U.S. Isolated in Opposing Plan for a New U.N. Rights Council

Interesting article...You have to wonder why the U.S. is against a new human rights council that would prevent countries such as Sudan and Zimbabwe from becoming members

Debate Begins over tighter immigration

I think that this article is relevent to some of the issues that we have been discussing in class. It deals with the changes in immigration law in response to 9/11. It is the first time Congress has debated on the subject since the 9/11 attacks. Now they are more concerned with national security when dealing with immigration law.

Seeking Refuge In Your Own Country

Hello everyone! I was watching ABC's Primetime last night and I got pulled into this episode on polygamy. I was so furious by the end that I knew I had to write about it.
The program spotlighted a polygamous sect that controls a city in Arizona called "Colorado City." The show was following up on a woman, Lauren Jessops, who escaped from the community over the summer. Despite warnings that her husband may take her to the desert and kill her upon returning, she returned anyway.
Colorado City is run by a prophet, Warren Jeffs, who is currently in hiding. Jeffs founded the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints. Jeffs' prophecy calls for a violent destruction and end to non-believers. Followers of Jeffs believe he is indeed a prophet and obey orders from him. Local police enforce the "rules" of the sect, which is how Lauren wound up in an institution, for disobeying her husband.
The culture is male-dominated, oppressive and in my view, just plain sick. Incest, child molestation, and domestic abuse run rampant. The women and children have no outlet or legal way out of the situation. An activist named Flora (who herself escaped from polygamy) works in secret with young women who wish to escape with their children. Flora is the woman who helped Lauren escape. Despite the harsh reality of these women's lives, a large number worship Warren Jeffs and embrace their way of life.
I was sickened and shocked while watching this program. I strongly feel that the women in this culture are victims of human rights violations. It is scary how religion can have such dominating and in some cases, life-threatening control over people. I really encourage you to read the story...

Unhappy annivesary

Happy 4 Year Anniversary to Guantanamo Bay! Click the link (or title of the post) to learn more about the the camp located in a small corner of Cuba that has become one of the most powerful symbols of America's War or Terror.

The Slippery Slope of Torture

A recent NYT's op-ed,by Anthony Lagouranis, "Tortured Logic", (see the URL attached with this post's title), once again brings a chilling reminder to Americans about the U.S., use of torture tactics in the "war against terror". Kudos to Mr. Lagouranis for being so brave to talk about his experiences with the use of torture tactics in Iraq.

What defines U.S. Soil?

Hey all! Here's an article from the BBC about a judge who ruled that the deportation of 15 Cubans in January had been done illegaly. The article also includes some notes on the 'wet-foot dry-foot policy' and how it may affect support among voters in the Cuban-American community.

Deportation of Cubans 'illegal'

A federal judge in Miami has ruled the United States should not have deported 15 Cubans who in January reached a disused bridge in the Florida keys.

However, Judge Federico Moreno said his ruling would have no effect on the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy.

Under this rule, Cubans stopped at sea are usually sent back home, while those who reach dry land are allowed to stay.

In this case, the group was deported because the damaged bridge was no longer attached to land.

The Coast Guard had argued that the broken bridge did not count as US soil and therefore the Cubans could not seek residency.

Judge Moreno, who was asked to rule on whether the bridge was US territory, found the Cubans had been removed illegally in January.

But he insisted his ruling was limited to this particular case.

It is not known whether President Fidel Castro will allow the group to leave Cuba.

'Failure'

The deportation in January infuriated the politically influential Cuban-American community in Florida.

They wanted the court to define US soil as anywhere within US territorial waters.

Exile groups believe Cubans trying to reach the US should be allowed to stay because, they say, they are fleeing an oppressive government.

Last month, Florida Senator Mel Martinez, a Republican, called for an overhaul of the "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy, which he described as "a complete and utter failure".

Correspondents say the policy has become more stringent in recent years. The number of Cuban boat-people has been rising recently, with nearly 3,000 intercepted in the last fiscal year.

Some community leaders have warned that the latest deportations could affect backing for the Republican Party among Cuban-Americans, traditionally staunch supporters.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/4762470.stm

Published: 2006/03/01 12:53:29 GMT

© BBC MMVI