Xenophobia in the West Bank

On a Saturday in the middle of October a Palestinian from a neighboring village to Yitzhar, Asira al Qibliya, set fire to a house whose residents were away for the weekend and stabbed a 9-year old settler boy. As a result, men from Yitzhar hurled rocks and fired guns, rampaging through the Palestinian village. Several Palestinians were hospitalized from gunshot wounds. This past Wednesday night outside Zeev Sternhell’s Jerusalem residence, a pipe bomb exploded, leaving him lightly wounded and resulting in a minuscule stir in comparison to other large scale violent attacks throughout the nation. Zeev Sternhell is noted for the critiques he made about Jewish settlements in the West Bank. He claimed Palestinians should try and concentrate their struggle against the settlements. Around his home fliers made by militant Israeli settlers whom were behind the attack were found by authorities. In November of last year, pledges to reach a historic agreement for a Palestinian state in the West Bank of Gaza by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders were made. Unfortunately, few Israeli settlement outposts have been removed as promised, and at the same time extremists towards the settlement movement have grown more radical.
In my opinion, the matter of militant Israeli settlers violently resisting possible ousters from the West Bank is a core example of xenophobia. This left-wing Israeli advocacy group has an unreasonable fear and hatred towards possible ousters from the West Bank. I think that these radical militant Israeli settlers believe it is their duty to violently destroy houses in Yitzhar to residents of illegal West Bank outposts. The article in the New York Times states, “more than 250,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank among roughly 2.4 million Palestinians.” It is evident that Palestinians vastly outnumber the Jewish settler population in the West Bank and are contemptuous of those who are Jewish settling in their nation. By illustrating their xenophobia towards these possible ousters from the West bank, these Palestinians are causing many of these Jews to become refugees. Considering the geography of the West Bank, I believe these Jews are entitled to the land just as the Palestinians are. I think it is ridiculous how Israeli and Palestinian leaders have still yet to come to a conclusion on the Palestinian state in the West Bank of Gaza. These leaders are causing even more violence to a nation which has plenty to speak of already by not coming to an agreement. I put the blame squarely on their shoulders because it stems from their reluctance to coexist with each other. I believe that if they do not come to an agreement soon, this nation will continue to be stricken by violent radical settlers taking on Israel to thwart possible ousters from the West Bank.

Attack on Publishers House

The article I am reviewing this week is about a book that is coming out soon. The original publisher wouldn’t publish it because of the controversy surrounding it. Another publishing house picked it up so that it will still come out. In the article a professor condemns it, but then later in the article she says that it is a fascinating portrait of A’isha, child bride of the prophet Muhammad.” In my opinion, this article shows the American spirit because an American publisher decides to pick up the book, despite the potential for attack from terrorist. The fact that they would do this amazes me. It shows that there are still some people that believe in freedom of speech, even though the constitution doesn’t really apply to terrorist per say.

Employment Pipeline

Henry Schein Inc. is finally a company which values its employees. The company has a facility in the Northwest side of Indianapolis. Henry Schein Inc. is a worldwide distributor of medical, dental, and veterinary supplies. The company has over 550,000 customers, which earns the company revenue of $5.9 billion dollars. The company has over 12,000 employees nationwide and 275 employees at the Indianapolis distribution facility. From the 275 employees in Indianapolis, 48% of those employees are immigrants. I did not find that shocking at all, but what I did discover in the article was the fact they are not hiring some random immigrants from the streets; rather they were hiring well educated immigrants with a great educational background. Just so you get an understanding of what I mean by “well educated” immigrants, Viet Pham, an employee at Henry Schein Inc., recently emigrated from Vietnam, where he was a pediatrician. Elisa Santos, another immigrant worker from Philippines is a teacher back in her native land. The company also expressed its satisfaction for having such a diverse background of employees. From the Philippines, Central America, the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, the list seems to go on and on. Also note that not only are these immigrants well educated, but they are legal US citizens.

As mention earlier, Henry Schein Inc. values all of its employees including their base of immigrant workers. Not only do these immigrants enjoy a safe working environment, but the company helps fund employee programs, such as diversity training, English as a Second Language classes, health and wellness programs, computer training and health benefits. I would have never expected to find a company, especially such a successful company like Henry Schein, to spend their own money to help these immigrants find their feet in America as well as help them integrate into American Society. Remember, this company is paying these expenses so that they have the opportunity to further develop the English language, to have technological skills and most importantly, to have the ability to blend into American society so that they are less likely to be exiled by their surrounding society. I also found more encouraging material in the article when I read about the company`s scholarship program for employees’ children. These scholarships are extremely helpful, especially for the first generation immigrants because it can help relief some of the financial issues that the family may face in the future. It said in the article that there were 75 scholarships available nationwide, with six given away locally in Indianapolis. Just by reading this article, it was quite evident that this company really does care about its employees, especially its large base immigrant workers. They are helping each and every one of the immigrants adapt to life in America, as well as helping their children have a brighter and more prosperous life.

