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4/08/2006
This seal of the state of Arizona is completed entirely in stones and minerals of this state. Taken through the glass showcase at the Arizona state capital (now a museum). The translation of the state motto from Latin is "God Enriches".
I've put this image up for two reasons: first for the great joy of seeing superb artisan work with gems and minerals, and second as an image to announce a new civil rights demonstration that will be held in Phoenix on Monday, April 10.
If God enriches this state, then so do people. The immigration issues have divided people tremendously and are current political hot buttons. However, this statehood and the results of American "Manifest Destiny" are still the political determinations of only a small segment of time. We Americans took this land and wrested control from the ancient inhabitants. There would be no state if there had not been riches, particularly in minerals like copper and gold, and now in minerals important to manufacturing, industry, and even modern chemistry and physics. Nuclear power would not be possible without the rare elements found in Arizona.
The exploration and early development of Arizona was borne out by the labor of Native Americans, Mexicans, and even the Spanish colonists. Now Americans as governmental power current, want to wall off this state from the border with Mexico to prevent illegal immigrants from the crossing. Early American ranchers and settlers celebrated the "open range" necessary to maintain large herds of cattle. Still there are many such areas of the state that have no fencing. But what a change for those who now champion a new GREAT WALL. Over 1,000 miles of wall, to be constructed of double concrete walls divided by miles between the parallel walls. All this because the control and power is far more important than people. The very people who built this state and continue to support all activities of this diverse population!
Immigration reform is necessary and vital, but not for the reasons often touted by politicians in America (some hotbutton topics such as amnesty for illegal immigrants now present, making illegal residence a felony, capture and deportation, reducing tax dollars spent for illegal residents, etc.) The reality is that people live in fear, both sides of the immigration debate. Those who fear and want to wall off the state and the country at large are motivated often by isolationism and so-called "Patriotism" and so-called "Homeland Security". Those that would be expelled or walled off fear for their very lives. Over and over I see that MONEY is the real issue, with "fear of OTHER" as the secondary issue.
The immigration controversy reflects reality: this is here and now. Immigrants past and present and even future represent necessary support for this state to survive. This is a major civil rights issue! Competing views of immigration debates cannot turn back the clock and would do well to consider this state's own motto carefully. If "God Enriches", then...
BJ 4/08/2006 09:30:00 AM
