http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070812/ap_on_re_us/hebrew_charter_schoolThis link is about how everyone from the ADL to Barry Lynn are criticizing a charter school that has a Jewish name and teaches Hebrew.Guess what? I disagree. There aren’t many times I disagree with Americans Unites, but here i think they may have jumped the gun. Having a Jewish name and teaching Hebrew (a language, not a religion), does not violate the separation of Church and state. Sure, it might devolve into that, but If the school officials are true to what they say, it’s legal IMO.Don’t all jump on me for this at once. I personally see a clear nontheistic Jewish culture, similar to a nationality, as completely separable from religion. If I’m right, then this is totally doable from a C/S standpoint. IF they obey the law!
I live in Texas and have worked as a bilingual teacher (2nd and 3rd grades). The parents I dealt with were mostly illegal immigrants with JOBS building homes for DR Horton or working at HomeDepot, Choice Homes, Buchar, Wal-Mart, Baylor Medical Center (washing bedsheets, etc.), Tyson Foods, Chili’s, etc. You can pick up day laborers to work on your house for almost nothing.
If gluttonous Americans choose to LICK their SUVS while shoving cheap strawberries down their overweight kids’ throats then they are using illegal labor, demanding illegal labor, and employing illegals. CONSUMERS(ahem…taxpayers) can pay for the services as well the social consequences. Buying cheap Brut Deodorant or Axe Male Body Spray has a consequence. It’s the same whining…”Let’s burn Colombia’s cocaine plantations because we can’t deal with our addictions.” May Jeebus keep us all from snorting Acapulco Gold and using illegal labor.
GF&G
Please define realist.
Uh, I’d be just fine in Germany right now. My sister in law, German native, came here by marriage 6 years ago and her family has no desire to be Americans. Again, I choose not to argue with you as you see it justifiable to keep your assets and I think people should give more. Yes, I realize there is a limit to giving. I won’t give to the point of not having a car that I use to get to work but I have chosen not to buy a hdtv so I can contribute to charity more.
Grrrrr. #$*%^#* Sorry, I want to answer the question, however I’m not being allowed some semblance of a word I haven’t used even within a word. As I’m unable to figure out where the offending letters are I am parting my answer out in sections. Sorry.
In my book a realist is one who faces facts even though those facts may be unpleasant, and then proceeds in a practical manner.
As a realist I understand and accept, although reluctantly, that not all is fair in the world. I also understand and accept that this can never change.
I know that you cannot spend more than you have and survive indefinitely, and that this applies not simply to money, but to natural resources and not just to individuals but to countries as well.
I know it is the nature of humans to hold mystical beliefs regardless of scientific evidence regarding the reality of a higher power. And I know that no matter how much I wish this wasn’t the case that the chance of religion fading away is close to zero.
I know it is the nature of humans to covet and fight for property and natural resources, thus there have always been wars and will always be war and injustice.
I know that there is no going back. I recognize and accept that I cannot change the past, and I understand that we must deal with today’s world.
I believe this country will continue to be invaded by illegal immigrants from Mexico and speculate, realistically, that the situation is unlikely to change. I further believe, that as TXatheist said, we had best be learning Spanish.
I know that Mexico has an abundance of natural resources and excessive corruption politically. I know that there are more than 4 billion people in the world with less hope than the Mexican people and know that by destroying my country they will not fix their own.
Then I’m a realist except I try to make it more fair and do what I can to make that change.
I know this country is well on its way to communistic (found the offending word and had to substitute another) way of life and know you could tax the working population into the ground, but I also know that no matter how much we give to eliminate poverty that it will never be enough.
As a 6th generation native born Texan, who lived in Texas until a few months ago, I fully understand the problem of illegal immigration and the effects it has had on the infrastructure of the United States. I am also realistic enough to know that if I buy strawberries, the chances are it was thanks to the labor of an illegal. However, I also know that should there by some miracle be no illegal immigrant to provide strawberries, and that if there was then market demand for strawberries, that they would somehow be planted, picked and find their way into my grocery store thanks to the labor of US citizens.
As a realist I recognize that we, as a nation, have become soft and spoiled and that far too many of us will continue to buy gas-guzzling SUVs and practice a multitude of other
wasteful activities. I recognize further that there is little chance of real change until push comes to shove
TXathist,
More power to you. I don’t think we really disagree totally. I, too, do what I can in my own backyard to help others, but at the same time I recognize that none of us can fix the world, or even our own country at this point.
And how about not looking at this as an argument, but a discussion? I enjoy and value your opinions.
I realize I’m coming in late on this discussion, so this probably won’t get much review by all you other posters here in the comments section, but after having scanned through the comments it seems nobody is addressing AU’s real complaint; that the school plans to use a specific textbook which is RIFE with orthodox Judaic religious scripture, in the guise of teaching Hebrew language. It’s such a thin disguise for promoting Judaism that it would be laughable were it not for the fact that public funds (taxes) would be paying for it.
Here’s the link to the AU press release:
http://www.au.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr005=yi50099js2.app7b&abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=9293&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241
Dave, I’m afraid you seem to have missed or ommitted some of the very pertinent facts as are described on AU’s website. So I’m also afraid that I have to hit you too (figuratively speaking only, of course; I abhor violence) on this one. You’re wrong in thinking AU has “jumped the gun”.
godfree, I don’t like the “typical texas” mentality and I say that respectful and as a means to why I think it’s greed. The only reason you are where you are is because of where you were born. If you were born in Mexico you’d have a much different outlook.
