LIFE IN THE BIBLE BELT: WOULD JESUS ABUSE IMMIGRANTS?

By Arthur BriceCNN

(CNN) -- Low-income Latinos are routinely discriminated against in the South, a new report says, but the study's author and others say the problem exists nationwide, with millions of Spanish-speaking immigrants living "beyond the protection of the law."

The report, released Wednesday by the Southern Poverty Law Center, documents the experiences of 500 immigrants in the South, finding that Latinos routinely are cheated out of wages, are denied basic health protection and fall victim to racial profiling.

"Under Siege: Life for Low-Income Latinos in the South" details stories such as that of a Tennessee woman who says she was jailed at a cheese factory for asking for pay, a bean picker in Alabama who says his life savings were taken by police at a traffic stop, and a rapist in Georgia who was not arrested because the suspect's victim was an undocumented immigrant.

Forty-one percent of the people surveyed said they had experienced theft of their wages by employers. Forty-seven percent said they know someone who was treated unfairly by police. Seventy-seven percent of women surveyed said they have been sexually harassed by bosses, many saying that bosses used their immigration status as leverage.

"This report documents the human toll of failed policies that relegate millions of people to an underground economy, where they are beyond the protection of the law," said Mary Bauer, author of the report. "Workplace abuses and racial profiling are rampant in the South."

Does it really surprise you?
Until people stand against the abuse of the poor, the minority, the "non-conformist," things will never get better. An era of enlightenment needs to sweep the South and bring people into the 21st century. Clearly, the fault lies at the feet of the leadership in the South, people like Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, J.R. Rogers of Walnut Ridge, Roy Ockert of Jonesboro...the list goes on. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, as I said, the list goes on. Schools are falling down, poverty is out of control, jobs are gone, but their churches sure look good!

When did Jesus say it was okay to hate and abuse people?
It is not surprising that more and more people are rejecting American Christianity, and Southern-style Evangelical churchiness. After all, that's the style of religion Sarah Palin subscribes to: Bible in one hand and gun in the other.

Precisely the reason I have utterly rejected right wing, evangelical, pentecostal, bapticostal religion. It is all full of crap.

What would Jesus do? Ensure people were treated fairly, paid properly, taken care of medically, had a place to live, made to feel as though they were human and worth something, cause they are. Sounds like Jesus was a socialist *gasp.*
Well he certainly was not a capitalist. He told the capitalists to give it all away, and he cleared the temple of profiteers. Much like what needs to transpire in the American Church today.

Doesn't the bible discuss the poor coming to claim what is rightfully theirs eventually? Yes. The right wing likes to pick and choose verses that enable their hate, but conveniently disregard others such as the above reference.

Maybe I'll add the scripture verse later, I remember Kenneth Copeland et al harping on the poor reclaiming their stolen wealth, never realizing that he is one of the ones they're are coming for...
Peace, we need systemic change in the South...

"YOUR IDEAS ARE OLD AND THEY HAVE FAILED"

President Barack Obama's stern speech to the Republicans. And listen up Repubs, your ideas are old, they are outdated. I cannot find the vid on youtube, let me post it off of MSNBC.

This is from Rachel Maddow's show, I have posted on her before, she uses an analogy that Roy Ockert should pay attention too: She compares the policies of Ronald Reagan, (whom I have previously firmly supported,) Bush 1, (supported,) George W. Bush, (supported) conservatives, (supported,) the current nightmare that is the Republican party, to soup lines from the Depression (not supported.) Given their historical and global suffering their policies have caused, it is fitting.

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This is why the personal beliefs of someone that is an editor at the Jonesboro Sun is so important. This is why I am going to take time out of my busy weekend to address the issues from Northeast Arkansas that have presented themselves to me. I will be addressing the State of Arkansas, Roy Ockert, EDITOR, David Mosesso, Publisher, Brian Smith, editor? from the Jonesboro Sun, Andy Griffith, Mayberry, and more. Should be good...

Peace and love, Searchers, but feet to fire...

Onward.

Other tags that I could not include "Lindsey" Graham, S.C. Suckass, Dumbass.
Dipshit from Georgia? Oh, any Republican politican.
Senator Mark Pryor, Arkansas? Enough said. Watch the next post...

BIG COMMENT FROM AN EDITOR AT THE JONESBORO SUN

Thanks Brian for commenting. I will address your comments in another post. Just wanted to give you a shout out, to ackowledge you. Peace!
Mike

JONESBORO SUN EDITOR: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE"

The paper of record in Northeast Arkansas has informed me not to call any longer. They have refused to divulge the whereabouts and pertinent information, of JR Rogers State Rep, ie contact info., and the editor has demanded I not call them for news and information. What in the hell is going on in Northeast Arkansas?

