Immigrants should be allowed to live the Dream

A recent article in the Annapolis Capital newspaper, Tactics questioned in immigrant raids - Top Stories - (HometownAnnapolis.com) highlights the absurdity of our Country's current immigration laws.

But even more disturbing then the accounts of the brutality in how the immigration raids were conducted are the comments of "citizens" attached to the article. The level of vitriol on this topic seems to exceed all others. Why the rage and anger on this issue on the part of American citizens? What happened to "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"?

Too make this even more interesting the Eduardo mentioned in the article (one of those arrested and awaiting deportation) painted our house last year. From our personal experience and interaction we found him and his painting partner to be considerate, responsive, trustworthy and friendly. Why is there no recourse for Eduardo to stay in this country, work at a job no American wants and try to live the American Dream. The whole point of the American Dream is to improve your status in life. Is there a dream shortage? Don't all immigrants have something positive to offer our society? I'd say yes.

However the lack of action by Congress on immigration law leaves law enforcement with little choice other than to arrest and deport. How they conduct the arrest is another matter. Had ICE done a little homework with the Anne Arundel and State Police I'm sure they would have determined that none of those arrested had a criminal record. Therefore their approach could have been much more respectful on the immigrants human dignity and human rights. But frankly it's a lot easier just to smash the door down and point weapons.

And how about the US Citizens who according to the article were handcuffed for no reason? If that happened to any Caucasian US citizen there would be uproar, investigations, and lawsuits so there does seem to be an underlying element of racism at work.

This issue is one of great importance to our culture and country. In the absence of action by the Congress maybe Martin O'Malley and the Democratic Legislature should show some leadership on this issue in the upcoming legislative session.

Maryland Slots debate heats up, baby.

So what do you do when your employer (candidate) drops out of a race he probably could have won? You start consulting on various causes since you have to make a living. Scott Arceneaux, the former Doug Duncan campaign manager and darling of James Carville who came North to take on Martin O'Malley is senior advisor to the anti-slots group, Marylanders United to Stop Slots. A number of other former Duncan aides are also working for the group.

In two emails I've received from MUSS (I suppose because I was on Duncan's email list) there has been a grassroots theme to resists slots and some spurious arguments that gambling increases crime rates. While casino gambling does seem to increase crime in nearby areas, a few slot machines at race tracks (uh, don't they have gambling there already) are not going to turn Laurel into a sleazy, crime infested den of gambling addicts.

The simple answer to the Maryland slots debate is the Democratic administration wants dollars so let them have slots and the revenue. They are going to get their revenue to expand government one way or another, either from slots or from additional tax increases. I think we've had enough tax hikes so let in the "one armed bandits"!

No veto for O'Brien from O'Malley

In his last slate of bill signings (PDF), Governor Martin O'Malley ignored a request by Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, Edwin O'Brien to veto bills giving additional rights to non-married couples or domestic partners. The non veto got little play in the mainstream press such as the Baltimore Sun but was mentioned in an article in the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Review.

It is interesting to note that O'Malley could have allowed both bills to become law without the very public and definitive act of signing them. In Maryland law, all bills become effective within 30 days unless specifically vetoed by the Governor. A non signing and non veto could have at least placated Archbishop O'Brien somewhat but would likely have resulted in increased media attention, something O'Malley most likely wanted to avoid.

How to lower your approval ratings in two easy steps

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine must be a masochist. He currently enjoys fairly high approval ratings (51% positive) according to Rasmussen Reports. He must have gazed across the river and decided his ratings were too high or felt pity for his neighbor and fellow Democrat, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley whose positive ratings are in the 30% range. By calling a special session (Step 1) to decide on a tax increase (Big Step 2), Governor Kaine is sure to see his numbers slip.

What he is doing that Governor O'Malley failed to do, is discuss the plan at Town Hall meetings across the State of Virginia and target the tax increase to specific areas with a specific purpose. Kaine is looking for a "Win-Win" according to the Washington Post but most likely Virginia voters will see the special session as a sham politically motivated stunt and certainly not be happy about a sizable tax increase.

Another Test for O'Malley

This weekend in every Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien had a letter read during Mass. It encouraged Catholics to contact Governor O'Malley (D), himself a practicing Roman Catholic to veto (not sign) two bills scheduled to be signed in one of the remaining bill signings scheduled. Senate Bill 566 and 597 "establish domestic partnerships between same-sex and unmarried opposite-sex couples" according to the letter from O'Brien. To be more specific SB566 allows for visitation and medical decision rights for a domestic parter while SB597 exempts domestic partners from property transfer taxes, thereby making their rights the same as married couples. The bills hardly establish domestic partnerships fully, but one could argue they begin a "slippery slope" toward full recognition.

It is relatively rare for a Bishop to make a request of "the faithful" to contact an elected official directly regarding specific legislation. Let's see if the Catholic O'Malley will assent to the lobbying and the Bishop's request or proceed with signing the legislation as he has publicly said he would prior to passage in the House and Senate.

It's an admittedly tough position for O'Malley. If he fails to sign the bills he will be reniging on a previous made pledge and look like a Catholic stooge. The risk for signing the bill will result in possible further alienation of the significant Catholic electorate in the State many of whom are most likely some of his remaining ardent supporters. Though with a 33% approval rating, there aren't many of those left at this point...

"Cafeteria" Catholic politicos

The recent papal visit and Mass in Washington, DC brought media attention to National and Local Catholic politicians, including Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, who would be attending the Mass and receiving communion despite previous requests from Pope Benedict himself that they should refrain from receiving.

To Catholics communion is more than a symbol, it is a reality of unity with Christ, the Catholic community/Church and its teachings. All Catholics share in the responsibility to receive Communion "worthily" understanding it is a gift, not a right. For Catholic political leaders, there is even a greater burden to allow Church teachings to "inform" their political views, as Governor O'Malley claims in this Baltimore Sun article. Its more than disingenuous to use your "faith" for political gain and popularity and then pick and choose (cafeteria style) the teachings you want to follow. You can't have it both ways.

Many Catholic politicians claimed to have a "clear conscience" and experienced "great sense of excitement" (AP story) over the pope's visit and Mass in Nationals Park. The problem is, the Church is not just about individuals consciences nor is the Mass an emotional event only. It is a community where my choices impact others and where my one must balance faith and reason.

Pope Benedict was quoted numerous times during his visit noting the lack of unity between daily life and faith and noted in his departure speech from New York's JFK airport that "Living religiously "means overcoming every separation between faith and life, and countering false gospels of freedom and happiness. It also means rejecting a false dichotomy between faith and public life". I'm not sure how much more directly the Pope could be in summarizing the serious and troubling problem of holding public policy views that are opposed to Church teaching while at the same time claiming to be "one" with the Church.

Go green, but not in our backyard

There was much talk by the administration about energy during the past legislative session and most of their legislative proposals became law last week. However the Governor missed a golden opportunity to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk" by issuing a ban on a wind turbine farms in State Forests in Western Maryland.

Granted the 40 story high turbines are an eyesore but one proposed site would not have been visible from Deep Creek Lake or other tourist areas. See location details.

The generation from the turbines would not have been enormous either but it would have been a step in the right direction since Maryland is facing a electricity generation crisis. Coal burning plants which make up the majority of generation in Maryland are "under a cloud" so no new coal plants will likely be built. Natural gas fired plants have been the industry's latest solution but fossil fuel plants are now very expensive to run, adding pressure to electricity prices. So any capacity we can add using wind, solar or other renewables should be carefully considered at this point.