Welcome To My Weed Farm

I may have to give up blogging for my new compulsory hobby: Weeding. Boy, those flower beds surrounding the house and covering the back yard sure looked nice in January, when we bought the house. And, from a distance, they still look OK.


But when you get up close... All those tall green spikes... Yep. Weeds:

Since I had no idea what was planted out there, I didn't know they were weeds when they first came up. I waited to see if they were intentional. Eventually, I had to acknowlegde two simple facts. They're weeds and they're everywhere.

Here's another mystery plant. Is that thing attacking my tea rose a weed? I should probably kill it, just to be on the safe side.


My mother tells me I should kill it all and replace it with landscaping fabric and a few bushes. Either that or rethink my position on illegal immigration because no one was ever in greater need of cheap gardeners.

Immigration Compromise

John McIntyre suggests this compromise in immigration:

Republicans need to craft a compromise that puts in place a program to shut down the illegal flow, which upon the proven success of dramatically halting illegal immigration will trigger a process that provides a pathway to citizenship for the millions of illegals who have been here for years. This is the type of broad-based compromise that the majority of the American people can support and it will put the onus on the Democrats to put up or shut up about whether they are serious about halting illegal immigration.

This has a lot of potential. If we could establish that the border was, for the most part, secure, Americans could stop worrying about criminals and terrorists and a flood of uneducated, poverty-stricken, non-English speaking immigrants. Then we could address the illegals who are already here. I suspect that a secure border would drain support from the "no amnesty" position.

I know there are a number of right-wing bloggers who would oppose this because they feel every last illegal should be deported. Those bloggers make a strong case about how unfair it is to legal immigrants to allow illegals to stay, but I have always felt that they just aren't being practical.

Here in Kansas City, we have two cases that illustrate the impracticality of their stance. Myrna Dick is accused of falsely claiming American citizenship at the Mexican border to enter the US. She has since married a citizen with whom she has an adorable citizen toddler. She is being deported, so every time there is a development in her case, we see this lovely middle-class family on the news. I'm sure we'll see the tearful departure when she leaves her baby and gets on the plane. I'm sure I'll be crying too.

We also periodically hear from a woman and two young boys whose husband/father was deported back to Jamaica, also for claiming citizenship at the border. They sold their house to pay an immigration lawyer to tell them there was nothing that could be done. Evil lawyer = bonus tears.

Perhaps Americans should be strong and boot all these law-breakers out of the country. It is our right. But I wouldn't bet the farm on our ability to withstand a few million tearful goodbyes.

(via Instapundit)

California's Prop. 82

I'm sure that after 2 weeks of neglecting my blog due to moving and continuous visitors, I have no readers from California (or anywhere else). But just in case, I'm linking to Bookworm's plea for Californians to vote "NO" on Proposition 82.

The Dubious Guest Worker Program

I have been meaning to work up a post on this, but my procrastination has paid off. Someone did the work for me. Here's Derb:

I'm baffled as to why anyone would want to hire these temporary workers. The entire point of illegal immigrant labor is that it's cheap B*E*C*A*U*S*E***I*T*S***I*L*L*E*G*A*L*. If you legalize it, it ain't cheap any more. You've got minimum wage laws, workmen's comp, benefits regulations, etc., etc. to comply with, and all sorts of litigation possibilities (harassment, discrimination, etc.) to hedge against. You might as well hire Americans.

Unless you think that Americans are crappy workers—lazy, shiftless, ignorant, ill-motivated, and unreliable. If our politicians actually do think this, will one of them please say it out loud?

This is why I'm so into border security and internal enforcement. If all the guest worker slots are filled, who would wait for one to open up when you can just cross the border, under bid the guest workers and get a job. Bush mentioned border security and cracking down on employers in his speech, but... I'll believe it when I see it. And I'd like to see it before we go passing out all kinds of new entitlements to illegals.

The Border Is Secure...

Well, secure from pesky American citizens, at least. I'm sure you've read all about it at Malkin's, but note our government's response to the latest border security lapse:

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman confirmed the notification process, describing it as a standard procedure meant to reassure the Mexican government that migrants' rights are being observed.

"It's not a secret where the Minuteman volunteers are going to be," Mario Martinez said Monday.

"This ... simply makes two basic statements -- that we will not allow any lawlessness of any type, and that if an alien is encountered by a Minuteman or arrested by the Minuteman, then we will allow that government to interview the person."

"We will not allow any lawlessness of any type." Well, except illegal entry into the U.S. That type of lawlessness is heartily encouraged.

Update: Looks like the border is also secure from mad scientists. Derb informs us:

To plumb the depths of our current administration's stupidity, folly, and dereliction of responsibility in the matter of border security is probably beyond the ability of mere mortals. You can get a glimpse of them, though, by reading this editorial in Science magazine ...

