A Land of Law and Order

Yes, we are a land of law and order. To prove this point, ICE raided seven food processing plants in and around Jackson, Mississippi on August 7, 2019.

Immigrants-680 individuals-were arrested during the raids. According to the U.S. Attorney General for Southern Mississippi, these raids were conducted to execute federal criminal search warrants and a number of search warrants for people in the country illegally. Brian Cox, spokesperson for ICE said approximately 300 of those arrested were released by Thursday, after being scheduled for hearings before federal immigration courts. There is no word yet on the other 380 people. One might reasonably conclude the ones not yet released were the targets of the federal criminal search warrants.

Arguably, one might agree those that have committed a crime serious enough to have federal criminal search warrants issued for them should be arrested, tried, and if found guilty, punished. That is the way a land of law and order should work, indeed, that is part of what our taxes pay for.

There is something I find disturbing about these raids, however, and it is also based on law and order. Mississippi requires all employers to use E-Verify, the federal system of proving a potential employee is legally able to work in this country.

All of the plants raided are privately owned. Four of the companies affected (Koch Foods, Peco Foods, PH Foods, and Pearl River Foods) all issued statements saying in part, they comply with the E-Verify system. MP Food, the fifth company targeted by the raids, has not yet issued a statement.

Which brings me to my concern: is the E-Verify system so easy to circumnavigate that 680 people were able to avoid detection, or are the companies lying about using E-Verify? Given that both Koch and Peco have been cited and/or fined by the US Department of Agriculture, EEOC and OSHA, I think the greater possibility is that management of these companies has failed to actually use E-Verify correctly.

There is no real bite in E-Verify, at least for the employer. There may be fines assessed, but no one goes to jail for hiring illegal workers. Pay the fine, move on. But if the owner of Koch Foods, Joseph Grendys (net worth $3.3 Billion, according to Forbes) were to go to jail as well as being fined a substantial amount of money, I think his company would be much more diligent in the hiring process. (Please bear in mind, I am only using him as an example. I do not know for a fact that he is aware of any improper hiring practices in his company.)

It has been my long-held belief that most of the "illegal immigrants" in this country came here to work, make money, and raise their families. If there are no jobs for them, they will not come illegally, at least in my opinion. If the penalties for hiring illegal workers were stiff enough, and enforced, then illegal immigrants would not be able to find work, and therefore would have much less incentive to come here.

Now imagine if this were applied across the entire American economy. Perhaps we would be one step closer to being a land of law and order for all.

I hope I've given you something to think about, and thanks for reading.

You comments, as always, are welcome.

R.M. "Bob" Hartman 

Ten Hot Summer Days

Ten hot summer days. In that space of time, 34 people were killed in mass shootings, and another 63 were injured. The alleged (?) shooters were white males, between the ages of 19 and 24. Two of the shooters are dead, the third is in jail. Although different guns were used, they all were high-capacity "assault rifles," and all were purchased "legally;" however, there is some evidence they may have been illegally transported across state lines. We may never know if the three gunmen knew each other, though some evidence suggests the killer in the El Paso murders may have been influenced by the Dayton shooting. Certainly, we will never positively know what factors drove the Dayton and Gilroy shooters to commit their crimes, as they are dead; but we may gain some insight into the thought patterns of the El Paso killer; he is still alive.

None of the above facts will bring back the 34 victims of these killers, nor will they erase the images captured in the minds of those wounded or who witnessed the shootings. And none of the above facts will do anything to stop the carnage that seems to be overwhelming our country.

There are things that can be done to reduce the risk of these types of mass murders re-occurring, and while they are small steps, they may be a beginning to some solutions. I'd like to express my thoughts on some of those ideas. You may say, after reading this, these ideas won't work, and I agree they will not solve all the problem. But, what we have been doing so far certainly hasn't worked very well, has it? It's time for some critical thinking.

The first, and perhaps the easiest one to implement, is to require national registration at the time of purchase or transfer of any and all firearms. This includes sales at gun shows, pawn shops, and sales by private individuals, including collectors. Believe it or not, only six states and the District of Columbia currently require firearm registration; and not all firearm types need to be registered, even in those states. Currently, seven states completely prohibit the registration of firearms. The other 37 states neither require or prohibit registration. This legislation should also include an insurance clause; that is, you must be able to prove liability insurance for the firearm. The legal age to purchase any firearm should be the same in all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. This does not mean that young Sally and Johnny cannot learn how to handle a firearm, or hunt; it just means they cannot purchase or own a gun.

