Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Are you still a Republican?

Are you still a Republican?

I am not.

Way back in December last year I wrote “Which way, republican or democratic?" http://www.mikeghouse.net/Articles/Republican-or-Democrat-which-way.asp

Last night I listened to Hilary, and Michelle the night before, like me, I hope, Americans know which way to go now. They talked about you and I, the common folks, they talked about the human aspirations and hope and how to get there. Hilary made a soft passing remark about terrorism among three other major things, poverty, global warming and inequalities, because that is all the attention it deserves, no more.

Next week when you hear the Republicans, you are guaranteed to hear this:

McCain will talk about his obsession about terrorism, war, destruction and all the negatives of the world, quadrupling and exaggerating it to make us all let it loose in our pants, because that is all McCain has to offer, and he is full of it. He spews hate for others, and he will express that in terms of enemies, that is all his language revolves around, that is all he can think, that is all he is capable of; imagining enemies, goading others to become enemies and then digging in the heels and going for confrontation, threatening others for the next four years. He is our decorated hero, he has endured a lot of suffering for us, we can build a bronze stature in front of the Capital hill to honor him, but we cannot afford to give him a free pass to commit our resources to self destruct and others in the world. Do we need him to continue to frighten us for the next four years?

Then the others like Rowe, Cheney, Bush will join him in imagining WMD in every nook and cranny, they can fake the intelligence report. It is a shame that the few among the Republicans have cornered their Pulpit, there are more moderate Republicans out there than we can imagine, but they are chickens; don't have the guts to speak up. I have talked with many of them, they sound conservative, but in their heart they are not, they don't like polices of fear and exclusion that Bush, Cheney and their baby McCain is pursuing.

McCain can keep that speech to himself, we don't need that, we need peace, dialogue, hope, poverty reduction, saving the planet, education, jobs, first here at home and not squander our resources in their imaginary wars. I would like to hear positive upbeat hopeful governance for us Americans, we deserve it.

Most Republicans understand our mistakes, but don’t have the balls to speak up. The public will speak up through the ballot though. Many of those good republicans will pay a price on November 4th for silently approving the wrong doings.

I am willing to bet that McCain and his gang will frighten us with their devilish hallucinations about enemies. They don’t understand that we cannot have peace if others can’t, we cannot be secure if we keep threatening others.

There is always that hope, the hope that these guys can learn the message of Christ, of peace, mitigating the conflicts, nurturing goodwill, reaching out and removing barriers and creating a world of kindness. May God ease their arrogance out and bring humility and make them better humans. Amen!

Mike Ghouse is a Republican at heart, but cannot align with any visible Republican out there. Mike is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He is the founding president of World Muslim Congress with a simple theme: Good for Muslims and good for the world. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website http://www.mikeghouse.net/. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Peace is the result of Justice


Peace is the result of Justice
Mike Ghouse

Justice gives birth to peace, prosperity and progress of a nation, without which peace and progress would not sustain; injustice is a drag on the morality and conscience of a people.

When criminals walk around freely without consequences to their crimes, it frightens the victims, neither of them is at peace; one is raged and the other outraged. When a child is abused, there has got to be punishment for the abuser; when a woman is violated, the violator has to pay for it; and when the weak is taken advantage of, the user has to be accounted for it; and when the disadvantaged is had justice must be restored. CONTINUED

http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2008/08/peace-is-result-of-justice.html

Michelle Obama speaks to the Nation

It is one of the most powerful speeches of our times.
http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2008/08/michelle-obama-speaks-to-nation.html

Which one of the 301 Million Americans who has watched her was not moved by it? There was a point, an inneundo, a hint that touched every soul in that beautiful speech.

That couple, Michelle and Barak are the ideal leaders for our nation, they have a heart big enough to embrace every one, hug every one, empathise with every one and understand every one. Yes I am a man, and yes I was teary like several other humans in that audience. The last few times that brought such joyful tears were when the gutless, war mongering, sycophantic republicans were booted out of the congress on Tuesday November 7, 2006, when Nelson Mandela was released and when Carter, Arafat and Peres signed the peace treaty.