Yes sir, Mr. Editor, you will help, and you are responsible to the people, it is your duty.

REGARDING ARKANSAS "ALL THE ROADS ARE CLEAR WHY AREN'T WE SEEING ANYTHING?" "NO SIGHT OF STATE REP J.R. ROGERS" "NO HEAT FUEL FROM SHELTERS"

ELECTRICAL WORKERS: "WE'RE QUITTING AT SIX"

"WHAT'S SCARY TO ME IS WE'RE IN THE DARK AND DON'T SEE ANYTHING."

ANONYMOUS WRITER FROM THE JONESBORO SUN: "IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE, ASIDE FROM POLICE AND FIRE."
Let me make a comment: It is the responsibility of the municipal, state and federal governments to be on the game, to ensure warmth, safety, education, health, food. I am deeply concerned that a writer at the Jonesboro Sun has such a view on responsibility. Such is the mindset of some in Northeast Arkansas, and such is the outcome of such thinking.

Planning? The writer at the Sun said no one could plan for this catastrophe. I disagree. Like New Orleans, this is an event that could have been planned for, but leadership denied, and the people are suffering for their lack of foresight.

I am after you J.R. Rogers. Make sure you call!

Sherry from Walnut Ridge: "We don't need JR. Rogers"

This is indicative of the mind set in Northeast Arkansas: Do not expect help, responsibility, or accountability from your elected officials.

"WEEKS BEFORE POWER RETURNS" "HEATERS ARE A FIRE HAZARD"-JONESBORO SUN

These are excerpts from the Jonesboro Sun, Jonesboro, Arkansas, regarding the ice storm in Arkansas: These excerpts are just limited examples that make it into the paper, and hats off to the reporters that are braving the conditions there to bring the rest of the country the facts.

"At night
Sue Bentley returns to her home where two small propane-powered panels are
her only source of heat. The panels can be a fire hazard, and many Northeast
Arkansas residents have been sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning.
It may be
weeks before Bentley’s electricity returns. Not a single person had power in
Lawrence County as of Friday afternoon, officials said..."

My Family is in Lawrence County.

I hope the power grid can be restored quickly, and I will be on the phone tomorrow to get more information.

FROZEN TREES-FROZEN GOVERNMENT?

*UPDATE* The pic below is my daughter's yard.

IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF LORD OF THE RINGS.

Search for a charity that would help the victims of this winter storm.

More pics to follow, to allow you to appreciate the magnitude of the storm and it's aftermath. Peace and love, more pics to follow, tomorrow.

FROZEN TREES-FROZEN GOVERNMENT?

This week, an ice storm of incredible proportions hammered the state of Arkansas. Thousands of people are without power. According to MSNBC, on Wednesday there was a peak of 111,000 people in Arkansas without power.

My children are without power, and I want to ensure proper steps are being taken to ensure they have not just basic necessities, but all of their needs are provided, as well as all other people hit by this disaster. Winter in the Mid-South can be especially brutal, with one week a string of 50 to 70 degree weather followed by a period of lower temps resulting in freezing temperatures, sleet, snow, and freezing rain such as the state and especially Northeast Arkansas saw this week.

Admittedly, it is hard to keep up with, and those that have not lived in that region of the country have difficulty understanding rapid changes in conditions.

During good times the economic conditions are bleak.

During these times they are nightmarish.

This could be Northeast Arkansas' Katrina, and it is imperative it does not become that. In the past, the Federal and State governments have been reticent in dealing with natural disasters. Please do not get defensive or offended, Agencies, this is the reality on the ground.

I spoke with Brian Smith of the Jonesboro Sun and he said as of 8p.m. there were some 3,000 people in Walnut Ridge that did not have power.

*UPDATE* Brian Smith did say crews were out in force working around the clock to restore power, and electrical workers from all over are participating in the efforts to restore power.


Mr. Smith told me the mayor of Walnut Ridge, Michelle Rogers, is currently in town, but is unaware of her whereabouts, and cannot confirm if she has electricity.

I know my daughter is without power, and no word on restoration.


I have not been able to contact J.R. Rogers, the Representative of the 73rd District, but I will be in contact with his business tomorrow, and I will ensure I post all info on Searches.

*WILL POST PICS*

LINKS

JONESBORO SUN
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE HOME PAGE
GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE GOVERNOR MANSION PHONE NUMBER-503-324-9805