24 MAR 06: SIN LATINOS
Uh oh - before we start, please don't misunderstand our title. We are NOT encouraging Hispanic people in Columbus to sin. In fact, we haven't noticed any steamy nightclubs on Victory Drive with Spanish names....
Our title translates literally from Spanish into "Without Latins" -- and that scenario may occur across Georgia today. Hispanic groups are calling for a one-day economic boycott by Hispanic residents, with no working or shopping. And unlike some Columbus civil rights protests, this one hasn't been cancelled yet.
The Coordinating Committee of Community Leaders actually denies today's event is a boycott -- but a "signal of Hispanic impact." But if you're avoiding work and not buying items, what else would you call it but... well, hold it. High school seniors would call it "skip day."
The official name for this one-day Hispanic, uh, day off is a "Day of Dignity." Well, why limit this to one ethnic community? I say we should show dignity to all poultry plant workers - and give them a break by eating hamburgers at least twice a week.
The Day of Dignity was called shortly before Thursday's vote by the Georgia House for a major immigration reform bill. Some Hispanic residents apparently fear the bill will leave them locked up or deported. There ARE times when lawmakers should prepare copies of bills in Spanish.
The bill approved by the Georgia House actually is aimed at illegal immigrants. If you can't prove you're in Georgia legally, you'd be denied some state services. So who knows how many Phenix City commuters will join in this day off, too....
The House bill also imposes a five-percent surcharge when illegal immigrants make wire transfers. Large numbers of immigrants use Western Union to send money to relatives back home in Latin America. But the company can't change its name to "Southern Union," because Opelika already claimed that.
Supporters of the Georgia House immigration bill say it will save the state money, as only residents who legally have state services coming will get them. But remember, this can be a two-way street. Mexican food stores might ask you to show a U.S. passport before ringing up your items.
Opponents of the immigration bill are taking unusual approaches to make their point. The Atlanta bilingual paper "Mundo Hispanico" printed a map, showing all the Spanish-owned businesses near the home of the bill's main sponsor. And who knows how many families with Mafia connections run Italian restaurants....
The timing of this Day of Dignity is ironic, because the Census Bureau noted this week Hispanic-owned businesses are opening much faster than the overall total. Will they all shut down today - leaving the Oakland Park Shopping Center parking lot practically empty?
The Oakland Park Shopping Center has one of the pioneer Hispanic businesses in Columbus. Millie's Marker just marked ten years since its opening. I've met owner Harold Encarnacion, and he says he works there seven days a week -- so the Day of Dignity might be the first holiday he's had since Xmas.
(Harold and Millie aren't really immigrants to the U.S. Their heritage is Puerto Rican - and if Puerto Rico is still anything like the place I visited in 1995, it's QUITE American. I've never seen a place with more Ponderosa Steak Houses than San Juan....)
Immigration is an issue in many other state legislatures, besides Georgia. A similar one-day demonstration in Milwaukee Thursday was called a "Day Without Latinos." Or as Ku Klux Klan leaders called it, "Step One."
I realize illegal immigration is a big issue, not only in Georgia but nationwide. But I would ask a question about it - why are so many people from Latin America coming HERE, to the U.S.? Haven't they heard all the "outsourcing" work is going to China and India?
We're heading to Oakland Park today, so we'll let you know how the day off goes there. In the meantime, you might want to play it safe at lunchtime -- and go for the Mexican look-alike food at Taco Bell.
Now other quick bites from the last couple of days....
+ Phenix City police were called to the Piggly Wiggly parking lot on the 280 Bypass, because at least eight dogs were roaming around. One woman speculated they somehow escaped from a veterinary clinic - so the first question officers asked was: "Who let the dogs out? Who? Who?"
+ Former attorney John Swearingen was sentenced to five years in prison (he'll probably only serve two) for selling cocaine. Swearingen's developed such a long criminal record that he might try to become a life coach for Bill Campbell.
+ Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf appeared at the Georgia State Capitol, on behalf of the National Infantry Museum. State lawmakers approved a package of tax breaks for the new museum on South Lumpkin Road. It was either that, or the Third Brigade would get a new invasion assignment....
+ Eastway Elementary School students learned NASA will put their experiment involving popcorn on a future high-altitude balloon flight. Will popcorn still pop, 25 miles up in the atmosphere? Will another NASA balloon have to send up another balloon, with the world's highest-flying microwave oven?
+ Instant Message to the Academic Success Center: Congratulations on your 100th anniversary - but about that 1906 time capsule you opened awhile back. One woman tells me a second time capsule is on an upper floor of the building, from 1976. She wants it opened NOW - else I guess you're guilty of age discrimination.
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