Received Wednesday, February 27, 2008-Rant
Caution-video is highly disturbing-I could not watch it myself.-JD
Video and rant submitted by: Nanny in The Know, who found the story on Greta Van Susteren.
What type of background checking did the parents do before they hired her? I guess we are all going to assume she is illegal, because she does not speak English?If so, she does not have an SS- how can you do a background check?If something happened to the child- would she call 911- or be afraid to call, because she maybe found to be illegal?
I know this type of story gets parents out running to buy nanny cams…
Nanny Cams have their place, and do catch negligent/abusive childcare givers out there, but it is ALWAYS -AFTER the abuse has occurred. NOTHING can replace careful and thorough screening by the parents before hiring a nanny.
The most essential thing a parent can do to keep their children safe is to do extensive interviewing, background checking, and reference checking to find a nanny they are comfortable with. Making sure the nanny has the proper training, CPR, 1st Aid, etc. is also key.
I personally would not leave a child under the age of 4 with any caregiver who does not have at least 2-3 years full-time nanny experience and a stellar background. I am not saying that nanny cams are a bad idea…but they should NOT be and CANNOT be a parent’s first line of defense.
It’s a parents responsibility to keep their child safe, therefore, they should rely far more on interviewing, reference checking, and background checking to find the best possible nanny for their family. Parents should never leave their child with anyone they have concerns with. Make sure the nanny has the knowledge and background to be a qualified child caregiver.
163 comments:
I don't even know what to say ...
I am so enraged. This little baby hardly even cried after being slapped several times, which leads me to believe this Nanny had been around long enough for him to get used to the abuse.
That's o.k. - someone in Jail will hear about this, and she will receive the true punishment she deserves.
I hope the baby is alright, does anyone even know?
I would would hurt the nanny for what she did to my child how dare her.
I thought the same thing. She hit the baby several times and he just sat there. Baby must be very used to it. And did oyu notice the way she was carrying him into the room? Out in frnt of her like one would carry smelly trash. Did she put it into the trash can or what when she took him out of the high chair? He was plopped into something that left his head tall enough to be seen over the counter.
Why or why would anybody hire somebody like this, who doesn't even speak english, to watch their child? And, isn't it a part of the citizenship requirements to learn English? I thought it was...maybe I'm worng. But she probably is illegal. Why does this matter? Because when you hire somebody like this really cheap, it means they are less likely to be a highly trained and well qualified nanny who is in the business for her love of children, and more likely a desperate person, unable to find legal employment, who will do anything for a buck.
This is disgusting beyond belief. And I have seen enough of these videos by now that it should be no surprise to any parent who hires a likely illegal when this happens. (And before the hate mail starts...look up your facts...the majority of the time, it is an illegal immigrant you see in these videos.)
The video is horrible, but there's no reason to assume that the nanny is illegal. The family may be Spanish-speaking. Probably is, in fact, since the commentator is speaking Spanish.
I agree, most disturbing is that the baby appears to be completely used to being hit, and the hitting is absolutely routine.
I believe this is an older video because I am almost positive I saw it on the news two years ago...I remember that the nanny had been with the family since the child was born so God only knows how much that child went through.
Did you know that a large part of a person's personality is formed by the age of 3? This child looks to be almost halfway there. This is a complete tragedy.
My heart breaks for that little baby :(
That is absolutely disgusting. I could personally track her down and give her the beating she deserves after watching that.
I'm kind of torn about the parents though. Even with the most thorough research, stuff can happen. But at the same time, I don't think anyone in the world can have this kind of evil in them and conceal it for so long. Surely the parents had a gut feeling that something wasn't right, if they were really doing the right things as parents??
I can't lie, I have been incredibly angry with my kids before but never to a point of physically touching them. Kids are kids... sheesh.
Fabulous nanny,
It would be really hard not to give it right back to her, huh?
I don't know what I would do. If I saw it happening, I think I just might kick her behind right on the spot...and hopefully get to claim "heat of the moment." But going after her after the fact is a crime in itself. Hopefully she was/will be prosceuted the way she deserves.
11:57
All I could find out about it was it was posted on the Internet video site YNC.com back in November.
Maybe the person who posted this video knows more?
Mom, the baby was tossed into one of those 'bouncy chairs', I think.
Notice the Nanny put a hot cup of coffee on the babys head and stir it! Unbelievable ....
how completely fkn sick. i'm so sorry i watched that. is she is jail?
I was shocked that Great Vansustern posted it with no follow up. What happend to this baby?
And to you who said a baby's personality is formed by 3- YES!
So I hope this video reminds you all to double check everything when it comes to your nanny. And when you find out or if you realize now what a great nanny you have and how beneficial she has been to your children's life, how about a hug? It doesn't cost anything. A spontaneous hug to say, "thank you for EVERYTHING"
This is horrible just horrible.
That said, as film student this video has been altered and edited to make things look more severe. There is a great deal of editing in this video to make a single strike look like repeated ones. There is also some other funny business going on with the video but it's still gross. That woman should be beaten with a baseball bat.
Closely resembles crazy Eva.
Honestly just because she was speaking in another language on the video doesn't mean she doesn't know English. Wouldn't you speak your native language if you kind of thought you were alone? Maybe a missed something.
And that baby was not half way to age three, luckily. That would be 1.5. My kid is one and a half, and this kid is much much younger than mine. Poor thing.
As I'm sure we all agree, this video is disgusting. It is made even worse by the randomness of the violence that, in my mind, speaks to a truly evil nature.
I must take issue with Mom's comments at 11:26. I think it is very disappointing to hear you refer to someone who is in this country illegally as an "illegal," as if that is their whole identity. It is pejorative and nasty. It's like referring to people who are homosexual as "those gays." To give another example, I'm a doctor and it is emphasized in med school not to refer to a patient by their illness (e.g. - "I'm going to see the brain tumor in room 8."). Instead you refer to the person with respect, by their name, and mention that they HAVE an illness and are NOT defined by this illness ("I'm going to see Mrs. Smith, who has a brain tumor."). I often find Mom's comments to be interesting, but am sad to see this little window into her character. And, no, I do not think it's an innocent slip up.
Mom, you further go on to claim that "the majority of the time, it is an illegal immigrant you see in these videos." You state this like it is an indisputable fact to support your bigotry. Maybe I'm just ill-informed - and am glad to be corrected if that is the case - but where are you getting this data from? Has someone actually complied the statistics on nanny cam videos and proven that the majority of caregivers who are abusive to their charges are in this country illegally? Again, I'm glad to be corrected, but I highly doubt that any good data exists to support this claim.
Before this is used to dismiss my thoughts: no, I do not employ a nanny who is in this country illegally. My nanny is a legal immigrant, legally allowed to work in the U.S. I just think it is awful to see such stereotyping and bigotry towards a group of people. Remember that the women who are working illegally in the U.S. are mothers, daughters, and sisters just like you and I. They are trying to provide for their families and earn enough money to do so. Is illegal immigration a wonderful thing? Of course not and it is certainly an area that needs much improvement. But that does not mean these women and men are evil, lazy, or deserving of your scorn.
4:09 just shut up. I normally do not agree with ANYTHING mom says but yes if that woman who was in the video is here ILLEGALLY meaning she is breaking the law we have every right to call her an illegal. Please do not compare the scum that sneak unto our borders to patients with brain tumors or whatever.
I have shivers up and down my spine!! How could the parents NOT have realized her abusive, monstrous behavior before this happened????? That poor baby!
I hope that nanny goes to jail for a long time for child abuse, and that her children, if she has any, are taken away from her.
I am horrified and shocked!!!
Little peek into mom's "secret" personality?
Nope. No slip up.
I am not happy with the huge problems caused by illegal immigration in our country and I refuse to be bound to some PC term to refer to people who are criminals in our country. Clear enough for you?
As people, I feel for them, as for any human being ansd wish them well. But I also believe in adhering to the law. People apply and are accepted to come to this country and work legally all the time. Try that way.
I said this woman was PROBABLY illegal. And she probably is. There are much better jobs for such a woman, who clearly does not care for children, than babysitting...if she has the papers to get one. The truth is, many, many illegals are forced into the household employee market because people don't tend to check papers there.
Illegals would not come if no one hired them...I don't know why there is so much hatred for illegals but no hatred for the well-off people who hire the undocumented to watch their precious children, just to save a buck. This person on the video is hopefully rotting in jail whatever their immigration status, but I think it's extremely hypocritical to be anti-illegal-immigrant and not anti-HIRING-illegal immigrants. THEY ARE HERE FOR A REASON, BECAUSE GREEDY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER WOULD RATHER PAY AN ILLEGAL UNDER THE TABLE THAN PAY A LIVING WAGE TO A DESERVING AMERICAN WORKER.
Back to the video, though, you really cannot assume the abusive "nanny" was illegal just b/c she is speaking Spanish. I live in San Diego and most nannies here are not illegals, but many are Spanish speakers. Some have been here for generations, and it sucks for them that you would label them as lawbreakers just because of the language they speak and their ethnic appearance!
Guess what?
Australia was originally set up as a debtors prison.
Guess what?
They wouldn't accept a shipload of criminals TODAY so why do we still have to have our hands out for the tired, week, and plain old scummy?
America's most wanted is gradually being more and more populated by border jumping illegals.
UP GOES THE WALL!
4:09
I totally agree with you. Mom your comments are just mean. I think you are more ignorant than you realize. It's not about a pc term and you totally miss the point.
Oh, and where are those facts 4:09 asked for that you mentioned? The ones that are supposed to prove that most of the time it's an illegal immigrant in these videos. Or were you just making that up? and please don't link to some stupid opinion piece or editorial. show me the facts.
90% of what mom wrote at 5:04 are truisms strung together. yeah, we all know illegal immigration is a problem and that the woman in the video shouldn't babysit. I'm sure you have never broken a law in your life, thankfully, because otherwise you would be a criminal too.