I hope the World does not think about us Americans by the actions of the Republican party and judge us. We are as good as any one in the world, we Americans want peace and are not eager to go to war with others. The extremists among the Republicans are the mirrors of the extremists around the world. I sincerely believe, it is time for the Republicans to believe that there is an Almighty God out there who is powerful than them. God is loving and not the hateful and revengeful God that the Neocons and a few Evangelists want to make it out to be. I really hope that the Republicans go back to their roots and rid of all the extremists who talk about war and who want to destory others... we need people who have the capacity and ability to dialogue. At this time it is hard to find a Republican who believes in a dialogue and I want to be disproved, because I have hopes with the republican party and the moderate majority will wake up and tell them boys enough is enough. http://www.mikeghouse.net/Articles/Republican-or-Democrat-which-way.asp

In contrast I listen to McCain and I cannot relate with him any more, they are about war, destruction, frightening others. They are loaded with hate and contempt towards others, pull any video of McCain and show me where he is not hateful and a war monger. Do I want a president whose proclivities are not solutions but wars? Is he capable of thinking in terms of sitting across the table and solving the problems?

Michelle's video is at this link: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=9447453&ch=4226716&src=news

My Dream

I have a dream, a dream to strengthen the pluralistic values of America, and the desire to encourage the community of nations to review our values of Liberty, Justice and co-existence as catalysts for prosperity.

No community or a nation can have undue advantages over others. Such benefits are temporary and deleterious to lasting peace.We have to maintain a healthy balance within our communities and with all nations, what is good for America, has got to be good for the world and vice versa.

God bless America

Mike Ghouse
http://www.mikeghouse.net/
http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Obama Religious Advisor

Finally, we American Muslims believe, Mike Ghouse, with his colorful multi-culture background and great experience, could be the best man for the job as your Muslim-Outreach Adviser.

Continue

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

All Articles list

http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2008/08/all-articles-list.html

List of All articles, latest one on the top.

July 2010
Moderate Republicans need to speak up
Unity Day USA - a 911 Memorial Event
Themes for the Parliament of Worlds Religions in 2...
Mosque at Ground Zero religious freedom too far?
Bottom line prayers-wishes
Standing up for Jews, Gays and Mexicans, why shoul...
FOX TV, Sean Hannity and Mike Ghouse about NASA to...
July 4th - what does freedom mean to you?
Sharia Laws in America
My Own Private India


June 2010
Burqa Ban – Hannity, Gabrielle and Ghouse on Fox T...
Happy Fathers, Daughters and Sons day
Mike Ghouse Profile
Helen Thomas under fire for comment on Jews
Memorial day reflections
Gaza Flotilla, Israel and your voice

May 2010
interfaith, intra-faith, pluralism, religion & spi...
Mosque Madness
Ghouse, Geller on Fox's Hannity show
Pakistani Americans declare war on terrorism
TODAY IS NATIONAL PRAYER DAY Let’s pray, reflect o...
National Prayer Day happenings on Thursday
Ghouse speaks at Dallas Mega March 2010

April 2010
Dallas Immigration Rally
Driving While Amused
South Park incident with a Muslim
Hannity, Fox, Graham, police & Mt. Vernon
Documentary on War and Peace
Honoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci today

March 2010
Health Care Reform Winners and Losers
3000 THANKS; What are you most likely to say?
A tribute to Elliott Dlin
Religious Conversions or Recruitment

February 2010
Indian American for Texas State legislature
The Smearing of Rashad Hussain
Program at SMU to explore Texas Holocaust and Geno...
Goofy Clinton avoided nuke question
A tribute to Bishop Larry McGriff
Pictorial Report - Holocaust and Genocides
American Left and right united
Carrollton Quilt 2010 representing Carrolltonians
Obama names Indian-American Muslim as special envo...
Valentines Day taking on universal meaning
Bad Fatwa by Muslim-American body against airport ...
Native American Heritage Day - corrospondence
Petition for Native American Heritage Day
An appeal to Muslims about Dr. Afia Siddiqi
Congress Murtha, An American Hero dies

