Secure Our Southern Border!

The controversy of our porous Southern border continues. Governors, the President, the media and citizens weigh in endlessly. President Obama and Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer seemed to brew and stew over the border issues recently. (http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/2012/01/25/20120125brewer-obama-exchange-tense-words-immigration.html) No matter from what perspective you approach this issue, most of us end up at the same place: we need a secure Southern border. First, let me list the reasons we should agree to secure our border.


Brewing Up Tension
(Photo courtesy of Associated Press)



        1. We should not feel guilty about wanting to secure and protect the sovereignty of territory of the United States.

        2. Porous borders invite terrorists' attacks in the Homeland. We must and should defend ourselves.

        3. The rule of law must prevail in all circumstances; this border issue stands no different.

        4. The safety of our citizens and property must take first priority. We cannot ignore our need to provide for the national defense.

        5. The border security remains an issue of national defense. As one state suffers, so suffer we all. I can list more but that should be sufficient to support my claim that our border should be secured.

The difficult question: How can we secure the border? What can we do? To most the answer seems simple enough but others protest fearing the possible violation human rights, disrupting our international relations with Mexico or angering our US Hispanic population. Come let us reason together!

All Governors of states along the border should ask for a declaration of a national emergency. Certainly most would agree that our Sourthern border burns in the fire of a national emergency. The President could then issue such an act that could last for two years allowing for direct and immediate federal funds to be distributed to these states for the securing the border. Here's what we need to do:

•       The Govenors should call out the National Guard in each border state. We must station these troops on the border to assist the Border Patrol in stopping the flow of illegals into the country. Use the first 100 mile parameter as the emergency limit and transport transgressors immediately back into Mexico. In contrast, the Border Patrol can continue to monitor the legal flow of traffice between Mexico and the US to protect business and trade. (http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS21729.pdf) (http://tucsoncitizen.com/view-from-baja-arizona/2011/05/24/where-is-the-border-with-mexico-at-the-official-border-or-100-miles-inland/)

•        We must begin immediately constructing a fence/wall all along the Southern border. I'm not sure why so many scream foul when we suggest this. Some say, "It will cost too much." I say, "Unfettered border crossings cost us millions each year." (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2008/0401/p01s05-usgn.html) With federal and state funds, this can be accomplished within the two year time period. If we can dig a canal in Panama; if we can build thousands of war planes in a state of war; if we can construct interstate highways to stretch the length of our country, I have no doubt that American ingenuity can build a protective border between our country and Mexico. I have a door in my office. I close the door when I'm extremely busy and then I open the door when my work load slows. By controlling this gateway, I control the flow of visitors. The United States serves as our home. We have a right to open and close the door.

Have a Heart! Secure the Border!

•       Human rights activists should applaud this action of properly securing the border. The illegal travelers pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to secure a passage guide to show the way through dangerous paths across the border. Hundreds of women, children and the elderly succumb to the grip of the elements trying to reach the Promised Land (the US). We will save hundreds of lives every month by getting a handle on the rampant, illegal migration over the border. I think it odd that those who claim concern for the undocumented do not endorse a barrier to protect these innocent victims from scams, coyotes and cheats.   (http://borderwallinthenews.blogspot.com/2012/01/migrant-deaths-in-arizona-fell-in-2011.html)

•     We watched in horror as hundreds and thousands suffered (and continue to suffer) from the raging storm of Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. We seemed incapable of doing anything to stem the tide of that flood water that poured through the levies that burst. Since then, the Corps of Engineers have successfully repaired, replaced or rebuilt many of those levies. (http://www.usace.army.mil/) Now we watch another storm surge in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California as waves of humans pour across the borders into our country. Most of these folk want to work, improve their quality of life or live the American Dream. We always welcome the immigrant. We need the energy, power and strengths of the immigrant. Yet, we have the right and responsibility to open and close the door at the appropriate times. By-the-way, I know the Corps of Engineers could build the fence/wall within two years. They built the Pentagon in 16 months my friends. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/07/building-the-pentagon-pre_n_952080.html)



(Photo Courtesy  US Air Force)



•    The securing of the Southern border will create thousands of jobs. Suppliers of concrete, fencing and other construction materials will literally put thousands of people to work and keep them employed for years. We will need translators, engineers, contractors, truckers, heavy machine operators and a multitude of other employees. This will help improve our economy and improve our relationship with Mexico. At the same time we create jobs, we will cut down on the drug trade between the two countries which will save additional lives. Surely I don't need to remind you of the thousands dying because of the drug cartels operating on both sides of the border? We must stop the violence with the rule of law.  (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/08/us-guns-mexico-drug-cartels)