I agree that illegal aliens are criminals that shouldn't be here. I will not employ them, or any contractor who employs them. I have fired two landscaping companies over this issue. (Mom--have you looked at your gardners today?). There is no doubt the actions shown in this video are repulsive. But, you should not lump every foreign speaking immigrant into the "illegal" bucket. It is a HARD, long and expensive process to become a US citizen and if you want to see passionate anti-illegal sentiments, speak to those who actually went through it. But don't label people as a criminal because their first language is not English. This woman should be labeled a criminal because of her actions, not because of some anti-hispanic bigotry.
As a first time mother in her 40's I went to great lengths and research to hire a nanny. I hired from the most reputable agency, a US Citiizen, did a background check with agency and Trustline, spoke extensively with previous employer that she worked for, as a nanny, for 10 years. I set up a nursery in my office (I am self employed) which was where this nanny 'cared' for my child. I kept a watchful eye and asked many questions. she seemed like the perfect, loving person. She began caring for my child at 5 weeks in my office. Around 2 months I had her stroll with the baby which over time evolved into visits to the park for a few hours to play and have lunch. This was a park frequented by a large group of nannies so i thought this would be ideal...a group of women she could befriend who would also keep an eye on my baby. I began to notice that my child had issues with eating and did not stay close when I took him to the park. I did my own investigation and began following her. Much to my horror, she was literally 'dumping' him in the playground, leaving him alone, while she had her 2 -3 hour play dates, then force feeding him to the point where he would frequently vomit. Those 2 or 3 hours of his day, he spent alone, unspoken to, untouched and scolded when he did not eat on her command. After witnessing this I approached several other nannies who verified that although she was their friend, this was her routine and that they too feared for his wellbeing and safety. The bottom line is, even if you do all your homework, ask all the correct questions, hire from the most reputable agency, pay high wages, give bonuses, serve lunch, provide holiday pay and vacation, all that I did, does not matter if you end up with a mentally ill person such as the woman in the video. I was, and quite frankly I am still, in such disbeleif, such shock as my husband and I were so very kind, open and giving to this person who abused us, the occupation and most of all, our child right under our noses. I can only pass along sympathy for this child and parents who where obviously duped by this so called care-taker.
To the doctor @ 4:09.
I feel much the same way you do. I have several friends who are here illegally but not by their own choice (they were brought here by parents when they were too young to say no). I worked in immigration law but had to quit because it left me feeling much too helpless in my efforts to help good people be able to live life here.
I'm often saddened by the prejudice harbored by many people I converse with and am even friends with today.
I usually can go either way on Mom's posts, some I love and some not so much. This one, I LOVE! Illegal immigrants are just that- illegal. If they need to make a living that badly, by all means, become a legal US citizen. I, too, would never employ anyone here illegally nor would I employ a company that hired illegals.
OK, moving on. This was absolutely shocking. How could someone even imagine doing that to a helpless baby. I, too, am curious about what she put the baby into after she took him (?) out of the high chair. I would watch it again, but I'm not sure I could stomach it; I barely made it through the first time.
This "nanny" (hear the sarcasm) needs to be beaten. Then shot. I'm typically not a fan of corporal punishment, but if the boot fits...
This video makes me sick, especially since he doesn't fuss the 1st couple times she smacks him ...he has to get that all the time! Thats awful. I swear if I EVER caught someone caring for my child like that I wouldn't say a word...I would just shoot them and claim that they attacked me when I showed them the video...because thats unexcusable!
so this is a hispanic nanny. the ratio of bad nannies is directly correlated to the racial percentages. if 10 percent of nannies or bad, 10 percent of hispanic babysitters, 10 percent of afican american, 10 percent of whiteys are bad. that is how it go. what about her?> she white as a sheet.
10:50
"Around 2 months I had her stroll with the baby which over time evolved into visits to the park for a few hours to...... I began to notice that my child had issues with eating and did not stay close when I took him to the park."
This doesn't make sense. You child was walking at that age? Or the poor care went on for a year before you noticed anything?
I'm sorry, I have doubts about the truth of this post.
First off, I can only hope the woman in this video is now in jail being smacked around, whapped, burned, shoved around and abused by her fellow prisoners as she is doing to that poor baby. Any background info on this video?
4:09, someone who knowingly and continually goes to great lengths to break the law does not deserve respect. Calling them "an illegal" is an accurate term, which I have no problem with. People who knowingly hire them could also fairly be referred to as "illegals" because they are illegal employers. Someone who has commited a murder and has been running from the law should be referred to as a murderer, not as "Mr. X who is hiding the fact that he commited a murder". If someonne's parents brought them here illegally and they are now over 18, they can go through the proper channels to apply for legal residency.
7:40, I also wondered about that. Even if the child was walking by 9 months, the bad care would have gone on for at least 7 months before the mom suspected. Which is possible, though horrifying. And to see what she did, the mom would have had to stay completely out of the nanny's sight for several hours, multiple times, to see that this happened frquently. It seems to me if somene saw this even once, that would be the end of the nanny. I personally wouldnn't observe it several more times and then ask strangers about it, I'd fire someone if I saw it ONCE.
And I forgot, to the nanny/student who said the video had been edited to make it look like one smack was being repeated, no it wasn't. If you watch it carefully you will see that every time this horrible woman hits the poor baby, it's different. Her hand is different, her position is different, it's just different every time. Sickening!
I don't care where this sick evil woman is from or what language she speaks I just hope she gets beaten daily in jail. She has a very black heart and if this was my baby and I saw this video it would take every ounce of self control not to beat her to a bloody pulp.
5:17 no women who marry for money are not thieves they are whores, just whores with a legal document but they are still putting out for cash, that is until their husbands trade them in for a newer model.
And sorry, Mom, but I too, have heard the urban legend about the police chief's daughter. Although the one I heard was The chief moves in next door and the families of the block community is happy because he has a teenage daughter willing to baby sit and there had been none up until that point. The girl throws make-out parties for her friends and gets caught. The parents talk to the chief but he refuses to believe it. He tells them unless they have solid proof they better shut up about it or else he will make it bad for them so they keep their mouth shut. The daughter sits for another family and while she is making out the 4 year old drowns in the pool. The girl is so distraught, she kills herself, admitting everything in a note. The chief, humiliated and disgraced, leaves town.
Sorry, didn't mean to put that one up here I realized earlier it was in the wrong section. Thought I'd erased it!
wow cali mom. can't believe you had the heart and stomach to watch the video enough to be able to comment on the position of the nanny and her hands in such detail.
i couldn't even get through the whole thing once and trying to prove 3:11 wrong would not be my motivation to watch it a bunch of times either.
Yes, gardener and housekeepers have been checked. Legal, thank you.
I don't mind paying more for things, or even having less crap, if it means doing it legally.
But I do care when my friend's father, here legally from So. Africa, for four years, instead of the required five, cannot get treatment for his cancer (even though he is managing, at 73 years old to support himself wihtout being a financial drain on our government)...but my friend's maid's father can cross the border and have free heart surgery (because it's somehow prohibited to request identifying information from anybody who looks Hispanic here)and then cross back over the border and go home, without ever paying a dime...and she feels free to brag about how easy it is to take advantag of America.
I care when I see that a little American girl died because the hospital wouldn't operate until her uninsured family came up with the cash for her heart surgery up front...but an illegal alien can walk into that same hospital and give birth to a baby, no questions asked, any time...and if something is wrong with that baby it will also be treated until it is well.
Then, as a thank you, we get to wait in a horrendous traffic snarl once a year as tons of the disgruntled Hispanics here clog the streets with their annual "I hate America" protest, during which they bring traffic to a halt downtown so that everybody has to endure their hate filled Anti-America chants and watch them wave Mexican flags, or carry (often defaced)American flags upside down. So yeah, I have a problem with certain ungrateful/take advantage type people.
On the other hand, I have some really nice friends of Mexican descent. They are happy to be Americans, hold steady jobs, take care of their families, pay taxes, etc. And they are also ashamed and embarrassed by the actions of the people I mentioned above, because it helps perpetuate unfavorable stereotypes and makes it harder for all of them.
So, have a happy night trying to turn my comments about people hiring illegal nannies into a racist thing if you wish. I think I'll go to bed.
Did anyone else have a problem viewing the video? All that I see on the site is a dotted line box. I don't see the video.
The video is right on the page.
I see the space where it is suppose to be but I don't see any video.
Mom, yes, you are officially racist! Congrats and also congrats on not caring that you are. You must be so proud!
Anymore hyperbolic examples of unfair medical care? Also, as 5:22 asked, where are your facts about the illegal immigrants in the videos. I think we are all anxiously awaiting that from you.
6:27, you sound like a kind person. I am shocked at all the hatred on here (though I guess I shouldn't be). I guess fear and ignorance breed hatred, but it's still sad.
Yeah yeah whatever. OF COURSE someone had to pull the old "you're a racist" card out of their nether regions in response to some perfectly justified concerns with the avalanche of illegals ILLEGALLY crossing the borders here to stock up on whatever they can't get in their home country, while hardworking taxpaying Americans and patient, diligent legal residents are told they are ineligible for benefits that are extended w/no questions asked to illegals.
In San Francisco, they want to issue a "city ID card" to anyone who can't produce a driver's license which would automatically qualify them for all the FREE services that city offers to people who normally have to prove their eligibility for them, including free medical care. Meanwhile, since my husband's employer does not offer a group health plan, we're on our own and we pay $850/mo w/no prescription coverage and a $50 copay for every doctor visit. Can I qualify for free medical care somewhere? Not in the U.S. it seems.
As for whether the nasty woman in the video was here illegally, of course we don't know. But if you hire an illegal alien under the table, you can't do a background check and if you can't check a person's background or criminal record, you're more likely to end up w/a criminal working for you. Seems like a no brainer to me but I guess...oh, sorry never mind.
Cali
I am having a hard time finding much info on the video, but it did happen in Mexico and although I am not sure this is true (mainly because I have a hard time believing it), but she only spent a week in jail.
I think we'd all feel more comfortable knowing for sure that this woman was punished, and not allowed to care for children ever again.