January 2010
Mother is Mother
Are you a perfectionist?
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mike Ghouse (
Haiti and Earthquake
Haiti - Faith in Action
Free to criticize religions but not with hate
War is wrong, we can still salvage America
Political Linguistics in America

December 2009
The Gaza March
AVATAR - A movie about Harmony
A tribute to Jesus
Mike Ghouse on National Public Radio
Journal of Pluralism - 12/20/09
Copenhagen is about Climate Justice
Happy Hanukkah
Obama's Blunder on War


November 2009
Mike Ghouse to Speak at Parliament of Worlds Relig...
Thanksgiving, an expression of gratitude.
Fort Hood – Allahu Akbar
Fort hood - Is it individual or the religion
Fort Hood Tragedy

October 2009
Good for nothing Republicans
Tackling Terrorism
Iran's Ahmadinejad may have Jewish past

September 2009
Happy Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, Navaratri
Mike Ghouse dedicates this day 9/11 to America
Experience an awesome event this Sunday

August 2009
Washington post on Ramadan
10 Awesome things if Health reform passes
Obama's Portsmouth Townhall
Five Health Care Reform Lies
Republicans you had better wake up
Arlington bans hate group

July 2009
Confidence in Obama Lifts U.S. Image
Confronting Genocides
Thanks Obama for fixing Goofy Biden
Israel and Saudi Cohorts now?
Happy July 4th

June 2009
Democratic Faiths
Obama the all rounder and Urdu
Time for a Common Vision?
Essence of God and Religion
Analyzing Obama Speech - CSID
Muslims Condemn display of hate at Holocaust Museu...
OBAMA : Uri Avnery on Cairo speech
OBAMA : Essence of Cairo speech
OBAMA : Huffington Post
OBAMA : Cairo speech
Harsh Turn against Israel
Muslims in America not for domination
Dumb Republicans

May 2009
Face book; an experiment in pluralistic democracy
Israel and Iran Conflict
That Jew - American Muslims Condemn Bigotry

April 2009
A Giant Leap for Pakistan
Mike Ghouse Honored by RCC
Mike Ghouse Honored
Can US Pressure Israel?

March 2009 (2)

One Nation Under No God?
Muslim Response to Lies about Qur'aan

February 2009 (7)

Obama the Macho Man
Saudi Arabia; A change is in the making
Does Qur'aan incite Violence - II
Is Qur'aan perfect?
Evolutionary Creation - 2009 Evolution Week
Neocon Campaign to Crush Obama
Obama's initiatives & Hurdles

January 2009 (9)

Obama and Ghouse
Friedman on Israel Elections
israel-palestine-dialogue
Cambridge defies Gaza Assaults
Hope for Peace in ME
PR - II Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genoc...
HR 34 : Are we pleasing the lobbyists or the peopl...
Obamamobile - Cadillac One
Saving life, Saving Gaza

December 2008 (9)

Happy New Year : New way to look at it.
They are neither Jews nor Muslims but evil men
Gaza Solutions
Mr. Bush, let the time run out
The Essence of Eid-al-Adha - A Muslim Festival on ...
Scream Bloody Murder, reflections on Holocaust and...
Pakistan to pay a heavy price
December 2008 Festivals
Honoring Rabbi Gavriel & Mrs. Holtzberg

November (20)