Let us stop making excuses and secure our Southern border. This hideous circumstance not only affects millions of US citizens in the four border states but also touches all of us in the nation. Our economy, culture and national soverignty remains in peril. If you have not read the first installment of this treatise (my blog entry promoting a national work card) then let me affirm that I have a heart for the marginalized, the victimized and the wounded of this world. (http://folknography.blogspot.com/2012/01/national-work-identification-card.html) What can you do? Call for the securing of the border...but not because you dislike Mexicans. Don't argue out of selfishness or anger. Let us be realistic and express our concern to our law makers and leaders. The time has come for us to repair the door to our home. We can do this. We cannot afford to leave the door open any longer. This is a case of national urgency.

National Work Identification Card

I've been thinking about this for several weeks now. We need a national work identification card. Imagine how much trouble, anguish and pain this would alleviate?  Seriously, we need to consider a two pronged approach to our illegal immigration problem. I will tackle this problem in two blog entries and, although unusual for me, I will present the last step first, I know this may seem strange but I feel very strongly about this entire concept.

I began  thinking about this since a previous blog entry about undocumented workers. The remedy seems so simple to me. In fact, the idea seemed so simple that I worried it could never work. Surely, I feared, the idea was full of flaws. Yet, the whole concept continued to gnaw at me. I believe this proposal has wings. Come, let us reason together.

The fact stands perfectly clear. Hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers live and work among us here in the United States. I know that many of them have broken laws to be here. But you cannot deny the fact that these people now live here, work here and mix among us. You cannot call this an amnesty program. I do not propose we grant citizenship to these workers. In fact, I'm convinced that the people spewing forth errors and misinformation clouds the national debate about this topic. They confuse the idea of citizenship, residency and permission to work. I am advocating permission to work for those living here now.

I propose we begin issuing a national working card (A National Work Permit). We can take photos, finger prints and create a clean looking card with a magnetic strip loaded with information.We will make sure these folk work for some entity here in the US. For example, we will not issue these at the border which would only attract more illegals (we will present our ideas on securing the border in the next blog entry). Those not working do not qualify.I know for a fact, however, that 9 out of the 10 undocumented workers in this country work. They made the perilous journey through the desert, in trucks or by boat in order to find a better life (work). We should continue the policy of deporting those who break the law or will not work. We can create a national data base so that the individuals can be tracked. Most of these people would gladly register, comply with the regulations and continue making their contributions to the social structure and cultural fabric of the United States. I don't claim this idea as an original one. Other countries issue these cards and have great success with the plan. The action would bring order to chaos and organization to the disarray.

Now let's consider something very important. Let's use the Postal Service to achieve this plan. I stewed over who would do this registration and implement the plan. The Postal Service needs a new assignment because snail mail continues to diminish in importance. Soon the Post Office will only have a few postal boxes and package delivery. Introduce a national worker's permit to the mix and the remaining post offices will once again become bee hives of activity. The physical buildings stand conveniently located throughout the country so we need not invest additional resources in offices or stations. We even create jobs in the process.

Now before Labor Unions send someone to introduce me to a freshly made Louisville Slugger, I want to make something perfectly clear: these undocumented workers do not take jobs from hard working Americans! These workers take the jobs hardworking Americans do not want to do. I translate for courts, law enforcement and numerous manufacturing entities in the region. Over the past ten years, time after time plant superintendents, human resource directors and many other employers have repeated a similar statement: "These people will show up, work and do the jobs the locals don't want to do anymore." I've translated in tobacco fields, food processing plants, restaurants, construction sites and lumber mills. These folk do not take American jobs. They do jobs Americans avoid.

Now you have my proposal. Legislators and writers can construct the national bill. The then documented workers can apply for citizenship in the regular way...we won't give it away. We can even issue partial drivers licenses if we wish...so they can drive to work. (Most of the workers walk, use bicycles or take public transportation to get to their jobs now though so the licenses may not be necessary). We issue part-time driving privileges to people caught driving while intoxicated. Seems like a rational move to me to let them take the tests and secure a license if they wish to follow the rules like anyone else.

In any case, let's talk about this. The workers live among us. Yes, I know that we must secure the borders (be watching for the next blog entry). No, don't issue amnesty. Let's register them. Let's find out who lives among us. Let them use their real names, birth dates, and places of birth. We will be happier, safer and all of us can continue to go down to the local Mexican restaurant for an authentic meal. Let's let'em work!