Being anti open immigration does not make you a racist. I am married to a Mexican man whose family has lived in California since it was Mexico. He never immigrated. His family has been here forever and his family is comprised of lawyers, judges, doctors and politicians. Most of the anti immigrant banter focuses on Mexico. We must put up a wall to secure the border, prevent even more of an influx of illegals and stop crime and drugs. If you had a brain, you would realize that Americans of Mexican descent, those who have been here many generations have the same opinions as third, fourth, fifth and sixth generation Americans. It isn't "mean". It's ENOUGH. America cannot weather more of an influx. We are rapidly becoming a poor nation as it is. We need to rebuild our country from the heartland to the coasts, fix what is wrong in Washington and down the road set up a MODERN immigration policy. Every other country has limitations as to who can come in to their country, and they all sit in judgement of us now as we become a wasteland.
I agree that being anti open immigration doesn't make you racist. I also support the need for a revision of our current immigration policy.
However, what does make Mom racist is that, well, she's racist. She is by definition a bigot. She makes broad assumptions about the woman in the video based solely on the woman's appearance and language. She then made the silly and unsubstantiated statement that it is a fact that most of the women in these videos are illegal immigrants. I think everyone agrees the woman is evil, but the assumptions, generalizations, and stereotypes made by Mom are those of a bigot. And if mpp is correct, the video happened in Mexico and the woman was not an illegal immigrant in the U.S. Mom says she has "a problem with certain ungrateful/take advantage type people" - all of whom (that she refers to) just happen to be Hispanic.
Yeah, she's not racist, sure. As to the other folks who favor strong limits on immigration, I agree. But Mom goes well beyond that and her posts are filled with her ignorance and bigotry.
Anonymous 11:55 has her panties in a bunch. Are you an illegal alien?
I know how mad it makes the anons when a regular who isn't afraid to post their moniker defends another regular on this board, but defend I shall. Mom isn't racist. She's worried about what illegal immigration is doing to this country and there are a variety of ways that our country is being affected negatively. Before anyone here calls Mom a bigot or insists that her posts are ignorant, I invite them to do some research. Burying one's head in the sand doesn't solve anything. We've got a problem, a big problem, with illegal immigrants. Since their original crime of illegally entering this country is taken so lightly, perhaps they are inclined to think our justice system is weak and they can get away with other crimes with a slap on the wrist? Remember they are already criminals, just by being here illegally. American citizens serve time in prison for lesser crimes than that.
4:09.....you're a Dr.?? Riiiiiight. And I'm the President. Mom.......I agree with everything you've said in this thread...I don't always agree with you. In this case I am only going to say that I for one am sick to death of people who defend ILLEGAL immigrants.....they are here ILLEGALLY so yes, to me and many others THAT should be their only identity. "Doctor"...I understand patients with disease not wanting to be that (disease) identity. Not a good comparison at all. Illegals are just that...illegals. The issue is NOT immigration..........it's ILLEGAL immigration. I can't for the life of me understand why the liberals want to keep allowing people here illegally.
And of course, Mr. X's brain tumor was presumably not caused by any of his own actions, whereas Mr. Y's ILLEGAL RESIDENT status most likely WAS caused by his own actions. So sorry doctor, no comparison can be drawn there.
Good one, cali mom.... :o) And HEY.......why don't all you anonymouses come up with names? Please.
Where did my tirade go?
Did I get deleted?
The sad truth about Mexico is that Mexico is like a very bad flu. The kind of flu that has you dripping diarhea and projectile vomitting. The US is the medication that is attempting to stop it at both ends. We ffed ton$$ of money into Mexico's economy and seek to provide refuge, healthcare and education to a huge percentage of their residents who trespass to get here illegally. Meanwhile our school systems are already stressed to the brink, even though I am quite sure that I paid a hefty tax bill ten days ago, as did or will many Americans.
So, yes-let us help everyone.
But let's make sure every freaking American has healthcare, an education and a job first.
Like, DUH!
Mexico is a wealthy country, with natural resources enough to take care of it's own. Corruption at the highest levels keep that wealth in the hands of a very few, while the rest of the citizens suffer. Vicente Fox himself wants poor Mexican citizens to come to America so that we can foot the bill for their castoffs. Fix the corruption there. Fix the corruption here. That's where to start. The way things are now, everybody is bleeding.
The people who pointed out Mom's comments are racist are not saying they believe illegal aliens are not criminals and are not pro-illegal aliens. I'm all for stricter border controls and not extending benefits to criminals that are here illegally. But I don't assume that because someone speaks spanish that they are (a) Mexican and (b) illegal. To do so is racist.
When the odds are statistically that something is the case, to assume that it might be so is not unusual. Moron.
Who is the dope who has to bring race into every discussion? You're an idiot. Try using a moniker next time. Maybe "Chip"?
Ha! I love it! Chip.
My vote goes to he who builds the tallest wall.
what was the lady in the video saying in Spanish? While she was doing this to the poor child?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are some on here, usually those who choose to remain anonymous, who like to get "race" involved into the issues being discussed here. They are Hell-bent on "working it in" whenever they can. Like I said, and remember I am the all-knowing Sprak as has been pointed out by other posters on here, Mom is NOT racist nor are the posters who agree with what she said.
Dear Cali mom and 7:40 post: Regarding former nanny-when I went to the park to see for myself, I did see her on the phone or lunching with the other nannies, not with my son as he played (alone). Giving her the benefit of the doubt, we spoke and I reiterrated the need to be with him at all times. Before I fired her I wanted to make sure I wasn't behaving irrationally. I had my husband and even friends show up and the park. They confirmed that same. I had to ask "strangers" as someone put it, other nannies in the park because again, I wanted to make sure that these were not just isolated incidences...again, giving this person the benefit of the doubt. When the first nanny, her friend, confirmed my fears I fired her immediately. The remainder unfolded after she was fired, when the other nannies felt comfortable enough to speak up. BTW-at the risk of repeating myself - my son and nanny were in my office in a room 5 feet from my desk most of the day. I do know that in my case this negligence only occured when he was at the park which started out as a few days a week for an hour. I only allowed extended (more than 1 hour) and daily park time at the onset of walking (11 months) Prior to that, he was in the stroller. But still, to think that for those 2-3 hours a day he was basically left alone makes me sick to this day. This person always appeared to be wonderful and was able to build up a tremendous amout of trust with us. She was personable, funny and intelligent and obviously a sociopath. That said, my point is that even with thourough and careful screening, no one really can be 100% sure that their caregiver is what or who we think they are. My heart goes out to all parents who need to hand over the bulk of caregiving to someone else whether it be a relative, a nanny or daycare. I would much rather be at home with my son. In my case I was certain that my setup would be a better option to daycare. --- Thank goodness for the nanny cam. Although after the fact, this abuse could have gone on much longer. Let's all hope these silent abusers will seek treatment and serve hard time.
wow this is just awful and sad. some people treat there dogs better! i want to know what happened to this woman! and how they handled this!
It is not only immigrants who are not legal to work and their employers who are criminals.
Every employer who pays a nanny or housekeeper off the books is breaking the law. In addition they are exploiting the employee, because they are not paying into the employee's S.S. as they are required to, thereby cheating them of their retirement benefits.
mom, cali mom, kate in co and josie... AMEN!!! You have all said it just right!
Why, thank you motheroffive......and 7:57, you're right....people who hire illegals should be considered criminals, also. VERY good point.
Reading comprehension problem 9:26?
7:57 was referring to employers who hire people who are legally allowed to work, but then choose to pay them off the books.
This is different than hiring an illegal alien.
Get it?
If anyone is wondering this is what was said on the video.
It was taken in Guantjato (sp?) Mexico.
The child is 1 year old.
The parents installed the nanny cam when they suspected something was not well.
The woman/MONSTER (I wont even call her a nanny), was hitting the child and saying- "WAKE UP!"
(I guess that is why the child looked groggy.)
The woman was held for ONLY a week and a half. She was fined $5,000, posted bail and was released.
In Mexico, abuse of minors is NOT considered a serious crime.
No other info. was given on the clip.
I've seen this on other message boards, and some say it looks like she put a cup of coffee on the child's head. (assumming it's coffee, because she stirs it.)
Also, when she yelled in the babies face, she licked his cheek.
Just totally sick and evil.
anon @1014
Thank you for your information. I was really interested to know what was being said.
I find it odd that mistreating a child is not significant in Mexico. In my experience, the Mexican women I know have always been exceptionally warm and loving. I know that is sterotypical in it's own right, but at the same time it goes to show you that if a woman was in charge of Mexico, they would have less corruption and be more viable on their own.
10:14
All of the Info you posted was exactly the same I found through researching other articles (my Spanish is rusty) ... so Thank you.
I searched through several Guanajuato, Mexico News Media outlets, and could find nothing on the child.
Has anyone else been able to find out if he is o.k.?
Thank you Sprak. (And others.)
I am sitting here laughing at your ridiculous comments, "Doctor."
And, BTW, I would not have needed "sensitivity training" to know better than to walk into a suffering person's hospital room and say, "Hello Terminal Brain Tumor,"...but glad to hear you got some anyway.
I know this may be shocking to you, Mom, but I was not the only one calling you a racist. I get that lots of people agree with you, but lots disagree also.
I see you've simply failed to respond to the requests for actual evidence to support your "facts" about nannycam videos and illegal immigrants. Guess that means you don't have any. I'm sitting here laughing at your ignorance. Nothing worse than someone who uses made-up facts to support their opinions.
Also, I'm guessing, had you gone to med school you are *exactly* the type of person who would have needed the training in treating people with dignity and respect - only if they were Hispanic, of course.
I'm done with responding to you in this thread, so feel free to get in the last word (which I've seen in the past is essential to your identity on isyn). If there's one thing I've learned in life it's that hatred is very difficult to "unlearn," especially because it's the nature of a bigot to have no interest in doing so.
Ahhh...tipped your hand...in so many ways. I recognize you now. You need to learn when to stop. Your lack of self control leads you to be sloppy and eventually give yourself away...every time.
You are very annoying...but I also can't help feeling just a little bit sorry for such a pathetic creature.
Mom, I also think you are a racist and that Cali Mom is up your ass so far, she couldn't find her way out with a GPS, compass and a map.
