Thoughts on the Walk Out - Freeze-Frame Radio

CP · Lord of the Lair

Thoughts on the Walk Out

Molly · The Mediator

Pardon me, I live in a cave. What walk out?

disco strangler · Smiles everyone, smiles!

i think a pandora's box has been opened, and we should put on our big boy boxers and big girl panties and deal with it. i think that there are too many factors involved to definately support or not the walk out. i'm afraid for these people that it could very well backfire; yet, still on the other hand the hard truth is that our economy does rely heavily on imigrant labor and it could very well have an impact on our ecomomy. as with our own american people, there are many imigrants who abuse the welfare system and the law, but there are those who want to abide by the rules and live constructive lives. those that come to america with their nasty habits are the people that give the rest a bad name. i think that those who enter the united states illegaly should be deported. i think that if they want to live in america, they should learn to speak american. i think that they should be given a probation period of seven years before they are eligible to become american citizens and if they are criminaly charged (one chance) should be deported. i have too many thoughts for and against. my head tells me no, but my heart tells me yes. opression leads to revolution... i believe in so many ways, america i poo poo'd... and i think vicente fox needs to resign.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

While to a certain extent, I understand and can appreciate the cause, we are in a jam today production and finishing-wise due to this walk-out. There was already one last month. What if I were to stage a walkout for some cause I believed in? I'd probably be reprimanded. And today I get to do a few things by myself that other departments would ordinarily be responsible for.

I know and like and respect the folks that I know that walked out today. But I also know that there is that whole "woohoo 3 day weekend/ lets party after the rally" mentality there too.

Its important to protect American jobs and its boarders. The only advantage I could see to allowing illegal immigrants to stay is that, if they are not paid under the table, they will pay in a ton of money to social security, that they will never collect. And social security sure could use the funds.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

Molly there are huge rallys today in some big cities that are in support of all immigrant rights, even those in america illegally.

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

I really haven't studied it in detail. But there are pros and cons. My simplified version is if you would like to come to the country for opportunities and a better quality of life, do it correctly. Become citizens or at least apply for a green card. Do not expect to be treated like Americans, just because you work here illegally. You are illegal, you are not afforded the same rights as citizens. I realize that immigrants are some of the hardest working people in the US. They are willing to take the jobs that Americans feel they are just too good for (which is another topic for another day). But, become legal, pay taxes, join the system that we hate and then you have the right to complain about everything.

Molly · The Mediator

I heard about the rallies, just not the walk outs.

No matter what my position on the subject, I don't see how a walk out would do anything to help their cause. Let the company learn how to live without them? Is that really a good idea?

On the subject itself, I think it's an area that America has been lazy in adopting and enforcing an official policy on. With that in mind, I think there needs to be a grace period (6 months?) in which the resources are available for any illegal immigrant to apply to become a legal resident. But, I'm ignorant when it comes to the current process. What does someone have to do to become a legal resident? (Not citizen, that takes longer, I understand.) After the grace period, then I do believe that anyone still here illegally should be deported. Wouldn't giving illegal immigrants rights be like rewarding someone for breaking the law? And, we have enough unemployed born and bred American citizens that we don't need illegal immigrants taking their jobs.

But, like I said, I don't know what all is involved in the process to make a wise decision on the subject, so my opinion is not set in stone.

Sparky · Phat Cat EL Presidente

confuzzed wrote:

I really haven't studied it in detail. But there are pros and cons. My simplified version is if you would like to come to the country for opportunities and a better quality of life, do it correctly. Become citizens or at least apply for a green card. Do not expect to be treated like Americans, just because you work here illegally. You are illegal, you are not afforded the same rights as citizens. I realize that immigrants are some of the hardest working people in the US. They are willing to take the jobs that Americans feel they are just too good for (which is another topic for another day). But, become legal, pay taxes, join the system that we hate and then you have the right to complain about everything.

I couldn't have said it better myself! I second it!

thumperglh · Thumptastic: Chef of the Stars

I concur with the others.

I have not seen the rally in Tulsa but saw on TV the Rallys in LA, San Fran, Houston, Atlanta, and there were hundreds of Thousands of them.

Mad Mema · Bad Biker Granny

confuzzed wrote:

I really haven't studied it in detail. But there are pros and cons. My simplified version is if you would like to come to the country for opportunities and a better quality of life, do it correctly. Become citizens or at least apply for a green card. Do not expect to be treated like Americans, just because you work here illegally. You are illegal, you are not afforded the same rights as citizens. I realize that immigrants are some of the hardest working people in the US. They are willing to take the jobs that Americans feel they are just too good for (which is another topic for another day). But, become legal, pay taxes, join the system that we hate and then you have the right to complain about everything.

Amen, Fuzzy! I have lots of immigrant friends. LEGAL immigrant friends. It simply baffels me that so many illegals are willing to publicly demand the same rights as citizens when the fact of the matter is that they DON'T pay the taxes, join the system, and abide the rules. If they did, then they wouldn't be ILLEGAL immigrants. If they don't respect the laws of my country, then why should the my country give them the same rights and privileges I have? I don't go to their countries expecting a free ride and disregarding their laws.

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Mad Mema wrote:

I don't go to their countries expecting a free ride and disregarding their laws.

