Bent Over Illegal Aliens

I think people don’t understand why I get so bent out of shape with regards to illegal aliens. I also think people make the mistake that I am against immigration. First off, I am not against immigration. I am against illegal immigration. I’ve said that before and it is all over this blog. I don’t care what your color is and I don’t care what country you hail from. I do care if you are in this country illegally.

So why do I get so bent out of shape about it? Ultimately, I attritubute most of the problems that we face with overpopulation. Not just of the United States, but the entire world. Now, you might argue that there is plenty of room for more people and I agree with you. But, if you are concerned about things like environmental impact, economic impact, and so-forth then you should recognize that most of these issues are directly related to the number of people that are on this planet and inside the U.S.

Somewhere on here I posted statistics about the number of illegal aliens in California and what percentage of the population they represented. It was a fairly high number, somewhere around 30% or more. Now, just taking that one statistic alone should give you a fairly good idea about the utilization of resources. They require land. This drives up real estate. They require water, this drives up the cost of water and reduces the amount of water available (CA doesn’t have a lot of water and gets most of it from the Colorado River). This should give you a vague picture of where I am going with all of this.

The other day, I got this chain email and unlike a lot of chain emails I was able to verify some (but not all) of the information contained herein. This email only touches on the direct economic impact and not on the indirect impact that I was emphasizing in the above paragraph.

1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year. http://tinyurl.com/zob77

2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. http://ww w.cis. org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html

5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare and Social Services by the American taxpayers.
http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html

9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two-and-a-half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html

11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border. Homeland Security Report. http://tinyurl.com/t9sht

12. The National Policy Institute, "estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period." http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf

13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm

14. "The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States". http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml

Total cost is a whooping... $338.3 BILLION A YEAR!!!

Bear in mind that the $338.3 isn't exactly an accurate number, but that’s still money that could be utilized to give people access to medical resources, feed the homeless, protect our natural resources, funding for education, funding for public servants, etc. I think you get the idea.

Guitar Hero, I am Not!

I’ve seen the game. I’ve heard people talk about the game. It’s all over the place and I’m sure they are making a bazillion dollars on it.

Several people I know have said I should play it. You’ll love it. It’s a way of life. (obscure Frank Zappa refernce for those of you that don’t know). They all said I would be great at it.

I’m good at video games….especially ones that require good hand-eye coordination and fast reflexes.

I also have been playing guitar for more years than I can count.

But the other night, I finally got my moment in the sun. My opportunity to shine and show them that I am a bad ass motherfucker!!! At least until my ass was kicked by a ten-year-old.

He hands me a “guitar” and takes one for himself. Now these guitars don’t have any strings. There are five buttons with colors on them for the left hand. Then there is some funky wedge thing where you would normally pick. It seems to respond to some basic pressure, but it’s nothing like really picking.

So the kid fires it up on “easy” mode….beginner mode…. I’ve never played this mode…. They should have had ‘Tard Mode because that’s what I felt like.

The game kicks it off with Foghat’s “Slow Ride.” Let me preface that I can play that song on the guitar for real. The game apparently didn’t think I could play it at all. I kept trying, but I’d hit the buttons and it would say I didn’t hit them, or that I hit them too early or too late. I was told I wasn’t supposed to be “picking” in ‘Tard Mode, but I couldn’t help it. Maybe that’s why it didn’t think I was doing it right. Maybe it was the Jager Bombs, but I still think I was at least close to hitting some of the notes.

I’ll have to try it again sometime. At the time, I just had to tuck my tail between my legs and praise the ten-year-old for kicking my ass.

The Secret Life of Boston?

Here is a picture of the famous rock group, Boston from their debut album.

And here is a picture from a Bay Area (CA) band named Vio-Lence.

you be the judge....

Delta Flight 002....

I was listening to the radio yesterday and there was a guy on that had a pretty funny idea. He thought all flight numbers should be incremental, and when there is an accident that the airlines must reset their flight numbers to zero.

That way if you are chilling at the airport and you see your flight number suddenly changed to “002” you know they just had a major accident. The flip side to this is that statistically speaking flight number “002” should be pretty safe, no matter where it’s going.

Get up to about flight number “10,312” though and things might get a little sketchy…..

No Oil Shortage?

Here is a link to some videos of Lindsey Williams talking about the oil-shortage, which doesn't exist. In a previous life I've posted a few entries about this. If you really believe that there is an oil crisis and that we have no other options than to buy oil from the Middle East, please take a few moments to watch the video(s).

It's interesting that the republicans blame the liberal democrats for not allowing our oil resources to be tapped and utilized. In the video Williams clearly implicates the government, which happens to be the existing Bush administration as the reason we aren't allowed to touch the oil.

I'm sure there is some truth to both arguments given the way our government work. It's another example of bi-partisan politics causing us more harm than good.

One for Bling!

Here is a political satire cartoon that was forwarded to me. I think it's fairly amusing from the perspective that its a fairly controversial and heavily debated issue and yet you have some of the same people that will do exactly what is happening here.