Finally, the last thing I would like to comment about Ashley Petry’s article was something beyond all mention in the article. The company has done something truly amazing for these immigrants trying to live a better life in America. Henry Schein helps their employees prepare for their citizenship tests, which a large majority of them pass. Because of such generosity from the company, the immigrants were able to adjust to the country as well as a new line of work. I think there are few and far people, let alone companies, would go to such extent to help immigrants. They’ve helped them with offering free English courses, scholarships for their children, vital benefits and most importantly, a chance to have a US citizenship. I know from reading this article that these workers are truly grateful to be working for Henry Schein. This company has been a true inspiration for them. Helping them have a career in America, helping each individual and their family integrate into American Society. Henry Schein Inc. should deserve some national recognition for what they’re doing. It’s no surprise why so many immigrants want to work for them. For all the help they’ve provided for their immigrants, it’s really no surprise why it is such an in demand job for immigrants. I’m glad to see that not everyone has lost their respect for immigrants. If everyone would treat each immigrant with the respect that Henry Schein gives them, then it wouldn’t be so hard for many immigrants to adjust to a new way of life in America. If everyone would lend a helping hand, then maybe, just maybe, that poor stereotype about immigrants will one day vanish.


Article Written by: Ashley Petry
The Indianapolis Star
Monday, September 29, 2008
Section C1 and C3

Bombs Kill 5 In India Cities, Adding to Toll Across Nation

In New Delhi, five people dead and dozens wounded from two bombings on Monday September 29, 2008. The first bomb was set off in Malegaon, a city of Maharashtra. The article explains that a remote controlled bomb killed four people and wounded at least 20 people. In the city of Malegaon, there is a history of fighting between two groups of people, the Hindus and the Muslims.
The other bomb was set off in a market, in Modasa, a town in Gujarat. The explosion only killed one person, but wounded several people. In both instances, the bombs were attached to a motorcycle and were remotely detonated.

In the city of Malegaon, their population is around 700,000. More than 60 percent of the population is Muslim. After the explosion, more than 20,000 people rushed the police in anger. They argued that the police failed to protect the citizens from militant groups.

I agree with the people of Malegaon. The police should do a better job cracking down on militant groups. The bombings were done out of hatred bred from misunderstanding. These bombings need to come to a halt because ethnic cleansing should never take the lives of innocent people.

Writen from an article in Reuters

New York Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Page: A14

“French Muslims Find Haven in Catholic Schools”

“There is respect for our religion here,” said Nadia Oualane, a fourteen year old student of Algerian descent who wears her hair hidden under a black head scarf. “In the public school,” she added, “I would not be allowed to wear a veil.” The Article “French Muslims Find Haven in Catholic Schools” that was published on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 shows us, the reader, that this young girl’s statement is an accurate one. The article discusses how in the nation of France, which has only four Muslim schools, some of the country’s 8,847 Roman Catholic schools have become refuges for the youth of Muslims residing in nation, who are seeking what an overburdened, secularist public sector often lacks. Like spirituality, an environment in which good manners count alongside mathematics, and higher academic standards that are not available in their Muslim schools or local public schools. There are no accurate national statistics for this information, but many Muslim and Catholic educators estimate that Muslim students now make up more than ten percent of the two million students makeup of Catholic schools in the nation. The silent migration of Muslims students to private Catholic schools highlights how hard it has become for state supported public schools, long France’s tool for integration, to keep their promise of equal opportunity. This silent migration of Muslims students to private Catholic schools is a result of Catholic schools taking steps to accommodate different faiths. One school in the city of Dijon even allows Muslim students to use the chapel for Ramadan prayers. Catholic schools are also free to allow girls to wear head scarves. Many honor the national ban on head scarves, but several, which include the Catholic school of St. Mauront, tolerate a discreet covering. Imam Soheib Bencheikh, a former grand mufti in Marseille and founder of its Higher Institute of Islamic Studies, said that “It’s ironic,” he said, “but today the Catholic Church is more tolerant of — and knowledgeable about — Islam than the French state.”

My opinion of the Article “French Muslims Find Haven in Catholic Schools” is that it is about time that France, as a nation, realizes that its nation is now home to around five million Muslims, Western Europe’s largest such community, and it’s about time the nation accepts them as fellow citizens with equal rights to higher spirituality, academic standards of education and life. Mr. Chamoux, a slow-moving, jovial man, said it best “If I banned the head scarf, half the girls wouldn’t go to school at all.” He also added that “I prefer to have them here, talk to them and tell them that they have a choice. Many actually take it off after a while. My goal is that by the time they graduate they have made a conscious choice, one way or the other.” So it shouldn’t matter what religion a person is in the world education, just as long as the person is not forcing their religion upon another student.

Article written by: Katrin Bennhold

The New York Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Article on page A6 of the New York edition.

"Attack on Publisher's House May Be Linked to Book About Muhammad and Wife"