And why do you guys only berate the Anons that post opinions you disagree with? I bet a lot of other people, like me, post under anonymous because we are afraid of you guys ganging up on us when we disagree with you people and point out when you guys are making stuff up and stretching the truth. You group really make this blog a miserable place. Every single posting goes back to some kind of BS trauma one of you experienced and ends up being a pity party thrown by the others in the clique. Or else you all gang up on some poor schmuck that doesn't think like you.
Mom, I also think you are a racist and that Cali Mom is up your ass so far, she couldn't find her way out with a GPS, compass and a map.
And why do you guys only berate the Anons that post opinions you disagree with? I bet a lot of other people, like me, post under anonymous because we are afraid of you guys ganging up on us when we disagree with you people and point out when you guys are making stuff up and stretching the truth. You group really make this blog a miserable place. Every single posting goes back to some kind of BS trauma one of you experienced and ends up being a pity party thrown by the others in the clique. Or else you all gang up on some poor schmuck that doesn't think like you.
What a loser 4:09 (aka 2:23)
3:13 and YOU are Calimom or Mom which one?
How obvious!
Go away loser.
Scat dingbat. Take a stroll troll. Run along dingdong. Buh bye!
I'm actually surprised at Mom. You usually acknowledge when you are wrong. I don't know why it is so hard for you to do that on this point. You automatically jumped to the false conclusion that this video depicts an illegal alien and the facts that MPP uncovered shows that this woman is not an illegal alien caring for a child in the US. It is because of your own prejudices you made that assumption. We all have them based on our experiences, but it's important to recognize what they are and question a conclusion when we might be making it based on prejudice. You did make a false judgement here based on prejudice. Fine. I don't think there's anyone so saintly they can honestly say they haven't too at some point in thier life. Learn from it, and let's all move on. Why does this board have to devolve into name calling and ridiculing?
What board doesn't have riduculing? Seriously, people.
And Greta Van Sustern put this video on her blog with no substantiating information. The info we have now is based on one person's testimony. Besides which I know an entire area in Mexico that is populated by WHITE people. And they have driveways that snake up hills and look down on the city. And all their employees are of course natives.
It doesn't matter if the person is white or mexican or you are an american or an eskimo yourself, what you all need to do is take some goddamn time to get to know your damn nannies. how many of you know anything about your nannies? if you dont know the name of your nannies siblings and where they live, fuck you. you deserve to be stolen from. your kids deserve better parents though.
Bootlicker
The only idiot still talking about it is you loser.
Have you ever pondered the notion that you might be one sick cuss? You spend your days trolling this site on your sick vendetta against mom, calimom and a growing list of other regulars that you hate. These are people you do not know and will never meet. Get a life. Not here.
Hit the road toad.
Here we go again. 2 likely different people post a similar view, which happens to point out that Mom's comments happen to sound racist and right away, they are accused of being the same person!
Well I too, think Mom's post sounds racist. And I am definitely NOT this bootlicker person. Nor will I ever post here again. You people are pathetic. Have fun in your little clique. This site, which I think honestly provides a good service, will be killed by all the bickering and accusations that go on here and always by the same small group of individuals. Open your eyes! It's not the same person posting over and over, it's diffent people! If you would open your little closed minds you would see that. Now go ahead and accuse me of being the same person as the other two.
OUTTA HERE!
Don't let the door hit you in the A$$.
Oh come on, guys! Everyone has the right to their own opinion.
Mom, if you think you've now made a mistake, it's ok to own up to it. You still have bunches of people who love your posts.
Same to you fng ... you have great opinions also - and you better NOT leave, or I'll kick your ass! ;)
Some of you really need to chill out and stop baiting those honest enough to have an opinion.
Sometimes one OR MORE posters get on and have nothing better to do than to insult the posters brave enough to have a moniker ... those INSULTS are different than OPINIONS.
.... and yes, I'm one of the regulars that chose not to leave their name this time.
People grow up and get a life-
this site is dedicated to posting bad "nanny" sightings.
I never understand why the "bashing" posts and bad lang. is allowed here by Jane Doe...
Also, does anyone know who Jane Does is and why she hides behind that name?
I don't know, polly pure at 7:53. Have you ever been on the Internet before and on a blog or board before? Some people use naughty words. Amd while I would never, I would question what kind of site I was on if someone censored words like bulls-it. Personally, I believe intelligent people can make their point known without using foul language, but just the same- free speach is one of the guiding principles of our country.
I'm an American. How about you?
"Also, does anyone know who Jane Does is and why she hides behind that name?"
Ask Alec Baldwin.
Mom didn't make a "mistake." She posted an opinion and 2XA tried to start a flame war using her typical cries of racism. *Yawwwwn*
Leave it be and stop giving the bootlicker the attention it wants.
Everybody back to helping the children.
Lauren:
Vulgar language was not what the founding fathers were concerned about protecting. Freedom to criticize the government, and express your religious and ethical beliefs are what freedom of speech refers to. It is not un American to object to name calling. (I'm not 7:53 btw)
Very sensible POV Lauren.
If anyone is so scared off by someone taking issue with one of their posts that they decide to run away and suck their thumb, that's their choice. Come back whenever you want to, that's your choice also.
I really don't believe the "doctor" at 4:09 was likely THAT one. Just another person with an incredibly stupid POV they wanted to share, who got all pissy when most people disagreed with them, which there is NO shortage of on internet forums. They are free to post as much dumb stuff as they want and others are free to call it what it is.
As for where the video came from, it's not unreasonable at all to assume at first that a link posted to an American-based site from an American=based site was made in America. Even 4:09 can't say with a straight face that because it was in Spanish we should have known it was made in Mexico, or somewhere outside the U.S. where Spanish is spoken, right? Right??
As for the angry inbred at 2:23 and 3:20...whatever. Next!
Actually, 8:55, the freedom to use language which others may find objectionable is EXACTLY what the First Amendment was intended to protect. Because YOU or ME or your nosy neighbor across the street do NOT get to decide for the entire USA what is and is not acceptable "language".
Calimom, you remark is pretty obnoxious. I don't think FNG is scared off or running away to suck her thumb. I think she is making a legitimate statement about this forum and where it's heading. The fact that another regular posted anonymously after her just proves it. I sometimes wonder how many "regulars" post under anonymous because they don't want to go against the grain or show their true colors. It's a shame that people are afraid to speak their mind on a forum where the First Amendment is touted.
And while people have the right to call someone an idiot or a moron, I don't think it's very nice. I think it's what people do when they can't validate their own POV.
Well, she announced her decision to leave because she doesn't like the regular posters and the way they often agree with each other. Her reasons are her own and she can come and go as she pleases.
I referred to someone's POV as being incredibly stupid, and am not afraid to so so under my regular name. FNG referred to everyone who posts here as pathetic. Just opinions being expressed.
fng and 2:23, I think you make excellent points.
The intent of this site is wonderful and I think it provides a great service. However, it has become dominated by a small group of individuals who have completely twisted it for their own purposes. They've found a forum that has allowed them to "stand out," due to a combination of being on this blog early in its existence and posting frequently. Virtually every nanny sighting, rant, or rave open to interesting viewpoints becomes centered around them. I don't even know if it happens intentionally, but they always manage to inject themselves into the center of the argument.
And god forbid anyone disagree with them or post under Anonymous - as this is apparently forbidden by the ISYN "mafia," as I've come to think of them. They cannot conceive that people prefer to post as Anonymous because we do not want to become the centerpiece of this blog. They have also developed a wonderful and self-serving techinque of dismissing anyone who disagrees by insisting it is the same person posting repeatedly or accusing the poster of being one individual they apparently hate (haven't been here long enough to know the origins of this). Should this not be immediatley successful, I have actually seen them post comparisons of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word choice to "prove" they are right.
What truly confuses me (and I would be curious if anyone knows the answer) is why many members of the clique are here so often. I understand why many people read this site: nannies, former nannies, and current or recent employers of nannies. I even get why someone who is none of these might come once in a while to post. However, from what I've read (though, again, I haven't been here that long so maybe it's common knowledge) many of the clique are none of these, and, yet are here ALL the time. They comment on virutally every post. This astounds me. I'm not a lawyer and though I've hired one on occasion and find legal issues relevant and interesting, I would not go to a blog focusing on lawyers and make myself a centerpiece of opinion. I might watch peripherally, post once in a while, and ask a question or two. But I certainly would not consider myself qualified to be a primary commentator. I do not understand why people think that being a nanny or employing one is much different. Being a professional nanny is really hard work and being a good employer also has unique challenges. Neither are intuitive simply by being a parent, having or having been an occasional babysitter, or knowing lots of nannies/employers on a personal level.
It is really a shame what has happened to this site. I do honestly believe this group of posters thinks they are being helpful to parents and nannies with their comments. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case. As fng said, and as I've done myself for periods of time, it actually drives me away. I'm guessing others are put off by the clique and these devolutions into nastiness also. Less people reading means less sightings and less chance that the bad ones will be identified.
So while I am sure I'll continue to check this site once in a while, it will be in spite of the ISYN Mafia. Although I know it will never happen, I will keep hoping they will develop enough insight and humility to find a new forum and let this one thrive and do some good.
Did you mean the Park Slope Bench Nanny Mafia? The same group who shook my nanny down in October?
There isn't a mafia on here. You notice the regulars because they use monikers. The end. How many anonymous's can your recognize? I think the problem with anonymous is just being able to respond to a person. Times make it confusing.
Why are they on here so often? Who cares. Why do I check Post Secret in the wee hours of Sunday Morning? Because it's my site or there is commentary? Because I sent in a secret? Nope, I know it is updated and I can't wait to read other people's secrets.
You all have such wild opinions on here. It's an odd lot of nannies, non nannies, nany employers, sahms for life. If you all ever got stuck in an elevator, someone would definitely be damaged by the time the doors opened. But this is the internet. This is what it is. You can go on match.com and be 6'1 and weigh 176 lbs. And you can be that person for as long as you want. Just keep staving off the meeting and you can be that person.
Anyone can be anything.
This is what we make it.
7:53 obviously doesn't read Page 6.
I wouldn't say it's a clique of regulars that is causing the problems here. Nobody here knows anybody else.
