New Study Says Immigrants Less Likely To Be Criminals

A new study released yesterday by the Immigration Policy Center says that legal and illegal immigrants are less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes or be incarcerated. This report runs contrary to what the overheated and hot-headed Arizona politicians want you to think. In fact, this study supports what has been largely know, yet little recognized fact, that immigrants have been shown to be less likely to be criminals in studies going back over 100 years. The funny thing about facts is sometimes they get in the way...

Get the report here: www.ailf.org/ipc/special_report/sr_022017.pdf

Among the findings of this report:

• Even as the undocumented population has doubled to 12 million since 1994, the violent crime rate in the United States has declined 34.2 percent and the property crime rate has fallen 26.4 percent.


• Among men age 18-39 (who comprise the vast majority of the prison population), the 3.5 percent incarceration rate of the native-born in 2000 was 5 times higher than the 0.7 percent incarceration rate of the foreign-born.


• The foreign-born incarceration rate in 2000 was nearly two-and-a-half times less than the 1.7 percent rate for native-born non-Hispanic white men and almost 17 times less than the 11.6 percent rate for native-born black men.


• Foreign-born Mexicans had an incarceration rate of only 0.7 percent in 2000—more than 8 times lower than the 5.9 percent rate of native-born males of Mexican descent. Foreign-born Salvadoran and Guatemalan men had an incarceration rate of 0.5 percent, compared to 3.0 percent of native-born males of Salvadoran and Guatemalan descent.


• Foreign-born Chinese/Taiwanese men had an extremely low incarceration rate of 0.2 percent in 2000, which was three-and-a-half times lower than the 0.7 percent incarceration rate of native-born men of Chinese/Taiwanese descent.


• With the exception of Laotians and Cambodians, foreign-born men from Asian countries had lower incarceration rates than those from Latin American countries, as did their native-born counterparts.


• The children and grandchildren of many immigrants—as well as many immigrants themselves the longer they live in the United States—become subject to economic and social forces, such as higher rates of family disintegration and drug and alcohol addiction, that increase the likelihood of criminal behavior among other natives.


• The risk of incarceration is higher not only for the children of immigrants, but for immigrants themselves the longer they have resided in the United States. However, even immigrants who had resided in the United States for 16+ years were far less likely to be incarcerated than their native-born counterparts.

Thayer Verschoor - Stupid Legislator

There's an old saying, "There's no such thing as a stupid question, but some come really close." This clearly doesn't apply to politicians, especially those in Arizona and more pointedly, District 22 Senator Thayer Verschoor. Sorry folks, there's no other way to describe this man. Clueless doesn't cut it. Misinformed doesn't quite get it right. The man's just cold, dead stupid. Or, as the kids would say it "stoopid." The reason for this label, among others, is Thayer's determination to pass SB 1542, the "Punish Teachers Who Make Kids Think Act."

For a quick review, the bill would provide monetary, civil and professional sanctions against any teacher who spoke out against anything remotely political or controversial. Ol' Thayer thinks it will stop teachers from saying things like "President Bush is an idiot," even though 70% of the public already know that. If you are convicted, it costs the teacher $500 and gets them labeled as "unprofessional." Thayer's other goal is to keep teachers from impacting elections. "That's the job of the parents," says Verschoor, not those "liberals" who are opening asking students to think for themselves--darn them.

You'd have thought that when someone had a bad idea for education and it got killed in committee that maybe, just maybe you'd decide that the bill is a bad idea. Like Verschoor’s resurrecting his bill to muzzle teachers from exercising their free speech rights at all levels. His original bill didn't pass the test of the committee that is supposed to review things affecting education, so Thayer, ideological master that he is, using his power as Majority Leader (which begs the question of what were the Republicans thinking) pulls the "strike everything" stunt to reintroduce it as SB 1542. Now SB1542 had better luck in the Senate Government Committee because that committee is chaired by one of the other geniuses of the Legislature, Sen. Jack Harper (R-Surprise), you know, the "Guns In Bars" guy, where it passed on a party line vote. Harper, if you remember, is the guy who wants to put 80-year-olds with shotguns on the border to protect us while making sure they have no access to medical care if they get hurt "protecting" us.