In this article is an occurrence of the publication of a book, that to some could come across as being offensive. When I say offensive, I mean that it takes certain figures of a Religion and uses them as characters in the novel. “The Jewel of Medina” was originally going to be published by Ballantine Books, but after canceling the publication, it was bought by Beaufort Books. Martin Rynja of Gibson Square’s Publishing says that it is necessary to publish this book. Martin quotes “In an open society there has to be open access to literary works, regardless of fear”. Mr. Rynja had his Northern London estate, which shared property with Gibson Square’s Headquarters, was set on fire early Saturday morning. Shortly after, three men were arrested due to suspicion of terrorism. The police were also able to arrest one more person, and she was charged with “obstructing police.” The fire was caused by a small fire bomb that was placed through the mail slot of the estate. Shortly after, firefighters arrived on the scene to seize the fire which caused little damage. They say this book has created a similar outcome to the events following the publication of “The Satanic Verses”, in 1988. The book is structured around the Prophet Muhammad and A’isha. To some followers of the Muslim Religion, believe that the book goes against their Religion and that it is not a topic to write fictionally about. The book tells how the two struggle through obstacles to reach their full potential. To me the book seems in no way to poke fun at the Muslim Religion, but rather tell an epic story. Thomas Perry says he believes that the publication of this book “could incite acts of violence by a small, radical section.” Denise Spellberg, who edits a Muslim web site, also offered graphic descriptions of how the novel was not proper and portrayed harmful material, both of which the novel was not intended. The President of Beaufort books, Eric M. Kampmann, says that the book has already been shipped out, although precautions have been set forth. Ms. Jones, the author of the novel, states something very passionate about freedom of speech: “I don’t spend my time worrying about how I’m going to die, but how I am going to live.” She further states, “I think a life where you can’t express yourself and you can’t speak is a life worse than death.” In other words, she believes very strongly that one can express their freedom of speech no matter what religion it is portrayed through. The novel is about a Religion but in no way does she portray it in a negative way. Just because somebody uses a Religious figure in a fictional novel, does not mean that she is speaking badly of the Religion. The people that are being affected by the novel are those that are Muslim Religion extremists and they believe strongly in their Religion. Overall, I believe the novel should be published free of worry due to the fact that in America we have freedom of speech no matter what the subject is.

Article By: Sarah Lyall
Published in Monday September 29th Edition of NY Times

Attack on Publisher's House may be linked to book about Muhammad and Wife

Despite the controversy surrounding it's Muslim subject matter, "The Jewel of Medina" has finally been published. The attacks against the publisher's house are, what I think, a relatively minute reaction compared to the similar events surrounding the publication of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses", which was also widely hated throughout Islamic culture. "The Jewel of Medina" is a book following the life of A'isha, moving from her early years to her marriage to Muhammad to her development as a leader. Unfortunately, it's mixed reviews have varied from soft core pornography to epic love story about women's empowerment. I think it is ridiculous that someone would publish this book, given the sensitivity of the subject matter. Should you be allowed to publish it? Of course. Freedom of speech is one of the greatest things we have as it ensures us the ability to make our voices heard without fearing repercussion from the government. However, just because you can publish something, doesn't mean you should. A book about Muhammad and his wife that includes physical aspects, however innocuous they may seem, is crying out for controversy. Using a militant religion's most important figures in a light that the religion will dislike to sell books is a disgusting marketing ploy. When taken into account the success of stories like "The Satanic Verses" and "The Da Vinci Code", it makes perfect sense business-wise, yet the when seeing the amount of animosity created between the Islamic world and the publisher, publishing the book does not seem rational. I don't know if the Islamic world will embrace this novel as an accurate piece of historical fiction or not. I do know that given the prompt reaction of the several Muslim individuals involved with the fire bomb that the likelihood of Islam accepting the literature is close to nil. 

The New York Times

Sarah Lyall

September 29, 2008

page A6

"Mexico quietly helps emigrants to US learn Spanish"

Mexico helps future immigrants to the United States learn Spanish?  Shouldn't Mexico be teaching these immigrants English?  In this article, written by Laura Wides-Munoz, it is said that Mexico has been teaching people who wish to immigrate to the U.S. Spanish.  At first I thought of this to be a little strange until I read on and found out that the Mexican government is trying to make these people completely literate in Spanish so they can in turn learn english.  This reality had not crossed my mind until I had read this article.  Many of the people that enter into this country struggle to learn English because they don't know how to write properly in Spanish.  Even though I thought of this as a clever thing to do I still find it hard to believe that they are funding programs to teach these people Spanish.  "The programs aren't substitutes for U.S. curricula, but educators familiar with them say they provide a lifeline for adult students with little formal education by helping them become literate in Spanish - and by extension, English," explains Munoz.  I believe that this is a type of encouragement to illegally immigrate to the US.  I think of it as a very risky thing to do considering the circumstances with the US and strengthening of immigration laws.  Right now the US is conducting large sweeps across the southern part of California to relocate any illegal immigrants that they find.  I can only imagine how excited they were to find out that Mexico had these types of programs setup to encourage immigration.  Although it seems like this is a negative thing by what I have said so far, it really is for a good cause.  The Mexican governments intentions are to teach the people who want to come to America the right way.  They do encourage immigration, but from this article I can tell that they have good intentions.  I hope that everything works out and thousands of people benefit from these programs, but at the same time I hope people don't use these courses in a negative way.  

Written By: Laura Wides-Munoz

The Associated Press

9/24/2008

Britain: Some Residents to Get ID Cards

Britain just mentioned a new law that will take effect in November of this year. The law is that “it’s mandatory for foreign nationals living in Britain who hold student or marriage visas to have an ID card.” This ID card contains personal information, immigration status, and a fingerprint. Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, said that it will decrease human trafficking, and also the number of unauthorized workers. If the reasons stated above are the only reasons why they are issuing these ID cards then I believe they have the right. At first, this article comes off a little prejudice against immigrants living in Britain, but since the government has valid reasons that are for the best interests of the country. Some people will obviously think that they are picking out a select group, and only they will have the ID’s but if that group causing problems then why not change something?

