are showing us their strength, their compassion and the way they'll react in the future when things become difficult. This is a much more effective way to convince voters, if you ask me.

In the end, the words we use are the most accurate expression of our inner selves, and the best proof of who we could be during those tough moments that we all go through, no matter who we are, what we do, or what social position we're in.

Hopefully, politicians will soon realize this and stop the negative campaigns that reflect so poorly on them, and are so disgusting to most voters.

Silvia Uribe is a freelance writer with a Latino perspective.

Cross-posted at edhat.com

Goleta's Future Coming Soon

Informal Survey Shows What's On Some Goletans Minds

By Silvia Uribe

The city of Goleta will hold its next City Council elections in 2010, in which Mr. Roger Aceves, Mr. Michael Bennett and Mr. Eric Onnen will be running for re-election. For those of us who follow local politics, now is the time when we start thinking about whether they should keep their jobs, and wondering who will run against them.

I asked another political aficionado if he knew who's in the pipeline, ready to take Goleta's challenges in their hands and, with new approaches, continue to move things ahead. The answer he gave me-that no one seems to be willing to take the lead and change the things that we don't like, to modernize our city and the way our government operates-was a little disheartening. No new leaders on the horizon, at this point. If a viable candidate doesn't come forward, the incumbents will run unopposed, which is not just a stamp of approval for the way things are done, but a missed opportunity to have a dialogue as to how things could be better.

To find out whether people in general are happy with the present City Council, I decided to go out and do one of my non-scientific, but very telling, surveys at the Camino Real Marketplace. After I made sure that the interviewee lived or worked in Goleta, the questions I asked were simple: 1)What do you know about City Council? 2) Can you tell me the name or names of any council member? 3) What are the most important issues facing Goleta? 4) What do you like the most and the least about Goleta? 5) In which way would you like to receive updates on what city council is working on?

Carolyn

Carolyn, a young mother of one who has lived in Goleta for eight years, said that she doesn't know anything about City Council. The one thing that she keeps track of is the housing problem. "There's a desperate need for housing. We're renting and landlords treat us really badly," she said. "It's really frustrating. We're treated without respect. Because of this, we bought a house in Arizona, and lived there for a while but came back because here you find very educated, interesting people from all over the world, and because it is so beautiful. Updates? Maybe a mass e-mail with a link to the latest news about Goleta might work for me."

Mike

Robert, a husband and a father of two, works at Mika's: "I don't know any of the names of Council members or the issues affecting Goleta. Look, I work a 12-hour day and I don't have time for anything else. I've worked and lived here for five years. I used to live in Colorado and it's way better there. Here I work 72 hours a week and I can barely financially make it. My wife in Colorado was a stay-at-home mom, and I was making about the same money, but my rent was $600 for a two-bedroom home. We're barely surviving and can't even save the money we need to go back to Colorado. Wages here are way low for the cost of living. We need a living wage here, otherwise the hard-working people will have to leave the area and that won't benefit anyone. I'm not really interested in politics or politicians or in knowing what they do. I'm busy trying to survive."

Mike, living the peaceful life of a retired person, told me that he doesn't know anything about our City Council members or what they do. "Here's an outstanding issue: Old Town. It needs to be rejuvenated. If they don't fix it the merchants won't be able to make it. Another one: Goleta is getting old. Just six months ago they finally started fixing the off-ramps of the freeway and the mid-sections of Hollister. A good thing: We don't have as much crime and graffiti as Santa Barbara. Kudos to whomever is responsible for that. Information: I don't want any. I won't ruin the quality of my life by paying attention to politics."

UCSB student

A young UCSB student-her name was inaudible in my recorder: "I don't know anything about City Council. Last week I learned about Council members going to I.V. to experience Halloween. That's all I know. I'd like to see Goleta and UCSB more integrated. Students could be volunteering more for community programs, and school kids could have more activities at UCSB. Goleta is a beautiful location and the coast line is gorgeous. Text messages make up for a good conversation among friends. City Council should send updates in the middle of the day so we could read them, and talk about them with others."

These are only four examples representing 10 people that I interviewed. None of them knew Council members' names or what they're working on, thus they were unable to evaluate their performance. Nine out of ten accepted that they're not proactive in looking for information, and none of them uses or was aware of the website. Eight out of ten were concerned about the very basics: housing, living wage, water, quality of life. Six people's personal priorities were reflected in the city's strategic plan, and seven people suggested that tidbits of information in text messages or short emails with links to the latest about Goleta would be helpful in keeping people informed.

These findings showed once more how little our involvement is in the very things that have the potential to affect our lives the most. The government's responsibility is to keep us informed of what's happening in our city, but having the information available is not enough. Should they look for more modern ways to communicate with us? On the other hand, it is in our best interest to be proactive in finding out what our government is doing in order to hold them accountable.

Maybe politicians will start behaving more responsibly when we start paying the same attention during their terms, that we paid when we elected them.

Silvia Uribe is a freelance writer with a Latina perspective.

Cross-posted at the Independent.com

Immigration Battle

By Silvia Uribe

If you are tired of the health care debate, of the yelling from those who oppose it, and the pleads from those who want it; if you think that the insurance companies are spending too much money promoting their agenda, or you're concerned that your tax dollars are not going to be efficiently spent, you've seen nothing yet.

No matter which side of the debate we may be on, this issue affects us all and we know it. If we're healthy now - good for us. But, sooner or later, we know we will be faced with the inevitable fact that we will get sick, need surgery or treatment for something, and we all can agree, that when that happens, we would like to have the best possible health care at our reach, without having to loose everything for which we've worked so hard.

