We're studying Passover and the Exodus in class tomorrow.
The host in NPR this morning pronounced it "Mooslim" instead of the more typical "Muhslim." Is the way he said it more appropriate for all of us? Would it be more respectful to use that pronunciation?
According to several online news sites Alabama is seeing a striking exodus of Hispanic students from their public schools since the courts upheld that state's new strict law on illegal immigration. That law, among other things, requires school districts to verify the legal status of new enrollees, not existing students. But they think many Hispanic families don't understand that and are pulling their children out of school and leaving the state. We saw a similar development here in Arizona after SB 1070 was passed even though it was immediately challenged and put on hold by the courts.
The reports I've read say school officials are going out of their way, including statements on Spanish language TV and radio stations, urging Hispanic families to stay and keep sending their kids to school.
Is it just me or does this seem a little counter-intuitive? It seems unlikely that those in this country legally would be afraid of a law targeting illegal immigrants. Doesn't this mean district and state officials are, in effect, trying to undermine the will of the people who voted on this new law? Or am I missing something?
I'm watching the Forida/Bama game and am reminded of a joke about the politician asked for his position on a particularly partisan issue. He said, "Some of my friends are for it and some of my friends are against it. I'm for my friends."
I'm going to have some very happy friends and some very sad friends when this game is over. Either way, it's a good game.
Tomorrow I'll hand back the first of the four unit exams. They all did GREAT. Sharp group of people, that Pathway bunch. We're also going to listen to "You 'Aint Been Nothing Yet" by Apologetix in honor of our current topic - the life of Moses.
I had a mid-morning meeting and then went back to that house in central Phoenix to return the drawers I repaired. I also fixed a hose bib on the front side of the house that leaked badly... and hadn't been touched for decades. It did not yield willingly, but it's done. Also caulked around the base of that toilet I installed. I didn't do it Thursday because I wanted to make sure there were no leaks between the bowl and the floor flange. Whew! No leaks.
Dr. Sam is preaching tomorrow. They'll both enjoy and benefit from his ministry. In addition to that, it's good for them to hear a different voice from time to time. The sound of a different bell rings clearly. But it feels weird to be in town and not preaching, something that's only happened once or twice in our 3+ years as a church. My brain is so used to fretting on a Saturday night that I hardly know what to do with myself.
5 comments:
Schools receive federal and state funds based on enrollment. During state testing weeks they push for 'full attendance' because that is when the census is taken and the next year's dollars are established. They want these students to stay because, without them, they cannot afford to pay for all of additional services that so many illegal students require. Sound a little cyclical?
In Elijah's School, the 6th grade class lost 22 students this week (they had about 100 at the beginning of the year). Noah also commented that some of his friends will not be back to school next week. I am all for immigration laws, I just hate that the kids are the ones who suffer the most. Many of these kids were born here, they will suffer from this, of course, from what I have heard, most families are just moving to Texas, Florida or Arkansas....
I agree that it's unfortunate the kids pay a steep price. I don't care if I do sound like a bleeding heart, there has to be a way to handle this equitably. It's not like Americans weren't complicit in this. We happily hired them to pick our veg.s, clean our hotel rooms, work in our slaughter houses, etc. and now, as quickly as political winds shift, we declare them all criminals. There's blame on both sides, nobody is w/o fault, and if calmer heads could prevail we could find fair solutions.
Re. their migration, I read that N.M. and Texas saw increases as AZ saw decreases. How long before those states respond with their own laws?
I agree with your sentiment Craig, but I can't get around the idea that this immigration problem is related to our debt and spending problems and others. It stems from the fact that we Americans don't want to make any choices that have a downside, a cost, a sacrifice, or a sad face attached to them.
Either we have borders that mean something, or we don't. Either we are a sovereign nation ruled by laws or we aren't. As Americans we should choose a policy and stick to it instead of trying to have it both ways, existing in an unsustainable tension, where those who suffer the consequences have no say in the matter (children of immigrants, our kids who will have to pay the debt, etc.)
Mike H.
Mike, I absolutely agree that borders should not be porous. The goal should be 0% illegal immigration. But given that America created something like a moral hazard for decades, can't we find a way to deal fairly with those who have been here for...? If we set criteria that included: no other criminal activity (being here is, we agree, illegal activity), paid taxes, didn't game the welfare system, etc., AND req'd reasonable hoops like citizenship appl., maybe common. service....
And if they served in our military I think a path to citizenship is a no brainer!
There has to be a way for us to act justly when, IMHO, we were more than happy to have them here. We lived 7 years in the Salinas Valley where the crops were picked by migrant workers, 90% of whom were illegals. We all knew it and were fine with it. Again, moral hazard.
Post a Comment