By Sarah Lyall
Published: September 25, 2008
New York Times

Neglecting Freedom of Speech in China

China is a communist country that till this day refuses to allow its citizens to protest their freedom of speech. The article illustrates disgruntled residents of Luizhou exiled from their homes due to property seizure or destruction by the central government. Some of these residents attempted to protest their freedom of speech but as a result were detained by the police. Eleven individuals went to Beijing hoping to protest their property losses from the central government. Two members of the group, Huang Liuhong and her older sister, found themselves surrounded by police officers and being taken back to their hometown city of Liuzhou. Despite the hopes of the International Olympic Committee that awarded the Games to China in order to encourage the central government to improve its free speech and human rights itinerary, Ms. Huang, as well as many others, remain skeptical that there has been true increase in freedom of speech.
I agree with Ms. Huang that the Chinese government is being stubborn towards freedom of speech for its citizens. Ms. Huang and her group of protesters are just a small fraction of the many Chinese citizens exiled from their homes who have also experienced injustice by the government. Ms. Chen and her husband Yu Huojing, came to Beijing on numerous occasions to petition officials after a local court refused to hear their case on their accusations of a real estate company and the Liuzhou government interacting with criminal gangs to illegally drive her and eight other family members from their home. Mr. Huojing was arrested by the police the second he got off the train when he went to Beijing, and was sent to a detention center in Luizhou. Another woman whose home had been torn down flew to Beijing with her daughter to apply for a permit to protest like the government required protesters to do. Zhong Ruihua and her daughter prepared an electronic application form that they had yet to email. She stated, “We didn’t go in person because of course they’ll detain us.” Later the next day Ms. Zhong and her daughter disappeared from the streets of Beijing. The actions of the Chinese central government are very shocking and appealing to me. It’s interesting to see how the Chinese government differs so much from the American democratic regime.
In my opinion the Chinese government is doing how they please when it comes to citizen’s rights and property. The government is essentially exiling their citizens from their households and punishing them if they even attempt to protest. Even though China is a communist country and obviously runs different in comparison the American democracy system. I believe that all citizens no matter where they are from should always be permitted to protest, especially in the case of being exiled from their homes. I believe the Chinese government is doing themselves no favors by intentionally exiling people from their homes and detaining them when they attempt to protest. I think this will eventually come back to haunt them in the future and maybe cause mayhem in parts of China. I believe that the Chinese government is being greedy by imposing harsh rules for their own benefit. This is just one of the many disadvantages of living in a communist country.

A Decision to Be Changed

In the New York times on September 23, 2008, there was an article entitled “Mukasey Vacates Panel’s Decision Denying Asylum to Malian Woman” that describes how a woman from Mali, a small African country, was denied asylum because the “reprehensible,” genital cutting that was inflicted upon her at an early age could not be repeated. Mr. Mukasey is arguing that such an offense can occur again, and probably will in her case because she refuses the forced marriage between her first cousin and herself. A change in this decision by the court will allow for a number of women in this region to be allowed to receive asylum. In my opinion, the original decision of the court is completely wrong. After reading this I was quite shocked to hear that the court had actually ruled that way. I am happy to see that the decision is being retried, and hopefully the decision will go the woman’s way.

This article can be found on page A18

Illinois: Arrests in Fake ID Ring

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/us/20brfs-ARRESTSINFAK_BRF.html

The article I read was about federal agents who caught on to a group of about 15 people who were selling fake documents to illegal immigrants. The 15 people consisted of two U.S. citizens and 13 Mexicans. The fake documents they sold were things like green cards, driver’s licenses, and state ID cards. This is an example of how bad some people want to become U.S. citizens. This just shows how great the United States really is. It shows that people want to come here for the opportunities and other things. I think these people thought this was a good idea because they have probably heard of the asylum process. To become a U.S. citizen takes years and years of your life. These 15 people learned the hard way by trying to cheat the system. If they wanted to become U.S. so bad then they would have went through the asylum process. This is why some people look down upon most immigrants because most of the stories you hear are about immigrants who did have done something bad.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 19, 2008

A Growing Problem for Immigrants

If you were the Minister of Immigration in the UK, would you change anything about it? Would you make it impossible for immigrants to get accepted in the country or would you accept them with open arms? Personally, I believe that no one should be discriminated against based on gender, race or ethnicity; rather I would invoke a stricter rule in regards to who gets accepted into the country and who doesn’t. Likewise in the article, I would seek immigrants who have a great background in education as well as excellent work experience in their career field. I also agree with the article in regards to the factor that many immigrants must acquire a good knowledge of the language. Many British stereotypes about immigrants are that they believe that immigrants do not integrate well into the British society. But I ask myself, is it really the immigrants who cannot integrate into British society or is it the fact that British society doesn’t want them to fit into “their society”? I think this is the problem in Britain, maybe even a problem throughout the world. It’s the fact that people are so ignorant about themselves that they do not see where the actual problem starts. Sure, I’ll applaud the government for trying to gain more knowledgeable and experienced immigrants, which will obviously benefit their economy but I will not applaud them for their stupid remarks when they say immigrants “do not integrate” well into society. This message by the government will not only send out negative views toward the public, but the citizens will start to develop these views, which eventually escalate into greater problems such as racism, xenophobia, etc.

How can an immigrant possibly integrate into British society when they get ridiculed for the way they dress, their accent, their skin colour, and even their homeland traditions? I know that I for one could not possibly combine well into a society if everything about me is made a mockery. Why must people exile immigrants for who they are, for where they come from? I just don’t understand how our world cannot live in one unified, peaceful world where nothing matters about who you are, where you’re from, etc. Why do they have to be completely British and forget about their homeland? Immigrants are unique for who they are and what they bring with them. The traditions, experiences, and stories the immigrants bring will help create a greater community. Take for example Canada. Now these may seem very biased opinions because I’m from Canada, but what I tell you is completely true. Canada has to be the most diverse country in the world through my experiences living there. Are we experiencing any problems regarding immigration? I don’t think we are! Instead, we are encouraging more and more immigrants to come to Canada. Everyone gets along in Canada; the fact that Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, and Asians get along should be a model to everyone. Why are we still complaining about these issues? Why are we making such a mockery of immigrants, when in fact we should all be united as one, caring for each other! This puzzles me every day; I cannot get over the fact that we are still living in the past when this was a problem, but surely now this cannot continue.