As a matter of fact, you can get yourself into severe trouble. Caining anyone?

Mad Mema · Bad Biker Granny

confuzzed wrote:

As a matter of fact, you can get yourself into severe trouble. Caining anyone?

I actually didn't have a problem with that guy getting cained. I believe his crime was vandalism. That is exactly the kind of thing that would have got me spanked as a kid. That guy was certainly old enough to know that what he did was wrong. He disregarded their laws, he deserved the punishment.

What I want to understand is why is it now all of a sudden wrong to call an illegal just that? If you don't say "undocumented worker" then you are apparently to be branded a bigot. I don't think I'm a bigot... I just calls 'em likes I sees 'em. If you came here other than by the legal method of immigration, you are by definition illegal.

Woo Hoo · The Chosen Woo

I don't have anything to add. I agree with th comments already posted. Go through the proper process and earn your rights! And for pete's sake learn english! Don't go get a job in customer service requiring phone usage and not be able to speak english! That just drives me crazy!

CP · Lord of the Lair

Here is irony. As some of you know, I used to own a manufacturing plant in Mexico. There were many times that I had to hide, sneak out the back and leave the building because I was and undocumented worker in Mexico. I would have gone to jail, had I been caught by the law.

I witnessed beatings, I personally paid bribes etc. I just cannot understand why someone in Mexico that is working and/or undocumented is put in prison. However, the rules change here?

I promise you that I have been stopped by the Federales, surrounded by them and had M16's pointed at me.

There are many undocumented workers in Mexico from other Latino countries. The women are strip searched and raped. The men are jailed and beaten. I don't get it.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

I belive everything CP says, and I came to this post to voice my thoughts before I even read his post. I might have a change of thought here. I have never, in any work situation, met someone from Mexico, (and I can only assess that they are here legally, because no way would anyone illegal get hired where I have worked,) who wasn't hard working and filled with love in their hearts.

The people who took off today from where I work, to go and march are beautiful people with love in their hearts, a wonderful sense of community & joy, and who simply love me as much as they can. Simply because I am a part of their lives. I know that I am in their prayers at night. the people that I am thinking of when writing this, are devout. Very alive, and our cultural differences aren't a wall, but an invitation. I know I have an open invitation to the wonderful Sunday parties this wonderful family throws each and every Sunday. I have had wonderful people bring their children in, just to meet me. Beautiful, beautiful humans; I am inspired by their aliveness. Money has nothing to do with love.

I guess it might take the workplace as a meeting ground for the races. BUT that being the case, there are individuals you get to know, respect, love as friends, where race becomes such a non-factor. It becomes secondary to respecting each person for who they are. Prejudices die. Prejudices are exposed for what they are in the small communities built at work. Work is the meeting ground, the proving ground of character. I think of these wonderful Hmong kids who work where I do too. I have never seen a more wonderful american family than this family.

-- Edited by JD The Jazz Doctor at 19:30, 2006-05-01

CP · Lord of the Lair

So true JD. One of my biggest frustrations is that many of the people walking out and protesting don't really understand what they are protesting. It is not an attack on the Mexican people. I love the Mexican people. The people that I worked with in Mexico were decent, humble, hardworking and fiercely loyal to me. I cried when I sold my business and worry for my friends and family there. I just have a hard time with whomever came up with the idea for the walkout and I am frustrated at how the media has turned it into a racial thing.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

so true on the media take on things cp, hey? I don't like either political side on this issue either. All I chose to do here is to think of the people I know, work with, are friends with, love and respect. I stand behind them, because I care about them as my co-workers and friends. It boils down to individuals. In spite of the government sanctioned and media-endorsed labels.

You know, even if G.. or M... or J... were illegal, I know their hearts are pure, they are good people, hard working, so any beureacratic issue takes a far, far second place to knowing that my hard-working friends who are good people are ok. I know their take on me is not some sort of, what has been called "uncle toming" either. Just love, just love. Life is too short. Eat well, and dance.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

That's one of the reasons I think there needs to be a grace period for illegal immigrants to gain legal residence. Give them a chance to stay, since it's America's lax policies that they're here in the first place.

Molly · The Mediator

Hm, I dunno, I think this sign has convinced me:

ray925 · Darth Raydar

Illegal is illegal.

If I were here legally trying to get the proper papers and go about getting into the country the legal way I would be pissed.

It's as if you were standing in line and suddenly several people stepped in front of you to get the front quicker. It's a shame the republicans and democrats forgot that they are working for us and not those who can't vote.

Another reason for term limits.

By the way, it's a misdemeanor to cross the border illegally but when documents are forged (ie: social security number) it becomes a felony.

Where has the backbone gone in this country?

disco strangler · Smiles everyone, smiles!

ray925 wrote:

Illegal is illegal. If I were here legally trying to get the proper papers and go about getting into the country the legal way I would be pissed. It's as if you were standing in line and suddenly several people stepped in front of you to get the front quicker. It's a shame the republicans and democrats forgot that they are working for us and not those who can't vote. Another reason for term limits. By the way, it's a misdemeanor to cross the border illegally but when documents are forged (ie: social security number) it becomes a felony. Where has the backbone gone in this country?

very well said, ray.