There are "regulars" who may or may not agree with each other on any given post, but have the decency and respect to simply disagree rather than call the other person a f***ing pile of s***. Then there the (mostly) anonymous group, a couple of who seem intent on nothing but name calling and troublemaking who become frustrated and angry when their repeated attempts to undermine the blog or some of the regular posters are met with resistance. These people seem to be upset that the regulars "stick together" by failing to jump on the hate bandwagon they are trying to get started.
Sorry, but this isn't Junior High school ladies.
11:49, I think that's it. The regulars use monikers so it's easy to spot us. And then people complain about people who don't use monikers, so you just can't please everyone all the time. And I'd probably be recognized by my posts even if I tried to post anon.
Why do we post here when we're not nannies or employers? Because the topics that get started are interesting. It COULD be set up so that all that was posted was the sightings and that would be the end of that, no feedback forum, but then it wouldn't be a blog, would it?
This is one of the few blogs where I actually read the comments on a regular basis. Even if the post doesn't interest me, I usually click on comments to see who is saying what.
:)
I'm not trying to hop on any bandwagon here, but I do have to agree with 11:49's reasoning.
If we were to all start posting Anonymous for just 1 wk., do you think some of that animosity would die down? Probably not ... but those that are brave enough to have a moniker are easy targets for those bullies. And I am NOT referring to those that have opposing opinions, only the posts that are insulting. That's probably why you see alot of them sticking up for each other.
I like seeing 2 sides to every argument, because I am not afraid to admit that it just might broaden my horizon.
But I do try to stay away from a post when it gets really heated, providing the bomb isn't dropping because of something I've written, because I don't want to be attacked.
But the regulars (and the returning Anonymous posters), are what keeps me coming back because I really do think this is an incredible Blog.
HILARIOUS!
Jane Doe's Comment says it all. The site is slow compared to last year.
I believe FNG and the anonymous, most recent 11:32 are spot on. FNG didn't say EVERYONE who posts here is pathetic, That's just you, Calimom, one of the regulars who twists things to make your point. And I am sure your little band supporters will rally around and agree. And the fact that more than one person is posting this now should be an eye-opener but I doubt it will and that's sad. I don;' have anything personal against anyone here, but it's become an unpleasant place. And, like it or not, the common denominator is a few people it seems centered around. I don't, for one moment believe it's all the doing of one, obsessed troll bent on destroying this site. But, even if I suspend rational thinking and say it is, then she is doing a great job, and the regulars have no one but themselves to blame. Because if it is only one person-again I doubt it is-you fall into every trap she sets.
You are right that even if the regulars all posted anonymously, they would be recognized, for the above reasons mentioned. There are some regulars, like MaryPoppinsPills (Whom I suspect was the regular that posted anonymously above) who truly is objective and does see things impartially. But there is that small band that IS a clique and woe to those who don't agree with their wisdom. Calimom, your statements that people can come and go as they please, and such only prove further, the imperious attitude you have. Unless you are Jane Doe, it's not YOUR blog, therefore, who are you to give permission to anyone to come and go here? The site is slow, I'll wager it's slow because of the nonsense going on. Calimom, Mom, Sprak, and on occasion Paul the Intern and one or two others have been a large part of that nonsense, every single time. And, I might add, the only people that can TRULY be identified as parties to it. After all, it can only be assumed that this other person is the one spewing all the hate. But we know who is spewing it right back due to the so called "bravery" of posting under a name other than anonymous. (Although, I fail to see how making up a name on a blog shows any bravery at all. After all, I could change my name on here change my writing style slightly, post under a different IP and no one would be the wiser) But I digress. As I was saying, there is a lot on nonsense going on here, and only one, small group has been an obvious party to it. It doesn't matter who starts it. And I don't think anyone on here is so delicate a flower that they need their little group to rally around them in support. Ignoring it would be so much better and instead of making everyone involved seem like fools, only the so called troll would seem foolish. But that will never happen, because there is a small group here that feed on the drama and thrive on the conflict. The use their weapons 11:32 mentioned as well as their greatest one, their numbers to attack anyone they don't like. If they disagree with their POV, they call them idiots, and stupid and morons. They say it's their right to do so and it is, but doesn't make for a pleasant experience for the poster or the other readers who don't feel the need to call someone nasty names because we don't agree with them.. If the person dares go a step further, they will gang up against them, call them more names, and accuse them of being the same person. If someone else comes to their defense and happens to agree, they will say that's also the same person, it's all this bootlicker whoever. THAT'S frustrating, to be accused by several people you are someone else. As I am sure would happen here if I didn't put my name.
Again, Jane Doe said the site is slow this year compared to last. And I hope you guys wonder why. Since I started hanging around I saw several new names come and go. Why did they leave? Probably because they had the good sense-more than myself-to just not be party to any of it at all. Which is what I plan to do. I've enjoyed debating and commenting here, and have agreed and disagreed with many of you at times. But it's just too negative here now. Enjoy the weekend everyone and Ciao!
I agree that suggesting that anyone who comments could be this person or that person or should use a moniker is frustrating. It has been my experience on the blogs and boards I choose to frequent that there are always obnoxious comments. There are trolls on every site; rather unfortunately "trolling" has become a popular pastime.
That being said, those people who regularly comment on threads are not the reason for the blog being slow. Perhaps they are commenting more often because there are fewer sightings? The regular posters are for the most part not the people known to me to have submitted actual nanny sightings.
While the slowness can be blamed in part on the weather, I must take responsibility. It is up to me to get out there and actively solicit nanny sightings. I need to continually remind everyone who knows about us that we are still here and to let people who may have observed something know just how easy it is to submit a sighting. If any of you have new ideas about how to do this, I would love to hear from you.
As for the content of the comments, I appreciate the many and varied opinions that are expressed here. I am especially grateful that even during this lull, we still have so many people checking in every day!
Thank you everyone.
During the lull, why don't you do what you did on your other blog? A picture of today's lunch. Or a mention of last night's rastrauraunt, fun links for that day, a photo & a top news story. That would give this blog- which I love a more personal feel. I loved reading those blogs better than the regular content, seriously!
If a teacher criticizes the U.S. government in say a history or civics class, the first amendment protects him from being fired. He can however be fired for calling a student the n word and a pile of sh-t, That is not protected by the first amendment!
I AM a nanny, and new to this blog...and just wondering: What, exactly, is "brave" in using a moniker, as opposed to posting POV anonymously? What exactly are you "risking" when you identify yourself by some fake name, or a snippet of your real name, or simply ANON? I can agree, disagree, benefit (or NOT) by your POV just as well. I'd really appreciate it if some of the regulars with monikers would explain this to me. Thanks!
Arghhh. stop with the animosity and hating. Can't we all just get along?
Anonymous only sucks because when you have a great point to make, I wish I knew who you were.
That's all.
It's odd that you think it's slow because of lack of publicity, given some of the press articles about the site. It's most likely the weather more than anything else. I don't blame the monikered regulars either, but I too find it frustrating that every anonymous poster is accused of being 2XAs when a different opinion is expressed.
I am an always anonymous poster who has been a fairly active commenter for going on almost two years since I posted my first nanny siting (before many of the current monikered anti-anonymous posters became active). I am very protective of my identity online and off and have only created a virtual identity for myself on the few forums where it makes sense for professional reasons. (I work in IT and it is common to use your real identity in developer's forums). I am part WAHM/part WOHM and fulltime nanny employer, but if SAHMs were not part of the site, I think you'd lose a big source for awareness of this blog among the group most likely to be in a situation to provide nanny sitings.
I ask the monikered regular posters to realize there are many regulars who chose not to manufacture an identity for this site and they shouldn't dismiss reasoned anonymous objections to their opinions as 2XA's posts. Having observed that episode, that's a far more insulting name to be hurled at someone than some of the four letter ones being thrown around.
Looks like overall readership is up, but nanny sightings are not up by the same percentage. That's what it looks like to me. But it is cyclical. You have just had a lot of great press. It is unlikely that those people had pressing nanny sightings on their mind, but now they have been exposed to the site, so the next time they hear something, they will know a site exists. I would expect to see an explosion of sightings around April. It's cyclical. It is on my blog. And I will sign this as anonymous because I don't like my online identities to all be tied together.
Wow, SupernannyNNJ, could you miss the point a bit more? NO ONE has the right to tell ANYONE when they can come and go from this blog. That's the whole point, so your comment about my "imperious attitude" is just laughable and quite silly.
12:19, actually there has been at least one highly publicized case that I believe ended up in a state Supreme Court where a teachers was fired for expressing her personal opinions on political topics (the war I remember speciifically), the reasons being that essentially the students are a captive audience with no choice but to be in the classroom with the teacher, AND that in this case, since it was a public school, the teacher's salary was being paid by taxpayers who have no say in specifically how their taxes get spent and may not agree with the teacher's views.
Also, for a person in authority (teacher or boss for instance) to call someone the names you mention falls into the category of harrassment, NOT freedom of expression, so it is NOT covered by the First Amendment. However, on an internet blog that people can choose to stop reading anytime, and which no user is having to pay to read, someone CAN use those words against other posters, people in general, whatever. It is not considered harrassment in that case, because you are free toremove yourself from it whenevr you want, and unless the words are being used to incite illegal activities, they are protected.
As for anon vs. monikers, there are reasons for choosing either method. A moniker makes you an easier target for attacks, that's all, but it also makes the conversations easier to follow. Some say they won't give any credence to anon posts, I actually think once identities are firmly established (ie me, mom, mpp, the regulars) people sometimes start focusing more on who's saying it than what's being said, which is NOT good. I guess I'll just stick with my name though since every other anon poster gets accused of being SOMEONE whether they are or not, and I'd probably not really be anon anyway. And in this forum format, which IMO *is* a bit hard to follow, it does make it a little easier.
I'll correct myself and say that actually, since it is HER blog, Jane Doe and no one else DOES have the right to say when people come and go from this site, and to some extent, administrators of all internet forums can set their own rules for their own sites. Then we coould go into whether she'd be violating our 1st Amendment rights by banning any particular users ;)
You know what they say *just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.*
When people call somebody *her* they could be right. If you have any doubts that *she* is here laughing you can look back at the 10:29 post yesterday. There are other opinons like hers so not all of the dumb posts are from her but she is usually noticeable in a lot of ways. It may be gross to keep hearing her *name* but at least it's a warning.
