A new Arizona state law that allows local police to stop and question anyone suspected of being undocumented is shameful. The action points to the need for a clear and fair U.S. immigration policy, rather than an action that further inflames the situation.
Despite denials by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, the new law clearly sanctions racial profiling. Likewise, if other states follow a similar path, this will be a big setback to those efforts seeking a real solution. The longer it takes President Barack Obama to get a new immigration policy in place; it only gives other states an opportunity to act independently. Arizona now faces an onslaught of criticism and boycott threats from the business sector, city governments, and prospective tourists. In fact, it has been suggested that the San Francisco Giants sever future spring training activities in the state. May Arizonians who disagree with the new law can publicly scoff at the prospects of intensified racial profiling by donning serapes and sombreros. Well, here goes my vacation plans in Arizona!
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Remember our story on Lou Dematteis and his photojournalism book entitled Crude Reflections regarding oil drilling and its devastating impact on Ecuador’s rainforest? Well, the book also sparked a companion documentary about the $27 million lawsuit filed against Chevron in Ecuador. Now the gas giant is not happy and it is seeking unused film footage to help discredit it. The company has asked a New York federal judge to order filmmaker Joe Berlinger to give up more than 600 hours of footage. The film attempted to show that from 1964-1992 Texaco poisoned parts of the rainforest soil and water while drilling for oil. In 2001 Chevron bought Texaco. Berlinger is fighting the request on the grounds that he has the same right s as journalists not to disclose their sources or turn over their notes to anyone. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. No doubt, it could have a devastating impact on documentary filmmakers.
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Speaking of the rich and powerful…newly released data from the Internal Revenue Service shows that the super-rich in this country now average $345 million in annual income. This is a whopping increase from the $50 million average in 1995. The IRS data also shows that while their annual income skyrocketed, their tax rate dropped from 30 percent to 16.6 percent. Increasing tax breaks for the wealthy also helped. Clearly the data shows the growing disparity between the super-rich and the rest of us. With a larger tax burden, the 400 wealthiest people could easily take the country out of its recession. Interesting!
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Lastly, just a reminder that in August El Tecolote celebrates its 40th anniversary. So, contribute to our “40 for 40” campaign — $40 for 40 years of publishing. We want to raise $40,000 by the end of the year to support technology upgrades and training programs for youth. This is the time you can really help the newspaper—and we truly need your help. You can mail your donation to 2958-24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110.