One day during my lifetime, I hope to see everyone share the same view as me: each and every one of us walking down the streets together. But in reality, this problem will never dissolve. But, being the person I am, I’ll continue to dream about the world I want to live in and, hopefully one day, everyone will be respected for who he or she is on the inside.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1805883.stm
BBC News
February 7, 2002

"Nepal to deport illegal Tibetan exiles"

       

In the article Binaj Gurubacharya explains how Nepal's government is having trouble with illegal immigration.  Many Tibetans are sneaking into Nepal to escape what is happening back in their homeland.  The Chinese government has a large control of Tibet and the people who live there disagree with this.  They would rather escape their homeland than deal with this problem.  Many of these immigrants are traveling through Nepal to get to their exiled spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, as explained by Gurubacharya.  Since this leader is located in Dharmasala, India, Nepal is a good in-between stopping point on this journey.  Thus the reason many Tibetans decide to stay and rest for a while.  The reason Nepal's government opposes this is because it is starting to get out of hand.  With the hostility between the Chinese, the Tibetans have begun to protest outside of the gates of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.  These protest have started to turn violent and the Chinese government is not pleased with the lack of response to them.  So Nepal's government has finally gotten fed up and has plans to take the necessary measures to solve this problem.  They have decided to check papers at these rallies and these who don't have them will be deported to where they came from.  They believe this will solve any tension the chinese government have towards Nepal's government as well as stop the protests.  I believe that this sounds like a quick solution to a larger problem then Nepal's government believes.  Even though they might catch a few illegal protestors the problem will still exist.  I do not believe that these Tibetans will be deterred by these actions at all and the problem will still exist.  I am not against what they are trying to do I just believe more measures need to be taken.  Good luck Nepal!

Article written by: Binaj Gurubacharya

The Associated Press 

Sept. 11, 2008

"Thousands Flee as Hurricane Churns Toward Texas"

When I read the title of this piece, “Thousands Flee as Hurricane Churns Toward Texas”, two words immediately flash in my mind. These two words are refugee and migrate. This leads me to further explore the article and see that it is indeed a piece about refugees and people migrating, and in some occasions not by choice. The article states that thousands were forced to flee the coastal areas of Texas on Wednesday, September tenth. They had to relocate or rather, migrate, to a location further inland. As the Hurricane redirected from Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico, the people feared of yet another tragedy. The Hurricane had already plundered through the Caribbean’s and was picking up strength along the way. The “Category Four” hurricane was expected to hit that Saturday. In Brazoria County, Galveston, city officials arranged transportation to move these refugees to a more safe location inland. They were forced to migrate (to move temporarily from one area to another), to San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. President Bush considered this to be an emergency and offered federal aid to state and local officials. The state officials issued a mandatory evacuation of 20,000+ people located on these coastal towns. At 8 p.m. the hurricane was only 700 miles east of Brownsville. They also believed that this hurricane could damage the sturdy structures of offshore oil refineries. So, they were forced to move workers from 400 of the 717 platforms that are located in the Gulf of Mexico. Some believed that after the reconstruction of these platforms from previous hurricanes, that they would end up free of damage. With many casualties in Haiti and few deaths in Cuba, who is said to respond quickly to these matters, Texas had no choice but to force these refugees inland for their own good. It is comforting to have a Government who responds so quickly to these matters to ensure American citizens’ safety.

Article By: Anahad O'Connor
NY Times(A21) September 11, 2008

Young and Arab in Land of Mosques and Bars

This article follows a few men who have lived and worked in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. One of the main characters of the article is Rami Galal, a 24 year old construction worker from Egypt. He is not your typical Muslim as he frequents bars to drink and considers a young Russian prostitute his girlfriend. He sees Dubai as his future, as a place where success doesn't come from connections and preexisting wealth alone. He along with others in Dubai enjoy that its more about the Middle Eastern culture than about the religion. However, after living in Dubai, he stops thinking of himself as predominantly Muslim, and begins thinking of himself as predominantly Egyptian. He thrives on the materialist society, enjoying his work, and enjoying his somewhat secular lifestyle.

Expatriates make up 80% of Dubai's population, which boasts an amazing 200 nationalities. Expatriates are people who have renounced their allegiance to their country of birth or have moved to another country. Dubai is a Muslim state, but Islam is not the common bond of its citizens; ambition is. Arabs are moving to Dubai for economic opportunity and social freedom. This article deals with immigration and exile in the sense that these people who are moving to Dubai are becoming implicated in a culture that is unmistakably Arab, but at the same time shows tolerance for different lifestyles. The combination of diversity, tolerance, and opportunity helps breed moderation. This difference of lifestyle is putting people like Galal in between both cultures. In the beginning of the article, he talks about the things he missed from Egypt, like how he was more religious in Egypt, how he needed to stop drinking beer because it was wrong. However, upon returning to Egypt, he can't wait to get back to Dubai. "Nothing is new here. Nothing is happening. My friends feel like I changed... I want to go back and have fun. My future is there, in Dubai." I think that many people who immigrate to other countries have similar identity crises. My father, a Mexican immigrant to the United States, clings to bits of his heritage, yet has embraced enough of American culture that he would have to redjust to Mexican culture should he move back there again. I think this article shows that even when people immigrate to other countries with similar cultures they still lose some of their old lifestyle in the process, making it difficult fit into customs and traditions of their home country.

