President Obama, after meeting with Mexico's president to discuss many topics, principally how to deal with the drug war on our common border, is off to Trinidad for a meeting of the countries of the Americas. One hot topic is the USA relationship with Cuba. The vast majority of countries feel it is time to end the embargo and for the USA to open normal trade relations with Cuba.
Now I know, Cuba is a communist country, ruled by a dictator and has a poor record on human rights. Thank God we do not have trade relationships with other countries who fall into that category. (Forget about China, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Not to mention those that aren't communist but a definitely are run by dictators and have no human rights.)
I think the time has come for the USA to let Cuba back into the fold. After all, some of the most successful business people in southern Florida are Cuban. Let them head home and maybe they can help stimulate the economies of both countries. If we open relations with Cuba, the Castro boys will be forced, slowly but surely, to relinquish power, just like it happened in all of the Iron Curtain countries.
The time has come to forget about being mad the CIA misjudged that Castro would oust Batista, the nose bleed of the Bay of Pigs and the bad mouthing Fidel has given us for decades. Let's grow up and move forward. For our economy to revive, we need good trading relationships with our Americas neighbors. Opening up trade and travel with Cuba is an enormous good well gesture that will cost us very little in the long run.
Its Common Sense!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Driver Licenses for Illegal Aliens in Maryland
Here is the first response I received from one of my local delegates discussing Maryland's law on driver licenses for illegal aliens. Notice he doesn't say how it began, only that it has to stop to be in compliance with Federal law. Except for those who already have licenses.
Please read and let me know what you think.
It doesn't make Common Sense to me!
Thank you for your note on HB 387. The bill passed the House and Senate. The bill is not perfect but was a necessary compromise to bring the State into compliance with Federal requirements under the Real ID Act and the regulations promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security.
HB 387 halts the issuance of new licenses to individuals that cannot prove lawful presence in the US and who cannot provide a valid social security number as of April 19, 2009. It also directs the MVA to establish a security plan to protect licensing materials and licensees' information; require criminal history background checks for certain MVA employees; and training for employees in fraudulent document recognition and security awareness.
Finally, and most controversially, HB 387 does allow current licensees who cannot prove lawful presence or show a valid social security number to renew their MVA license, permit or ID card for a non-Federally compliant document. They must prove their identity and Maryland residency and their license, permit or ID must not be suspended or revoked for other reasons. After July 1, 2015 these licenses will no longer be valid.
You may read the bill at http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/hb/hb0387e.pdf .
I value constituent input and hope you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns with me. Please feel free to contact me or my legislative director, Mary Lou Cole, regarding this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Dan K. Morhaim, M.D.
Delegate, District 11
Please read and let me know what you think.
It doesn't make Common Sense to me!
Thank you for your note on HB 387. The bill passed the House and Senate. The bill is not perfect but was a necessary compromise to bring the State into compliance with Federal requirements under the Real ID Act and the regulations promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security.
HB 387 halts the issuance of new licenses to individuals that cannot prove lawful presence in the US and who cannot provide a valid social security number as of April 19, 2009. It also directs the MVA to establish a security plan to protect licensing materials and licensees' information; require criminal history background checks for certain MVA employees; and training for employees in fraudulent document recognition and security awareness.
Finally, and most controversially, HB 387 does allow current licensees who cannot prove lawful presence or show a valid social security number to renew their MVA license, permit or ID card for a non-Federally compliant document. They must prove their identity and Maryland residency and their license, permit or ID must not be suspended or revoked for other reasons. After July 1, 2015 these licenses will no longer be valid.
You may read the bill at http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/hb/hb0387e.pdf .
I value constituent input and hope you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns with me. Please feel free to contact me or my legislative director, Mary Lou Cole, regarding this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Dan K. Morhaim, M.D.
Delegate, District 11
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Driver License for Illegal Immigrants
The legislature of the State of Maryland (my state) voted to continue issuing valid driver licenses to illegal aliens until June 1, 2009. They will also renew licenses for those illegals who already obtained a license.
I sent the following letters to my senators in DC and my representatives in Annaplois. As you will see, I find the whole business rather frightening. I think we are giving too much away trying to be "nice".
Please read and make your own decision.
After all - Its Common sense!
Dear Senator
Below is the message I sent to my representatives in Annapolis when I learned the state of Maryland is going to continue the practice of giving valid driver licenses to illegal aliens until June 1. What is Homeland Security's view of providing valid documents to illegals? Is the state of Maryland in violation of Federal law by providing legal documents to illegals who are not only migrant workers, but also criminals and terrorists?I find the situation very distrubing from a security point of view, especially with the problems currently on the USA/Mexico border. I appreciate your response.The message I sent to Annapolis follows.