Undocumented Workers: The Silent, Transparent Social Target

I watch them scurry around the restaurant busing tables, delivering meals and seating patrons. They work, not only in restaurants, but also in many other labor-intensive businesses such as landscaping, drywall installations, painting, construction and food preparation plants. They come from Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua. These undocumented workers work diligently while paying local, state and even federal taxes with no hope of filing for returns. Many even pay social security payments without the possibility of ever benefiting from the investments. They come here to the United States to work and find a better life (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810158037/info). As most of you know, these Hispanic immigrants have become the target of many slurs, social attacks and legislation. Immigration has emerged as a prominent, national political issue. The resolution has international, national and local implications. We must construct an immigration policy that resolves the issues. (http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=51473)

I know much about Hispanic migrant workers: I've translated for them over the past many years. Late at night I travel to State Police Posts, the County Jail or village detention centers in order to make sure that these Spanish speaking folk understand their situation, charges that may be brought against them or circumstances they face. Generally the person in question has had a little too much to drink and made a bad choice: driving under the influence. From there, the person must hear and understand his/her rights, take a breathalyzer test, sign various documents (mostly in English) and either post bail or go to jail. I generally follow them through the entire process, making sure they hear their options along the way (in Spanish). I've gotten to know numerous Spanish speaking migrants and I must say none has posed a threat to the security of the United States of America. Most work hard, keep a low profile and send money back to her/his home. In my twenty years of advocating and translating, none of the Hispanics have carried weapons, caused harm or endangered neighbors or communities. Naturally most of my experiences have been in Southern Ohio, but I must tell you that these folk have always been polite, considerate, respectful and gracious. I have always tried to ensure that they receive fair treatment. I believe in justice for all...regardless as to status.

The police and the court system in Southern Ohio have been very fair and just with migrants arrested for DUI. Almost without exception, the police here (local or state) treat Hispanics with respect and justice. The courts (municipal and common pleas) make every effort to supply translation and clear instructions for those incarcerated or accused. My concern does not center on Southern Ohio law enforcement or the courts. My worry comes from the national temperament and federal approach to enforcement. I present here four precautions. These represent my worries and fears over an overreacting national consciousness concerning immigration. One size does NOT fit all. What may work in Arizona may not work in Ohio. Please take time to consider my thoughts...my concerns. I write this out of a heart-felt desire to see US as humane.

Precaution One: Let us not target the Hispanic immigrant as the sole cause of our faltering economy, the demise of Wall Street or the reason for unemployment in our country. Nazi Germany tried to point blame at one cultural segment of the population and few in the United States would defend their actions or the result of such evil attitudes. We must look passed the the influx of migratory humans and ask ourselves "why do they come?' and "what do they want?" With these questions we can better understand our own national soul. We have always welcomed the downtrodden right? As a nation we say, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden  door!"  (http://libertystatepark.com/emma.htm).

Precaution Two: Let us not forget history. In our efforts to claim our territory and mark our borders, we should not forget the raw truth of history. Texas belonged to Mexico. I'm sure you know where I'm going with this! New Mexico, California and, yes, Arizona once belonged to Mexico too. The Caucasian sheriff, senator and governor live there as a result of immigration. I'm not saying they don't belong...I'm just saying we should remember (http://academic.udayton.edu/race/02rights/guadalu3.htm). Culturally I am not sure we can blame people for migrating across the Americas. People have done this for time eternal. Migration served as the way we all came to this continent. Be it land bridge, boat or border, all of us in one way or another have migrated here in some form or fashion...even if we were born here...our ancestors immigrated.

Precaution Three: Let us remember to be human. I'm tired of the anger, malice, violence and hatred spewed out as moral justice. We must determine and decide if we stand as a society of justice and dignity or a mob of social militants. Many undocumented workers serve us meals, cut our grass, clean the pool, cook our food, work in manufacturing and housekeeping. They do jobs many average Americans refuse to do. I do not argue for amnesty or deportation. I merely point out to you that we must decide if we are human and want to be humane. Philosophically and nationally we must decide where we stand and where we want to go. Do we seek to take in the masses yearning to be free? If so, let's come together as sane, civilized people and solve this problem. We cannot incarcerate people merely for seeking a better life. Surely we will not criminalize the hopes and dreams of thousands because of ignorance.

