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<p> San Diego and the nation experienced shock and surprise Friday afternoon April16th. Accused child rapist and murderer 31-year-old John Gardner III pleaded guilty to raping and murdering 17-year-old, Chelsea King, a few weeks ago and 14-year-old Amber Dubois over a year ago. Shock…!</p>
Commentary
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<p>Reforming our obsolete immigration system is a human rights issue that can no longer wait. Our nation needs a clear and workable path toward legal residency for the millions of undocumented workers and families living in this country.</p>
<p><strong>America</strong><strong>’s Voice</strong></p>
<p>For the Hispanic community, which constantly suffers the consequences of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, recent revelations by the Washington Post—that ICE officials have set quotas for deportation of undocumented immigrants, without consideration for the circumstances of those they’re removing from the country—come as no surprise.</p>
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<p> “ – The act of an authority (as a government) by which <em>PARDON </em>is granted to a large group of individuals.”</p>
<p> “<em>PARDON</em> – The excusing of an offense WITHOUT EXACTING A PENALTY…A release from the legal responsibilities of an offense.” </p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>WEBSTER’S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY</strong></p>
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<p>By now, we all should have returned our Census forms to the government, thus fulfilling an important obligation we face every 10 years. The success of the Census largely hinges upon every household taking the time to complete this important form. But remember: it’s just one of the many civic duties that come with being an American.</p>
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<p>Now, I’m not a big fan of “State of” kinds of speeches. Most times they leave me with a feeling of “Now, that was some BS I could have spared myself.” But it was a joy the other night listening to Richard Barrera, the President of the San Diego City Schools Board of Education, share his thoughts on schools being community based in a refreshing non-preachy conversational tone as opposed to the usual empty tome that politicians usually read verbatim at such occasions in coma inducing tones.</p>
<p><strong>New America Media</strong></p>
<p>How do you end a column after 16 years? With regrets and unfulfilled dreams? Perhaps, but truthfully, Column of the Americas ends with even bigger dreams.</p>
<p>There indeed is disappointment with the ease in which the U.S. populace has accepted and normalized the notion of permanent war as a God-given U.S. birthright; the further militarization of the nation and the world; the politics of fear, hate and blame; and Big Brother government. All with nary a whimper.</p>
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<p>California’s system of higher education is at a breaking point just when another large wave of students is coming to pursue their undergraduate degrees.</p>
<p>Students, teachers and education advocates are taking to the streets in marches and protests across the Golden State to raise awareness of the devastating results of budget cuts like furloughs, drop-ped courses, sky-rocketing fees, admission restrictions and reduced prestige for the pre-eminent system of higher education in the country.</p>
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<p>Former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo (aka Loony Toons) continues anti-Mexican hate and lies even after leaving office. Hate is hate.</p>
<p>Tancredo’s lunacy comes from when he was a draft dodging evader and liar. He manifested a profound hate for the USA when he claimed mental illness to avoid the Vietnam draft. Or, did he lie?</p>
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<p>If anyone thought the inauguration of Barack Obama as president, heralded the end of racism in America, they should look no further than the tea party rallies held this weekend. The racial slogans and the mocking signs show how far we still have to go. Perhaps even more troubling are the economic indicators that show how far the recession is setting back the fragile fortunes of people of color.</p>