SHOULD SPITZER SWALLOW A JAGGED PILL

BY: DONNELL DIKE-ANUKAM

Should Eliot Spitzer resign or fight? This is the million dollar question that many across Albany and all over New York are asking themselves tonight. His brilliant and darling of 20 years wife stands angered, brokenhearted, and shamed by his side in their Manhattan apartment. He the “Sheriff of Wall Street” the one most feared men in the concrete jungle of New York City politics and in the board rooms of Corporate America. Is now himself is fearing and contemplating the next step of what’s left of his political and (more importantly) his personal future. In this fall from grace that as wide ranging as this sex scandal and political crises: (Troopergate (http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/980cljul.asp) , the Illegal Driver’s Licenses flap on the campaign trail (http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/14/ny.licenses/index.html) , ect) that is of almost Hollywood proportions the kind that you would see as plot for an upcoming blockbuster political drama.

The setting: the Republican Majority leader in the Senate is pushing a 24hr deadline for Spitzer to resign or face an almost assured impeachment. His Democratic Caucus from Albany to Washington D.C. dares not to back him or even seem sympathetic in anyway, shape, or form and currently speak about the matter under the protection of anonymity. If the political dramatics isn’t thick enough he faces almost certain criminal prosecution for his interstate act of filling his sexual appetite (http://www.nysun.com/article/72722). The possibility of not just criminal action but a possible disbarment is defiantly in the pipeline. History could be made shortly in Albany as the first African American Governor in the state’s history could sworn in at a moments notice. If this couldn’t ensnare more people’s attention as this crisis has the ramification on the current national political stage. Where an embattled Hillary Clinton could very well lose more than Mississippi in 24 hours or more but; an all important Superdelegate in a very publicly humiliating way (Just as the fight in neighboring Pennsylvania begins). This is the Eliot Spitzer’s world tonight and tomorrow morning maybe more damning than it is right now!

If he was anyone else or a different kind of politician my answer would be a resounding NO, that he could survive this and its not a terminal event. Unfortunately he’s not JUST any other politician he is the “The Enforcer”, the man who stuck fear into the hearts of many criminals, executives, and politicians. Who now stands guilty in the court of public opinion of the very crimes he himself prosecuted and had to publicly admit to(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_0cQomACLg&feature=related) . A man who made a point of being the valiant arbiter of right and wrong in the eyes of the press (in the age when Enron and the like and investors were being run through the mill Spitzer was the knight of righteousness riding into to save the day) and the public who took the high road and heavy hand in court and steamrolled his opposition at every turn.

This is a man who has in effect gained the trust and faith of many who had lost faith in their public servants in the State of New York and nationwide. He was even considered to be a presidential candidate in 2012 and had a hell of a chance in time (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/10/usa2?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews). The man who ran on the mantra of “Fixing Albany” and was sent in on a 69% mandate to do it, now stands at a dismal 35% approval rating (http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a5ad45f1-9ee4-442b-b0f7-ce31da9ea13f)

Now it seems the man holding others accountable could not even hold himself accountable to the same laws he relentlessly prosecuted other on. Who’s remarkable act of folly and plain sloppiness is only beginning to come to light (I personally think the government’s wiretaps and information in this matter will make the Starr report look like Dr. Seuss in content). I don’t mean to sound like hypocrite or trouncing on the man’s name but, as man on the street Eliot Spitzer is not just any politician but, a man who claimed to be above common politics who believed and was believed that ALL should be accountable to the same law. What made the whole thing that much more compelling was that he had the moral ground (or appeared to have) to back it up.

Unfortunately he did have less common than most state politicians and officials, he was WORSE one who had the kind of hubris to think that they themselves above the law and that the press that surrounded and adored him wouldn’t hurt him or act against his interests (i.e. reporting this story and holding him to account on other scandals in the last year). This whole episode is almost emblematic of Spitzer’s troubles since arriving into the governor’s mansion. Embattled, and almost politically crippled to pass a major bill or budget, scandal ridden and politically isolated from even many is his own party at the state level.

