Citizen Burris Goes to Washington!

MoonHowler

Roland Burris has been selected by Governor Blagojevich (Henceforth known as Gov B in this article) to replace President Elect Barack Obama, the former junior senator from Illinois.

Seems straightforward enough but, Gov B has been under investigation for allegedly attempting to sell Obama’s former seat. The big problem seems that he has yet to be indicted. He appointed a replacement, Roland Burris and Burris has been denied entrance into the Senate because his credentials were not signed off on by all the powers that be in Illinois.
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Citizenship does not equate to residency when in comes to college tuition rates!

Elena

A guest post by Katherine Gotthardt!  Thank for your very thoughtful contribution regarding this very important life issue for so many young people who were brought to this country as  children.

According to Inside Higher Ed, “The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of a lower court’s ruling that placed in doubt the legality of a state law granting in-state tuition rates to some immigrant students who lack the legal authority to be residents of the state, the Los Angeles Times reported. While the California Supreme Court’s ruling would only be binding in that state, it could influence debates in other states with similar laws. Higher education officials and advocates for immigrants have worried that the lower court’s ruling, if it stands, could make it impossible for many of the students covered by the law to remain in college, given the large difference in tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students and the limited aid dollars available to students who are not legal U.S. residents.” (http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/01/05/qt)

The LA Times article says, “The California Supreme Court case revolves around a 2001 state law, known as AB 540, that permits the tuition breaks. Under the law, illegal immigrant students qualify for in-state rates if they attended a California high school for three years, graduated here and signed an affidavit saying they will apply for permanent residency as soon as they are eligible. The law has remained in effect during the legal challenge.” (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immigtuition5-2009jan05,0,3248207.story)

Before considering this case, it is important to understand the admissions and financial aid systems.

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BOCS Opens 2009 with a Full Agenda

MoonHowler

This Tuesday, January 6 will be the first BOCS meeting of the New Year. Traditionally, the Board will decide its vice chair. The position will be held for a year and is currently held by Supervisor John Stirrup. Other annual procedures will involve Chairman Corey Stewart addressing the Board, setting the calendar for the year and adoption of the board’s rules of procedure.

News and Messengers highlights:

Normally, the chair speaks about the progression of the county’s strategic goals, said executive Craig Gerhart on Friday. But Stewart is instead going to focus on “the economy, and showing how the county’s poised to handle the fiscal challenges” that are expected over the next couple years, Gerhart said.

Discussion of strategic goals is part and parcel of the board’s meeting schedule, anyway. Following the consent agenda, supervisors will receive an update on economic development and transportation, as well as human services — key issues that were identified and listed, along with education and public safety, as the core county concerns through 2012.

The strategic goals are important because they form the basis for budget planning for the upcoming years.

One highlight of the afternoon session will be a commendation for Ms. Caroline Custard, principal of Hylton High School for being named 2008 Principal of the Year.

There will be an evening session and the agenda seems full.

BOCS Agenda

Full story at News and Messenger

McAuliffe to Run for VA Governor, Kaine to Head DNC

MoonHowler

Terry McAuliffe, former Hillary Clinton campaign manager and former DNC chair from 2001-2005, has sent out a very savvy email, perhaps the most sophisticated I have seen to date, announcing his candidacy for Virginia Governor. Sorry I can’t attach it.

He will formally announce on Jan 8. He will be in our area Saturday, Jan. 10.

Terry is out of the gate running. He will be a very difficult candidate to stop.

Breaking News: Kaine to Become DNC Chairman.
Va. governor Timothy M. Kaine will operate in part-time capacity until 2010, when he’ll take over the job full-time after his term as Virginia Governor is up.

“Homeland Security USA”

MoonHowler

“Homeland Security USA” is an ABC TV reality series about the men and women who guard our borders. It is scheduled to premiere on tonight at 8 pm on channel 7 and is ‘prescreened’ by actual Homeland Security.

The NY Times gives us a brief review:

…it borrows some of the cheesiness of “Dateline NBC” exposés: during the premiere, a patient, polite and poker-faced immigration officer tries to get answers from an attractive young woman who has arrived at Los Angeles International Airport without money or hotel reservations, carrying a suitcase packed with flimsy exotic dancing outfits.