With the passage of SB 1542 out of Harper's committee, it now goes to the floor. Given the other ideologues living in the legislature, this P.O.S. of a bill is likely to pass, again on party line vote. After that, it goes to the Governor who will likely veto it, giving Thayer another reason to run for reelection.

The sad thing is Sen. Verschoor really has no clue of what the impact of SB 1542 would have. He can't think beyond the one or two people he talks to before introducing legislation. If you remember, he introduced a bill in the last session that would allow students to opt out of homework assignments if the --student-- objected to the material, and would require the instructor and the university to offer a different assignment and curriculum to that student after talking to ONE parent.

Gee, I wonder what Thayer would do if he listened to more people...

What "emboldens the terrorists?"

Dick Cheney is at it again, saying that if you don't support what the Bush administration is doing in Iraq by sending in more troops means you are "emboldening the terrorists." What a crock. Can someone get him off the stage, please?

What "emboldens the terrorists" is how totally screwed up and incompetent the Bush plan/strategy/implementation was for Iraq and the simple fact our leaders had zero understanding of the history or the culture. We had a chance to get it right, but Bush/Cheney didn't have an ounce of a clue as to what would happen once Baghdad fell. I can’t find the words to describe what a C.F. Bush has made of Iraq and the Middle East for decades to come.

This argument that what gets talked about in public here somehow "emboldens the terrorists" is ludicrous. So far as I know, there are no English-speaking radio or TV stations in Iraq other than those run by the Bush administration for our soldiers. There are no English language newspapers in Iraq other than those run by the Bush administration. Therefore, next to no Iraqis have any access to what any American politician is saying at any point in time--unless they speak English and listen to Armed Forces Radio, which seems unlikely.

To those who say they DO hear what Arizona politicians say about the war, answer this: name every Arabic-language radio or TV station this side of the Mississippi River. Name every Arabic-language newspaper that can be purchased on any street corner this side of the Mississippi River, hell the Atlantic Ocean, for that matter. Provide a total of all of those people who speak Arabic in the state of Arizona who learned the language in a public school.

Show me that information and then maybe, just maybe, you can convince me that the average Iraqi or your average al-Qaeda sympathizer in the Middle East has any access to what any Arizona politician or any member of Congress says about the war or even cares. What they would care more about is what's happening outside of their front door and whether it’s safe. Improve that situation and you solve the terrorism problem. That may seem simplistic, but that’s all people are looking for.

It is the policies and practices of the Bush administration in Iraq and the Middle East that emboldens the terrorists. Not the exercise of Free Speech here in the U.S.

Republicans Threaten One Of Their Own

I guess it was inevitable, but the Republican neo-con, neo-nazi, neo-clueless are now attacking and threatening moderate Republicans with the support of some sitting Republican legislators. Yesterday (Feb. 20, 2007) I was sitting in the gallery when Rep. Bill Konopnicki (R-Safford) read a statement telling his fellow house members that he and his family have received death threats over a vote last week to permit illegal immigrants to collect workman's compensation if they are injured on the job. I don't think anyone was expecting this and the emotion in his voice as he read his statement clearly showed he was greatly affected by the threats.

The revelation that the crazies were turning on their own was surprising enough. But what was more surprising was Speaker Weier's lame (in my view) response to Konopnicki who said essentially "we all get threats," giving no real indication that he was going to do anything about it.

I was also surprised by the tepid show of support Konopnicki's colleagues gave him in comparison to the standing ovation given him by the Democrats. I looked around quickly at the Republicans who applauded Konopnicki's remarks and one whom I did --not-- see applauding was none other than Russell Pearce (R-Mars). He was busy working on something at his desk. One can only wonder what was going on is his mind.

What should concern us all is that there are people here who believe intimidation is the way to make things go their way in this state. I would argue we have done precious little to alert the saner residents of our state to this growing problem and that something needs to be done to let people know this is not acceptable. It doesn't help that folks like Sen. Thayer Verschoor (R-Neptune) and Karen Johnson (R-Pluto) want to stifle political speech in our schools and universities, but that's what helps embolden these, shall I call them what they are, "domestic terrorists?"