He is effectively reaping what he has sown from making many of his political, and business enemies fear him and pushing them around (who would later in his gubernatorial campaign donate to him (http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/03/11/1126/history_of_missteps_preceded_spitzers_stunning_fall)  to now those same companies and politicians who he threatened to take down and financially ruin, they now look with glee at the state of his image and public affairs.

Given the current state of affairs that I have currently stated in the previously mentioned. He could survive this but, the chances of a 2^nd term or even survival to this November is slim at best at the moment. So faced with this bleak prospect and public humiliation should Spitzer hang on and fight. No, he shouldn’t because he could survive the political onslaught that is coming (Plus is David Vitter and Bill Clinton could survive what they went through) its not outside the realm of possibility but, in time the public joined their side but, what makes this different is that Spitzer publicly went after this kind of behavior in public and is not likely to gain or garner any public support in the near future from this and maybe this death nail in the sad tragedy that is Spitzer’s run in Albany plus he is kind of already disliked greatly by many statewide).

More importantly he and his family will possibly suffer a kind of PUBLIC RELATIONS HELL (and I mean the kind that only a disgraced televangelist who is publicly known to be a harsh homophobic, anti-drug/alcohol, fire and brimstone orator gets after being caught with massive amounts of cocaine, alcohol, and a hotel room full of underage sex-slaves from Asia and the funds paying for all it coming illegally from the same bank accounts that funds that same churches’ food relief operations in Africa would earn (that is the closest I can think of to compare to this!!)).

Again that is my personal opinion due in fact that Spitzer has made a lot a prominent enemies who would love a slow roast of Spitzer’s name in the press until Hell froze over. I feel this is the most likely of scenarios occurring to him in a long drawn out scandal. It starts out with a press conference being held every week and the governor being constantly heckled by a every growing and aggressive press corps. Even if tries to stay away from it in public it will be the talk of the town from the Greenwich Village to upstate in Buffalo. Then the case that either gets turned into a misdemeanor trial of a very public john that turns into an embarrassing public spectacle where the prostitutes the Spitzer has met with are one by one telling their lurid details in court. This will in turn into a nice NYT or NYP cover story of “SEX WITH Governor ” and some major tabloid or magazine paying top dollar for every dirty, disgusting, and publicly fascinating detail of Spitzer sex habits and acts (mainly of the now fames “Unsafe Sex Acts” (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stspit125610532mar12,0,935961.story) ).

Even to the point where Mrs. Spitzer’s every move will be painted in a light that show her moving to a public and messy divorce even if that’s not on the table or occurring. Not to mention the toll this will have on the young 3 Spitzer female teens and that onslaught that the New York Press and Paparazzi will impress on them. This being said that is my personal assessment of this situation whether you agree with me or not you have to accept that this one really tough dilemma that Spitzer faces and that should he survive or not it’s part of the discussion in this year’s presidential election and Spitzer’s public career. I personally hope for his sake he takes a road that avoids a very public and personally destructive end.

The End of the Age of Clinton! now the Concern of Obama to the General

By: Donnell Dike-Anukam

I will say this defiantly and proudly as a student of politics, last night in Cleveland (again Ohio has affected politics again!) at the Democratic debates, Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential chances have effectively ended, that’s the long and short of it! In that so ended Hillary Clinton chances at the presidency possibly permanently; in one fell swoop at most she can hope for now is Nevada Senator Harry Reid's(D) job of Majority Leader in the senate (THAT’s not going to happen).

Last night she had to step to a stage that she very well could not step to nor even imagine how to get there. In effect her performance was emblematic of her whole campaign from start to finish. She was never a truly inspiring icon or figure, she more than anything represented more firsts (the first woman president, the first senator since Kennedy to win the White House, the first chance to win the Democrats to vindicate their "rebirth" from 2006, ect, ect.) than reasons to vote for HER!