Precaution Four: Let us seek solutions. I understand politics. I understand agendas. Yet, if we do not get this self-serving, jealous, mean-spirited, hedonic set of tendencies under control in America, we will lose the very social fabric that makes us strong. We celebrate freedom, dreaming, hope and what we call the American Way (http://voices.yahoo.com/the-american-way-1621481.html). Lately I sense that Congress does not seek solutions...only private agendas. I think that people many people in the country have galvanized their thinking about cultures, people and migration. Even the federal government cannot mold a national policy that satisfies state and local governments. What a quandary. What a mess. We need a solution but we kick the can down further down the road. I like that cliche. We should confront the issues and make a plan. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2010/12/20/kicking-the-can-down-the-road/)

And so let us make a pact, you and me. Let us seek to treat all people with dignity, honor and justice. Whether at home or abroad, let us stand for the ideals of our founding fathers. We've always embraced a powerful work ethic...let's not punish people for seeking to do the same. Recently, a Mexican young man drank a little too much, drove a car down the street in a local town, got pulled over and went to jail. He spend Christmas in jail. Our local courts fined him, put him on probation and released him (this was his first offense). Within hours of his probation orders (after being set free by our local municipal judge) INS came, picked him up, took him away and flew him back to Mexico. He left a kitchen job, six very good friends and his new life (his better life) behind. The term? Deported. Gone. Disappeared. Kicked out. Rejected. Pick one and think about who we are and who we want to be. These people constitute the silent, transparent folk we have selected as our new target. I'm not sure what we're aiming at...all I know is that this does not feel like a solution. Yes he drove under the influence...but under what influence are we acting?

Losing Track of Billions...Only in America!

I must confess that I'm still smiling. I've been following this story for some time..."US loses over 9 billion dollars in chaos of war." http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.audit/ The reason I'm smiling so much? I just can't believe that someone could be in charge of so much money and then lose it. I don't make big money. All of my life I've lived from week to week, month to month. Please don't think I'm complaining because I'm not. I'm just flabbergasted that so much cash could go missing without a logical explanation. I mean...I lost $20 once and grieved over it for weeks. I never found it but I did eventually find $10 in the Walmart parking lot...so I'm just ten bucks down. I'm still looking. But really? I mean really? Nine billion? Yikes!


The Drachma

 As a boy in Sunday School I learned about the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). This woman had ten silver coins but lost one of them. She didn't grieve...she broke out into action and looked the house over. She cleaned, swept, looked and searched until she found that coin. She then called her friends in and threw a party. The coin specified by Luke was a Greek drachma, which was almost the equivalent of a Roman Denarius. It was a silver coin, and although worth by our standards less than twenty cents, it was the common wage for a day's labor. Some scholars have suggested that in this case the coin was especially valuable to the woman since it formed an ornament for her head. It was customary for Jewish women to save up ten coins and string them together for a necklace or headband. The ornament became a treasured possession worn as the sign of a married woman, very much like a wedding band is worn today. At any rate, whether as a part of her cherished jewelry or simply as something of monetary worth, the coin was of priceless value to the woman. That is evident from her diligent search. On missing the coin, she at once lit her little oil lamp and began to sweep. A lamp was necessary for the search even in daytime. In those days, most houses then were generally built without windows and with only one door. In the house there was no wood or stone flooring, only the packed earth covered with dried reeds and rushes. With a floor like this there were many places where a coin could be lodged. All of this made the search a difficult and trying experience and helps explain why the woman was overjoyed when she found the silver piece that had been lost. She wanted her headband back.

Good news! We found 6 billion of our money. Imagine...it was in the bank...er banks...all along. We shipped it over to Iraq and put it in a couple of banks over there so we could do the business of war. I'm so happy we've found the mysteriously missing money! I have this big smile on my face because we found that which was lost. I have a question though. When's the party? Oh...I forgot. We have separation of Church and State so we shouldn't follow the example of the the woman with the lost coin. I was just thinking how cool it would be to have a big, national party to celebrate the money that we found. You know, we could give everyone a couple of bucks and tell'em to have a coke or sweet tea. I mean...think about it...we could pass around some cool drinks for the Occupiers and then give something to quench the thirst of the Tea Party folk too. This party would be a unifier not a divider. We'd celebrate the discovery of the missing money. It is simple! It was in the bank all the time. No worries. We should all get headbands that read: We Got Billions Back!
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/once-feared-lost-now-accounted-iraq-inspector-says-153935856.html

Hey...wait a minute. We lost nine million? We found six million? I wonder if I should ask about the three million or just assume that it is OK to lose a little in the translation? I should have known...three million is chump change. We're not worried about that small amount. Look I have to say this...someone should really be embarrassed. Really. We have high unemployment; poverty on the rise; children going hungry and job loss every day (not to mention those crazy gasoline prices)...we could have sure used that money around here about now. Even the three billion would be a welcome asset to our struggling economy. Even Greece seems to have reached a way to have a fresh start! http://news.yahoo.com/greece-stocks-opposition-blasts-debt-deal-125444465.html We need fresh start too!

