Vol. XXVII, Issue 12 “Oh! Hit in my right asshole!” April 6, 2006 Hey SENATOR Clinton, Troops Out OF IRAQ Now!(page 4) Immigration -- An Ongoing Debate By Claudia Toloza Immigration, always a talked about and this country the opportunity to become citizens. Presidential Election a 40% greater rate of important issue, has become a headliner in the news Some of the provisions of the bill would require Hispanics born outside of the United States voted in the recent weeks. This is largely due to a bill, the immigrants to learn to speak English, pay a fine, for President Bush than Hispanics born in the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal back taxes, and also work an additional six years. United States. Immigration Control Act, which was passed in the Last weekend many immigrants took to the House of Representatives at the end of last year. streets to remind their elected officials where they The bill would classify illegal immigrants as felons. stand on the immigration issue. There were several Currently immigrants living in this country under large immigration protests in cities like Los illegal status are not considered to be in violation Angeles, Atlanta, and Phoenix. Demonstrators were criminal law instead they are considered to be vio- protesting the government’s new plans to make lating civil immigration law. That fact that many immigration laws stricter. This is an issue that not illegal immigrants may be considered felons as a only affects the nation as a whole but it is an issue result of this legislation has put many immigrants that affects many Stony Brook students. Just by and immigration advocacy groups up in arms. glancing at the Stony Brook campus one can see The immigration issue has caused a mixed that it is a very diverse school comprised of stu- response within the Republican Party. Some dents who come from all over the world. Many stu- Republicans feel that in granting immigrants legal dents on this campus are immigrants themselves, status they would be rewarding immigrants for hav- have family members who have immigrated to his ing broken the law. Another factor which has country, or at least know some one who has migrat- prompted some Republicans to call for tougher ed to United States. Stony Brook junior and immigrations laws were the attacks of September History major Matias Ricardo Manzano expressed 11, 2001. After September 11, national security has Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses his concerns about the recent immigration legisla- become a very important and heated debate in yearning to breathe free.” tion by saying, “Trying to solve the issue of immi- national politics. Many hope that stricter immigra- Courtesy of Those Dastardly French gration the way the government is attempting to is tion legislation and tougher border security can per- The McCain-Kennedy Bill was passed by the ludicrous, because no matter how many laws are haps help alleviate the national security issue. Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Before written to avoid it, the fact is that we will continue Other Republicans, especially those any immigration legislation actually goes into to come. Those [immigrants] that are forced out involved in the business sector, are torn in regards effect it would have to be passed in the Senate. will be replaced by a new wave of immigrants in to the immigration issue. They realize that immi- As for President Bush and his stand on the search of a supposed American dream. Our impact grants are an important work force because they immigration issue, he is in favor of a guest worker on society is truly unforeseen.” take up jobs which many Americans usually do not program which would allow immigrants to come As a response to this debate, several Stony want to fill because of their low wages. One and work in the country but would require them to Brook students have taken it upon themselves to Republican in favor of granting illegal immigrants return home after a certain period. President Bush organize a protest in reaction to the recent immi- legal status in the United States is Senator John along with fellow Republicans are being cautious gration legislation being passed. The protest will be McCain of Arizona. Senator John McCain and when it comes to dealing with the immigration held this Tuesday April 4, 2006 at 2:15 pm in the Democrat Senator Edward M. Kennedy of debate because they realize that Hispanics in this Academic Mall. Massachusetts worked on and drafted a bill which country have become an important voting sector. would allow the estimated 11 million immigrants in According to The New York Times in the 2004 ETA Ceasefire By James Messina On March 22, 2006, the ETA, or Euskadi Ta major factor in the public’s opinion has been a direction. The ETA has vowed to resort to diplo- Askatasuna, declared a permanent ceasefire in their series of bombings that took place in Spain in macy to further its goals, a course of action that is terrorist campaign for Basque independence. The March 2004. The bombings killed over 100, and applauded within the political community. Basque region of Spain is considered an were initially blamed on autonomous community under the Spanish constitu- ETA. Despite investigators’ tion, but many Basque people are unsatisfied with subsequent announcements this and seek to have self-governance. The ETA is that the bombings were a terrorist organization dedicated to separating the caused by Islamic terrorists, Basque Country from Spain. In their quest, they the damage to the ETA’s have killed over 800 individuals in a span of more campaign had been done and than forty years, both military and civilian. their popularity experienced The Basque region is located in the north- a steady decline. ern portion of Spain, particularly Navarre, and the The ceasefire southern tip of France. The Basque people believe announcement has been in their right to independence because of their received with mixed results. unique position in the European community. The Most politicians feel that the origin of the Basque people is a mystery, and ceasefire will be temporary. they’re considered by historians to be the oldest Organizations representing indigenous population in Europe. Their language the victims of ETA attacks bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Romance note that no apologies were languages, or indeed any known language group. made for ETA’s actions in the Also, the Basque people claim that there exists a past, and they claim that the wide cultural bridge between themselves and their ceasefire will not affect neighbors. Basques claim that this position of indi- ETA’s other criminal endeav- viduality necessitates their independence. ors, which are myriad. 33% of the Basque people expressed a While most people express desire to gain independence in a survey taken pessimism towards the suc- approximately two years ago, yet 87% of Basques cess of the ceasefire, it is A Euskal Herria separatist before the ETA logo expressed disapproval of the ETA’s methods. A seen as a step in the right Courtesy of Associated Press 2 “I’ll Have a Big Mac With a Side of Slavery,Pplease.” By Gina Farber Sub-poverty wages, sweatshops, and slav- cars with a few people each to confront the twoall- of conduct with the workers themselves. ery, oh my! Not to mention lack of benefits or the beefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheese picklesonion- The Immokalee people still live in a world right to unionize – that would be pushing it. You sonasesameseedbun empire. McDonald’s in Rocky void of the 13th Amendment, the amendment that may think this exists in another country, perhaps prohibits slavery. The workers are required to haul, the land of Oz, but surely not in our star-spangled on their backs, two tons of tomatoes each day, flawless land. Guess again: all these horrific details approximately $0.45 for 32 lbs for a mere $50 a that you thought were just an atrocious anachro- day. The CIW stresses modern-day slavery exists, nism exist today! Right here in our very own spring “When the CIW uses the word slavery, we do not break locale of choice – Florida! Apparently, while mean “slave-like” or “resembling slavery” – rather, the girls are going wild, slavery is in practice in we are referring to conditions that meet the high Immokalee, Florida. standard of proof and definition of slavery under Unfortunately, the Immokalee situation is US federal laws.” As a result, the CIW, the by no means unique. Taco Bell had a similar issue Coalition of Immokalee Workers came into exis- and, thanks to the Taco Bell Truth Tour and four tence. Since 1997, the community groups who rep- years of protests, Taco Bell created a better policy. resent thousands of farmworkers have been fighting This, hopefully, will serve as both a precedent and to curb violations of workers’ rights and cases of pedestal for the Ronald McDonald anti-slavery slavery. The new plight is getting McDonalds to campaign. Awareness is crucial; progress begins partner with CIW to “confront the violence and sub when people are exposed to the facts, to what is poverty wages of modern-day farm labor.” Ideally, really behind that regal red face makeup on the we would like to see McDonald’s larger-than-life, creepily giddy grin. Coulrophobia is the fear of international leverage to be used for good; instead clowns, but this is ridiculous. of a new ad campaign, they could exert influence as At the top of this staircase of slavery is Ag- You’ve hamburgled human rights! a major produce buyer to end the below poverty mart.