O.k., maybe "Brave" was the wrong adjective to use ... but I guess when your being attacked incessantly because you've spelled a word wrong, or have used improper grammar ... then that's kind of how it feels you have to be when you have to stand up for yourself.
As for 'Anonymous 2:22s' comment, that would be the reason I'd want to know who a poster is ... if they have a really insightful post then they should get credit for it (maybe they don't care either way), but there are several that I've come to really follow, and it's hard when you post Anonymous.
But I do get why so many do ... I have changed my moniker twice since the beginning of this Blog, and have been Anonymous in-between for months at a time before coming up with a new one ... because sometimes it's not worth the headache.
And one more thing, just to put this out there ... I admit I also cringe just a little when I see a poster accused of being 2xA's ...
The funny thing is, people who are racist, or make racist sounding remarks rarely think they are or do. Unless they are card-bearing menbers of the KKK or Skinheads or another horrible pack of animals and proud of their racism.
That's the problem with communicating online, everything is black and white. Tone, facial expressions and other subtle hints to the mood and the real meaning behind what people are saying is lost. For instance, and this is not an attack but an example, Cali Mom you DO sound imperious when you say peole can come and go as they please because your previous remarks were snarky. When we read, our minds inflict our own tones into things, a fact people might try to remember when typing posting and reading.
I used to post on here all time as anonymous but stopped a while back. SNNNJ and the others have brought up a valid point. The vibes here have been awfully negative lately. And whether or not Jane Doe wants to admit it, it could be a very real reason why there is a slow down. If not now it most assuredly will be in the future. Trolling is only popular where trolls can succeed. And as has been pointed out, the are succeeding quite well here.
Also FYI, I was a person who posted a while back with an unpopular opinion of another post. I was called all sorts of names by several regular bloggers with moniker's and then I was accused of being 2XA's. It made me not post for a long time. I was fine with the fact that no one agreed with me but being called names and someone else was annoying. I don't call it an attack because really, how can anyone attack me online? Unless they hi-jack my browser or hack my computer they are not attacking me. Sticks and stones guys.
6:18
Good post.
I took notice the last couple of weeks when a few insulting posts went ignored, and the troll disappeared.
SNNNJ:
"Ignoring it would be so much better and instead of making everyone involved seem like fools, only the so called troll would seem foolish."
Okay, okay, I said I wouldn't reply again on this thread so fully admit I am going back on that. But felt this was a separate issue worth addressing and swallowing my pride to do so.
I am not going to get drawn back into the original debate issues of racism and nannycams. But since I've seen a couple of other replies that address this I wanted to add my experience also. I think it's a particularly relevant and concerning one for the threads.
I was the person who replied at 4:09 and, as I said, at 10:29am. For reasons unclear to me, my 10:29 follow-up was somehow "tagged" as this 2XA/bootlicker/*she* person (is it even all the same person or different people?). I have no idea who this is or what red flags I typed at 10:29 to get myself mislabeled. It seems a few other people have had this exact same experience. I think perhaps whoever is "identifying" this nemesis of theirs should reevaluate their technique because you seem to be wrong A LOT! Also, it seems there is an almost obessesive quality to targeting whoever this person is.
For my future reference, can someone give me a quick summary of who 2XA/bootlicker/*she* is, if it is one person or more than one, and a summary of the original problem (or referral to the archived sighting that started the whole problem)? Thanks.
4:09/10:29
I didn't get into as many of the debates with this poster as some of the others, but did have the unfortunate luck to have been one of her victims (and then changed my name).
Forgive me if I don't go into much detail because I know it will start an all out war between some posters, but over the Winter months in 2007, a poster that went by Em/Peace/2xAs (and I don't remember what else), started what a lot of the regulars here call the "Flame Wars".
I do want not to reveal the original name that would identify this person because I'm not going to pin this on anyone in particular and it turn into a derogatory post.
Now many call her "she" or "her" mostly because if they see a post that has familiar words or phrases that she used, they are trying to warn others to stay away and ignore trouble.
I agree that it has gotten out of hand, and everyone should remember that just because someone has an opposing opinion, it does not mean it is her.
I hope that helps.
sorry, typo:
"I do not want to reveal the original name ...."
4:09
A lot of obviously ignorant and misinformed people didnt think moms post was racist. Maybe you can clear this up once and for all.
Some people must have missed the big announcement and responded against you out of ignorance.
When did illegal aliens become a separate race?
The moment they snuck across the border illegally.
What big announcement, the one you heard from the voices in your head?
That doesn't make any sense. You condone them coming across the border illegally and believe it is racist to call them illegals, but do not believe them to be a separate race? How can racism exist against a group that does not qualify as a race? This sounds more like a matter of political differences where some yahoo pulled the race card to back up her otherwise weak position. Typical.
Stop all of the bigotry and hatred now. Illegals is a cruel and unfair term. Please refer to them henceforth by their prefered name *Greencard Challenged Americans*! They are red blooded Law Avoidant Tax Evading human beings just like every other criminal in this country and deserve to be treated with every bit as much respect. In fact they deserve far more in the way of handouts and free services than any tax paying American should ever dare hope to receive! Shame on anybody who doesn't stand up for their hard stolen *rights*! Bigots one and all!
I know some older data on undocumented residents, which states that there are more Irish and Russian undocumented people than any that "look" foreign (non white), but the darker skinned ones are the ones jailed and deported more frequently. This data was from the book, "Do They Hear You When You Cry?" about an african woman who escaped here to avoid genital mutilation, and was jailed. The only prisoners in her immigration jail were hispanic and african descent. The white looking ones got to go elsewhere and avoid the hatred that is on the site. Of course, I might prefer that there be only legal residents here, but I don't think they are only dark-skinned people.
A person who crosses our border witth the intent of staying here illegally becomes an ILLEGAL once their visa expires, IF they ever had one. If they never had one, they became an ILLEGAL the moment they crossed the border and this has nothing to do with what country they came from or what "race" they are. So I agree that 10:19 makes no sense because she (?) is trying to insert a racial element into an argument where none exists. By her own admission, even.
Upstate mom, people can apply for asylum in cases such as that. I can undersand the reasoning for fleeing your home country in that situation but to insist that you have the legal right to simply enter and then stay in any country of your choosing with no questions asked or answered and no reckoning required to any government, makes no sense either.
Here are some more current stats in case you are interested in factual information. (Did somebody imply that other illegals, besides mexicans,are welcome to stay or is that just the assertion being made in order to make the racism claims seem more legitimate?
Stats:
[edit] Countries of Origin
In March of 2006 the Pew Hispanic Center (PHC) estimated the undocumented population ranged from 11.5 to 12 million individuals[16], a number supported by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO)[17]. Using data from March of 2004, PHC estimated that 57% of this population comes from Mexico; 24% from Central America and, to a lesser extent, South America; 9% from Asia; 6% from Europe, and the remaining 4% from elsewhere.[18] According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security[19], the countries of origin for the largest numbers of illegal immigrants are as follows Mexico (5.97 million), El Salvador (470 thousand), Guatemala (370 thousand), India (280 thousand), and China (230 thousand). According to "The Urban Institute, a research group in Washington, D.C., estimates between 65,000 and 75,000 undocumented Canadians currently live in the United States." The Urban Institute estimates of the undocumented population in the [United States] "use U.S. Census data and Department of Homeland Security figures." [20]
[edit] Modes of entry
According to the Pew Hispanic Center somewhat more than half of the undocumented migrant population entered the country without inspection: "some evaded customs and immigration inspectors at ports of entry by hiding in vehicles such as cargo trucks. Others tracked through the Arizona desert, waded or swam across the Rio Grande or American Canal in California or otherwise eluded the United States Border Patrol which has jurisdiction over all the land areas away from the ports of entry on the borders with Mexico and Canada." [21]
In 1993, 283 Asian immigrants attempted entry into the United States via a sea vessel. Ten of them arrived dead. [22] [23]
[edit] Border Crossing
The unfenced rural mountainous and desert border between Arizona and Mexico has become a major entrance area for illegal immigration to the United States, due in part to the increased difficulty of crossing illegally into California. Dangers of illegally crossing the southern border into the US include: exposure to the elements, traffic accidents, and inhumane treatment at the hands of corrupt human traffickers..[24] “Exposure to the elements” encompasses hypothermia, dehydration, heat strokes, drowning, and suffocation. Also, illegal immigrants and coyotes may die or be injured when they attempt to avoid law enforcement. Martinez,[25] points out that engaging in high speed pursuits while attempting to escape arrest can lead to death.
Often, the people that choose to sneak across the border employ expert criminal assistance - smugglers who promise a safe passage into the United States. These smugglers are called "coyotes" and are paid thousands of dollars per person they assist in crossing the border.[26] Oftentimes, the money used to pay for this assistance is loaned - sometimes from loan-sharks who charge as much as 300 percent interest on short term loans.[27]
The tightening of border enforcement has disrupted the traditional circular movement of many migrant workers from Mexico by increasing the costs and risks of crossing the border, thereby reducing their rate of return migration to Mexico. The difficulty and expense of the journey has prompted many migrant workers to stay in the United States longer or indefinitely.[28]
[edit] Overstays
Visa overstays are a second significant form of violation. A traveler is considered a "visa overstay" once he or she remains in the United States after the time of admission has expired. The time of admission varies greatly from traveler to traveler depending on what visa class into which they were admitted. Visa overstays tend to be somewhat more educated and better off financially than those who crossed the border illegally.[29]
To help track visa overstayer the US-VISIT (United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) program collects and retains biographic, travel, and biometric information, such as photographs and fingerprints, of foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States. It also requires electronic readable passports containing this information.
[edit] Causes
See also causes for illegal immigration.
[edit] Supply
[edit] Mexico
Main article: Mexico
The Pew Hispanic Center has estimated that 56% of illegal immigrants come from Mexico.[30]Therefore, it may be worthwhile to focus on causes specific to illegal immigration from Mexico.