No one seems embarrassed. Everyone keeps running their mouths on the cable news and no one seems the least bit concerned that we just misplaced six to nine billion dollars. It all seems surreal to me. That's why I'm smiling...we just can't keep this up. We've got to get our country back in order. If not...we're gonna end up just like Greece...begging others to help us get out of a seemingly impossible set of circumstances. We have to be more like that woman with the drachmas...let's redeem what we've lost before it is too late!

Little Sisters of Liberty: Boy Scouts of America...And We Have One!

"In order to help promote the BSA’s 40th anniversary theme of Strengthen the Arm of Liberty, 200 small versions of the Statue of Liberty were placed in communities across the country in the early 1950’s. A recent campaign has helped restore many of these long-neglected statues."

"http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0710/d-wwas.html

Only four of these replicas of the Statue of Liberty found there way to Ohio. Scouts erected one in Cleveland, one in Toledo, another in Youngstown and one in Ironton. The one originally placed in Youngstown disappeared. Now only three exist in Ohio and Ironton has one of the three. We stand at the precipice of an historical moment. Sixty years ago this year, Boy Scouts of Southern Ohio made a stand for Liberty and left us a legacy that we must embrace. We have a responsibility to pass this torch of Freedom to a new generation of Scouts.

Between 1949 and 1952, in town after town across America, community celebrations took place as Scouts dedicated more than 200 of the now historic Little Sisters of Liberty.

Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kan., is home to this replica of Lady Liberty.

The statues were located on capitol grounds, courthouse lawns, and main streets; in city parks, schoolyards, and libraries; and at Scout camps — all as part of Scouting’s 40th anniversary theme, Strengthen the Arm of Liberty.

Jack P. Whitaker, a Kansas City businessman and commissioner for the local Boy Scout council, originated the project after seeing a dedication of a Statue of Liberty replica made of chicken wire and concrete in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He decided that Scouts should endorse the prospect of Liberty by erecting the small replicas throughout America. Whitaker paid for the mold, promoted the project and helped Scout groups arrange fundraisers and dedication programs. The campaign enjoyed national success.

Local communities provided pedestals, which were often quite elaborate and added several feet to the overall height of the statue. Landscaping, too, sometimes graced the statues.
No official count or record was kept on the project and, as the decades wore on, many of the little Statues of Liberty suffered the effects of time. Eventually, weather and vandalism took a toll. Spikes were broken from the crown and the torch-carrying arm often was damaged. While some cities faithfully restored the statues, others simply junked them.



Little Sister  at Southwest Corner
of Lawrence County Court House
Lawrence County, Ohio

 During a recent research project conducted by one of my classes I teach at Ohio University, I snapped some photos of the various commemorative monuments located on the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn. The displays include an old jail cornerstone, a model of the pyramid type iron furnace, some battle cannon and the small replica of the Statue of Liberty. The plaque on the base references Boy Scouts of America and, being an adamant fan of Scouts, I began a second avenue of research concerning these Little Sisters. I'm glad I did! I'm astonised that we have one of only three of these replicas right here in our county seat.

After some deliberation, I felt moved to request special permission from the Lawrence County Commissioners to clean, restore and repair the Little Sister of Liberty that stands on our courthouse square. Our Boy Scouts stand ready for the challenge. We have sought donations from several of our supporters (if you'd like to help, please contact us today) and we have permission to restore the statue on November 12th, 2011 and we will rededicate the Little Sister of Liberty on November 19th, 2011. The local newspaper in Ironton has already begun to cover the progress of the project. http://www.irontontribune.com/2011/10/14/putting-the-shine-back-in-lady-liberty/

So now, at this moment and time in our history, let us once again gather as a people, as a community and as faithful Scouts to embrace our cherished liberties and freedoms. Join with us as we rededicate ourselves to the task of reaffirming our commitment to liberty, freedom and the American Way! Take the hand of the Little Sister of Liberty and walk together with us into the future with hope, promise and confidence that we, We the People will lift the Torch of Freedom from this day forward...Forever! God Bless America!

