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I was reading a story on Yahoo! News about San Fransisco’s plan to issue ID cards to, “illegal immigrants, transgender people and other residents who may be unable or unwilling to get a state-issued driver’s license.” I found it interesting that the picture along side of the story is of a woman casting a ballot. After all, isn’t new Democratic voters the hoped for result of these programs?

Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced the ID card concept after Congress failed to adopt immigration reform legislation this summer and following a series of federal immigration raids in the Bay area.

“Our city just can’t stand by while our federal government takes no action to address the safety needs of our community,” he said. “If our friends and neighbors are not fully able to participate with us in civic life, we all lose in the end.” [my emphasis]

Or, here’s an idea, if they want to participate in civic life why not do so in the country in which they are legally allowed?

Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love. ~ Talleyrand

Don Surber Thank You, John Howard — “His actually words to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations were even better: “To the voices of anti-Americanism around the world, to those who shout ‘Yankee go home’, let me offer some quiet advice: be careful what you wish for.” ”

The Strata-Sphere (AJ Strata) 1st Blogoversary! — “Suffice to say I had no idea what I was getting into or what to expect, and now I am sure I will probably never stop because of all the people I have had the pleasure to cross paths with.” [Congratulations AJ, Keep up the great work! Jim]

Right Wing Nut House (Rick Moran) WHY I WILL DRAG MY SORRY ASS TO THE POLLS ON NOVEMBER 6 — “In the end, it may be quite unsophisticated and old fashioned to think the way I do about voting. But I can’t dishonor the past sacrifices of those who believed so passionately in things that we take for granted at our peril. Politicians and even political parties will come and go. What we’re left with after all the speechifying and political posturing; after all the strategizing and punditocracy is you and your conscience.”

The Wide Awake Cafe (Laura Lee Donoho) For English – Press One — “I will be watching this with interest. One thing this bill should do is put an end to the educational multicultural diversity racket. I often wondered whether some of the money school districts were using to promote conferences and workshops on multiculturalism (of which “bilingualism” and “English as a Second Language” was a major part) came from the federal government. A big waste of time and money. Young children learn English fast when it is the language they must learn in order to succeed.”

ScrappleFace (Scott Ott) Senate Votes English Official Muffin of Congress — ” “With lots of nooks and crannies to hold the melted butter,” the new amendment reads, “the English muffin has come to symbolize the glory of the Congressional lawmaking process.” ” [Hey, you've gotta have some fun on Friday's - Jim]