Imaginary Lines are Clearly Drawn

Labour Day, Loyalty Day, Law Day, International Workers Day, May Day

Law Day, U.S.A., along with Loyalty Day, was created to counterbalance [May day] celebrations, which were perceived as communist. On February 5, 1958, President Eisenhower recognized the first Law Day when he proclaimed that henceforth May 1 of each year would be Law Day. He stated “In a very real sense, the world no longer has a choice between force and law. If civilization is to survive it must choose the rule of law.” More specifically Loyalty Day is "a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom."

(Bullshit)

I thought Arizona might be cool ...

ARTICLE 8. ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LAWS

11-1051. Cooperation and assistance in enforcement of immigration laws; indemnification

A. NO OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE MAY LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS TO LESS THAN THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY FEDERAL LAW.

B. FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. ANY PERSON WHO IS ARRESTED SHALL HAVE THE PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS DETERMINED BEFORE THE PERSON IS RELEASED. THE PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c). A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE MAY NOT SOLELY CONSIDER RACE, COLOR OR NATIONAL ORIGIN IN IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBSECTION EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ARIZONA CONSTITUTION. (yeah right) A PERSON IS PRESUMED TO NOT BE AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES IF THE PERSON PROVIDES TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR AGENCY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. A VALID ARIZONA DRIVER LICENSE.

2. A VALID ARIZONA NONOPERATING IDENTIFICATION LICENSE.

3. A TRIBAL ENROLLMENT CARD OR OTHER FORM OF TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION.

4. A VALID UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISSUED IDENTIFICATION.

C. IF AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES IS CONVICTED OF A VIOLATION OF STATE OR LOCAL LAW, ON DISCHARGE FROM IMPRISONMENT OR ASSESSMENT OF ANY FINE THAT IS IMPOSED, THE ALIEN SHALL BE TRANSFERRED IMMEDIATELY TO THE CUSTODY OF THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OR THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

D. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW, A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY MAY SECURELY TRANSPORT AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND WHO IS IN THE AGENCY'S CUSTODY TO A FEDERAL FACILITY IN THIS STATE OR TO ANY OTHER POINT OF TRANSFER INTO FEDERAL CUSTODY THAT IS OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. (YUCK)

E. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN FEDERAL LAW, OFFICIALS OR AGENCIES OF THIS STATE AND COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS AND OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THIS STATE MAY NOT BE PROHIBITED OR IN ANY WAY BE RESTRICTED FROM SENDING, RECEIVING OR MAINTAINING INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMMIGRATION STATUS, LAWFUL OR UNLAWFUL, OF ANY INDIVIDUAL OR EXCHANGING THAT INFORMATION WITH ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICIAL PURPOSES: (No Privacy?)

1. DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR ANY PUBLIC BENEFIT, SERVICE OR LICENSE PROVIDED BY ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE.

2. VERIFYING ANY CLAIM OF RESIDENCE OR DOMICILE IF DETERMINATION OF RESIDENCE OR DOMICILE IS REQUIRED UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS STATE OR A JUDICIAL ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO A CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDING IN THIS STATE.

3. IF THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN, DETERMINING WHETHER THE PERSON IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL REGISTRATION LAWS PRESCRIBED BY TITLE II, CHAPTER 7 OF THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.

4. PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373 AND 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1644.

F. A PERSON MAY BRING AN ACTION IN SUPERIOR COURT TO CHALLENGE ANY OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE THAT ADOPTS OR IMPLEMENTS A POLICY OR PRACTICE THAT LIMITS OR RESTRICTS THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS TO LESS THAN THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY FEDERAL LAW. IF THERE IS A JUDICIAL FINDING THAT AN ENTITY HAS VIOLATED THIS SECTION, THE COURT SHALL ORDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. THAT THE PERSON WHO BROUGHT THE ACTION RECOVER COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEY FEES.

2. THAT THE ENTITY PAY A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NOT MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH DAY THAT THE POLICY HAS REMAINED IN EFFECT AFTER THE FILING OF AN ACTION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION.

G. A COURT SHALL COLLECT THE CIVIL PENALTY PRESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION F AND REMIT THE CIVIL PENALTY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR DEPOSIT IN THE GANG AND IMMIGRATION INTELLIGENCE TEAM ENFORCEMENT MISSION FUND ESTABLISHED BY SECTION 41‑1724.