I said this idea would be easy to implement, but the "Firearms Owners' Protection Act" of 1986 prohibits a national registry. So, this portion of the Reagan-era law would have to be overturned.

Some say this is the first step toward confiscation of privately owned firearms. Get real, people. You are required to register and insure your vehicles, which are also capable of killing and wounding people. It's not that different after all.

The three shootings under discussion meet the federal description of domestic terrorism, to wit: they are a)"dangerous to human life"; b) intended to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population;" or c) influence government by "intimidation or coercion" or "mass destruction, assassination or kidnapping." While federal law defines domestic terrorism, it does not make it a federal crime to commit acts of domestic terrorism. Wait a minute, we have a law defining acts of domestic terrorism, but no federal penalty for committing such acts? Yep, you got it. The FBI can become involved to assist state agencies, but the individuals responsible for these acts can only be prosecuted under state laws. Why does this matter? First, the FBI does not have to get involved in cases of this type, although I understand they are involved in these three. Second, the FBI can look beyond state borders at the relationship these types of criminals may have with other like-minded individuals, and bring charges where appropriate. Third, if domestic terrorism is a crime under federal law, stiffer penalties are a distinct possibility.

The second thought I propose then, is to pass a law making domestic terrorism a federal crime. Congress, can you stop pointing fingers at each other long enough to get this done?

Third, and this thought strikes very close to home for all of us: every person in America should demand of our elected officials that they do not denigrate populations of social backgrounds, wealth, country of origin, race, or sex as a whole. That is to say: Our President, and other elected officials, should never say or imply that all people from Pluto are murderers, rapists, or thieves; or that those with green skin are low-lifes, losers, or pathetic. This type of speech is antithetical to American ideals.

Besides, speech of this nature makes simple-minded people self-righteous, and then they do bad things. Very bad things, which can affect all of us in ways we cannot fathom.

Thank you for reading; as always, your comments are welcome.

R.M. "Bob" Hartman

Data on firearm registration taken from https://ballotpedia.org/Firearm_registration_requirements_by_state

Retrieved August 6, 2019; it is "as of Jan 1, 2019"

USA PATRIOT ACT, 2001

A Wish List

The Democrats had a two-evening debate last week. I didn't watch it (work conflicts), but I did read reports from and about it. Frankly, I didn't learn much.

What I want,and what I believe most Americans want from the Democratic Party, is a clear platform of goals for the next administration, and a clear pathway to achieving those goals.

Here's some ideas for your consideration.

Stop wasting time bashing President Trump. It fires up his base, and makes it appear that you have nothing to offer, except to bash him. You need to be better than that, and I think you are.

Our economy, both on Wall Street and main street, is suffering from bad decisions on trade and tariffs; let's go back to the trade table and re-think our economic priorities. Develop programs that reward small businesses and incentivize American manufacturing.

America put a man on the moon in a decade, and we have, in our colleges and Universities, great and wonderful talents and abilities. Create a program putting those talents and abilities to work on providing America with sources of clean, safe, affordable energy to power our country forward.

Stop punishing people who want to escape wars and famine in their home countries, and welcome them to our shores. Clean up the immigration "problem" by putting into action policies that assist immigrants in become productive American citizens. Punish those companies and individuals that exploit undocumented workers.

Education, or the lack of it, creates poverty; and the United States is suffering from a lack of trained, educated tradespeople; and has a surplus of unemployed, or under-employed citizens. Bring back, in volume, trade schools that teach welding, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and other skills. Make them affordable, and show how a tradesman, well skilled, can again become a part of the middle class. These are jobs that cannot be exported to India, China, or elsewhere.

Our public schools are lacking qualified teachers. How about a program that eliminates student debt for teachers that stay in the profession for four years, at the K-12 levels; and continues on by providing a tax break each year they remain teachers?

Eliminate the revolving door on our prisons, in part by closing the for-profit prison system. It has put a burden on law enforcement by demanding a certain percentage of the for-profit cells will be filled, and this in turn contributes to an unjust proportion of non-whites being incarcerated for the crime of being poor.