Offer on the House

Well, we've had the house on the market for one day, we've had one showing, and we have an offer. I don't know what the offer is yet. It could be for $1.95 and a stick of gum. But here's hoping. I've had to keep the house spotless for one entire day now, and I'm exhausted.

Update: SOLD! Well, the deal could fall apart in the inspection period. It is an old house. But it's a start.

The Worst Thing About Moving

OK, all the parts of moving are the worst part. But the thing that is annoying me today... we're about to put the old house on the market and it looks GREAT. All those broken things I lived with for years -- the screen door, the door bell, the picture window, the spigot, the attic fan -- they all work now. And it's cleaner than it's ever been. And now I have to move to my new house, which is a total disaster. :(

Jobs Americans Won't Do

Having put myself through college by (among other things) cleaning houses, and having a sister who, although she's a teacher, makes ends meet by cleaning houses, and having spent most of the weekend doing yard work at our two houses, and having just changed a diaper, I was rather annoyed to turn on the NewsHour to hear Nativo Lopez tell me to clean my own toilet, cut my own grass, and take care of my own kid. What the heck does he think I do all day?

Food For Thought

Forbes lists 5 reasons not to go to college. (via Phi Beta Cons)

I'm not sure about discouraging college, but I would definitely like to see Mia graduate from high school early, or do some AP/college course work while in high school to make college a 3 year (instead of a 4+ year) experience. It would also help if she had some direction, a reason for going to college besides it being a socially acceptable way to avoid getting a job.

Couple charged for not using lawyers

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The Cleveland Bar Association is threatening to fine the parents of an autistic boy $10,000 for not hiring a lawyer when they brought, and largely won, a court case on their son's behalf four years ago.

After a long court battle, Brian and Susan Woods settled their case with the Akron school district in 2002 when the district agreed to send Daniel, now 11, to a private school.

But in February, the Cleveland Bar Association took issue with the Woodses' handling parts of that case themselves and not through a lawyer.

The bar charged them with unauthorized practice of law and threatened a $10,000 fine, saying that although the Woodses were allowed to represent themselves, they could not act as lawyers for their son. The charge is normally filed against nonlawyers who provide legal services for pay, but is rare against parents.

So rare, in fact, that no one the reporter asked, including the American Bar Association and the Ohio bar's Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, could recall a single case.

Read on and discover that the Cleveland Bar Association is already involved in a legal battle with Mr. Woods on the separate matter of allegedly advising another family at their son's school in their lawsuit. But I'm sure the unheard of charge being leveled against Mr. Woods has nothing to do with getting some leverage in their other case, and absolutely nothing to do with the lucrative fees generated by winning suits against school districts. No, I'm sure they're all about the good of the children.

The Perpetual Move

Moving is always a trial, but Brian and I have managed to turn it into a never-ending ordeal. Living in both houses to keep Mia in school is like constantly packing for vacation. Plus, with spring here, the yard work for two houses is sapping my will to blog. Hopefully, we'll be rid of the old house soon and I'll be able to keep up again.

The Church Of Whatever

I heard the strangest add for a local church on the radio yesterday. They had a bunch of young people saying why they go to this church: It's fun, It's cool etc. Then a young lady said "I go for the hot guys." I thought they were going to make some kind of joke, though I couldn't imagine what it would be. Then the next girl said "Yeah, the hot guys." That, apparently, was the real reason they went to this church. They followed this up with a promise that you would be "out in an hour" and never miss a Chiefs game. Why, you can go to church with almost no inconvenience to yourself at all.

Do you know what would be even more convenient? Not going at all. Maybe it's an introvert thing, but if all you've got for me is hot guys and a quickie, platitudinous service, I think I'll just sleep in.

Update: Flashback to Ace's post on the Top Ten Mandated Changes to Make Christianity More Politically Correct and "Inclusive":

6. The requirement that an actual belief in Christ is required to be a Christian ruled discriminatory; churches must offer alternative methods of qualification, such as "celebrating the magical joy of a baby's smile" or "just sitting in the park, thinking about Nature and shit"

(via Demure Thoughts)

Protest Against Illegal Immigration In KC

About 400 people demonstrated in support of tougher immigration laws in Kansas City today. Not a big turn out, but at least our politicians can be sure that, unlike the pro-illegal marchers, all 400 are eligible to vote. The rally was held on tax day to point out the high cost of caring for illegals who may or may not be paying taxes.

Tales from the Cul-de-sac

Because Mia is still in school in the old district, we're still living in the old house, but we will be spending the weekends at the new house. This was our first weekend there and my poor, brave, long-suffering husband spent half of it toting around a dead 'possum.