Unless we do something, these mob-mentality threats will only increase in frequency and that harms our state.

Verschoor's SB1542 - Dumb and Dumberer

My read of SB 1542 is the law does NOT apply to private religious (because they are not public) schools that promote the selection of "righteous" judges, that teach evolution is wrong, or that Christianity is the only "right" religion. This law would NOT apply to home-schooling parents who teach their children that Republicans are always right, that women should not have the right to disagree with their husbands or anyone who thinks otherwise is ignorant and should be called a childish name. This law does NOT apply to private schools of any type who promotes hatred of Hispanics, Blacks, Jews, or any other minority group. This would do NOTHING to stop private school teachers who teach children to protest outside of women's health clinics. So, while this law would handcuff public school and university teachers, it would have no effect on those schools where right-wing conservatives and political zealots indoctrinate their kids.

Verschoor's Bill ignores the simple fact that one must have reached the age of 18 to vote. Therefore, any the discussion of elections or positions or pending cases to people younger than 18 cannot have an impact on an election, now can it?

Like Verschoor's Bill of last year would have allowed students to opt-out of a homework because they don't agree with the point of the assignment and would have required schools to offer alternative programs, this Bill is based on a couple of conversations with a couple of people who overreact or see boogeymen around every corner. There is nothing more than narrow, anecdotal evidence that this is a problem. For those who don't know what "anecdotal" means, it means there's nothing more than people with a hunch or unproven belief that something is true, when it really isn't.

This country is based on freedom of speech. I doubt seriously this bill would ever stand up to a Constitutional challenge on free speech grounds. Unfortunately, any legal challenge would be at the expense of the Arizona taxpayer. Personally, I think the funds for any legal challenge should come out of the pocket of Thayer Verschoor.

Thayer Verschoor - Enemy of Free Speech

You'd think that Republicans support free speech, but they don't. Republican Senator Thayer Verschoor's (R-22) original bill to muzzle free speech for teachers at any grade or school or university and fine them $500 per conviction of “unprofessional conduct” used to be SB 1612, but it got killed in the Education Committee on Wednesday. Not one to let a dumb bill die or give up on telling teachers what they can or cannot discuss, Republican Verschoor pulled the "Strike Everything" stunt and reintroduced the measure, word-for-word, as SB 1542. This is a dangerous and vague bill that is opposed by teachers, students and parents, yet Republican Verschoor insists it's necessary. Apparently he and some of his right-wing-extremist collegues think discussing political issues should occur and those bastions of knowledge: the legislature or the local KKK or JBS meeting.

Voice your objection to this bill by calling Senator Verschoor's office at 602-926-4136. Also, call your Senator and House members and make sure they know you disapprove of SB 1542. It's today's prime example of more dumb laws from the Arizona Republicans.

HB2663 - Today's Dumb Bill of the Day!

Today's installment is HB2663, sponsored by Republican Representative Trish Groe (R-3), which mandates that on the initial contact with the family or family member who is accused of abusing a child, the CPS agent must inform the family they are under no obligation to let the CPS agent into the home OR to interview the child. Now, the staff backgrounder states:

"The law requires CPS to investigate reports of suspected abuse or neglect of a child, and to provide temporary foster care for dependent children who have been abused or abandoned. CPS workers may visit the home to discuss the report and talk with the family about its situation; suggestions may also be made about what services are available to assist the family."

So let me get this straight: the law requires CPS to investigate reports of abuse, but they can't enter the home or interview the child? That'll be a short investigation. So what do the sponsors believe will happen to the child when an abuser finds out that the child has told another adult or parent of abuse? Do they think the child will get a hug? How is CPS supposed to get any clear evidence of abuse if they're not permitted to interview the child? What happens if the abuser refuses to let the child out of the house or out of their sight? What if the abuser stops the child from seeing the other parent if visitation is permitted? Who do Groe and the 11 other Republican co-sponsors think they're protecting here? Sounds like the abusers to me.

So, today's "Dumb Bill of the Day" award goes to Republicans Trish Groe, Barto, Biggs, Burges, Clark, Kavanagh, McLain, Murphy, Nelson, Nichols, Pearce, and Yarbrough for HB2663, which further handcuffs CPS from determining whether children are abused.