“Something seems amiss with this Swiss miss,” an unseen narrator says archly.
There is nothing wrong with showcasing vigilant, well-trained border patrol and customs officials, and many do appear to take their responsibilities very seriously. An inspector at the Los Angeles airport gets misty when describing why he is so dedicated. “My kids fly,” he says, tearing up.

But as the camera and high-octane narration zoom from San Ysidro, Calif., to Blaine, Wash., from checkpoint to seaport to mail inspection facility, “Homeland Security USA” suggests vast sweep and thorough access. Viewers will assume that they can sleep soundly, reassured that every inch of the border is closely watched and well protected.

Might as well check it out. I never thought that homeland security would or should provide entertainment, not for a minute. I also fear any program that gives us a feel-good response over something we should be staying on our toes about every second we are alive. I hope it doesn’t cause us to relax and not remain vigilant.

So does this seem like suitable TV material? Are we reassured because REAL DHS is ‘pre-screening’ the material? Is our security better now than it was before 9-11? Are these reality shows just a bunch of hype? Readers, weigh in on this one.

9 Muslim Passengers Removed from Jet at Reagan

MoonHowler

Officials at Reagan National Airport removed 9 passengers from an AirTran flight to Orlando yesterday. The problem originated when other passengers heard what they thought was a suspicious remark.

The 9 were later cleared for travel by the FBI but only after they had been removed from the plane. All other passengers were removed also and rescreened, along with their baggage. The delay took 2 hours. The final decision to remove the 9 muslims from the flight was made by the pilot and 2 US marshals.

AirTran defends its actions and the actions of its pilot. TSA also defends its actions saying that Air Tran took appropriate action. Everyone agrees that the incident was a misunderstanding. However, the 9 Muslims attempting to get to Orlando for a religious retreat are angry also and are charging racial profiling. All were dressed in muslim garb.

Should we as citizens be on the look out after 9-11? Is this racial profiling? If yes, is it justified in light of 9-11? Is our safety more important than someone else’s desire to travel via commercial airliner? How could this misunderstanding be avoided?

Read the full story in the Washington Post.

Maryland Immigration Issues Continue to be Probed

MoonHowler

The DC Examiner reports that the two opposing sides of the immigration ordinance enforcement issue in Maryland are squaring off. The American Civil Liberties Union is seeking information about immigration related ordinances in 23 different counties in Maryland. They want information about every publicly enacted ordinance or internal policy that directs police, social services agencies, real estate agents, landlords and local employers to classify or treat people differently due to immigration status. So far, ears are perking up over ordinances in Anne Arundel County, Frederick County and Gaithersburg.

Meanwhile, Help Save Maryland founder and president, Brad Botwin tracks every move the ACLU makes and has filed a “piggyback” request to be copied on all information given to the ACLU. The ACLU suggests that many of the ordinances are racial profiling. Botwin doesn’t see it that way.

Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold forbids contractors to hire illegal immigrants to work on county projects, and police in Frederick County have been trained to enforce federal immigration laws. In Gaithersburg, City Council members passed an anti-solicitation ordinance two years ago that made looking for work or workers along city streets a misdemeanor, a move some complained targeted immigrant day laborers. Last spring, Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler said the rule ran afoul of the First Amendment and Maryland’s vehicle laws and city leaders began exploring other options.

ACLU attorney Ajmel Quereshi has stopped short of saying the ACLU will sue the various counties over their immigration ordinances. However, the possibility does loom over any ordinances or resolutions that exist in Maryland. It sounds like the ground work is being laid for potential costly lawsuits.

Is Prince William out of the woods on potential lawsuits? Is our Immigration Resolution too toothless to appear on the ACLU radar screen? Has it all ended for Prince William County because of the exceedingly awful economy and real estate market? Has the huge story of 2007 about the nation’s leader, Prince William County ended, not with a bang but a whimper? Any bang heard seems to be another foreclosure door closing and our tax base dropping even more.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2009

MoonHowler

Well, it’s here! Brand new baby 2009! And what’s in store? No one knows.

The prognosticators on one side predict doom and gloom. Another side is all aglow with anticipation of a new president, new congress, and change. Let’s face it. None of us knows what the future holds.

All I do know is I would not go anywhere near the Inauguration–no amount of money could pay me to get in that crowd. I went in ’92 and swore off all Inaugurations.

What hopes do you have for the New Year and new era? What hopes do you have for our county, our state and our country? What is the most important national issue to you?

Hopefully everyone’s plans will involve blogging.