The attempt to bring back the past (well only the good stuff) and try to make it work NOW, and in the future as the
ultimate Clinton trump card. I feel it shows a little bit of contempt for the American people and your party; they (the democratic party) to try an rehash the 90's and sell a distinctly different time and place and in effect make a circle peg fit the pentagon peg and say it fits. Negecting the fact that America is no longer the untouchable world power that she was precived to be in the 90's. Another big problem was she was not Bill (Thank god) but, she could not inspire nor motivate enough of her base and the party for to get her through the Obamarama she didn't expect nor plan for. She planned for a full coronation and the wind in her sails not in her face. She adamantly took no attempt to try to contact or meet with regular voters and supporters UNTIL she absolutely had to in New Hampshire. She became alive when it seemed her political chances were in danger. Once she became human it was almost too late and in effect telling of the differences between her and Obama and even more so of that and her claim to fame Bill.

Now flash to Cleveland, and the humanity she attempted to embody was now a liability; she was whinny, defensive not because she felt no one was listening but, because they (the pluralrity of the press) wasn't cow-towing to her, more importantly she showed desperation (the kind that drove Bill and motivated him to fight and show his best colors). She was plain bad and Un-Clinton like afraid, sloppy, and stone faced (she was showing her true feelings there the ones she didn't want to show but was showing, in being just plain scared). From that was in effect to Democrats was Barrack Obama's queue to start the dance to the official crowning in two weeks in Ohio and Texas.

In that night, in that exchange in the first 30 minutes, was Hillary's chance to try and make an Alamo moment (a good valiant battle designed to do what her tears did in New Hampshire) but, more than anything it became a Waterloo (a attack based on bad tactics and bad timing). It has confirmed the end of the Age of Clinton in American Presidential Politics and the age of continuous American political dynasty in this time period at least (In that for the first time since 1980 there will not be a Clinton or a Bush in the executive branch of government).

It has also made it very clear to me that no matter what Bill and the machine that they have created from their minds at Yale Law School will not be able to stop the bleeding of Superdelagates and their potential swing to Obama. Bill himself has become what Hillary does to the general public to many in the Democratic Party. A divisive figure amongst Democratic party elites, activists, and professionals. When Ted Kennedy the day after Bill's comments dismissive comments about Jesse Jackson (in comparison to Obama's victory) came out and supported Obama at American University in Washington. He was in fact as he has done as the old guard of the party said in action "its over" with the Clinton's; that his risky decision to back the young man from Hope in the 92' has run its course and and now in his eyes and rational became time to back "Hope" rather than the man from Hope. 

Bill's plain dirty and disgusting (from some sources) has become anathema to many as a plain betrayal from someone they thought they knew for years and years. That the Bill they have come to know and accept for all his faults and foibles. Finally has reached a breaking point with them, that Bill has become the A-hole boyfriend that they could deal with (and maybe change) because he was protecting them and hurting the opposition has turned on them. The warm and smooth Bill has become the slimy and gruff Billary (one in the same).

More than anything has given more people in the Democratic hierarchy to jump aboard the Obama train and actually has substantiated the arguments the right made in the 90's about them (The Clinton's). Also the liberal wing of the party has a major stake and hunger in ensuring victory in November and have become wise to the fact that NOW Hilary stands more in the way of enabling victory in November than leading it (see DNC chairman Howard Dean blunt statement of trying to get a deal worked out before the two head to Denver and slug it out (http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/26/703436.aspx).

So in effect this really won’t be like 1984 (the Superbowl AD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3G-lMZxjo) from 2006 called it right) where Gary Hart stood against the party establishment but with the grassroots and new energized voters (and without the press coverage Obama has) and Walter Mondale called it all in (favors and all) and cut Hart out of the super-delegates (via career threating and strong-arming late night phone calls to DNC delegates in the dark of night) and thus pushing on to November and losing in one of the most lopsided presidential elections in American history and cementing the strength of the Reagan revolution (thank you Fritz).

Officially the frontrunner mantle can truly go to Obama and that Hillary's claim of being in front and in control (And really you just can't claim that after losing 11 straight contests nationwide, losing in polls where you had a 20+ lead for weeks on end, more importantly and can’t stop the bleeding, you just can't no matter what the size of the states; you’re playing the media game 10 straight losses will always be painted as bad no matter how many big single wins you have (just ask Mitt, who had the same issue with John except John did win a few big ones that’s what was different)) holds no water.