Occupy This! The Pendelem Swings Back

I've always heard that if you live long enough you'll see the pendulum of life swing back to a place you remember. The pendulum swings back and forth...but always returns. The last few days I've reflected about my hippie days. Yes...I admit it...I embraced the hippie philosophy. Let me quickly add that I lived as a hippie-wanna-be. I never took drugs...my dad would have put me in the hospital! I took baths...my mom taught me that "cleanliness is next to Godliness" and I wanted to stay close to God. I just wore long hair, big bell-bottoms and yellow tinted sunglasses. I played the drums. I know, I know...that doesn't sound like the glamorous counter-culture revolution, but that stood as the best I could do at the time. Actually, after some time, I became a Jesus Freak. That's a whole different blog story.

The recent Occupy Movement reminds me of the 60's. I'm telling my age here but I lived it so I might as well recount it. We suffered from general dissatisfaction with the establishment...The Man! (Wall Street today), we wanted out of the War (Vietnam then...Afghanistan and Iraq today). We didn't have jobs (we really didn't want them) and the Occupy folk don't but say they do. I'm not sure. They've got a blog asking for food to be shipped to New York to help them continue their Occupation. I've listened carefully to the rhetoric of the Occupy People and I hear some similar themes: down with The Man; Power to the People, and We are the world. The more things change the more they stay the same. I'm thinking of a new soap opera...As the Pendulum Swings. I'm thinking of a new moving script: Occupy This!



Occupiers

 I've truly listened to the messages coming out of the protests (man do I miss those days!). One young man said, "We're going to change history. We're not putting up with this anymore. You watch...we will change the world." I didn't see a peace sign though. I have a close friend who went to Woodstock. That was love, peace and music...with some nakedness thrown in for good measure. I think the Occupiers will get too cold to go naked...although I did see a snap shot of a woman walking down Wall Street who almost made it. Naked I mean. There's something liberating about sleeping in tents pitched on the ground, eating communal meals and going without a shower. In my hippie days (I never went naked, mind you) we called those moments an Air Shower or Air Bath. I'm sure it didn't work. I see American flags too. That's nice. I wonder why they want to bring down the government but wave American flags? Seems counter productive.

In the 60's we had a unified message. Peace, love and end the War. The Occupiers can't seem to find their place or their voice. Unions have co opted the movement, too. Multiple messages come from various factions. One boy said, "I live with my Mom so this provides me a break from my routine." I wonder what routine that would be? Probably eats Mom's cooking, sleeps in her house and plays X Box on her TV. He had a BA in English. He should look me up...I could get him a job teaching English in any one of several countries. I forgot. He's busy occupying. I don't think he really wants a job. I've said all along that I wish I had time to protest. I loved it. I remember sitting in the shade of a big tree down at the court house protesting against the Establishment. I can't do that now. I have to go to work...for The Man. He pays for my home, food and vehicle payments. So unless you want to pay me to hold signs (and some pay for sign holders) I can't make the protest. I have to pass the opportunity to wax nostalgic. And by the way...Wall Street actually belongs to the City of New York. Why not come and Occupy Ironton. We could use the infusion of  cash that would come from the many visitors and protesters. Occupy This!



Peace Baby!

 I'm anxious to watch the outcome of all of this. Some have likened this movement ti be similar to the Tea Party. Nah, I don't buy it. I think this is a retro-fit of the hippie movement of the 60's. These folk don't drive micro buses. They take the train. But I must admit that the videos, the still shots, the messages and the protests take me back to a more innocent time. The hippie movement was all about getting out of the war and bringing down the Establishment. I suppose the aims are not too far apart after all.

Occupy Wall Street claims to be a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and various political persuasions. The one message they claim to have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants. And yet, as I think about it, there's no way the crowd they had walking the Brooklyn Bridge represented 99% of the people. Come on...we're not stupid! We did the math. So let me leave you with one of my favorite expressions: Peace Baby! Where's Telly Savalas when you need him? Pass me a lollipop. I'm ready for the show.

Folknography...The Art of Giving Voice!: Shoot Out at the Walmart Corral

Folknography...The Art of Giving Voice!: Shoot Out at the Walmart Corral:  Walmart in Logan, WV  Jesus Canul traveled to Walmart after work to cash his check. He washes dishes at a local restaurant and that...