I'm all for immigration reform. I believe that if others are able to attain citizenship in the United States, AND in addition, pay the taxes every American is subjected to, then it is definitely an achievable task and SHOULD BE mandatory in order to keep the balance.

The signing of SB 1070 (Save Our Law Enforcement & Neighborhoods Act) is a stupid move. Not only is it stupid, but it's racist and a bad strategy.

The Latino community, both legal and "illegal," attribute to $44 billion dollars of economic output and also make up the workforce behind 35,000 businesses in Arizona. This bill was signed DURING Arizona's budget crisis where they currently stand at an approximate $3 billion deficit.

Now, the target here is to remove only the "illegal" immigrants, right? But the fact of the matter is THIS: If a bad apple cop is out there (which is all of them in my humble opinion), Latinos and OTHER immigrants will be subject to racial profiling whether or not they ARE illegal. In the words of my friend, Mon-Shane, the bill is turning police officers into deportation officers. They will drive not only "illegal" immigrants out, but they will cause anguish with the individuals that are legal.

In conjunction, we have to take Jan Brewer, the governor of Arizona, into account. Is she guilty of prejudice and wanting to establish a social hierarchy?  Brewer repealed a bill in which  LGBT couples were able to consider themselves as "dependents" as established by the former governor, Janet Napolitano. She is also behind eliminating a health care program for uninsured chidren and is also against health care reform (don't make me argue this one). Oh, and just to throw this one in: this is the same lady who signed a legislation that allows individuals to bring their guns to bars unless a sign says otherwise.

Now I can't say for sure what it takes to make a bad politician, but Brewer definitely encompasses factors that make her an individual with questionable motives.

 The bill is racist and it's not going to help Arizona or the whole United States at ALL. Personally, I think she should have gotten the point that it was a bad idea when Arizona Ice Tea went public in saying that their product was made in New York.

I’ve garnered inspiration to write this cheesy lil thang… and I’m writing this for my readers who aren’t getting the respect or love that they deserve.

This is for the people who give things a second chance…

For the people who look past the bad experiences and move on…

For the people who blame themselves constantly for others’ shortcomings…

For the people who’re probably going to hear “I told you so” from their friends…

For the people who can’t help but feel pity for themselves because they quote-unquote “knew better”…

For the people who, in spite of everything, follow their heart…

To you all, I say… It’s not your fault.

It’s not your fault that they can’t see the good you can be to them…

or that they have to have these stupid “preliminary rounds” to even consider you.

It’s not your fault that one of the high points of your day is their phone call…

or that you’re disappointed that all you get is a “k” as a text message.

It’s not your fault that you think two steps ahead and think about the good things to come…

or maybe overanalyze because something is out of routine.

It’s not your fault that you make them happy one minute…

And then find out that you might’ve just been the rebound.

It’s not your fault for thinking this person may be chasing after you…

And then later on you realize, “Damn. I’m chasing him.”

And it’s definitely not your fault for thinking this MAY BE IT…

When in reality, it’s not.

It’s seriously not your fault.

Because if you think about it, what exactly are you at fault for?

Being there for them when they needed someone to talk to?

Believing the good things that were said to you?

For thinking that JUST MAYBE “I’m so glad I have you” was ACTUALLY oh-em-gee being said to you?

Just remember.

Everyone has a wall built up and it takes another person from the outside to take those bricks down one by one to see the real you.

Nobody can be THAT blind or that fucking stupid to not know where the situation may be headed.

So once again, I tell you: It’s not your fault.

Because ONCE UPON A TIME, you were just minding your own god damn business when their asses came knocking on that door.

I know I haven't posted in such a long long long time (it's mainly because I'm on tumblr now... I know, I'm a traitor) -- but I've returned to post an article that I wrote for my school newspaper.

If you haven't been following the recent university activity in California (specifically UCI and UCSD) or you don't live in California and haven't heard of what's been happening (it kinda ties in with the education budget cuts) THEN PLEASE READ...

http://media.www.pcccourier.com/media/storage/paper1346/news/2010/03/04/Opinion/Student.Rights.On.Campus.Under.Fire-3884080.shtml

I'd really appreciate it if you'd post your thoughts and opinions. Partially because it gets me traffic BUT for the most part, I've seen a plethora of different responses, even some perspectives in different angles that I couldn't even fathom. Whether you agree with me or not, I'd like to hear your opinions. Journalists, like an aspiring one like me, need to be open to ALL views.

I'd very much appreciate it... especially since, FROM MY OBSERVATIONS AT LEAST, most xanganians have a more analytical, innate way of thinking... in contrast to tumblr... an oversufficient amount of worthless pictures and shit. -_-;