I also thought that last night was a lesson in Media Bias in that the Clinton's FINALLY got a taste of their own medicine that now had taste of what Republican Candidates in most races feel in the eyes of some/plurality of media (It's not so fun nor as fair as one used to say is it, is it!). The last nail in the coffin for Hillary in the eyes of the press and public (me included) is Hillary YOU AREN’T IN THE DISCUSSIONS FOR THE BEGININGS OF THE GENERAL OR IN THE DISSCUSION AT ALL…. WHO IS JOHN TALKING TO…..I’LL LEAVE IT AT THAT!

This has confirmed the worst fears and plans (trust me worried yes, scared crapless NO!) of many in the Republican Party for the general but, I always liken these kind of events to this phrase, "The Chinese have a the same word for crisis as they have for opportunity". In that you have to worry about a very formidable candidate in Obama but, he has a major Achilles heel. He’s not JOHN MCCAIN or like him nor is John a traditional Republican candidate and he (Obama) doesn’t have the wisdom, the skills, and the EXPERENCE that John has (ala` pre-Florida). I will predict this and it will hurt Obama big time from here on out against the Republicans. Barrack Obama is his own worst enemy and I will leave it at that!

Although, The Republicans are in a very hard position in the eyes of the general election, a weak economy, a palatable feeling of discontent and a “throw the bums out” kind of attitude, and a very clear and confusing sense of unease of what tomorrow will bring. Given that I will this say a lot can change between now and November (I always look to 2004 when Kerry lead against Bush by at least 10pts and look what happened). So don’t let those early numbers at caucuses, primaries, and national polls fool you Democrats are good showing up early but, bad at getting those early numbers to translate into November windfalls and Republicans maybe bad at getting attention in media and in the beginning of elections and getting people to show up in the nomination process but, are damn good at getting people to seriously doubt the undoubtable and show up in the polling booths in November with these thoughts in their head and to plain show up. The million dollar question what the hell is going to happen?!

Finally to John do what you do best to beat the newly appointed head of the demogodic party, FIGHT give no quarter, but take high road and FIGHT BECAUSE THATS HOW YOU WILL HAVE TO BEAT HILLARY AND BARACK H. OBAMA and vice-versa. In the words of the great Nevada boxing referee Judge Mills lane “Let get it on”! (RIP WILLIAM BUCKLEY JR. 1926-2008 and thank you!)

David We Will Miss You, Thank You for Your Friendship and I Wish You Were Here Again!
Current mood: morose
Category: Life

SUSAN VOYLES
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL ..PUBLICATION GOES HERE
-->
Posted: 1/11/2008
Modified: 1/11/2008

Army Sgt. Sean M. Gaul, 29, of Reno, and five other soldiers were killed Wednesday in Sinsil, Iraq, when their vehicle was struck by a homemade bomb during combat operations.

Gaul was the second soldier from Reno to die this week. Army Sgt. David J. Drakulich, 22, of Reno, was killed Wednesday when his vehicle struck a mine near Chagali, Afghanistan.
Gaul was in his fifth deployment, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, after enlisting in the Army in late 1999. He was killed while on patrol in Diyala province.
"Sean loved his job. Knowing the risks, he re-enlisted during his fifth deployment," his wife, Jessica Gaul, said in a statement. "It seemed Sean was a lifer for sure. He did not waver from his responsibility. He always trained hard as he led the way by example. He was focused and determined as he sought out more Special Forces training.
"Sean was a very good man, loving husband, father and true friend," she said.
Gaul was the 57th soldier from Nevada to have died in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere in the Middle East since Sept. 11, 2001.
Gaul attended Reed High School, where he was a member of the JROTC and earned a general equivalency diploma in 1997. He enjoyed martial arts, scuba diving, triathlon racing and fly fishing, his family said.
Gaul leaves behind his wife, daughter, mother, father and four sisters, as well as other family.
Members of the Gaul family said they want to "extend warm and burdened hearts" to the Drakulich family.
Funeral services for the soldiers have not yet been set.
Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, who had flags flown at half-staff at the Capitol on Friday for Drakulich, will do the same for Gaul on Monday.
"Staff Sgt. Gaul was an extraordinary and dedicated soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while serving his fifth tour of duty in support of the global war on terror," Gibbons said. "It is with profound gratitude that we honor his devotion and his service to our nation."
The others killed with Gaul were Spc. Todd E. Davis, 22, of Raymore, Mo.; Staff Sgt. Jonathan K. Dozier, 30, of Rutherford, Tenn.; Sgt. Zachary W. McBride, 20, of Bend, Ore.; Sgt. 1st Class Matthew I. Pionk, 30, of Superior, Wis.; and Sgt. Christopher A. Sanders, 22, of Roswell, N.M.
The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.
Gaul initially served with B Co., 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. and was first deployed to Afghanistan soon after the Sept. 11 attack.
He then was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. In September 2003, he was sent to Afghanistan with a coalition security forces team to help guarantee free elections. He then transferred to a Stryker brigade at Fort Lewis, Wash., and was deployed to Ramadi and Mosul, Iraq.
After graduating from the Army Ranger school, Gaul returned to his unit, which had transferred to Vilseck, Germany. He then completed the U.S. Army's sniper school before deploying again.

