http://aaldef.org/blog/undocumented-to-get-bushwhacked.html.
Fans of the old Asian Week column I did, will want to check out this site regularly for more of my writing.
This column is on an old George Bush idea that Homeland Security just won’t let go.
Bill Maher on his “Real Time” show was making a good point. In his end of show rant, Maher was talking about how George W. Bush was a war criminal.
And to back it up he referred to the 2004 Army investigation on Abu Ghraib led by Major General Anthony Taguba.
Only Maher said his name, “Tugaboo.”
Maybe he thought it made for a funnier punch-line?
Not funny. Honest mistake or not.
Maher should figure there’d be a lot of American Filipinos watching the cable channel these days with the reality series on Manny Pacquiao currently running and plugging the fight this weekend.
Pacquiao is one of the few Filipinos who ever merits a mention on mainstream TV. Sunday was a coup for Pacquiao with a huge piece on “60 Minutes.”
But do you think people would be upset if Maher pronounced Manny’s surname “Pac-kwee-ay-oh.” (Maybe to rhyme with the Harry Belafonte song)?
Taguba is another one of the community’s big names. The general took on one of the biggest scandals in the Iraq war with honesty and courage. And for that he was forced into early retirement.
I’ve met Taguba, a smart and honest man. And I know he wouldn’t press this. But to have his name brought up to make a point, only to be then be mispronounced and butchered so badly is sad.
Taguba should be more of a hero to all the U.S., and not just to American Filipinos.
And they should not only remember his name but pronounce it correctly.
Taguba.
An American Filipino name.
When I played baseball (semi-pee wee), I thanked God every time the ball was hit to someone else. Like my buddy Arnold Shaver.
So I know how difficult it is to spear a line drive and to pick up a short hop grounder.
At the professional level you just expect things to happen. But last night they didn’t.
Balls took funny hops and caromed off bodies like Aubrey Huff’s.
Bases suddenly disappeared as when Pablo Sandoval turned to tag the bag and stepped on …dirt.
Bunts that are foul played fair. (So much for the much ballyhooed Philly offense).
It was just a disastrous third inning for the Giants. Tim Lincecum had just pitched to six batters in the first two innings and had struck out 2. I admit to getting ahead of myself. I was beginning to think of a night of wild revelry.
And then things fell apart.
Despite that one ining, it was just a one-run deficit for much of the game and the Giants had their chances to score. But this is championship baseball. You’ve got to be picture perfect. And on this night, not even photoshop could help.
The same things on defense happened on offense.
Hard hit balls that had found grass in previous games, were gloved. .
Runners who beat out throws, got tagged.
Batters that got wood when we needed, didn’t.
That’s baseball.
Next stop Philly. Avoid the overrated, hyper-fatty Cheesesteaks. (It’s healthier just to get a box of crackers and a can of CheezWhiz . Your very own can). The game is on Saturday. Two shots to win it, two arms (Sanchez and Cain) to do it.
Do you still believe?
As far as Juan Williams, Fox and NPR, I don’t believe.
What’s with the Senate’s inaction to move on the Dream Act?
Vindicative, close-minded conservatives have blocked a provision that would allow industrious undocumented students a chance to prove their worth in American society.
With the Dream Act, a high school student could have been given a pathway to citizenship with the right to attend college or join the military.
Instead, a Senate, lacking vision, has snuffed out those dreams, and killed the measure.
These are the immigrants we want in America. They are innocent children whose families came here looking for opportunity.
When you say no to these young people, you only expose the cruel illogic of anti-immigration advocates.