Young and Arab in Land of Mosques and Bars
Written by Michael Slackman
The New York Times
September 21, 2008
Page A1 of the New York edition

“Spain: Jobless immigrants paid to go home”

A great man once said that “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrations and revolutionists.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). The Article “Spain: Jobless immigrants paid to go home” that was published on Friday, September 19, 2008 shows us, the reader, that this quote is an accurate statement. The article discusses how the nation of Spain plans to save its’ once booming economy. The nation plan is to pay unemployed immigrants to go home under a decree approved Friday by the nations’ cabinet, but this is just more evidence that the nation economy is sputtering in my eyes. The plan targets tens of thousands of non-European Union citizens who have been laid off in Spain and are entitled to unemployment benefits. Under the nation’s voluntary recovery plan, the government will offer a lump sum payment forty percent of that money to tens of thousands of non-European Union residents, once they renounce their work and residency permits, and the rest once they get home. For those non-European Union citizens residing in the nation who signs up must agree to exile themselves from Spain for three years, with the promise that they will be able to recover their work and residency permits after that. This was brought forth as a result that the nation is grappling with ever-swelling jobless ranks in an economy that had posted more than a decade of solid growth but is now flirting with recession. The nation unemployment rate is now 10.7 percent, and rates amoung the highest in the European Union. But my opinion on this matter is why should a nation that was built by the hand of immigrates suggest that its’ own residents to leave the nation that they call home in order to help solve the economy that they once help boom.

Article written by: Daniel Woolls

The Associated Press

Friday, September 19, 2008

Article on page A6 of the New York edition

For Thousands of Refugees From the Conflict in Georgia, the Fear Lingers

More than 150,000 citizens of Georgia are with out homes. This is what the International Report in The New York Times had said on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. When war started between Georgia and Russia; refugees left their homes and villages in search of a safe place to stay. Some three weeks after the war had erupted many are still stranded in tents at the United Nations refugee camps or at relatives houses in other countries. Many had said that they may never return to their homes in fear of confrontation happening again. One woman said “Men in black masks burned down my home, and if I hadn’t hid in my garden, I would have been dead…”. To date there are well over 4,500 refugees in the UN camps.

-The war was prompted when the Georgian military attacked South Ossetia on August 7.

-This made the Russian’s invade Georgia.

-Many refugees have attempted to return to their burned down houses to start rebuilding them, but the Russian army is turning them away unless they
ADOPTED RUSSIAN CITIZENSHIP.

I personally believe that this whole war is unnecessary and wrong. The people of Georgia had nothing to do with the invasion and they just want to return to their homes. But now there’s a quarter of a million people with-out homes.

Article written by: Dan Bilefsky and Michael Schwirtz
The New York Times
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Page A5: International Report

Haiti

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Before the four tropical storms and hurricanes, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike, suffering had become a past-time of Haiti handed down through the generations. The Haitians had struggled to provide for themselves previous to when the hurricanes destroyed all the agricultural land and livestock. The Haitian politicians more concerned about their own well being, were busy arguing amongst themselves when the hurricanes hit. President Rene Preval was voted out by the legislature and succeeded by Michele Pierre-Louis. The citizens of Haiti who had little to begin with became refugees to their homes and schools. They became “displaced people” (refugee) in their country due to the various natural disasters that took place within the past month.
The extent towards the destruction these hurricane storms had is most effectively described through Mr. Preval’s quote in the Miami Herald, “This is Katrina in the entire country, but without the means that Louisiana had.” I believe Katrina is the best example that illustrates the sense of hopelessness and severity of what is happening to Haitian citizens who have now become refugees in their own country. To a considerable extent it is very similar to the aftermath of Katrina in the United States. For example, after Katrina struck Louisiana, people were left stranded on their roof tops just like Edith Pierre who take care of her six kids on her rooftop. On the news people witnessed Katrina victims moving through the streets with their ankles, knees and hips submerged under water just like the Gonaives residents. Countless aspects of the hurricanes that struck Haiti resemble what we witnessed from Katrina in America; the key difference being a place to flee to for shelter.
In the United States there is more resources than in Haiti thus illustrating why the clean-up effort will take much less time and be much more effective. This proves to me that Haiti is being neglected far more than many people may perceive. Haiti is a nation in need of tremendous aid to help them get back on their feet and continue to try to grow as a nation. I believe Haiti had a long ways to go to becoming a nation that beholds enough resources to take care of its citizens. With these hurricanes brings tremendous delay to this notion and also illustrates a nation in need of more help than needed by any other nation in the western hemisphere ever before. I believe the United States should get its act together and begin to start shipping more resources to this nation in dire need. I believe it is time for the United States to start giving a damn and recognize problems in other nations that don’t just fuel the economy.

