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Hector Lopez is a perfect example of someone schooled in America, who is culturally American. It must feel very strange to be sent to what is essentially a foreign country where you can barely speak the language. America is a meritocracy, so much so equal opportunity is the law. Not everyone takes advantage of this, but we teach the children if you study hard, work hard, you will succeed. In WE ARE AMERICANS, a recent book on this issue, the point is made through documenting the efforts of 20 undocumented students, that it's like slamming into a brick wall for kids who believe in this American dream. It also documents the monetary contribution through taxes that these families make. It outstrips anything they receive in government services. Because our governor took it upon himself in helping his favored unions requires that people provide a passport or equivalent to get a driver's license, we have thousands of people on the road who have no idea of what traffic rules are. So for these kids who are trying to succeed, they have to take the bus to their jobs and to their community college (which they have to pay for). Even though they've  lived here all their lives, they have to pay non-resident tuition, making it more difficult. There are 15 to 30 million people in this country undocumented. I would love to see a national day of boycott by all Latinos, stay home from work, and for all who believe a solution providing a path to permanent residency and citizenship is needed now. 

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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I have to work so can't really participate. However just finished a book by Dr. Temple Grandin entitled Animals in Translation. She is autistic herself. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

Near the end of her book she discusses Animal Genius...not simply the fact that animals can be trained to take certain actions on command, and not simply the ability to sense when someone will have a seizure 30 minutes in advance, but the intelligence to take action on their own...bark at owner, take person by a sleeve to a safe place, notifying the person they are about to have a seizure before the person realizes it.

Fascinating.

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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