If there's this kind of turmoil about something that we all can have some degree of agreement, imagine how it will be when the next matter in the order of business comes: Immigration Reform. At least with the health care reform, we can attribute our discrepancies to political manipulation or to financial interests playing a role. Not so simple with immigration issues.

Everyone has their own ideas and biases about immigration. Everyone feels differently affected by the concept, the trends, and the laws surrounding it. Each person's level of acceptance of others varies. Words such as diversity, discrimination, privilege, and opportunity, seem to have a different meaning for each individual, depending on their background, situation, education, and personal experience. We all seem to feel entitled to certain things, but we frequently question others' feelings of entitlement.

While some feel immigrants are hardworking people that do the work no one else is willing to do, others want to portray them as people who take a great number of jobs, and blames them for lowering salaries for the rest of the workers. For some, immigrants are troublemakers, criminals that have no business in this country, while others claim that without these workers, the American economy will crumble like a sand castle. For each and every other argument there are thousands of takes.

If our president is having a great difficulty in dealing with the people on the "other side" of the health care issue, namely Republicans, and insurance companies and their millions, he really needs to be prepared for what will come his way along with the dialog on immigration. With this one, the "other side" could be each American. The president's job will be to unify us in looking ahead and focus on the collective benefit as opposed to on the individual.

Some Latino organizations, such as the National Council of La Raza, and individual community leaders, insist for the immigration issue not to be pushed out too far, and keep the topic alive in the high political circles. They are also preparing to start formal conversations during which they will present the most important points to be included in the reform. They are organizing, informing, and mobilizing their base around the country to be ready when the time comes.

Many anti-Latino, anti-immigrant groups like Minute Men and others, trying to discourage Latinos from organizing, would like to make people think that from the last marches, only harm came to immigrants. What they fail to see is that although it is true that the marches ignited hateful expressions and behaviors against Latinos, they also brought the issues of racism, discrimination, and the need for a change in immigration policy to the forefront, giving it the deserved attention from the government and the public.

The question now is; when will the president move ahead with the immigration reform? No one really knows. The more optimistic say mid-next year. Others, like me, believe that it will take longer - possibly not until sometime in 2011. Obama's reelection year is 2012, and he won't want this thing hanging over him then. Whenever it is, the truth is that the president will need to take a deep breath after the health reform, re-charge his batteries and be prepared for a fierce battle for an immigration reform that won't be easy on anyone, but it is one that our country, as a whole, desperately needs.

Silvia Uribe is a freelance writer with a Latina perspective.

Cross-posted at Edhat.com

Are Ethics Important?

By Silvia Uribe

In this case, candidates for public office will have the last word. But let me start by asking you a question: Isn't it true that, based on the understanding of our social norms, morality, honesty, and honor are - or should be- key ingredients in our daily life, no matter who we are, or what we do? Moreover, society talks about these components of the human fabric and regards the individuals who possess them as ethical, principled people whom one can trust, and are examples to follow.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that there are people and activities that may be exempt from these important moral standards; much less did I think that the exemption could be institutionally granted. Yes, this is the case with politics and politicians. An ethical behavior is not a requirement for candidates running for public office, according to the California Elections Code. Go figure! In other words, decency and principles are considered optional for candidates up and down our state, every time there's an election. They may choose to embrace these principles and act accordingly, but if they opt out, that's okay too.

In our city, the Santa Barbara Candidate's Manual includes, this year, a set of eight documents which are all the statements, disclosures and commitments that candidates have to make regarding their campaigns, their finances, and everything that they need to know and do in order to be in compliance. It is required for candidates to file each document, and in doing so they abide by certain standards.

The only one exception in this packet is a single page called, "Code of Fair Campaign Practices"(basically a code of ethics), which appears under the subtitle, "Optional". Here are some examples of what the California Elections Code, section 20440 reads:

"Code of Fair Campaign Practices

... (2) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT the use of character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander, or scurrilous attacks on any candidate or his or her personal or family life... Or, (3) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any appeal to negative prejudice based on a candidate's actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, sex, including gender identity, or any other characteristic… Or, (4) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any dishonest or unethical practice that tends to corrupt or undermine our American system of free elections… "

In total, there are 7 points along these lines. You can go here and check them out. The big surprise comes at the very end of section 20444, which reads:

"In no event shall a candidate for public office be required to subscribe to or endorse the code."

How is this possible? We all know what happens when doctors, teachers, athletes or even clergy act unethically. When they do it, they know it is wrong, and they take the risk, understanding that they're going against the laws of society. Moreover, if others find out about their wrongful conduct, these individuals can expect to have serious public and private consequences. Apparently, it is not so in the political realm.

We all know that if we don't make certain standards of conduct mandatory in politics, we can anticipate politicians lying, stealing, letting down their constituents, or doing whatever they want to do. If we want honesty in politics, however, we should demand candidates' commitment to ethical practices beginning on the campaign trail. Otherwise, we are equally immoral and culpable of enabling the same behaviors of which we later complain about.

Now, we only have to wait. It will be really interesting to see which candidates will sign the "Code of Fair Campaign Practices", and by opting out, which ones will not commit to conduct an ethical campaign. This will be important information to determine what we can expect from each candidate, and future official, this and every time there's an election. In my view, politicians' ethics and positions on issues are equally important.

According to the City Clerk's Office, this information will be available to the public the last week of August.

Silvia Uribe is a freelance writer with a Latino perspective.

Cross-posted at edhat.com