"Battered Haiti, Land of Little, Now Has Less" - NY Times

In Gonaives, Haiti the suffering has yet to recede. After being devastated by four fearsome Hurricanes: Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike, the citizens that once had near to nothing have been deprived of everything. They now live in a muck covered, sewage smelling slum. After hurricane Ike hit the shores of Haiti, people have been living in fear and food supply is limited. The Haitians know that the hurricane season has just recently met the midway point, and there could quite possibly be more severe storms to follow. They are currently residing on roofs to get away from the flooded homes that stretch across the Island of Haiti. In order to block the fierce rays of the sun, citizens are forced to put sheets up on top of the houses for shade. Local Red Cross member Daniel Dueiton, has offered these refugees that have been forced to leave their homes and relocate, a place to sleep. Although, the conditions in the top floor of his home are limited and the one hundred plus Haitians are packed in like sardines. Citizens have also found refuge in top floors of churches to escape the tormenting water. They have set up official shelters, but the spaces in these units are filling up so people are arising to create shelter for these refugees. They say that life before the hurricane was already rough and with the most recent storm, has only made the times unbearable. The hurricane struck all ten of Haiti’s regions leaving the entire island devastated. They have already recorded three hundred deaths and sad enough the count continues. The water level has begun to recede but many are finding themselves walking with at least their ankles covered. Providing the people with food is no easy task and the United Nations is trying to provide as much air support as possible to deliver the necessary food. Getting the food distributed is no easy task because the hunger driven people are doing anything possible to raid the trucks that get stuck in the mud or that are stationed in different regions. With the Haitian government paying little attention to its people, somebody had to step up. This somebody is known as the prime minister and goes by Michele pierre-Louis. Learning lessons from the previous storms, they are planning to rebuild on higher ground and support their buildings and living units with more protective material from floods. This is the action they should have taken in the first place but are realizing that these actions are necessary. The hospital is currently flooded and they need to move that building to higher ground as one of the first steps. Overall, these refugees are struggling to survive and every day is a gift from God. Keep these refugees in your hearts as they are currently displaced from their homes.

“Battered Haiti, Land of the Little, Now Has Less”

A great man once said that "To destroy is still the strongest instinct in nature." (Max Beerbohm). The Article “Battered Haiti, Land of the Little, Now Has Less” that was published on Thursday, September 11, 2008 shows us, the reader, that this quote is an accurate statement. The article discusses that after four furious storms in less than a mouth, the little that many people, in the nation of Haiti, had been turned into nothing at all. As a result of this death and destruction many Haitians want to make a new life in the United States of America, to escape the Haiti government unpreparedness and response to the four furious storms in less than a mouth. But many Haitians are still unwilling to immigrate to the United States. As a result of slow response by the federal government to Hurricane Katrina, United States citizens’ criticism of the federal government response was widespread in the media, as reports continued to show hunger, deaths, and lack of aid. They stated that this level of unpreparedness and response should never take place in a first-world nation like the United States. I absolutely agree with their statement. I feel that if the greatest nation in the world can’t protect its own citizens from natural disasters, how would the Haitians that decide to immigrate to the United States of America feel any safer from future natural disasters.





Article written by: Marc Lacey
The New York Times
Tuesday, September 11, 2008
Front Page and Continued on Page A14

Company Challenges Union Vote, Invoking Workers’ Illegal Status

Should illegal immigrants have the right to join worker's unions is one of the problems across the United States of America which continues to be debated from State to Federal governments. This was the main problem I encountered in the article I read in the New York Times. According to the New York Times, Agriprocessors is considered to be the nation’s largest kosher meat producer which is also known for its legal troubles surrounding illegal immigrants. In May 2008, federal agents detained 389 illegal workers in an Iowa plant and now, another 17 immigrants in its Brooklyn based company. The immigration problem surrounding illegal immigrants remains a macro problem within the United States. While I entirely agree with the fact that illegal immigrants have no right to obtain union rights, let alone be in the country, one must ask how this company has allowed this problem to escalate into new heights. Lisa O’Leary, executive vice president of Local 342 said, “Whether people are undocumented or not, they deserve to have some union represent them.” I disagree with Lisa because they do not deserve to have benefits at the expense of tax payers. Am I the only who see this? The tax payers are using their hard earned money to pay for benefits such as welfare and health care for these illegal aliens. I believe these people are trying to live the American Dream unlawfully. The government could use this money to help build new schools or help build a housing project for the poor, anything but help these criminals benefit from our money. It is a proven that the government is throwing away millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money in order to support these illegal immigrants. I believe that this is truly unfair for American citizens. The American people should be seeing their tax money put into good use rather than help fugitives find their feet in America. It is quite clear that this issue is still widespread across America.

The final issue I want to discuss is how Agriprocessor is handling this union problem. While I applaud their efforts not to unionize the illegal workers, I must say the legal workers of Agriprocessor are at a major disadvantage. Not only are they being denied their right to having union benefits, they are also being dragged into this matter. According to the article, 14 of the workers went on strike for seven weeks and unfortunately for them, the company responded by firing them. I believe it’s a shame that some Americans are being forced out of their jobs, as well as not having their basic union rights due to the growing number of illegal immigrants working in America. I believe it is about time that the government enforces stronger laws and punishments regarding this immigration matter as the American workers and taxpayers are feeling the effects of this financially. Something must be done and it must be done immediately!

Article Written by: Steven Greenhouse
The New York Times
Monday September 1, 2008 Issue
Section A18

Border Fence is Not Likely to be Done by Years End

The Border and immigration have been hotly cont contested issues I the current presidential election. An article that was published in the New York Times on 9/11/08 discussed the issues that are hindering the completion of the fence renovation. Rising costs for materials and construction are delaying the completion that was slated for the end of the year. Due to the increases the cost per mile has risen $7.5 million dollars. This article troubles me because that means that the securing of our border will be even more delayed. This means that immigrants will still find it easier to climb across than to go about getting citizenship the right way.