.. I've run rgj_columnist_tag.pbo -->

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/NEWS18/80111079&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews
Posted: 1/10/2008
Modified: 1/10/2008

In honor of Sgt. David J. Drakulich, flags at the Nevada State Capitol will be flown at half-staff today, Gov. Jim Gibbons said today.

"Dawn and I are deeply saddened by the news of Sgt. Drakulich's death," the governor said in a statement Thursday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Drakulich family as they mourn the loss of one of our nation's true heroes."
"We have lost one of Nevada's finest and will remember him for his honorable service to our country and for the many sacrifices he made in the name of democracy so that we may live in a safer world," the governor said. "I extend my deepest sympathy to those mourning the loss of this exceptional young man."
Drakulich is the 13th soldier from Washoe County and at least the 51st soldier with Nevada links to have died in Afghanistan, Iraq or other parts of the Middle East since Sept. 11, 2001.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/NEWS18/80110066

This is one of my old pieces i wrote a long time ago and i just wanted to put up for everyone!

http://www.packpatriot.com/PDF/vol3iss4.pdf

To Surge or Not to Surge!

Donnell Dike-Anukam

Since the midterm elections have
concluded there has been talk from
the beltway and across America regarding
President Bush’s proposal
from his major speech in early January
on how to stabilize the situation
in Iraq. I’m no expert on politics or
military tactics, but when three and
four star generals such as Generals
Casey, Meyers, and Abizaid talk, I
listen! On the flip side, when you
have a group of politicians who
shoot down every idea and offer
nothing in return, even if you want to
ignore them, you can’t, because you
still need their support.
What should Mr. Bush do now that
he’s got Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and
Gordon Smith (R-OR) publicly abandoning
him on Hardball? The situation
in Iraq is deteriorating (but winnable),
and Iraqi leaders seem to care
more about their own self-interest
than the people they were elected to
represent. Sunni and Shia militias in
Iraq are undermining the security of
the country. And try don’t forget the
five-hundred pound gorilla in the
room—Iran.
With these factors in mind it’s easier
to understand why Mr. Bush doing
he’s doing; you send what troops
you can and hope that we can get by
without reintroducing the draft.
The president, in a gesture of candor
to the world and to the American
people, admitted to a lack of effectiveness
in some key areas in this
engagement. There are those who
would rather rehash 2004 repeatedly
than deal with the problems in Iraq
and move forward. We know that
“staying the course” is no longer an
option. As much as everyone hates
the situation on the ground in Iraq, if
we leave it would make the Middle
East a much more dangerous place.
We need Speaker Nancy Pelosi
and Majority Leader Harry Reid to
stop playing monday-morning quarterback
while pretending like they
care about the troops. The electorate
apparently thought you could do
something to help the situation, so
pick up a shovel and help do some
work.
I can’t say this enough: SUPPORT
THE TROOPS! That means do more
than just bitching about the situation.
Donate some time, money, or anything
to help our troops dealing the
mess out there. Contact your Senators
and Congressmen by writing to
them or calling them, and demand
that they ask for more funding for
armor, food, and supplies. When
you hear someone whine about pulling
our troops out of Iraq, set that
person straight and remind him that
the young men and women are doing
what they signed up to do, their duty
as members of the United States
Military who go in our defense and
risk their lives dealing with thugs,
dangerous terrain, and other hazards
associated with war.
In closing I want to leave you with
a quote that a good friend mine said
to me about being in mess and trying
to fix it “You must take action today,
now and tomorrow.”

