Author Topic: The Latest Juice From the Solano Tempest (Read 14075 times)

B E C K · « **on:** Sep 02, 2007, 03:17:41 AM »

...which is, of course, the paper of the Sphere's most published writer, Wicker Basket E.

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Whose DREAM is it really?
Illegal immigrant fee waivers unfair to regular students.
Lance Park

Illegal immigration is one of the biggest debates going in America, but recently there has been a proposed twist that may affect college students' ability to get Cal Grants and fee waivers. Senator Gil Cedillo has a legislative proposal called the "California DREAM Act," or SB 160, that would allow "undocumented" students who have attended a state high school for three years to be eligible for college fee waivers and Cal Grants. The San Francisco Chronicle and Sacramento Bee have published editorials in support of this act, with the Chronicle stating that "with a small investment, the state can help swell the ranks of programmers, nurses, and technicians." and the Bee saying, "California must act in its own interest and make sure these students become contributing members of society, not a burden."

Firstly, let's take a look at what they mean by "undocumented"; basically it's the children of immigrants that were brought here illegally and not children that were born here. They're not really American citizens, but illegal immigrants. According to the basic principles of our legal system, when you do something that is considered "illegal", you should expect to be punished, not rewarded. It's not the children's fault they're in the States illegally, but how can the parents really expect their children to get far in America if their presence here is illegal to begin with? What kind of environment is that anyway, to live in constant fear of deportation and detection? That certainly can't be that conducive to one's education!

Now let's think selfishly of our own nation. According to Cedillo, there's a sizable chunk of money in Cal Grants that goes unused. We basically have extra money in a program set up to help out college students, but we're going to give it to the illegal immigrants first? We have enough people that apply for Cal Grants and fee waivers legally, but are turned down for one reason or another despite the fact we have unspent funds. Does that strike anyone as lopsided or, dare I say, just outright stupid, because it strikes me as such.

Cedillo did propose an amendment to make "undocumented" students ineligible for Cal Grants that have limited funding, but honestly I think we should just keep them from getting any Cal Grants period. We have more than enough legitimate residents to give the money to. Why should we give it to the illegitimate residents? The fact that they are illegitimate should make them ineligible!

Now, on the more positive side, there was a federal version of this DREAM act proposed that would offer green card eligibility to "undocumented" students who complete two years of college or military service. This is brilliant and I wholly support this idea. Letting them enroll in the military is a grand idea because we'll easily be able to swell the ranks, and they'll be serving a better purpose in their new country while actually being forced to learn our language so people can actually communicate with them! What a shocking concept! What about making them attend two years of college to make them eligible? I agree with that too, because education is a key tool to survival in America, but they shouldn't expect to be eligible for certain programs; they aren't legal until they complete those two years! Why this version was shot down is beyond me.

Our Immigrations system is totally worthless. The sheer number of illegal immigrants coming into the country is practically overwhelming at an estimated 850,000 per year after the year 2000 according to an associated press article by Stephen Ohlemacher. If we can't get a handle on keeping them out, then by all means let's rework ways to keep them here legally. College degrees sound like a good idea, because it's not that easy to get one and demonstrates the kind of hard work and drive this country needs, but don't expect to get the same consideration. Failing that, there is one thing that would take care of this problem; deport the kids and their families back to their country.

Illegals don't deserve squat. I wanted to tell that Jessica to rim me, but instead I posted what is probably a much better worded comment.

http://www.solanotempest.net/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=ea5822b5-89ea-4ca3-a929-faaef7e3783d

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 02, 2007, 10:48:22 AM »

I love you.

First week back I'm made Opinion Editor, after a little campaigning (and nobody else wanting the job), and this drops in my lap; first editorial of the paper. Good stuff.
The first comment written by that Jessica chick? Well I read it friday, which wasn't a good day for me to begin with, and my basic reaction was: "Fuck this stupid wench." I might've actually said that. I seriously considered a rebuttal but I decided not to thanks to that "free speech" thing, didn't want to quash anyone who actually decided to post on the site.

Thanks Nuri. Your comment pretty much echoes what I would've said.

B E C K · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 02, 2007, 11:52:40 AM »

Tee hee.

The D · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 02, 2007, 06:11:39 PM »

Whoa... E's an employee of a newspaper?

...oh wait, it's a community college paper. For a minute there, I thought he was in a paid position in a city newspaper. I'd wonder how the hell he got the job.

IDE · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 02, 2007, 06:34:08 PM »

If he keeps writing sweet articles like that one you won't have to wonder.

IDE · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 02, 2007, 06:41:35 PM »

My comment won't be up there for long I'll wager.

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 02, 2007, 07:34:20 PM »

........"Shut the Fuck up you Stupid Wench". Yeah that could've used a bit of rewording.
IDE, thanks to you, I'm going to have to have a meeting with the other Editors Wednsday. This is not necessarily a BAD thing as controversy is good for "business"...

B E C K · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 02:07:22 AM »

Saved for posterity.

Why the meeting anyway? Three comments is too much traffic?

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Merla · « **Reply #8 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 03:34:32 PM »

Dude! And this is coming from a guy who has his Master's? Could you have worded that eloquently instead?

