More Global Warming Silliness: Chuck Those Neckties

Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in 2005, asked his "ministers to wear no ties and jackets this coming summer, as it will help save energy." Recently, the European Union's Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy recommended that his fellow E.U. Commissioners chuck their neckties after he returned from a trip to Japan. He told them, "I noted in Japan that Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe has given the lead in telling his ministers and civil servants not to wear ties in summertime. This allows office temperatures to be set higher and so cut down on energy use for cooling of offices." McCreevey added that taking this step would be "a potential contribution from the Commission to reduce global warming."

Many men I know would cheer this idea. Instead of just "casual Fridays," we should have "casual Monday through Friday." Chucking neckties will save the Earth. Who knew?

Garbage Dumping in Space

The Today Show had a news item this morning that the space station is "taking out the trash." That means they dump their garbage into space. One of the items mentioned was an ammonia tank.

Who do we think we are to be dumping our trash into space? Have we learned no respect for God's creation? Why would we not bring our space garbage back to earth for disposal? The space shuttle hauls equipment up to space. Why could it not bring the trash back?

Every once in awhile, I read reports from N.A.S.A. that they are concerned about space junk. Even small items can orbit for years and pose a hazard to our satellites and shuttles. Why then would the same agency allow garbage dumping in space?

In many national parks and forests, hikers and campers are expected to carry out their trash. Is it too much to expect the federal government to practice what it preaches? Environmentalists, where are you on this issue?

Denver Traffic Court Outrage Confirmed

On Saturday, June 30, 2007, I posted a blog about an incident of ethnic discrimination in Denver's Traffic Court. The report came via email. It claimed that a man's Anglo wife was told that "all non-English speaking persons with traffic violations would be taken care of first" because their interpreter "does not stay late." "They were also given payment terms" for their $35 fines for driving without a license or insurance, which were not offered to his wife who received a fine of $249 for speeding.

Besides what seemed to be unbelievable discrimination on the part of Denver's Traffic Court, there was another reason to be suspicious of the email's veracity. The email said this occurred on April 1, 2007. A check of a calendar showed this to be on a Sunday, when courts are not usually in session. I almost dismissed the email as an urban legend and sick April Fool's joke, except the email ended with the name and address of the man making the claim. That is rare in urban legend emails.

The address was the mailing address of a Denver country club. So, I decided to write a letter and send it via snail mail to verify the email. I promised to post the reply if one was received. Frankly, I didn't expect to receive one, but I did. Here it is, dated July 9, 2007, and it confirms the incident:

I received you (sic) letter over this past weekend and I thank you for your response.

Yes, the incident is true. I did, however, make a mistake on the date. The traffic court hearing was Thursday, March 29, 2007. I wrote the e mail on Sunday, April 1st. Thank your friend for catching the error in the date.

It is interesting that this letter I wrote has almost taken on a life of its own. I have received letters from individuals such as yours from all over the country.

This is a marvelous country and everyone is welcome. All that is asked is those coming to the United States do their respective parts as our ancestors did. Be accountable and responsible for your actions and participate by giving into the system that so graciously provides the freedoms we enjoy.

Best regards,
John DiNardo
14476 East Caley Ave
Aurora, CO 80016

So, there you have it. Blatant discrimination against native-born Americans is alive and well in the courts of Denver, Colorado. Are you as outraged as I am?

Solving the Illegal Immigration Problem: A Start

City by city, state by state, citizens are taking action to stop illegal immigration. They know that the solution is not any type of amnesty. Rather, we must make it untenable to remain in this country illegally. If we do this with consistency, those who are here illegally will decide to voluntarily return to their home countries.

How can we do this? Cities and states across this country are passing legislation that does things like:

• Allow police to check on legal status during routine stops and arrest those they find who are here illegally.
• Require legal status to register students in schools
• Require proof of legal status to apply or enroll in universities and colleges
• Check legal status at admission to hospitals. (Give service in true emergencies but notify law enforcement for arrest upon discharge.)
• Require proof of legal status before receiving any social services.
• Require legal status to receive any form of official identification, including driver's licenses.
• Refuse to grant city or state contracts to employers who do not do background checks that include proof of legal status of their employees.
• Establish laws that allow landlords to refuse to rent to illegal aliens.
• Require proof of legal status to buy a house, apply for a mortgage, buy insurance, or open bank accounts.
  

These are just some of the things that cities like Jacksonville and states like Florida can and should be doing. It should be done at the federal level, but until then, local entities can and should do it. Our immigration laws must be enforced. We must make it so difficult or impossible for illegal aliens to live here that they will choose to return or not come here in the first place.