Lost In the Woods of Politics:  

About 4 weeks ago I found myself lost in a forest of unappealing and uninteresting candidates for president for the Republican nomination. I had been at this point utterly with fed up stories of one candidate being called one name and other not, and vice-versa. Then the issue of not discussing actual issues or problems but, of the importance of the APPARENT flaw in their character that later came to be true not by pointing it out but, by constantly having the flaw talked about nightly over and over again, or just plain mudslinging and pointing out real flaws of the said candidates. More importantly I couldn’t find a top tier candidate that wasn’t spending time on attacking, pointing out the weakness of their opponents personal lives and, not talking about their own initiatives, policies and ideas. Hell, I was even considering not voting in the primary/caucus season. After all the personal wrangling I decide to in effect take a hike through the messy thick of the forest of candidates.

In this vast and thick forest I have found many varieties of candidates some a tall list of touted experience, connections, and name and financial power; and others that tower over me in areas like charisma, influence and apparent electablity like a giant sequoia. Like a well trained hiker I’ve been guiding my self home by looking through the thick of forest and getting to route or road to get home that way without getting stuck in the awesome scenery of such an immense forest. The urgency to get home to my core values and issues of what I want and believe in and finding a candidate was ever present in my analysis.

A candidate who is as strong as Redwood on Foreign Policy, Experience in government (without becoming part of the machine and negativity and do-nothing attitude of Washington) and Consistency (in positions time and time again), and last and most importantly on Fiscal Responsibility, and Bi-Partisanship (without compromising morals and position for the sake of public/political pacification) and willingness to get things done. Along those same lines those/one who have always seen the willingness to want to change America for the better not just in this election cycle or in the last year.

As I combed through the forest and after thinking I had found my way back the highway home. I would think I had made it but, I had only come upon another something kind obstruction or deceived into thinking I had found the road but, it was a impassible river or a cliff that looked like a road opening. Or worse the forest itself shifting in the wind almost every minute and making the appearance of a road or clearing but, only an extension of its endless and empty self. Finally I came of well interesting conclusion in that maybe what I’ve been looking for isn’t a new untested and unknown route but, a tried and true path that is open, accessible, and as clear as the night sky in middle of the Nevada desert. So in way I kind of guided my way home with the clear and fixed an never changing positions of the heavens.

I have come to the conclusion there’s no substitution for good old fashioned clarity, simplicity, and straight forward people. Those who are to willing tell you where they stand and why; best of all those won’t waver in face of unpopularity, or in an instant change positions out of fear and polls. That’s why after my long arduous journey through the woods I have found myself at the base camp of John McCain. A candidate made of the rugged individualism that is need to face the challenges of our time. At the same time one who does not dismiss them or discount them but, who sees the issue at heart in its totality and know how to deal with it without sugar coating its meaning. A man who’s record and integrity is as strong as Redwood, and his stances as clear as a day.

Immigration and America

 

            The issue of immigration to me is not who owns or deserves this land but who came here in the right way and fairly. My parents are both Immigrants and they came here via 747 in the 70’s and 80’s; they had to jump through all the bureaucratic hoops and starve, scrimp, and save what they could sometimes due to work regulations and had every chance to cheat and break the law to make their life easier. They didn’t do that not because the fear of getting caught but, because they understood the rule of law and that in time they were to earn their rights as citizens fairly and rightfully. So at the young age of eight years old as I myself was learning American history I had to teach my dad as well so he could take his citizenship test. I remember with great pride of watching my dad after he would sweat and toil, after 12 hours at work to come home and read with me and go through his old college history books and my school books for another 5 to 7 hours so he and I truly understood these important meanings and laws of the constitution from why the right to bear arms is so important and the history of the freedom of speech in America, the most important thing we read together is the fact that America had to fight for her existence and growth but, that we all had to give and more importantly EARN our fairshare in culture, in combat, and a lot of other realms of American life to make that the reality of the America we know now could happen.