[edit] Poor Fiscal Management
Mexico has a free market economy in the trillion dollar class[31] and the highest income per capita in Latin America[32][33]. The Mexican government's failure to follow through on its assurances to the Clinton administration that the Mexican government would invest billions of dollars in roads, schooling, sanitation, housing, and other needs to accommodate new factories, resulted in only a limited number of new factories ("maquiladoras") following NAFTA[34], the majority of which were produced in a zone near the U.S. border[35]Fewer factories meant fewer factory jobs. This failure to invest in its infrastructure also meant that China was able to out compete Mexico in the production of inexpensive manufactured goods, thus displacing Mexican workers[36] . The number of manufacturing workers dropped from 4.1 million in 2000 to 3.5 million in 2004.[37] Also, the U.S. was able to out compete Mexico in the production of inexpensive corn [38] . Consequently, the price of maize in Mexico fell 70% between 1994 and 2001, and the number of farm jobs dropped from 8.1 million in 1993 to 6.8 million in 2002[39].
[edit] Inequality of Wealth
Mexico has a high income disparity[40]. Mexico has a free market economy in the trillion dollar class. Mexico has more billionaires than Switzerland[41] including Carlos Slim, whom many sources[42][43] [44] say is the world's richest man and who owns 8% of the country's GDP[45].
However, Mexico's wealth is centralized in the hands of a minority. 17.6% of Mexico's population lives in extreme poverty, while 30.1% live in moderated poverty, making a total of 47.7% of the Mexican population living in conditions of poverty.[46]
[edit] Participation of Authorities
The Mexican government has worked to make illegal immigration to the U.S. easier.
It plans to produce 70,000 maps marking main roads and water tanks for people wanting to cross illegally into the US. According to Mauricio Farah of Mexico's Human Rights Commission, "The only thing we are trying to do is warn them of the risks they face and where to get water, so they don't die," But Russ Knocke, a spokesman for US Homeland Security said maps would not improve safety for those trying to cross the border, "It is not helpful for anyone, no matter how well intended they might be, to produce road maps that lead aliens into the desolate and dangerous areas along the border, and potentially invite criminal activity, human exploitation and personal risk,"[47]
the Yucatan government (a state of Mexico) also produces educational materials (a handbook and DVD) to instruct its citizens on how to cross the border and how to avoid notice as an illegal immigrant once the border has been crossed. This guide also tells immigrants where to find health care, how to get their kids into U.S. schools and how to send money home. Sara Zapata Mijares of the Los Angeles Yacatecan Club and officials in Yucatan say illegal immigration is a reality and the guide is a necessity to save lives. Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform says, "This is really the way they keep their corrupt system afloat, by sending their excess workers to the United States and getting billions of dollars in remittances every year ... so for them this is a worthwhile investment".[48]
The Mexican government distributes a comic book which instructs illegal immigrants on how to sneak across the border. That comic book recommends to illegal immigrants, once they've safely crossed the border, "Don't call attention to yourself. ... Avoid loud parties. ... Don't become involved in fights." The Mexican government defends the guide as an attempt to save lives. "It's kind of like illegal immigration for dummies," said the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, Mark Krikorian. "Promoting safe illegal immigration is not the same as arguing against it."
In 2005, the remittances from Mexican nationals worldwide was $18.1 billion. [49] In 2003, former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox stated that remittances of Mexican nationals in the United States, both legal and illegal, totaled $12 billion, and were the largest source of foreign income for Mexico. [50].
[edit] Corruption
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, a survey of international businessmen that ranks countries from least to most corrupt, ranks Mexico at 72nd place out of 179 countries[51]. This is even lower than such notoriously corrupt countries as drug-ridden Colombia. According to Global Integrity's 2006 Mexico Country Report, corruption costs the Mexican economy as much as $60 billion a year[52]. A survey by the Center for the Study of Private Sector Economics (Centro de Estudios Económicos del Sector Privado), a Mexican research firm, estimates that 79 percent of companies in Mexico believe “illegal transactions” are a serious obstacle to business development[53], . The 1994 economic crisis in Mexico associated with rampant government corruption [54] resulted in a greatly decreased U.S. dollar value of Mexican wages relative to U.S. production workers[55][56][57][37].
whew! i've not enough concentration at the moment to read that last response-- if this point was already addressed by the legalese my apologies:
cali mom-
i realize that you and i have different points of view. not picking an argument--i just wanted to clear up a big misconception when discussing terms such as asylum.
when i worked in immigration law i dealt with a lot of asylum cases on my own time, pre-lawyer, as a pro bono assignment (i am a legal assistant).
us citizens seem to think that asylum is something that can be garnered without thousands of dollars or a very public story. one of the reasons i left immigration was when they sent my friend/client back to her small african town. her father was going to kill her when she returned to her village because she refused to be "circumsized" (ie mutilated) after becoming engaged to an american while she was in college. her father was a leader in his town, and we had written proof from her father's town news that the town should "not worry" because he would "remove" (kill) his daugher when she returned. us government looked at her case and said that she would be fine to go home and refused her asylum. her sister wrote our law office after she went back and said that "someone shot her."
asylum is not always, but often, a myth. she was 24, i was 23 when she was sent home.
While that is an incredibly tragic story gabriela, are you offering it as justification for allowing tens of millions of people to illegally cross our borders or overstay their visas and live here tax free while receiving income and free services courtesy of our government and the unwitting and unwilling tax paying American citizens?
Perhaps you have not considered the possibility that if we were to secure our borders and return the current illegal population to their countries of origin, our systems and services might not be overburdened to the point that they are currently, and we might just then have room for tens of thousands of legitimately admitted new citizens, like your friend, from places all over the world where their lives are threatened on a daily basis? A sinking ship can only carry so many passengers, no matter how many may "need" to board.
Which way do you want it? We can't do everything. Do you want to save those in mortal peril, or do you want to save those who sneak here for financial gain?
To answer your question:
if you read the first part of my original post you will see that i offered a brief example of how challenging it can be to receive asylum. and no, i'm not offering any justification for anyone.
from what i see of your post i can infer that you and i hold different views on many aspects of immigration law.
i don't want to argue about immigration law with someone i'm just not going to find any common ground with.
i can tell you a dozen other heartbreaking stories about daddies sobbing because their baby's mother was taken away and the 2-week old refuses to eat anything but her mother's milk, the 12-year old girl that called me after i.c.e. came and took her mom to jail even though she was a permanent resident (albeit a pakistani muslim one), or the 18yo sudanese refugee with stomach cancer that was killed in her "safe refugee camp" by a DOCTOR in cairo because alberto gonzales' peeps out-and-out refused to hear "one more sudanese story." i promise you that's what the top rep i got on the phone in d.c. told me about alik's stomach cancer problems. while the same office immediately ran through the p.r. status of the brazillian fiance of a wealthy southern businessman-- no questions, no problems.
i defend forever your right to your opinion, but i beg of you to think of the other side of the coin before you lump every single accented person in america into one faceless, nameless, story-less mass.
and no, i don't have an answer to our country's immigration problem, but i don't think mass exodus or any wall is the answer. (how east-west berlin-esque!)
Make that tens of millions we could help, not tens of thousands.
Can I just interject a big boo hoo? Daddy crying because mommy has been taken away because mommy was here illegally is JUST LIKE a burglar crying because he slipped and fell on some spilt water while he was robbing a family blind.
In America and everywhere people need to realize YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS. If we held everyone accountable for putting their ownselves in the places they find someone else, just imagine the resources we would have left for the helpless and the children?
Aren't Americans taxed to death so they can fight wars for every other nation and educate Africans and bring drinking water to the Sudanese and stop Genocide in Darfur? And everyone knows how much we give. give. give. You want an analogy? I'll give you an analogy. America is the well to do woman who opens her designer handbag to hand three bums each a handful of hundred dollar bills. And all of these immigrants are the three bums who follow the nice lady home and rob her of everything she has. You know- because she obviously has too much or enough, depending on how you spin it.
"EastBerlin-esque"? No. America is not in the habit of forcing people to live here. What an odd example.
I will also concede that there is no fairness to our system and probably no perfect solution. But in my world, if I had the power, the kinds of people you mention would be helped first. Immigrants who commit crimes in our country would be ousted immediately and forever, no questions asked. It's not about accents and skin color although that seems to be where it is always taken when those on your side of the argument run thin of valid arguments. Some people have become so fearful of "appearing prejudiced" that they sometimes run from logic and reason in order to escape the very possibility of being called a silly name. America needs to grow a pair.
High fives to you American 1 for your excellent post!
It isn't realistic to to ship all the "illegals" back and it won't happen.
It's uselesds to gripe about it.
Not being college educated, I think my plan is probably far to over simpliefied to make any sense whatsoever but if I had the ultimate power I would do the following.
Secure the borders. While I know someone will always get through, properly securing them will dramatically reduce the rate.
Announce an 18 month period where all people here illegally must register. All employers, including parents with illegal nannies must also notify the government.
At that time, the process of identifying all illegal people in the country will have begun. Those with jobs here, and no known criminal record in their former homeland or their new one would pay a fine and be granted amnesty so thy can stay and become taxe paying citizens or green card holders. Those ith a crimnal record and who are not gainfully empl;oyed would be given 6 months to find gainful employment. To that end, our government would set up careeer centeers to help place them in jobs.
Those who are unable to find work or refuse to work will be deported.
At the end of the 18 month amnesty period a zero tolerence policy goes into effect. If you are caught here illegally you are shipped back as soon as it is humanly possible.
ANY employer caught hiring illegal workers will be fined at an astronomical rate, with no loopholes. I would say 1500.00 per worker, per day.
This would not emliminate illegal workers, nothing will, but it would discourage company's like where my husband works from having the 100 + off the books illegals that are there now.
Nice plan. But we need to insist people learn English just like OUR families did when they came here. All those idiots on the Pro Obama video crooning OH BOMBA OH BOMBA made me sick with their messages in Spanish. This is America, Speak English. Who do these Mexicans think they are anyway? It just isn't possible to have signs in Spanish, but not Korean and Russian.