My mom was visiting, so on Friday, we invited Brian's parents out to dinner and then back to the new house to try out the deck. Alas, just before they arrived, we discovered an expired 'possum and a large compliment of flies under the deck. Flies and dead 'possum smell not being conducive to engaging conversation, I convinced Brian to "get rid of it." I asked no questions about how he got rid of it, but the next day, our neighbors over the back fence saw me outside and waved me over to introduce themselves. Our conversation:

Them: "Hi, I'm Jim. This is Susan and, dear God, what is that smell?"
Me: (feigning surprise)"Where on earth could that have come from?"

So the bulk of my first conversation with the new neighbors involved discussion of small animal disposal.

They gave us two fifty gallon trash bags and suggested we put him out with the trash on Monday. Perhaps that would have worked, had it not been for the unseasonably warm weather we've been having recently.

After Brian had dutifully hauled our late friend to the curb, I began to worry. After he'd spent 24 hours in a plastic bag in the hot sun, I was concerned that the garbage men wouldn't take him. I'm not sure, but I suspect you aren't allowed to dispose of dead animals in the trash. The stench was unbearable and unmistakable. So Brian suggested that we toss him in the bed of the truck and deposit him in one of those remote woody areas where people dump their old couches. So, two more dead 'possum tosses and we'd finally smelled the last of him.

After long, hot showers, we're back at the old house, hoping this isn't a bad omen.

Builders vs. Destroyers

According to The Skeptical Optimist, an optimist is "one who believes that humans, on net balance, are builders rather than destroyers." In support of that theory, he has produced The Best Debt Clock in the USA. Everyone knows that the the national debt is rising so fast the number has to be updated several times a second. But did you know (I didn't) that the GDP is rising at pretty much the same rate. Thus the debt-to-GDP ratio remains the same. Yes, we're spending fast, but we're creating fast, too.

That happy factoid was found via the Gates of Vienna. However, if your more inclined to the pessimistic view that humanity's periodic bouts of destructiveness eventually overwhelm what it has built, Gates of Vienna also has a post for you. Read all about how Islamists take the inventions of others and use them to destroy.

He Who Blocks The Traffic Wins

That's just not a good philosophy of government. It was unfortunate for our demonstrators that their marching happened to coincide with the French government caving in to the petty demands of French demonstrators. Now we're watching our politicians to see how they react to the implicit threat of hundreds of thousands of people in the streets.

From the NY Sun:

That trial of strength was no longer mainly about the hiring and firing of young employees, which the government wanted to make easier and the unions opposed. The conflict was about a much more fundamental question: Who has the right to exercise authority in a democratic society? That question leads directly to another: Who has a monopoly on violence? The French state has now given its answer to both: "Not us."

I doubt that most Americans want to turn over authority to the type of people who have the time and inclination to form mobs and run around in the streets. That, is after all, why we have elected officials. If, on May 1, illegals demonstrate themselves to be a credible threat to our economy, my guess is that the American people will begin to wonder, not how we can give into their demands, but how we can become less dependent on them.

"No Weapons"

Is this a nation-wide phenomena? Ever since Missouri passed a concealed carry law, public places (restaurants, etc.) have been putting little paper signs in their window the say "No Weapons." It is their right under the new law to ban weapons from their establishments, yet the signs always make me smile. Surely, no one with criminal intent would dare to walk past that little sign.

But now I have a reason to be annoyed by them. My 4-year-old read the sign at the public library and asked what it meant. I stupidly told her that it meant no one could bring a gun into the library. Well, apparently all she heard was "gun", because now she's afraid to go into the library.

I don't know where she developed a fear of guns. Finding Nemo was too scary for her, so you know she never watches anything violent on TV. I finally coaxed her in, but we had to stop for a long philosophical discussion at each sign (they have two). Sigh.

New Blog Alert

I just discovered (via a commenter at Samizdata) that Bruce Bawer, author of While Europe Slept, has a blog. Good stuff.

If Texas Were In Mexico

The post I've been meaning to write, only better:

Maybe you have to be Hispanic to figure out this kind of logic: You've broken the law and risked your life to get the hell out of the land of your birth, but when the country you've sneaked into considers sending you back home, you rush into the streets in protest -- GET THIS! -- proudly carrying the flag of the country you'd rather die than live in. Some of you even carry signs suggesting that the poor failed country you've escaped from should possess the land you've fled to.

Really. I don't mean to be rude, but let's face it. Most Mexicans aren't coming here to reclaim their birthright. They're coming for jobs. If Texas was in Mexico, Mexicans would be escaping to Oklahoma. If Oklahoma was in Mexico, they'd be escaping to Kansas. If Kansas were in Mexico....

Reminds me of the refugees from Islamic theocracies who say America would be the perfect country...if only it were an Islamic theocracy. Ay carramba.

Praise Allah

Allah Pundit, I mean. He's guest blogging at Michelle Malkin's.