Dear Representative
I just read that the State of Maryland passed the following legislation.
The bill bans anyone who cannot prove they are in the United States legally from obtaining a driver's license starting June 1. Had the bill passed by a three-fifth majority that ban on new licenses would have taken effect this Sunday.The bill will allow the estimated 350,000 illegal immigrants who currently have driver's licenses to renew them, until July 1, 2015, when they would expire, unless the immigrant obtained legal status.The renewed license would be labeled "not federal complaint" and could not be used as ID to board a plane.
How are illegal aliens currently able to obtain a valid Maryland driver's license? What documentation do they have to present? How does the state differentiate between illegal worker and illegal terrorist?So until June 1 any illegal alien in the country can come to Maryland and get a valid driver's license which will be a legal document and allow them access to air travel as citizens. Is that correct?Just what insurance companies are insuring these illegal aliens? After all, they do not have valid visas, Social Security Numbers, Tax IDs or anything else to show they have an income. So how are they getting insurance?The real kicker, besides from the insult of actually giving licenses, is that the state plans to renew them. Sure, they have "not federal complaint" but who cares? I find it shocking that our legislature is so worried about money that they have opted to put national security on the back burner and allow anyone who can provide the fee a driver's license with no questions asked.No wonder guns are headed to Mexico, illegal aliens can use a valid Maryland license to go to gun shows in Virginia and buy as many weapons as they want with no background check. (I saw 60 Minutes this week - National Security is a wonderful thing that all state governments seem to be supporting.)Needless to say, I like many others are sadly disappointed with the legislature's decision to give rights to illegal aliens that legal citizens in Maryland are not entitled to. I wonder whose interests the representatives in Annapolis are representing, we the taxpayers who have to fund the state and keep things going, or the lobby for illegals, who evidently have campaign funds available, even though their "constituents" do not pay taxes, Social Security or Medicare and who are draining the resources of state because no one is holding them accountable or enforcing the law.I for one will be reviewing voting records before the next election and giving serious thought to who I want as my representative in Annapolis. Your job is to look out for the legals not the illegals. We'll review your record and make our decision.YoursMichael Wolfe
I sent the following letters to my senators in DC and my representatives in Annaplois. As you will see, I find the whole business rather frightening. I think we are giving too much away trying to be "nice".
Please read and make your own decision.
After all - Its Common sense!
Dear Senator
Below is the message I sent to my representatives in Annapolis when I learned the state of Maryland is going to continue the practice of giving valid driver licenses to illegal aliens until June 1. What is Homeland Security's view of providing valid documents to illegals? Is the state of Maryland in violation of Federal law by providing legal documents to illegals who are not only migrant workers, but also criminals and terrorists?I find the situation very distrubing from a security point of view, especially with the problems currently on the USA/Mexico border. I appreciate your response.The message I sent to Annapolis follows.
Dear Representative
I just read that the State of Maryland passed the following legislation.
The bill bans anyone who cannot prove they are in the United States legally from obtaining a driver's license starting June 1. Had the bill passed by a three-fifth majority that ban on new licenses would have taken effect this Sunday.The bill will allow the estimated 350,000 illegal immigrants who currently have driver's licenses to renew them, until July 1, 2015, when they would expire, unless the immigrant obtained legal status.The renewed license would be labeled "not federal complaint" and could not be used as ID to board a plane.
How are illegal aliens currently able to obtain a valid Maryland driver's license? What documentation do they have to present? How does the state differentiate between illegal worker and illegal terrorist?So until June 1 any illegal alien in the country can come to Maryland and get a valid driver's license which will be a legal document and allow them access to air travel as citizens. Is that correct?Just what insurance companies are insuring these illegal aliens? After all, they do not have valid visas, Social Security Numbers, Tax IDs or anything else to show they have an income. So how are they getting insurance?The real kicker, besides from the insult of actually giving licenses, is that the state plans to renew them. Sure, they have "not federal complaint" but who cares? I find it shocking that our legislature is so worried about money that they have opted to put national security on the back burner and allow anyone who can provide the fee a driver's license with no questions asked.No wonder guns are headed to Mexico, illegal aliens can use a valid Maryland license to go to gun shows in Virginia and buy as many weapons as they want with no background check. (I saw 60 Minutes this week - National Security is a wonderful thing that all state governments seem to be supporting.)Needless to say, I like many others are sadly disappointed with the legislature's decision to give rights to illegal aliens that legal citizens in Maryland are not entitled to. I wonder whose interests the representatives in Annapolis are representing, we the taxpayers who have to fund the state and keep things going, or the lobby for illegals, who evidently have campaign funds available, even though their "constituents" do not pay taxes, Social Security or Medicare and who are draining the resources of state because no one is holding them accountable or enforcing the law.I for one will be reviewing voting records before the next election and giving serious thought to who I want as my representative in Annapolis. Your job is to look out for the legals not the illegals. We'll review your record and make our decision.YoursMichael Wolfe
Monday, April 13, 2009
Pirates of the Indian Ocean
Quick action by Navy SEALs saved the US merchant marine captain who had been held by Somali pirates. What I did not realize until more of the story came out is that the Somali pirates still hold more that 220 sailors from various countries as well as more than a dozen ships captured off the Somali coast waiting for ransom.