Celebrant…you’re correct. Good point.
TXatheist,
Of course if I had been born in Mexico I would have a much different outlook. And had I been born in Iran I’d probably be Muslim. We are, all of us, who and what we are–not some idealized version of sainted humans.
It may be greed but we are human mammels and greed is, in my opinion, necessary for the survival of our species. Granted it can and does get out of hand, but if greed was not woven into our mentality wouldn’t we give everything (everything!) we own to the poor and wander the world doing what we can to help others–you included?
After my basic needs? That’s what I do. When I have a F-350 in my driveway or I start a business and hire people to do all the work and then have the gawl to complain about taxes then I’ll become a typical texan and hate myself.
So you don’t live in a place nicer than you could live in? What do you consider your basic needs? TV, for instance? More than one pair of shoes? Do you live or work in air conditioned comfort?
Come on now. Get real. Be a realist, TXathist, if you’re going to talk about “basic needs.”
Do I live move into a house in Round Rock that is the poorest of the 5 surrounding communities? Yes. Do I use the tv to gather information? Yes. Do I want HBO, Showtime and cinemax but choose not to pay for them because I’d rarely get to watch them though though they have great shows like Bill Maher, Bull sh*t, etc . Do I wish I could wear one pair of comfortable shoes to work but realize Texas is so shallow they think presentation matters so I am required to wear dress shoes though I don’t interact with clients? Yes. Do I turn the air up when I’m not home but realize my son/wife would be suffering and unable to sleep if we didn’t? I didn’t have air when I was stationed/lived in California and was just fine. Come on now. You be a realist. You are just a typical texan and you refuse to admit your parents raised you to be selfish. It’s ok to admit you are as that’s the typical mindset down here and why I think Texas should unionize, so Texans have to pay the labor they exploit a decent wage. Right now, it’s the good ol’ boy mentality and justification for using cheap hispanic labor. I don’t wish to keep hashing this out.
You’ve answered my question with the AC alone. It is very possible to live, and yes to sleep in Texas, without air conditioning–not pleasant, but certainly possible and I’ve done a lot of it.
At least I’m willing to admit that by living the life I live in this country that there is selfishness involved. I’m not willing to admit that my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents raised me to be selfish, and I will tell you that all of them labored (and slept) without AC, and none worked in a cushy job at a desk in comfort.
I can see why you would wish not to continue the discussion and will end it here with one last remark: Texans don’t have a monopoly or a mindset any different than the rest of the country. We’re all big consumers who, whether we like it or not, rely on the labor of illegals. Some of us admit it and some of us like to believe we’re somehow more saintly than the rest.
And your refusal to admit your parents raised to be selfish is just denial. You are a typical texan and just too proud to admit it. Another fault texans fail to admit. You are sadly mistaken if you don’t think the northern states are pro-union and pro-worker with the exception of bosses who think like you. I am an extremely selfless person compared to you.
And since you didn’t know, I worked my way through college while doing many odd jobs and served in the military. I am one of the 2% of Americans that use the GI Bill to complete a college degree. This cush job is because I chose to go to college as it was a goal I set out to accomplish and only the 5th person in all my extended family alive today to finish with a 4 year degree.
Tx and Godfree
I think your disagreement initially arose over Godfree’s stance on illegal immigrants. I understand TX’s strong feelings about this as he has mentored 3 young men, who I’m guessing arose from that very situation. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
TX, don’t you see that the continued flood of illegals just contributes to the pool of young people needing to be mentored, with the ratio of mentors falling off disproportionately?
I think we need to seal up the borders and get a grip on the situation, so that folks who want to come here legally can take full advantage of what we have to offer.
TX, what’s your solution?
They are American born kids. Unionize Texas labor and those without union cards can’t do the lawns, construction or ditch digging. Fine the companies that use non-union labor heavily. I’m completely for people immigrating here to do it legally. I’m against using illegal labor.
TXatheist
Thanks for the correction. I think I recall that detail now that you say it again.
I don’t know how much you can count on unionizing to happen.
There might be a better chance of us all getting the ID cards that can’t be
counterfeited.
I realize your point karen but I’m talking about why I, only I, see the south as the problem to our illegal immigration. They complain about them being here but think paying them $6/hr is ok.
TX
Not sure I understand your point.
$6/hr is minimum wage here.
Karen, $6/hr is not enough to live on. The minimum wage is fine for high school kids but a standard living wage of $10/hr or $15/hr in NY, HI or CA should be the starting wage.
I was referring to the problem that Texas in general thinks its ok to pay hispanics $6/hr to do landscaping but doesn’t realize a union would raise that wage to $10/hr plus benefits and then the American people would do it. They want cheap labor but get mad the hispanics are the only ones that will do it for that slave labor.
TXatheist
defacto segregation is the solution using technology and zoning laws.so everyone black,white,hispanic,asian can feel safe and have a sense of cultural identy.
reason,
You must realize that isn’t going to work? You’re kidding right?
rna2dna
it is already being done by upper income bracket it just needs to be extended down to the rest of us.people need to be honest intergregation has failed.the people did not vote for intergregation it was forced on them by a small elite.the same elite who don’t intergregate.
What!? People still get benefits? Where? Who?