Musing of One Watching a Rowing Novice Trying to Find the Oarlocks on a Canoe

In our last posting regarding illegal immigration we forgot to mention one thing, if congress and the president continue down the path they have apparently chosen (amnesty and a special path to citizenship) they will send exactly the wrong message to a billion or so other deserving poor people around the Earth, who would like nothing more than to live and work in the US. Imagine assimilating about another billion people in the next ten years or so. We are being facetious, but it is a possibility.

Thank you Dave Hatcher and Lisa Dillon for your kind comments.

Musing of a Native Arkansan Still Wondering How Smackover, Arkansas Got Its Name

It seems to us that in all the dithering about illegal immigration, congress has never considered one of the most effective solutions. That solution is the establishment of the strongest possible DISINCENTIVES.

So we offer below a couple of these, accompanied by a proper incentive:

First, citizenship should be denied to all illegal immigrants and their children, including those born in the US. This is consistent with the 14th Amendment and various interpretations of the words "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" contained in the 14th Amendment. It is also consistent with the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 which states that no matter where in the world a child is born if at least one of its parents is a legal US citizen the child is a legal US citizen. Conversely, it seems obvious that no matter where in the world a child is born, including the US, if at least one of its parents is not a legal US citizen than neither is the child. (Apparently, congress can confer citizenship on anyone when it chooses to do so; it seems evident they can choose not to confer citizenship.)

Second, all forms of public assistance, except for emergency medical care, should be denied to anyone who is in this country illegally.

Third, if there is not one already, there should be a guest worker program which permits people to come to this country to work, but which, so as each individual is concerned, is limited both in duration and in the number of persons the worker can bring. This should be a tightly controlled, easily policed program.

This is probably not a very popular approach with alot of people.

Musing of One Who Wonders Whatever Happened to Hetty Green's Fortune

We have not read the new Arizona law which is the subject of so much controversy. However, we have listened to innumerable interviews with people ranging from the governor through legislators, sherrifs and interviewees on news shows. After all that, we can only conclude that all the protestations about constitutionality and racial profiling must be based on either political considerations or on a perception that the law in inimical to self-interest. Based on the interviews we heard with those who authored the law and those who will be administering it, we say "Hooray for Arizona!" and for any of the other states who follow Arizona's lead. It seems to us, Arizona is not usurping the federal authority, but is merely helping the feds do the job they're supposed to do.

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Musings of One Who Has Just Been Asked the Question "Why is a Biscuit?"