This Article can be found on page A16

Within a Russian-Infused Culture, a Complex Reckoning After a War

In the article by Dan Bilefsky and Michael Schwirtz, It discusses different view points from Georgians, native Russians who live in Georgia, and people from other backgrounds/ethnicities who are caught in the middle. The little country of Georgia has been brought into global spotlight lately after Russia's occupation during the Beijing Olympics. Avto Varsimashvili, a Georgian theatre director, is quoted as saying "Georgians have always had a deep affection for Russian people and Russian culture going back centuries....but the difference between Georgians and Russians is that we have never mistaken the Russian people for the Russian government." Despite the Georgians respect for the people of Russia, Georgian popular culture has begun to circulate much more anti-Russian messages, including a rap music video that puts Vladimir Putin's head on a rat's body as it is stomping on a map of Georgia. Georgia's anti-Russian government stance has not stopped Russian music, language, and film from penetrating the culture. Several ethnic Russians, about 70,000 total in Georgia, said the conflict made them feel they had to choose sides between one or the other. Others made them conceal their Russian identity. One Vera Tsereteli, who moved from Moscow to Tbilisi nearly 30 years ago says how she has become wary of using her native tongue because " During Soviet times, it was prestigious to speak Russian and a sign of being educated and refined. Now, Russia is associated with occupation, annexation, and refugees." It disheartens me to hear that even two countries whose people hold each other's culture and people in high regards, their collective governments were able create animosity with each other, alienating the people caught in the middle. I realize that people tend to only think of refugees as people who are in some type of political trouble, and are running from their homeland, but a refugee could be anyone who feels displaced in their current situation. I don't particularly understand Russia's motives behind it's occupation, but I understand the discomfort of the different people caught between Georgia and Russia. My father is from Mexico, has several Hispanic friends with whom he still speaks Spanish, and still enjoys Mexican culture. However, he has learned to enjoy different aspects from American culture. I often think he feels trapped between the two, unable to be one of each fully without turning his back on a part of himself. I can imagine the Russians living in Georgia, and the Georgians in Russia feeling similarly about their current situations. They are caught between their old ways and the ways they learned to love.

The NY times

written by Dan Bilefsky and Michael Schwirtz

Monday September 8, 2008

International A8

After Surviving Storm, Fleeing A Fetid, Devastated Galveston

The article I choose was about hurricane Ike. In the article it stated that the aftermath of the storm is way worse than the storm it self. This past Sunday, over 2,000 people had stayed in their homes instead of evacuating the island of Galveston like the Texas Government told them to. The island is without electricity, people are running out of food and fresh water and many of them are emotionally tired from all of the destruction. Many people are severely injured, and many others are making 911 calls to possibly be taken to the hospital which in fact has electricity. The government has shut down the bridge coming back into the Island. Galveston’s mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said “Do not come back to Galveston. You cannot live here right now”. Which I believe is a form of exile. The citizens of Galveston that had left prior to the Hurricane are not even aloud back into the Island, and they are left homeless without supplies.

This Article was writen by Ian Urbina

The New York Times

Monday, September 15, 2008

Front page, cont. A18

"Hurricane Evacuees Frustrated as Return Is Blocked"

The article I read was about the recent Hurricane Gustav. Mayor C. Ray Nagin ordered an immediate evacuation of New Orleans nearly two weeks ago. On Saturday August 30, in a press conference he said “Hurricane Gustav is the mother of all storms.” Reporters in New Orleans said he over exaggerated, Hurricane Gustav was merely a tropical storm. It caused damage but the new gates and pumps worked as designed. The whole reason why I am writing about this article is because when the New Orleans citizens tried to return home last Tuesday they were denied entry. I believe that this is a form of exile, a minor case that is but it is still being forced out and then denied entry. It said in the article that there were people along the side of the road with no gas, no money, and no food after several days on the run. This lady named Ms. Demourelle and her three friends were denied from shelters in towns of Alexandria, Bunkie, and Livonia. This is another form of exile in my mind. Being evacuated from New Orleans, can’t return, and can’t even go to a new by shelter in a different town. We always say things like “United We Stand” but how could we deny people from shelters and other places to sleep in the time of need.

Article Written By: Adam Nossiter & John Schwartz
The New York Times
September 3, 2008 Issue
Page A1 continued on A18

"For Thousands of Refugees From the Conflict in Georgia, the Fear Lingers"

In the article I read, written by Dan Bilefsky and Michael Schwirtz, normalcy sounds like a foreign word to the refugees from the conflict in Georgia.  These 128,000 Georgians had been forced from their home because of the violence and terror they would have faced if they had stayed.  The article gives examples of some of these instances where a life was threatened if they had not fled.  For example one woman said, "Men in black masks burned down my home, and if I had not hid in my garden, I would be dead." She also said about returning, "I don't know of any families that have returned. People are too afraid."  This just shows how devastating this must be for these people.  Having to leave everything they own behind to flee for their lives would be a terrifying event.  I would never want to have to face this emotional and physically draining state of being a refugee.  This exile from their homes and communities will change the lives of these people forever.  I just hope that everything will return to the state it was before this conflict and that normalcy becomes apparent again.

Article written by: Dan Bilefsky and Michael Schwirtz 

The New York Times

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Sec. A5

Greeting Professor Brewer

Hi!

Greetings!

Hey Professor Brewer.