This and then I am crashing: one of the things about the Arizona bullshit that makes me crazy is that it isn't new. Just as shameful, but not new. See, growing up on the border, you accustom yourself to INS (at the time, I guess it is ICE or HS now) checkpoints. And it ALWAY pissed me off that shiny white faces got waved through. Even when dad was transporting fucking Soviets and East German citizens right past White Sands Missile Range, Holoman AFB and various other sensitive defense facilities. But god, if you had someone with a browner complexion in the car, you'd get stopped, and the non-blanc would get the "Are you an american citizen?" question usually followed by a request for id. And it fucking pissed me off, every time. Nevermind that every time I encountered this? Their families had been settled legally in this country longer than my own pale ass family. Few times, my friends balked at id, because *I* didn't get asked for one and it wasn't fun. Talked their way out of it, but shit. Either you ask everyone, or you ask no one. And yeah, that's another huge issue cause outside SSid, few are keen on the concept on national id.

And in the meantime, while I was growing up and getting incensed at the checkpoints, my father was bypassing them on backroads, illegally transporting El Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Nicaraguans to political asylum in Canada. So.

You already know this, sarameg, but you have a very cool dad.

His daughter's pretty awesome too.

Oh Kat, a room full of adults? That is preposterous!

For toys, would hanging toy hammocks work? Gets 'em out from under, are easy to put up and not too expensive.

And yep, this is the CHILI PEPPER drug. And I named my dog wayyyyy before I ever started working there; it was fate.

Smonster, it's not supposed to be placed anywhere near mucus membranes and eyes. But very small patches can probably be cut for strategic placement. And seriously, I can not begin to imagine how much pain Shingles on the face must be!

Something the assholes who support this have not though about. If a cop really obeys this new rule all the way, then if a victim reports a crime, or someone witnesses a crime the cop is still obliged to check any reasonable suspicion of undocumented status. Given that crime victims won't report crimes and witnesses sure as hell won't come forward. So basically this law means its supporters hate brown people more than they hate rapists or murderers. Also when you put people outside the law, there is a real temptation to form your own organization for protection and revenge. I think that is how a lot of large scale gangs get started - not as profit making enterprises, but as a form of protection where there is no real distinction between cops and criminals.

That is an excellent point, Typo. I fear you're right.

Hot toddies are good things.

So good.

So basically this law means its supporters hate brown people more than they hate rapists or murderers.

It's awful, but I think this is accurate.

Partially because of institutionalized racism and unrealistic fear that can lead people to think that all crime is perpetrated by said brown people.

It's a bad law. But it's also pretty clearly unconstitutional: states can't enforce immigration laws. It will be challenged by a private citizen and, I'm guessing, enforcement will be immediately stayed.

That is an excellent point, Typo. I fear you're right.

God I hope not. My oldest friend in the world is Iranian and lives in West Texas. Needless to say, it was eye opening driving around near the border with her.

So basically this law means its supporters hate brown people more than they hate rapists or murderers.

Oh, I'm pretty sure they're assuming they're one and the same.

Immigration is very frustrating for me since I worked (and adored) so many Hispanic students who were mostly Mexican, and told me horrific stories about coyotes and manipulative and abusive employers. I had several students who were illegal, and a few who had been here since they were 2 or 3, but since they were illegal, their educational opportunties were limited. Our valedictorian was illegal; no college for her. Some of our Kaufman scholars were illegal, spent 4 years in the program, the admin of the program KNEW they were illegal, and the college scholarships they worked for and were promised were denied because it would be "too much trouble." And three of the kids got into Rockhurst, and I KNOW the program people knew these kids were illegal since they were accepted into the program as freshmen.

Most of the AZ law supporters are using national security as an excuse for racial/ethnic discrimination against Latinos, and it disgusts me. National security, my ass. Yes, there are concerns with crime and trafficking, but that's a minority of immigrants. There's a better solution, one that's human and color-blind.

Java, I am thrilled that your company is doing something so tangibly helpful. That's so exciting and fulfilling.

Kat, what? Is your partner a teacher too? I am finding college teaching a relief in that way; I don't drop the f-bomb, but I can certainly be looser in my speech than in high school, and for my personality, it's such a relief.

I hope things gets less frustrating. I wish I had a transporter; I would be an excellent toy organizeuse!

David, I remember getting tonsilitis before a big government class project my senior year (the teacher was a strict old-school deadline teacher, and I had to get this big project done to pass with a decent grade.) They were up all night, and were hugely pissed that (a) I'd slacked off and (b) that they got a B- on this project! Only school thing my parents ever really "did" -- they'd help with science projects and such. A 67 page project in, what, 6th grade? 7th? That's a little much, it seems.