H. EXCEPT IN RELATION TO MATTERS IN WHICH THE OFFICER IS ADJUDGED TO HAVE ACTED IN BAD FAITH, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IS INDEMNIFIED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S AGENCY AGAINST REASONABLE COSTS AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY FEES, INCURRED BY THE OFFICER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO WHICH THE OFFICER MAY BE A PARTY BY REASON OF THE OFFICER BEING OR HAVING BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. (F-H = Classism)

(If big brother isn't watching, your racist neighbor will be)

B. The attorney general shall prescribe a complaint form for a person to allege a violation of subsection A of this section. The complainant shall not be required to list the complainant's social security number on the complaint form or to have the complaint form notarized. On receipt of a complaint on a prescribed complaint form that an employer allegedly knowingly employs an unauthorized alien, the attorney general or county attorney shall investigate whether the employer has violated subsection A of this section. If a complaint is received but is not submitted on a prescribed complaint form, the attorney general or county attorney may investigate whether the employer has violated subsection A of this section. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the filing of anonymous complaints that are not submitted on a prescribed complaint form. The attorney general or county attorney shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin. A complaint that is submitted to a county attorney shall be submitted to the county attorney in the county in which the alleged unauthorized alien is or was employed by the employer. The county sheriff or any other local law enforcement agency may assist in investigating a complaint. When investigating a complaint, the attorney general or county attorney shall verify the work authorization of the alleged unauthorized alien with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c).

Aren't we all basically immigrants to North America in some capacity? Don't we all (well almost all of us) have to work for a living?

Have some god-damned empathy people, and say thanks to the people who have worked to get you places!

You can also write to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer at this address:

The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Telephone (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
Fax (602) 542-1381

(She also signed a bill repealing legislation put into place by the former governor Janet Napolitano, which had granted domestic partners of state employees the ability to be considered as "dependents," similar to the way married spouses are handled.
About 750 state workers will be affected.)

Lame Jan Brewer, lame.

Thanks Wikipedia for the historical info!

The Fox and the Grapes

Some people I know how to talk to and others I cannot. The ones that I cannot make me feel like a bit of a failure. Are my feelings justified, blah blah blahs? Who am I to say this is what you should do when not too long ago it was you telling me what to do. In all fairness I never listened, so why should you?

Cognitive dissonance is a bitch. Sometimes I feel like a real bitch, but it's only cause I get worried.

I know nothing. That's all I know.

What kind of daughter do you want me to be?

Birth

So yesterday I turned a year older or some such business. I'm pretty sure every year I say the same thing, I do not feel my age. Especially this year. Man, this age thing, who came up with it?

I actually don't care who came up with it, but it's sort of a mind trip. We're both at this age, but you are there and I am here and he is mature and she isn't or his clock is ticking and she doesn't care or they just can't relate or they are ten years apart and relate perfectly. You know?

Two weekends ago I was at a party filled with a few people I knew really well, a handful of acquaintances I knew fairly well, and a couple near strangers. I'm having a lovely time flitting around chatting and someone says, "Hey, where'd you get that bottle of champagne?" And I say I got it as a birthday gift, "Oh, how old are you going to be?" 26 Ya'll. That's right The Last Unicorn is in her mid to late twenties. I think I've officially bumped up a demographic. Big whoop. Age isn't something I normally think about too much or let limit me, but when a whole entire room of people falls silent and stares at you ... well it makes you feel sort of weird about that number attached to you in all the worst ways.

Growing up is so weird. I don't feel young and I don't feel old. I'm not in a rush. I'm just floating in this in between area, which is probably a really great place to be, but for now I just feel sort of lost. I just have to keep reminding myself that my journey is always going to be different than the person sitting next to me and hope that stuff lines up errry now and then. Just like my T. says, "What is 26 supposed to look or feel like anyway?"

So far so good.

Great Escape

I got a call today.

Brief transcript:

Do you support forcing the military to work in the field, housed in the barracks, submarines etc. with homosexuals?

The question was more of a statement. I started yelling in the phone and then a polite robot said, "If you don't answer Yes, No, or I don't know into the phone the survey will end. I quickly said Yes, but I thought damn, in what way is this "survey" going to be used? Am I going to show up on fox news in their little pie graph. 2% other or some shit? And why didn't they ask me if I support forcing the gay military to work with bigots?

I am getting antsy again. I need to get out of this state for a while. I need to go out and do something. I get a little nervous when I get squirrely. I can't center myself. Everything gets distorted in my little peanut head.

I need a little adventure that won't get me into trouble.

Fiddlehead

Fiddlehead Ferns have popped up all over the side of the house where I live and are slowly unfurling.

They pretty much make my day everyday. I'm such a sucker for plants.

Today is my third day without coffee and boy am I tired. Yesterday I took a nap. Today I want to take a nap. I just want to curl up in the sun like a cat and wake up when I get hungry.

I should probably be studying instead.

Bah. Maybe I'll just listen to the Cubs game, ha ha.

Edit: Apparently you can eat these ferns, but I don't want to. Apparently, they are a delicacy on the east coast.

Half Donkey

Self motivation.

I need some more.

What am I waiting for? I think I've spent enough of my life waiting waiting waiting.

I should be doing doing doing.

Ooooyeah.

No more excuses.

I love Annie Leonard"s "Story of Stuff" from a couple years ago, so here is her new schtick on the PR miracle of bottled water and its environmental blowback. Unfortunately she gets the story a weeee bit wrong considering tap water in certain areas of the U.S. is increasingly linked with higher rates of cancer, autism, and who knows what else due to industrial runoff. But that's a whole 'nother bag of policy worms, eh? Enjoy, think about it, and if you have the time watch Story of Stuff, maybe you'll think twice about buying that super cheap crap you don't really need on sale at Target.