IDE · « **Reply #9 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 06:58:08 PM »

Hmm...

Dearest Miss Jessica,

Do you truly believe that we should bestow our nation's tax money upon citizens of a foreign powet? And if you do, why would you assume that only those whom are capable of walking here are deserving? Just because they were born within walking distance is no reason to favor them. All the children of the world are in need of a college education, and you and I will provide them with the means to achieve this goal. It is our duty as American citizens after all.

Sincerely Yours,
Lord Maxwell Puffingtion III

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 07:47:54 PM »

See now IDE that would've been great. The biggest thing is that you said "Fuck"...I think. Either way we'll be having a meeting just cause it's one of the most commented stories we've had yet.....and we haven't even had our dead tree issue!

B E C K · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 07:48:54 PM »

That assumes "Jessica" is legal, Puffy.

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #12 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 08:03:54 PM »

That is true!

B E C K · « **Reply #13 on:** Sep 03, 2007, 08:08:09 PM »

I went to the website of the dude who commented and for whatever reason was reading the URL "Tales of Femur". "It's about a leg bone!?"

IDE · « **Reply #14 on:** Sep 04, 2007, 12:29:13 AM »

Quote from: Wickedly Yours E on Sep 03, 2007, 07:47:54 PM

See now IDE that would've been great. The biggest thing is that you said "Fuck"...I think.

Fuck? I didn't realize that was even a magic word anymore.

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That assumes "Jessica" is legal, Puffy.

Oh snap! Illegals!? on MY internet!? That didn't even cross my mind I just thought she was some nutty college protester type.

B E C K · « **Reply #15 on:** Sep 04, 2007, 10:26:02 AM »

Illegals crossed into your internets!

Merla · « **Reply #16 on:** Sep 04, 2007, 08:12:30 PM »

Quote from: IDE on Sep 04, 2007, 12:29:13 AM

Quote from: Wickedly Yours E on Sep 03, 2007, 07:47:54 PM
See now IDE that would've been great. The biggest thing is that you said "Fuck"...I think.

Fuck? I didn't realize that was even a magic word anymore.

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That assumes "Jessica" is legal, Puffy.

Oh snap! Illegals!? on MY internet!? That didn't even cross my mind I just thought she was some nutty college protester type.

Dude it is a college newspaper! of course the F-word is out of the question.

And this Jessica could easily be 16 or 17. Some of them do start college that young be it because they are three -ear grads or their birthday falls later in the year.

B E C K · « **Reply #17 on:** Sep 04, 2007, 08:26:11 PM »

Gross! Three-ear grads! They should give one to George so he can be all even steven.

IDE · « **Reply #18 on:** Sep 04, 2007, 10:29:55 PM »

I don't see why the F word is out of the question. We're not talking about the article itself which can't include any F words. But once you place it up for discussion on INTERNET the rules of decorum are trounced by anonymity. If they didn't realize that then they should actually use that " comment awaiting approval by an administrator" feature instead of just leaving it on auto approve.

And who starts college at 16!? I'm not catering to those point dexters! In fact find me some of them right now so I can curse them out proper!

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #19 on:** Sep 05, 2007, 09:27:01 PM »

SO We're leaving it up. And putting some of these comments, possibly, IN the paper!

IDE · « **Reply #20 on:** Sep 05, 2007, 10:03:46 PM »

No way mine will make it in the paper...but what if it did? And then angry local mexicans wrote back wanting to kill me not realizing that I don't even go to that school.

B E C K · « **Reply #21 on:** Sep 05, 2007, 10:16:10 PM »

Serve up Lord Puffington instead.

IDE · « **Reply #22 on:** Sep 05, 2007, 11:15:06 PM »

That silver tongued fop has no business in American paper.

Merla · « **Reply #23 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 12:20:58 PM »

Quote from: IDE on Sep 04, 2007, 10:29:55 PM

And who starts college at 16!? I'm not catering to those point dexters! In fact find me some of them right now so I can curse them out proper!

My friend, Anita Stone (not her real last name) started college at 16. She was a three year grad in addition to having her birthday fall later in the year. Still took her 8 years to finish her degree.

B E C K · « **Reply #24 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 01:18:56 PM »

Why'd you even put a last name if it's not a real one? You could've said "my friend Susan" or just "a friend of mine" and it wouldn't have made any difference.

Merla · « **Reply #25 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 01:36:51 PM »

There's a story behind that. Anita's aunt Emma changed her last name to Stone. Aunt Emma (she changed her fist name too, I think it was something like Paloma-Maria or something) moved up north and likes to pretend she is white. She has rejected her Latina heritage and only dates rich, white men. When Anita graduated I told her she better not dare change her name to Stone.

B E C K · « **Reply #26 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 01:40:40 PM »

I know the story, but what was the point in bringing it up? Her name had no bearing on entering college at 16.

Merla · « **Reply #27 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 02:00:44 PM »

I don't know. Stop being so difficult.

Rama · « **Reply #28 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 06:43:07 PM »

That's like asking her to stop breathing.

B E C K · « **Reply #29 on:** Sep 06, 2007, 11:37:52 PM »