How is that possible in this day and age? The naval powers in the world, the USA, Britain, China, France and Russia, need to forget about their differences and create an international strike force to wipe out the Somali privates once and for all. Once they are done there they can head to deal with the pirates who operate out of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
If necessary, merchant ship should be provided with a platoon of marines from their home country to provide protection until the threat of piracy is eradicated.
Now I know a lot of ships sail under flags of convenience, especially Panama and Liberia. In their case the ship owners may have to hire private protection companies to provide security. There are enough of them in world today.
The important thing is to put the pirates permanently out of business. They are another group of terrorists. Their goal is money rather than world change to an idealism.
The time has come to fight back with no quarter. Take the beach, free the hostages and kill the pirates.
Its Common Sense!
How is that possible in this day and age? The naval powers in the world, the USA, Britain, China, France and Russia, need to forget about their differences and create an international strike force to wipe out the Somali privates once and for all. Once they are done there they can head to deal with the pirates who operate out of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
If necessary, merchant ship should be provided with a platoon of marines from their home country to provide protection until the threat of piracy is eradicated.
Now I know a lot of ships sail under flags of convenience, especially Panama and Liberia. In their case the ship owners may have to hire private protection companies to provide security. There are enough of them in world today.
The important thing is to put the pirates permanently out of business. They are another group of terrorists. Their goal is money rather than world change to an idealism.
The time has come to fight back with no quarter. Take the beach, free the hostages and kill the pirates.
Its Common Sense!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Puppy in the White House
I read that the Obama girls finally got their puppy, a six month old Portuguese water dog, a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy. It will be interesting to see if animal activists attack the Obama family the same way they did the Biden family when they went to a breeder to get their new German Shepherd puppy, rather than go to a rescue.
Evidently, the activists verbally attacked the Bidens and the breeder, forcing the breeder to go into hiding because of threats of violence.
Where are peoples priorities? I know there are a lot of animals in shelters because of the irresponsibility of the people who originally took them or breed them and then decided it was more than they could handle. However, if someone wants a pet, be it a dog, cat, horse, cow, hamster or whatever, its their right to get the one they want from the source they want.
What I don't understand is why these animal activists aren't more concerned about the abused and abandoned children in this country. Children in orphanages, children forced to live with abusive parents, drug addicts and alcoholics. Couldn't they put their efforts into updating the human adoption system in this country, rather than get stressed over the animal adoption policy?
Why isn't there an outcry about Americans adopting foreign children - thank you Madonna and Angelina Jolie - rather than helping those here at home, many in situations just as bad, if not worst than those overseas? What is the problem with the adoption policy in this country that we can't take care of our own?
I'm all for animal rights, but human rights should be our priority. Let's get the abandoned and abused children housed and protected, then we can put our efforts into saving the animals.
Its Common Sense!
Evidently, the activists verbally attacked the Bidens and the breeder, forcing the breeder to go into hiding because of threats of violence.
Where are peoples priorities? I know there are a lot of animals in shelters because of the irresponsibility of the people who originally took them or breed them and then decided it was more than they could handle. However, if someone wants a pet, be it a dog, cat, horse, cow, hamster or whatever, its their right to get the one they want from the source they want.
What I don't understand is why these animal activists aren't more concerned about the abused and abandoned children in this country. Children in orphanages, children forced to live with abusive parents, drug addicts and alcoholics. Couldn't they put their efforts into updating the human adoption system in this country, rather than get stressed over the animal adoption policy?
Why isn't there an outcry about Americans adopting foreign children - thank you Madonna and Angelina Jolie - rather than helping those here at home, many in situations just as bad, if not worst than those overseas? What is the problem with the adoption policy in this country that we can't take care of our own?
I'm all for animal rights, but human rights should be our priority. Let's get the abandoned and abused children housed and protected, then we can put our efforts into saving the animals.
Its Common Sense!
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