Celebration of the life of America’s Imam
Peace Prayers - Terrorism attacks on Mumbai
Essence of thanksgiving
Obama Foreign Policy who's who
Articles on Republicans
Obama Articles by Mike Ghouse
Muslims Beware, Kaaba and wikipedia blunder
Obama you should not have teased that dog.
What is home made?
Is there a future for Multiculturism?
Arab News : An Open letter to Obama
Obama's Fascinating Interview on Faith
Election Humor, enjoy it.
The Monster Among us
Republicans, a ship of fools
Suspected Fascists in Obama Administration
Rebuilding our nation; end of an era of extremism
President Obama choked me with tears
A-Z Singers of America
50 State Flowers

October 2008 (7)

Happy Diwali - the festival of lights
Saving the Republican Party
Joel Osteen; A life changing Message
Terrorist Barack Hussein Obama
Columbus day-Overseas trade-religion-spices-greed
Republicans, please put America first
Should Obama attack McCain?

September 2008 (9)

Ramadan - Rosh Hashanah - Navaratri
Hindu fundamentalists are under attack
Searching for Love, the internet way
Indian National Anthem as the best song
If the world were to vote in US elections
Déjà Vu in Dallas - Neocon folly again
The Spirit, rituals and politics of Ramadan
Women Who Soar - MaryAnn Thompson-Frenk
Republican Obession with Terrorism

August 2008 (7)

Are you still a Republican?
Peace is the result of Justice
Michelle Obama speaks to the Nation
Obama Religious Advisor
All Articles list
China wrestles with opposing identities
Carrollton Immigration issues


July 2008 (5)

Life is a poem of love
Would McCain start WWIV
Divisive words - Pro Israel or Palestine
Americans are religiously tolerant
Religion and One God

June 2008 (1)

Celebration of the Spirit of Volunteerism.

May 2008 (5)

A profile of Najma Ghouse
God's Grace for Najma Ghouse
Diplomacy: Home v. Abroad
Clinton stoking anti-semitism
The road not taken

April 2008 (20)

Carter Peace initiatives
Praying Passenger Removed
American Muslims & the Pope
Illusions of an Islamic State
Book on Hinduism for Kids
The irony of intolerance
Pope Benedict Visits America
Ten Commandments monument
God's Sake - Khuda Ke Liye
Church and the State
Protesting Pope's Visit
Tibet - Uri Avnery
Moyers: Ridenhour Prize
ANTI-ISLAM VIDEO
Everywhich way Jesus
Freedom to be vulgur?
Police Video on Diversity
Radio Salaam Namaste
Mike Ghouse in Asian Texans
The Person of Jesus


March 2008 (16)

John McCain
Pope Benedict
Fitna, Wilders & Quraan
Honoring Cesar Chavez
Democracy a natural state?
Israel & India: New Allies
Bush world is round
Women in Hijab
Bloodbath in Jerusalem
ABC News expose' on Bigotry
Terrorism is anti-Islamic
Gender Equality Now
Yes we can, Peace in Gaza
Prayers in Carrollton
Petition for Fawza Falih
Islam and competing in good


February 2008 (17)

Obama : The shepherd
Obama - The Power of Words
Muslim envoy to OIC
Obama - Safety issues
End to the Siege of Gaza
Nationalism, American Style
Open-Armed Policy Cuba
Obama rally in Carrollton
Progress in Pakistan.
Pakistan - time for action
Democrats' Choice: Obama
Obama preaching hope
Executing Terrorists
Texas : Adopting Shariah
Will John McCain Apologize?
Gandhi and the Jews
Politics divides religions


January 2008 (7)

Reflections on Holocaust
Muslim response to Wilders
Bush-Lite McCain
Bush's Middle East Hopes
Bush Middle East tour
Did Senator McCain Betray?
America Bragging

2007 Below:

December (7)

Happiness for Sale
Republican or Democratic?
Reform or Understand Islam?
Barking Neocons & Iran
Bush Rove Cheney Troika
Fix the President now
Our Moral standing

November (6)

What is Thanksgiving?
Peace: Israel-Palestine I
Foundationless Castles
Pakistan : Breaking the cycle
Impeach VP Cheney?
VP Cheney to be impeached?