Way to go!

How do the come up with these?

This is turning into a daily event, so I figured I'd just title this "Dumb Bill of the Day." Maybe it should be "Dumb Bills from Dim Bulbs."

Today's installment, SB 1612, comes from the fertile and futile mind of Thayer Verschoor, (with co-sponsors Linda Gray and Karen Johnson). SB 1612 deals with that awful problem of teachers in public schools, charter schools and universities talking about current events. These three dumb law-makers believe teachers are overstepping their bounds and should not be allowed to:

a: discuss any political candidate or party
b: discuss any governmental program
c: discuss any law, regulation or rule
d: discuss any litigation pending anywhere
e: advocate any social or cultural issue

So much for political science and social studies classes or degrees. And where are Arizona students supposed to study our political process or engage in a balanced discussion of important issues? At Thayer Verschoor's house? The local KKK or JBS meeting? The Flat Earth Society? The Arizona GOP?

Any teacher convicted of doing any of these god-awful things is guilty of "an unprofessional act" and is subject to a fine of $500. Someone who --helps-- a teacher teach students about "Dumb Laws" is also subject to a $500 fine.

Let me remind you ol' Thayer was the author of one of last year's "Dumb Bills" that would have permitted any student who didn't like the lessons they were being taught could "opt-out" and request a different curriculum. Republicans must think it is better to keep people ignorant of their government than have the smarts to figure out what's going on. Thayer sure thinks so.

As sayeth Thomas Gray: "When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly be wise." Need any more proof than Thayer Verschoor's SB1612?

So thank you, Thayer Verschoor, for SB 1612: today's "Dumb Bill of the Day!"

More Brilliance from JackAZ Harper

Following up my earlier post on SCR1006, I took the time to check the facts on Sen. Jack Harper's claim that there are "23 states" who have state defense forces just like the one he is proposing for Arizona. The plain and simple truth is Harper doesn't know what he's talking about. I.M.H.O., there is no way Harper could have done a-n-y serious research into his claim. For someone who pontificates on the importance of telling the truth and how no one should be trusted at the Capitol who doesn't tell the truth, Harper is quite loose with the truth.

Here is the short version of what I found:

State-by-State Summary

Number of states examined: 23

Number of states with State Defense Forces specifically cited in state Constitution: None

Number of states where State Defense Force is under Legislature “direction:” None

Number of states where State Defense Force membership and organization is determined by a committee of the Legislature: None

Number of states where the State Defense Force is always active: None

Number of states where active State Defense Force members are not paid: None

Number of states that reimburse expenses of members of the State Defense Force: None

Number of states where State Defense Force is 100% exempt from the UCMJ or state equivalent: None

Number of states with discussion of sexual orientation policies: None

Number of states where State Defense Force CAN be called to federal service: 13

Number of states that exempt State Defense Force from federal service: 10

Conclusion

Number of states with a State Defense Force with an “identical force to SCR1006:” None

Tom Horne's Hypocrisy

I have to say I'm troubled by Tom Horne's op-ed (Racist views are poor use of school funding, azcentral.com, Feb. 3, 2007) for a number of reasons. First, it's embarrassing that the Superintendent of Public Instruction seems to be able to write only single-sentence paragraphs. Not a very good example for the kids, Tom.

Second, in the same article where he states "...I have promoted prejudice reduction programs, such as "World of Differences," that teach kids to treat each other as individuals, not as a stereotypes of their ethnic groups," he effectively encourages people to accept his classification of anyone who is Chicano as not recognizing the "legitimacy of the United States." Maybe it’s me, but doesn’t that statement contribute to the very prejudice he earlier said he was fighting against? Maybe Mr. Horne is unfamiliar with the word “hypocrisy.”

It's unfortunate that Republicans like Mr. Horne find it necessary to demonize people and groups based on posts on web sites, innuendo and hearsay. Maybe if he spoke to the people wearing the t-shirts and not just the critics he might learn something that could help him address the very prejudices he supposedly opposes. Unfortunately, his op-ed does nothing other than fan the flames.