Renew our standing in the world by working with our allies and reducing the threat of global terrorism, while holding sacred and inviolable our beliefs in human rights, dignity, and the rule of law.

Well, there's a few ideas for you to think about as you campaign this year.

Thank you for reading, and, as always, your comments are welcome.

R.M. "Bob" Hartman

Musing on Washington's Words

As I read the news this morning, which has been my habit for many years, I find myself again disgusted and discouraged by the partisan bickering and petty feuds which have taken over not only Washington, but also the minds and words of my fellow citizens.

There is no lack of serious work to be done by our elected government, which by design is responsible, at least in theory, to the general public. Our infrastructure is crumbling beneath our tires; the integrity of our entire educational system is under attack from political, religious, and social revisionists; corporate greed continues to destroy the middle class; healthcare is an overpriced necessity, and our veterans are dying, forgotten, in the streets. There are many other valid concerns, certainly; I offer these only as examples of common necessity.

On May 25, 1961, President John F Kennedy addressed Congress. . . “First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth. . .” This goal was accomplished on July 20, 1969. Within the halls of Congress there is energy, money, and ability abundant. There is no doubt in the thinking mind that a country which put a man on the moon in eight years, one month and twenty-five days should be able, in short time, to address these and other concerns of the public.

“congress n, 2: the body of senators and representatives constituting a nation’s legislature”

And what is our congress doing? Rather than tackle the hard issues and working together to find solutions that are in the nation’s best interests, they are expending precious time and energy appearing on talk shows, attending fund-raising events for re-election campaigns, and bickering over petty partisan issues. The constant backstabbing, sniping, name-calling, and outright hostility exceeds that which I saw in, and expected from, junior high school students.

These childish traits, when exhibited by members of congress, are indeed nauseating; but when they are encouraged and in part driven by the President of the United States, they become alarming. When this type of juvenile behavior is exemplified by our nation’s leaders, is it not sadly natural that the common citizen participates in the race to the bottom of social discourse?

George Washington, our first and perhaps most revered President, foresaw and warned against this danger, in his Farewell Address to Congress in 1796:

"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. 

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetuated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty." 

Is this, the rule of our beloved country by a despot, the course we are now on? I think, and hope, not.  But it is up to us, to each individual, to examine his own thinking and manner of discourse; and to work toward setting right the manners in Washington. We have but one sacred duty at this time, it is our ability to willingly and continuously parse the truth from the verbiage of hate and division, and promote and vote for the best interest of the country. 

Thank you for reading! As always, your comments are welcome. 

R M "Bob" Hartman

John F Kennedy, Special Message to Congress on Urgent National Needs, May 25, 1961; retrieved from https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Special_Message_to_the_Congress_on_Urgent_National_Needs July 22, 2019.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, seventh edition.

Washington’s Farewell Address 1796, printed in Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser, September 19, 1796 retrieved from https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp July 22, 2019

It’s Father’s Day

June 16, 2019; a day that surprisingly, has only been a “holiday” since President Richard M. Nixon signed this day into law in 1972. Wait, it’s been a holiday since Lyndon Baines Johnson declared it a holiday in 1966! Well, no, back further. . . in 1913, a bill was introduced in Congress to recognize Father’s Day but failed to pass to due fears it would become commercialized! (What, congress feared commercialization of a holiday! How things have changed.)

But I digress from the basis of this post. I’m doing my weekend chores, like mowing the lawn, when I hear a loud “GRANDPA!” I turn, and our second grandchild, Sarah, comes around to give me a big hug, and saying, I had a few minutes and wanted to see you. How wonderful that was, how surprising for me, how fulfilling for a grandfather, for a father. When your grandchildren, and your children, remember you, and take the time to say HI! How good it feels.

WOW-her sister (our oldest grandchild) had been here a few hours before, how much better can it get? Much better, actually; our son had posted his thoughts about me on social media a day or two ago, for everyone to see. He succeeded in bringing this father to tears.

I didn’t have the luxury of a father for most of my life, as some of you know. So, I have very limited expectations of expressions for this day, regardless of my efforts.  And, frankly, I’ve not always been the “Ward Cleaver” type of father.

It’s been said, you never know the effect you will have on a child. My son expressed recently on his social media that I was a good example for his son.