            What infuriates me most is that are a whole crop of people have immigrated from the 80’s on. Who have unlike their ancestors and American generations prior have decided not to join the melting pot and contribute their heritage and story into the narrative that is America. More importantly understanding (in it’s history and language) of what makes America, America in those very same lessons I learned are so important. Have now taken and abused things that people fought and died for, and feverously demand that no one criticizes them for it and insist that because that they broke and disrespected the same thing that protects them (the laws of the land of naturalization, law enforcement, and civil rights) they should be exempt from it and allow it to continue without giving their fairshare and again insisting and demanding a status of unfair and unequal treatment. Is that what our founding fathers had in mind that if you have not paid your dues, learned the language, and helped your nation you should get priority over those who have? No nor would they imagined or allowed a concern of our national defense get so mired and bogged down on the basis of keeping the back door open to continue this aberration in the name of RE-ELECTION OR POLITICS by many in government. This now is endangering the lives of millions and making American major cities in the southwest war zones for illegal drugs and activities from implements and waste from abroad.

            What is needed now is someone who understands how to tackle this Goliath of an issue that requires the careful experience, expertise, and understanding what’s really at stake without severely harming America’s economy, sovergnity, and security. I found through the thicket of xenophobia, politicking and posturing were candidates offering catch phases and not answers. If they had answers they were incomplete and unaware of the gravity of the situation and offered more problems than answers and had more holes in their plans than the border fence. Where my logic lead myself was to Senator John McCain of Arizona (from a border state and in crosshairs of this battle) and his many attempts at trying to fix America’s illegal immigration problem. He at first trying to find a way to bridge the gap in one fell swoop with his earlier bill with Ted Kennedy and President Bush’s support; found not a lot support and backing for it. He later in course of trying to get the bill passed found that it had a lot of weaknesses and went back to the drawing board. So he tried again and at the urging and consulting of many of his constituents and collogues (and taking a que from guys like: Lieberman (I-Conn,) Kyl (R-AZ) and Hunter (R-CA)) looking at the real source of the problem was in security. Only from stopping the bleeding in, can we fix the problems on our borders and work on enforcement and fair labor issues. The fact that Senator McCain after taking on such a heated topic and took the heat that dealt with and didn’t succeed but, tried again is testament that he doesn’t care about posturing and politicking for the camera but, on resolving issues that are important to Americans and ensuring they work.

            Also Senator McCain understands that fair enforcement of immigration, labor, security and more importantly fairness is what makes the back bone of this country and what he plans to do with this Immigration plan leads right into this that we should have and need not what is politically convenient or popular but, what helps keep and make America what she is; a melting pot of culture, democracy, and prosperity. A pot that can continue growing and getting better by preventing it from overflowing with contaminates than can sour it. Also by holding the line and preventing those who wish ill will and want to come illegally to be prevented to do so and allowing those who wish to follow the rule of law and the time honored route to lawful citizenship to come in and thus, preserving that all important fairness in immigration and law enforcement.

            I do see John McCain standing up and standing with many Senators and Congresspeople from both sides of aisle is to get the fence built and then we can fix the internal issues it makes no sense to fix laws on the inside you can’t enforce because the hole in the fence on the outside is still creating the problem.

            My parents both waited in line and like millions of other immigrants who have done the same there is a sense of disrespect that my dad talks about when he talks about this current problem of illegal immigration and security. In that those who aren’t entering fairly/safely/legally and ducking from the law and financial responsibilities to the government. Hopefully with John McCain in the saddle and his vow to ensure that fairness, security, and strong enforcement in immigration is a priority and preventing this unfairness from continuing any longer.

 

Thank You,

Donnell Dike-Anukam