October (6)

America, we are proud of you
Say no to intolerance
Understanding Islam
Mahatma Gandhi Today
Ahmedinejad V Bollinger
The Indian Lobby's Future

September (6)

9/11 is over – NY Times
Nostalgia : The Old Phone
Israel Lobby & democracy
Festivals of September
Does God have a religion?
Unity Day USA A 9/11 Event

August (6)

Karma & the Israel Lobby
Sikhs and Homeland Security
God's Warriors - You Tube
Congressman Tom Tancredo
Indian Muslims Visiting Israel
Muslims demand an apology

July (15)

Good for nothing majority
Unityday USA - 911
A Woman President for India
Understanding Judaism
I could kill George Bush
Resolving Kashmir dispute
HH Aga Khan & 50 Years
Betty Williams and the Truth
Hindu Prayers open US Senate
Muslims Condemn London Plot
Eboo Patel on Pluralism
Burqa to no Burqa
Emerson, Pipes and Peace
Dallas: Holyland Dialogue
Happy 4th from USA today

June (18)

The Extremists amongst us
Shimon Peres and Arab News
Indian oversight, let's fix it.
Cumbered American Media
American Media is not Free
The American Dilemma
Jewish News: Suicide attacks
Occupation, not Islam, ‘drives suicide attacks’ By...
Congressional hypocricy.
Rabbi's on Israeli occupation
Israeli - Palestinian conflict
Al-Qaida threats against India
Beyond Bush - Fareed Zakaria
The Myth of the Free Press
Is Freedom of Press a myth?
Republicans are waking up
Journalistic Conduct
Gas fraud in Dallas/ FW

May (25)

Wake up call to Muslims
Yoga, the refresh button.
Patriotism - Ron Paul
Ron Paul for President 2008
Dangers of Global domination
Islam, Sword & Propaganda
Republicans are screwed
Farewell to Falwell.
Romney - the right instincts
John McCain - Need answers!
Jerusalem for Capital?
Imperialism in 1857 & 2007
Farmers Branch, anti-Federal
Dallas Elections - 2007
Mickey Mouse & Hamas TV
Dallas Mayoral Candidate 08
Brutalized Hindu Brides
Laser Barking at Terrorists
Dallas Demographic Data
A Reason for Hope - Raskin
News for May 7, 2007
Balanced writings on Prophet
Dying for religion or Politics?
Prayers for our President.
Is there one Islam?

April (28)

Rudy Giuliani
Workshop on Hinduism
Mr. Bush, please resign
Moderate Muslims
Mapping Sharia in America
Extinguishing Hoaxes
Yom Milaad Celebrations
Yom HaShoah - Remembrance
Cho Seung-Hui - VT Massacre
Richardson Candidates Forum
Yom HaShoah & Yom Milaad
Virginia Tech Massacre
Symposium - One Islam?
Imus Spark put out.
American Cricket
Cricket - Billion dollar Sports
Sikh Veteran Assualted
Religion Aside
Supporting Senator Shapiro
Understanding Religion
Creativity in Education
Abuse of Indian children
Moderates stepping up
Trouble with Islam-Challenged
Regime Change: USA
Clash of Trivilizations
Went Blank
Bush, Blair & Ahmedinejad trial

March (29)

Farmers Branch goes nuts
Jewish community honored
CAIR, Muslims & AIFD
Obama : Faith & Politics
Obama: Next President?
Obama: the right choice
CAIR - No Law suit please
Fatwa Condemned - Taslima
Wife Beating: Jamil/Ghouse
Woman re-interprets Qur’aan
Facts don't matter
Question of Jewish Survival
Martin Luther King Honored
Israel, Palestine and Bush
Bush responsible for deaths?
Gov. Perry’s insensitivity
Republicans paid a price
Minnesota Taxi Passengers
Holocaust Remembrance 2007
Laser Barking - Blind barking
Blind War on Terror
Krauthammer - the sycophant
Why they Deny Holocaust?
Quotes
Prayer in the City Hall
Muslim support for terror
Dealing with the Extremists
A community is a bus
Test

China wrestles with opposing identities

http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2008/08/china-wrestles-with-opposing-identities.html

China's wrestling with her identity is well put together by Georgie Ann Geyer. Neither the people of China nor its government has experienced democracy for them to struggle with the issue. All they have been doing is crushing the dissidents when they rise up, to them it is law and order and not freedom and conscience.