And btw, it's FOR Bling, not about Bling! I thought he might appreciate the humor.

How Apropos....

You might have to click on the picture to enlarge it....

2007 – The Warmest Year on Record

At least that was the predictions cited by the following media:
Reuters
AP & Foxnews
IHT
BBC
MSNBC
CBS
USA Today
The New York Times
The New York Sun
The Washington Post
National Geographic
CBC
The Guardian
The Independent
China People Daily
ABC Australia
Discovery Channel
Science Daily
Met Office

Most of the other global warming pundits jumped on the bandwagon and told us it would be the hottest year on record as well.

But a strange thing happened. I suppose it could be a real bonafide miracle! A sign that the second coming is near, or maybe it’s just because I forgot to let the cat out. In 2006 not a single hurricane made landfall (another prediction that failed), and then 2007 came sweeping around the corner. A few notable results (Thank you Washington Times):

South America had one of it’s coldest winters in decades and produced snow in Buenos Aires – the first time since 1918.

In Peru, 200 people died from cold weather and the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency.

Johannesburg, South Africa, had the first significant snowfall in 26 years.

Australia experienced the coldest June ever (it’s their winter).

In northeastern Australia, the city of Townsville underwent the longest period of continuously cold weather since 1941.

In New Zealand, the weather turned so cold that vineyards were endangered.

A five-day freeze destroyed 1.42-Billion dollars worth of crops in California, shortly after The Governator signed a bill to help cool the climate. Other crops around the country suffered as well.

Charlotte, NC, Denver, CO and several other cities also reported new records of the coldest temperatures ever.

As it turns out in 2007 was “only” the 9th warmest year on record and the coolest year of this century. RSS MSU satellite data released by remss.com showed that December was -0.046 Celsius, compared to -0.014 Celsius in November. November had previously been cited as the coldest month since January of 2000. Now the subtle differences in temperature may not seem like much, but keep in mind that global warming advocates cite that as little as ½-of a degree can have a major impact.

Here are two graphs showing the cooling trend as collected by satellite temperature readings (far more accurate than traditional thermometers hanging outside, but still lacking exacting protocols for measurements).

And the interesting thing is, people are still predicting that 2008 will be one of the hottest years on record. Maybe, but something tells me that won’t happen. You can draw your own conclusions.

Personally, I’m enjoying the cooler weather in the summer. I’m a wuss when it comes to the heat and after living up north for a couple of years I wasn’t looking forward to 90 days of drought and 100+ degree weather.

Hillary and The Crying Game?

By now you have probably heard or read that Hillary was sobbing on camera right before the next round of voting.




Now, I watched this and I wouldn’t exactly say she started bawling right there on camera. She got a little choked up is all.

The problem is I wouldn’t put it past her to make a very calculated move to help win the vote. This is the same woman that got a cat to make her look more compassionate. Whatever happened to Fluffy, anyway?

On the other hand, you would have to think it’s pretty weak of her to almost break down at this point in the campaign. When some people say that they don’t think the country is ready for a woman president due to them (women) being emotional, etc., I dismissed it as being sexist. Then, Hillary goes and pulls this crap. What is going to happen when there is something really extreme, or dramatic that happens? But something tells me it was far more of a calculated move than it was a truly emotional moment welling up inside of her.

So now we have one for Obama, and one for Hillary. I have some friends that really like Obama. I can’t say that I care for him too much. Mostly, though, I tend to agree with the folks that believe he just doesn’t have enough experience, yet. Hillary is frightening to me, but she has been in the game longer and has more experience. Obama is charismatic and well spoken, but I’m not sure he’s ready to be president, yet.

Welfare Drug Testing

Someone sent me this email which I thought was kind of interesting:

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their BUTT, doing drugs, while I work. . .

Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don't. Hope you all will pass it along, though . . . Something has to change in this country -- and soon!


I really like the gist of the email, but like many of these types of editorial email I feel that they don’t really address the problem or consider the consequences and long term impact or the proposed solution. In this example, it’s mandating drug testing for welfare recipients.

I looked it up and the cost for drug testing could range anywhere from $25.00 to $90 per-test (depending on volume). That also doesn’t include the collection fee, which can cost upwards of another $20 per test.

According to a government site I hit, approximately 5,760,476 people received welfare in the month of September, 2000. Trying to find more recent number proved challenging, but there was a notable decline in welfare recipients since that time period. It looks like it could be as low as 2,000,000 people in the last few years.

BTW – This is strictly welfare and does not include any other types of aid.

For the sake of argument, I’m going to round that number up a tad to 2.5 million people. I think 2.5 million people certainly qualifies for a “bulk discount” on drug testing. So do we do this when they come to get their checks, once a quarter, or once a year?

According to statistics a fair number of people don’t stay on welfare more than a year, so you would probably have to do it once a month.

