Immigration -
A study by the Warren Institute on Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity at the Law School at Berkley shows that Operation Streamline does not help combat the trafficking of drugs, weapons, or humans. Moreover, provisions in the policy removed discretion to only prosecute detained immigrants with criminal records, effectively bottlenecking the justice system. The fact that it ties up resources with prosecuting migrants, whether or not a crime has been committed means those same resources are diverted from concentrating on trafficking and violence that occurs along the US-Mexico border.
Link: Operation Streamline Policy Brief
The Self -
I have always had trouble slowing down. I operate well in chaotic environments but it does take its toll on my health. This piece from GOOD has a list of suggestions for taking it easy. If I could take on two or three of these, I'm sure I'd benefit.
Link: The GOOD (and ReadyMade) Guide to Slowing Down
This post is food for thought from Uncornered Market. I think I would like to be an experience junkie, although I admit to having more "stuff" than anyone really should have. The things I look back on most wistfully, however, are the trips abroad that I have taken or trips into the mountains or time spent with people dear to me. While a case can be made for having stuff to record these experiences, I truly believe my most cherished memories are the ones where I didn't have a camera to document them.
Link: Are You a Stuff Junkie or an Experience Junkie?
Politics -
While I believe very strongly in progressive causes, I usually find it troubling to hear a progressive talk about punishing a candidate for not being progressive enough. I find it of most concern when progressives vote third party or stay home to make a point. It seems to me that this approach does send a message but it says, "I'm not willing to compromise and if I don't get my way, then I will not support the party." It doesn't seem to occur to a person with this stance that this may throw the election to a candidate who holds no progressive views at all. Apparently, Jason Rosenbaum over at Firedog Lake sees what I see.
Link: To the pissed off progressives: Don’t be Naderites
Human Rights -
This story by Andrew Sullivan on deaths at Gitmo that were classified as suicides but are allegedly deaths due to torture is disturbing beyond words.
Comments