However, since the world has embraced China and she is interdependent on her success on the economic front, she may yield and understand the importance of human rights and allow the Falun Gong to make the point peacefully in Tiananmen Square. After all, you cannot wish away a problem or remove it by annihilating the people. The will of free people will always linger and sustain.

Saudi Arabia has taken the step in the right direction and I believe China has all the incentives to become a good nation to respect and honor her people and their wishes. It is the power of interdependency we can learn from.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He is the founding president of World Muslim Congress with a simple theme: Good for Muslims and good for the world. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website http://www.mikeghouse.net/. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com
# # #


12:00 AM CDT on Monday, August 4, 2008
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-geyer_04edi.ART.State.Edition1.4d66e14.html

Georgie Anne Geyer is a syndicated columnist. Readers may reach her through amcdermott@amuniversal .com.

As we face the opening of the Beijing Olympics next week and speculate about what this intensely historic event could mean to mankind, two questions come to mind.Will it be a Games that will resemble the super-nationalistic Berlin Olympics of 1936, when we saw Hitler play on every theme of racial weakness, hatred of others and the triumph of the German people over all others? Or will it have more in common with the friendly, expansive Seoul Olympics of 1988?

In Berlin in 1936, the gathering darkness of Nazi Germany was on display, even though 18 African-American athletes won 14 medals, and Jesse Owens became such a star on the great world stage that Adolf Hitler angrily walked out of the proceedings. The coming Holocaust was in the air.

In Seoul, the Games confirmed the long-struggling but now budding South Korean society as one of the promising young countries in the ranks of the developing Third World. The nation had just written a new constitution; it was bringing in investment, and had opened up the country to the world. Modern prosperity was on the horizon.

There were no longer any turbulent waters in South Korea for its radical complainants to swim in, and so they just simply disappeared. Within a few years, Seoul had recognized China, and all of Asia had changed.

Chinese specialists tell me that China can be seen as torn between the examples of Berlin and Seoul. The Chinese already are cracking down, with massive arrests against Tibetan demonstrations, the recent executions of Uighur dissidents, the literal walling over of any small restaurants or shops that had the bad luck to be in the way of the Olympics, and the expected monitoring of all electronic communications.

Yet, the Chinese want to be seen as saying to the world, we want to open up. Can't you see our gorgeous new buildings, all for the Olympics? Can't you see how we've tried to clean up the streets, not to speak of the air that chokes all?

In fact, no matter what the host country does, the Olympic Games, with their tests not only of athletic prowess but also of virtue, remain the most revealing test of a nation's spirit and sinew.

The displays simply cannot be only controlled expressions of national greatness, for there are too many variables; the truth will reveal itself, regardless. The Chinese already have tens of thousands of police, paramilitary troops and soldiers alerted to protect the Olympic facilities, major buildings and public spaces. And if there are any "surprises," as with, say, members of Falun Gong suddenly appearing in Tiananmen Square, China will simply not be able to control itself – then watch for echoes of 1936.

The government has been accused by prominent international groups of failing to meet promises made on human rights and the environment when it gained the Games for 2008. Amnesty International experts have accused Beijing of "sweeping up human rights activists out of sight." Freedom House states that "Chinese journalists face greater repressions today than in 2001, when the Games were awarded to them."

This China remains fraught with memories of three centuries of colonialism. Orville Schell wrote in the Olympics issue of Newsweek magazine: "China had finally allowed itself to imagine that its national identity might metamorphose from victim to victor, thanks to the alchemy of the Olympic Games. In one grand symbolic stroke, a successful Games was meant to cleanse China's messy historical slate, overthrow its legacy of victimization and allow the country to spring forth on the world stage reborn." And that would be shades of 1988.