Now, if we take the low end of the cost for drug testing (about $45 by the time you collect and test) that is a simple equation of $45 x 2,500,000 or $112,500,000 a month, or a total of 1,350,000,000 per year. That’s in the billions, folks. And just who do you think is going to have to pay for that?

And I’m not even considering all the additional paperwork and employees needed to keep track of all this. Then, there is the ultimate issue of addressing whether or not we are really helping these people.

If welfare is created to assist people that have come upon hard times, are we really going to tell them “sorry, you smoked a joint so we can’t cut you a check” and send them back onto the street or wherever else without ANY money or recourse? That’s just inviting crime and poverty – exactly the opposite intention of welfare.

Wii Insurance Scam?

I was talking to a friend of mine and while they were at a party there was another Wii accident. Not, that’s not wee accident, but Wii accident. As in the Nintendo Wii. For those of you that are completely under a rock (I am close) the Wii is a game console that connects to your television like the XBox, XBox360, Playstation, etc.

The thing that really differentiates a Wii is that it has a wireless controller with motion sensor technology that senses your movements as you move the remote. So, rather than just pushing a little stick, pad, or buttons you are literally moving the remote to interact with the games. Play tennis, and you’ll find yourself swinging the remote like a “real” racket to hit the ball.

As a side note I’ve read a few articles that compare playing Wii to a workout. Not so surprising some of the Wii games burned more calories than a typical cardio workout. Maybe Fat Bastard Little Johnny will finally lose some weight even if he’s not going outside to play with the other kiddies. When I was a kid I had to actually go outside to play and interact with other kids. There was none of this hiding behind my XBox internet gaming console to play war. We really shot at each other with BB guns and slingshots!

Anyway, I digress. The Wii remote has a little wrist-strap that you are supposed to put around your wrist in case you accidentally let go of the remote. Either because the strap breaks, or more likely, people aren’t using it there is a high number of Wii remotes that go flying around the house breaking things….most notably, televisions!

So my friend’s friend put a Wii remote right through the host’s $3000 plasma television. This is about the fourth incident I have personally heard of. But then I got to thinking.
I’d really like to have a new 56” plasma television. I could go out and buy a Wii. Then I could fling the remote into my current TV and destroy it. File it under my insurance and go buy a new TV.

Wii – about $250 (more if you can’t wait!)
Insurance deductible – about $1000

So for somewhere around $1300 I could get a brand new 56” Plasma television and have a Wii console. Not a bad idea…..

Marketing Genius!

Vacation Time!!!

I’ve had a lot of time off lately and haven’t been around a whole lot. That’s part of the reason that there has been a lack of posting.

I spent a week up in Montana skiing and visiting with friends. I caught some sick powder up at Bridger Bowl. They had almost a foot of snow over night and then it continued to pound snow all day long while we were up there. It was one of those “epic” days you don’t get too often. I was boarding in some 3 to 4 feet of powder off the blacks. It’s a little surreal to not be able to see anything from your waist down.

After that it was Christmas time back here in Texas-land. We had a pretty good one and I was really glad that my dad was able to be there. He’s recovering quite well from his surgery, but he still gets tired out quickly. Every day is better.

Then, to follow it all up we spent the New Year’s weekend in Vegas. We had a fairly large group that went so it was a lot of fun hanging out and taking over the entire blackjack table for hours at a time.
At one point, we spent 11 hours straight of gambling!!! Many people have asked me if I was up or down and I looked at it like this:

I flew first class to Vegas
I stayed in an $1800 suite on the 39th floor
I spent 4 days and three nights there
I had more beverages than I could count
I had some good meals
And ultimately I had a really good time.

When I got done, I was out just a little over $200. I don’t think you can beat that!

We decended upon The Strip for the 2008 count-down!

WTF?

another WTF?

I suppose I am ready to get back to work!!!

I am not a Republican

…but I am not a democrat, either. The more I think about it the more it seems that I am pretty much a centrist.

I tend to favor democratic moral and social issues, while favoring republican fiscal issues. At the same time, I favor some libertarian issues that don’t agree with either party. I guess that ultimately, I’m still an independent.

It is too bad that I don’t like ANY of the candidates. I don’t like the favored democratic candidates, and I don’t like the republican candidates. I guess I am not too worried about the republican candidates as I don’t think they have a chance this year. I think we are about to see a democratically controlled house, senate, and white house for a little while. As my friend says, the pendulum is swinging the other way.

At least Hillary got her ass kicked in Iowa. Obama came in first, with Edwards nipping on his heels.

Who is the least scary of the three? Hard to say. I guess it depends on what you want. I think Hillary is the scariest because she would do the most damage. I am not convinced that Obama knows where his loyalties lie. And there are at least some people that feel that Edwards got rich off of suing people to the point that he virtually spawned the practice of suing OB/GYNs off the planet.

Sorry, no time to rant on ‘em. Go find some other blogs, I am sure there are plenty of them that will give you the skinny (the good and the bad) on any of them.