 I can only hope I live up to his expectations.

To my fellow fathers, A happy Father’s Day to you, let’s celebrate!   

As always, your comments are welcome!

The Weather

The view from my window this morning, looking over the Wasatch Mountains, was of broken light clouds on high, with some dark, snow-bearing clouds over the Wasatch peaks. Utah, like much of the country, had a wet winter, with snow totals at one of the ski resorts exceeding 700 inches, a new record. The sun was shining through, and I thought perhaps today would be a break from 14 days of rain; however, that was not to be the case, and my grass will have to wait for another day to be mowed.   

It seems that our Capitol is mired in pettiness; with both sides blaming the other for refusing to act like adults. While the country waits for aid to assist with natural disasters, our roads and bridges continue to crumble beneath us, and our allies wonder if we are still their friends; our government battles, not along lines of ideology, but instead on personal picks and grievances. It appears to me, and I think to many Americans, that “our” elected officials and governing body have traded what is good for America for what is good for them, personally. Even today, an infrastructure bill that was bipartisan in design and approval was halted, because one representative, Texas Republican Chip Roy, got upset about what wasn’t in the bill. (Money for the border wall.)

This has become all too typical of Washington today. Bills that should pass, like this one that would help not only our infrastructure, but our job market and the economy in general, are held hostage for the President’s pet project. The value, or not, of the wall was not in question in the legislation, in fact, it was not mentioned in the legislation. So why hold up money for needed work? Would it be so hard for Congress to pass needed legislation and then, in an appropriate manner, discuss the funding of the now-infamous wall? Will this Congress, and this Administration, go down in history as the Congress that couldn’t get anything done for the citizens of this great country?

I had hoped this bill would pass, all seemed in order, and then perhaps Congress could take up other meaningful legislation and begin to move our country forward; but that was not to be the case.

Instead, like my lawn waiting for sunshine, America will have to wait even longer for Washington to clean up it’s act.   

As always, your comments are appreciated!

R.M. "Bob" Hartman

Senator John McCain

This morning, I allowed myself the privilege of watching, and then reading, the wonderful oration of Honorable Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) on October 16th, when he received the well-deserved Liberty Medal Award at the National Constitution Center. I listened to, watched, and read the entire speech, not just the sound bites presented by the media.  

In doing so, I was transported back in time; back to the days of statesmen and honorable leaders, who frequently used opportunities like these to build on America’s successes and yes, to outline concerns they felt obligated to bring to the discussion.

To the talking heads and political pundits, this speech consisted of a bashing of the current administration. Perhaps they should listen to (or read, if they have the intelligence required) the entire speech. By my count, there are 17 paragraphs in this speech, and only one was a comment on his perception of the current administration.

Instead, Senator McCain used this time to speak about America’s greatness, its rightful place on the world stage, and on the ideals that have shaped our great country.

He spoke, with emotion at times not well suppressed, about service to our country-not only his, but the service of countless men and women who have fought, on the battlefield and in politics, to build America, to display the best that we have, and the better place we all hope for.  

I’d like to ask your indulgence, as I quote a paragraph from his oration:

“What a privilege it is to serve this big, boisterous, brawling, intemperate, striving, daring, beautiful, bountiful, brave, magnificent country. With all our flaws, all our mistakes, with all the frailties of human nature as much on display as our virtues, with all the rancor and anger of our politics, we are blessed.”

Senator McCain pointed out something I believe every American needs to admit. We, as a nation, are not perfect; we have made mistakes in the past. Doubtless, we will make mistakes in the future.  He enumerated some of the incredible characteristics that have served our country very well, traits that have long defined America as a leader on the world stage. The Senator pointed out that America has, historically, been the benchmark of freedom and democracy, as well as the driving force and defender of those ideals around the world.

No, America is not perfect, and yes, today we face a morass of problems, domestically and internationally. I do believe that statesmen, such as Senator John McCain, will find solutions to our problems and lead America again to firmer ground.

Thank you, Senator McCain, for a wonderful speech, and for your service to our country.

R. M. “Bob” Hartman

Your opinions and comments are welcome, as always.

Here is a link to the Senator’s speech: 

https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/10/remarks-by-senator-john-mccain-at-2017-liberty-medal-ceremony   retrieved October 19, 2017