It's going to be an interesting Olympics, which will at the very least equal the dramas of 1936 and 1988. Whatever happens, we will see a great country and a remarkable, if traumatized, people revealing themselves before the entire world – at best, expurgating and clarifying their history; at worst, building upon it.

Let the Games begin.

Georgie Anne Geyer is a syndicated columnist. Readers may reach her through amcdermott@amuniversal .com.

Carrollton Immigration issues

The following letter was published in Dallas Morning News with a few edits -

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-letters_0725edi.North.Edition1.12605da.html

As a Carrolltonian, I ask the Mayor and the City Council to stop wasting their time on matters that are not going to make one bit of a difference to any Citizen of Carrollton. Not a penny's worth of benefit will accrue to any.

English is the language we conduct our court and general business. To make it official is redundant. People will continue to speak German, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, French, Japanese or British in their homes. Perhaps our first Lady Bush speaks Spanish with her family, stop her!

I hope Mayor Branson did not say this "that if a resolution kept one illegal immigrant out of Carrollton, "it would be worth it." Let the Mayor earn the political support by doing good things and not pandering to those prejudiced ones, those few handful, less than 1/10th of 1% (110) of our population of 110,000 people who would like to get rid of any one who does not look like them, talk like them.

It is time the Carrolltonians ask the City Council to focus on doing things that benefit the City or the public in general.

Feel free to write your comments below;

Mike Ghouse
http://www.carrolltondiary.com/
http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/

Carrollton City Council to appoint panel on illegal immigration
12:59 AM CDT on Saturday, July 19, 2008

By BRANDON FORMBY /
The Dallas Morning News

bformby@dallasnews.com

The Carrollton City Council is expected to appoint a residents' task force to develop possible approaches to illegal immigration.

The idea for such a group came late Friday during a council retreat after council members failed to reach a consensus on proposed illegal immigration resolutions.

Mayor Ron Branson and council member Terry Simons had proposed a resolution affirming English as the city's official language, arguing that it would deter illegal immigrants.
But council members Tim Hayden and Herb Weidinger disagreed.

Mr. Hayden said such a resolution would do little more than generate headlines.
"I'm trying to follow the logic, but I'm getting lost," he said.

Mr. Branson said that if a resolution kept one illegal immigrant out of Carrollton, "it would be worth it."

He has said that one of his top priorities as mayor will be to work to rid the city of illegal immigrants, some of whom he said moved to Carrollton after neighboring Farmers Branch made them unwelcome with its efforts to prevent them from renting property.

Carrollton already participates in the Criminal Alien Program, which has jailers contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers when they think a detainee is in the U.S. illegally. And in April, the city was accepted into a federal program that trains local police to act as immigration officers.

Mr. Branson resigned from the City Council in 2006 for health reasons but unseated the incumbent mayor in May.

Farmers Branch made English the city's official language in 2006. The Oak Point City Council adopted a resolution supporting the use of English as the official language of documents in this small Denton County town last summer.

Council member John Mahalik said he did not want Carrollton to be lumped together with cities such as Farmers Branch that have drawn widespread attention for their approaches to illegal immigration. But he also said he would support a resolution making English Carrollton's official language.

Council member Pat Malone raised the question of whether a resolution would have any significant impact. She also wondered whether it would send a message to residents that the council cares about the problem of illegal immigration.

The council also failed to reach a consensus on a proposed resolution supporting Farmers Branch's approach to illegal immigration, which has included ordinances that have been blocked by or tied up in court.

Council member Matthew Marchant did not voice support or opposition on the resolutions. Council member Larry Williams was not at the retreat Friday.

The council is likely to vote on the structure and membership of the task force in September.

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Labels: Carrollton City, Carrollton Mayor, Carrollton Politics