One Language. Once Country.
8:53, I like your plan except for the grace period. Every illegal we let stay is one more criminal we allow citizenship. Heck, even the statue of liberty doesn't say "give me your criminals"!
Gabriela,
Don't waste your time or emotional investment on this topic on ISYN. The frequent posters on this blog have firmly held opinions and no matter what you say - facts, opinions, personal experience, logic, or other - it will not make one iota of difference. Zero.
Just know there are many people who agree with you, here, and across the country. So luckily none of the extreme scenarios of mass exodus, building a wall, etc will *ever* have a chance of happening.
I often feel a moral obligation to speak up on behalf of people who I perceive are being discriminated against, but please save your voice for a place where it will be heard. Really all it does here is give those who disagree an opportunity to voice their intolerance and a target to attack. They tend to get bored much more quickly when they are just agreeing with each other, then the topic goes away for a while.
Thanks for being brave enough to put yourself out there and face all the anger!
One Language, One Country.
And I bet you're the type of person who I've seen in Germany while overseas who expected the nationals to know English.
"In San Francisco, they want to issue a "city ID card" to anyone who can't produce a driver's license which would automatically qualify them for all the FREE services that city offers to people who normally have to prove their eligibility for them, including free medical care. Meanwhile, since my husband's employer does not offer a group health plan, we're on our own and we pay $850/mo w/no prescription coverage and a $50 copay for every doctor visit. Can I qualify for free medical care somewhere? Not in the U.S. it seems."
When I read this a couple of days ago my first instinct was to tell Calimom that she ought to just go get one of those ID cards for herself. It took me about a second to realize that unless her skin is brown (not too brown, mind you, just the right amount) there is no way in hell they will be giving one to her. Same with free medical care if she simply shows up at a hospital. If your skin is the right kind of brown, they are not allowed to even ask, but if your skin is white, or too brown, you have to show proof of insurance or ability to pay before anybody will help you.
What do you have to say now about interjecting skin color into the illegal immigration problem? Does it only work when it fits your side of the "racist" argument?
One language one country here. I speak Spanish, Portuguese and Flemish fluently. I think everyone should speak more than one language. But logistically, unless we are prepared to accommodate every person in this melting pot, we can discriminate against the others by only acceding to one. Got it?
Let me interject some reason here. Those of you who are recent immigrants have friends and family in your home countries. And as such, you prevent a continuity of care in our world. The continuity of care is essential for personal and community development. This law states that first and foremost, you look out for yourself, and then your family, and then friends and then your schools, churches and neighborhoods, and then your town and then your state and your country. It is a trickle down affect. But so many immigrants these days come here and take with one hand, while leaving the left foot firmly planted on foreign soil and they never immerse themselves in the real America. They don't care about the neighborhood, only certain people in their neighborhood. School is irrelevant since no one tries to even learn English. And pride in their town? Do you see what the immigrants do to the beaches up in Fairfield County. The excuse local policians provide is that they can't read the signs that say No Littering. This is why they throw EVERYTHING all over the beach. DO you really need a sign to tell you NOT to do that? Or if you really took this country as your own, wouldn't you care about your beach in your town? You would think.
Sorry to say but 90 percent of today's illegals are the reason that America is going down the tubes. And I swear to God the next time I see a Peruvian or a Jamaican riding his bike on the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD or on a sidewalk, I'm gonna hit him. Not hard, my car is compact (green), but hard enough for him to GET IT.
Immigrants = Lawless people
I love all people. I am voting for Obama on Tuesday and I will tell you why. This country is all about being one big salad. We aren't a soup or a stew but a salad. We get to maintain our own flavor in this giant wooden bowl that is America.
Anon@9:39
foot firmly planted. you mean like flying the flags of their country in my face while not paying taxes and sending what they do make back to their country. they consider their country their HOME and our country their paycheck. I don't know if they are lawless so much as they arrive with a grand sense of entitlement. What can this country do to me. Years ago, people arrived and signed up for the US Service first thing and built railroads and schools and took pride in building a country.
pink like kaopectate,
I am glad you love Obama. He has many redeeming qualities and I enjoyed his books very much. I don't think he has what is needed to be the President. I just don't.
9:30, that might even be a logical suggestion, and worth a try except that I don't actually live IN San Francisco, just nearby. But since I am often taken for Hispanic, you got me thinking...(just joking!)
5:58, what was the source of all that data you posted?
Sorry for all the separate postings, having a lot of trouble getting site to load right now.
Here is a link to an article on those city ID cards. It doesn't really go into detail on how many of the services it enables people to receive are free, but the city of San Francisco somehow provides medical coverage for all city residents. Legal or not. Maybe that makes up for the astronomical cost of living there??
9:39
And then when you hit him, he will sue you, get plenty and not be deported because he suffered a grievous injury. :D
Calimom the data came from Wikipedia. There is an extensive article if you are interested. Its a little difficult to find unbiased information on this subject and the government keeps only sketchy statistics. For instance, it is not permissable to ask prisoners whether they are legal or illegal anymore so those statistics are impossible to calculate, and yet there continues a huge debate over how big of a crime problem the illegal alien situation presents. Both sides of the debate are able to claim pretty much whatever they want because data is collected in weird ways and the results cannot possibly accurately reflect reality.
Newspapers simply won't publish letters to the editor which they either deem politically incorrect (read below) or which does not agree with the philosophy they're pushing on the public. This woman wrote a great letter to the editor that should have been published; but, with your help it will get published via cyberspace!
New Immigrants
From: 'David LaBonte'
My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of the OC Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I decided to 'print' it myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass it along if you feel so inclined.
Dave LaBonte (signed)
Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in the Orange County Register:
Dear Editor:
So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.
Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States , people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country i n good and bad times They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.
They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture
Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy , France and Japan None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France , no one in those v illages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It wou ld have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.
And here we are in 2007 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life . I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.
And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.
(signed) Rosemary LaBonte
I hope this letter gets read by millions of people all across the nation!!
So much hatred and bigotry being expressed here. We Americans lead such privileged lives compared to the majority of the worlds population. I would hate to think these POVs have become the norm in this country.
Compared to where? To what you see on TV? I have traveled to Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Holland and all over the world and see nations that have great wealth and take pride in their own countries with hemoragging their very net to all the others.
Ever wonder why nature photographers dont jump out of their jeeps to save the zebra from the tiger? Because that is how the world is supposed to work. We are overpopulated now because we are keeping people alive that are not meant to be alive. We are interfering in the natural course of things. The world is supposed to be the survival of the fittest.
"Hatred and Bigotry"?
Isn't that sort of like yelling to win an argument when you have no facts to support your position?
"Lower your voice and improve your argument."
Calling people names isn't going to make your point any more valid.
But if you have something real to say I'm sure we would all be happy to listen.
I liked the life-boat analogy, it summed things up best!
We simply cannot support the growing number of people flowing over our borders with their hands out. I am not saying to close our doors to all, but these people need to become contributing members to society and the only way they can do that is to become legal. America is the Great American Melting Pot. But even the largest pot will eventually be empty if people keep helping themselves without putting anything in.
Also, if you think it does them any good to be hanging around on street corners hoping to get picked by employers who will disrespect them, use them in deplorable conditions and then if they are lucky, pay them a grossly inadequate amount. (Many employers stiff these people at the end of the day) I beg to differ. People standing up for continued illegal occupation and immigration are supporting the immigrants right to be used, abused and ignored. And then you make yourselves feel better by saying we should offer their free school and healthcare. But how about we offer them the most basic human right of dignity and self-respect by making them become legal, pay their fair share and then their children can better themselves. First by moving out of the apartment they share with six or seven others.
Great point 12:09. They are being exploited. It is meant to be that way. Industires who use the cheap labor have deep pockets and Washington has it's hands warm and snug inside them. Those certain industries win. Politicians win (literally). The workers are little more than slave labor (Read the Grapes of Wrath sometime. The situations are strikingly similar.)and the working, tax paying American citizens make up the difference in what the industries get away with paying and what it takes to survive here. I would maybe feel sorry for the illegals except that they willingly choose to come here and participate in the whole mess.
Don't you think our country could fix this problem in a heartbeat? They don't want to. It benefits the politicians' benefactors and that's all that matters. I personally could go out and find a hundred illegals a day and still have time for lunch with a girlfriend a trip to the gym and a massage before the kids need picked up from school. Not until the common people speak up en masse (and vote accordingly) will anything change.
12:09/12:25
Do you have any plans to run for President?
Great posts!
Perhaps as a democrat, although I have not committed any serious crimes and am not a muslim or a communist (or even married to one). Sheesh, I'm not even a socialist. Do you think I would still have a chance?
I'd vote for ya! lol
I am one of those nannies who keeps calling for a system of licensed, qualified, unionized nannies (with thorough backround checks and legal citizenship!). I would rather die than ever treat a beautiful, precious baby the way this nanny treated her helpless little charge.
I watch the neglect that goes on in public between illegal nannies and their charges...it's clearly much worse in private!
Frankly, I don't care if this sounds politically-incorrect or not---STOP HIRING ILLEGALS!!!
The children are counting on all of us to do what's right.
First of all I would like to clarify what the spanish annoucer said, just in case it hasn't been done. This incident took place in Guanajuato, Mexico. The parents were suspecious of abuse and that is why the camara went up. Secondly, the Evil Witch was only sentenced for a week and a half after she paid a $5,000 fine. This incident, according to the laws of Mexico was not vicious enough, and she was let go after a week and a half. I am appalled, sickened, disturbed at the abuse this child received. I blame the mother for not being there for her child. Who can take better care of your child except you, the mother. If these mothers have enough money to hire a nanny, you have enough money to stay home and take care of your own kids. Who cares if you are not a corporate juggernut!!!!??? Your children are more important than money,positions or anything material. I cried as I watched such cruelty. I can not understand how such women exist. Take care of the children, moms and dads!!!
Kag, if a parent makes enough money to hire a nanny then they can afford to stay home?
I am begging you to tell me where the logic is in that...
Don't demonize all nannies and don't judge parents because they have to work. That's just close minded and irrational.
For every bad nanny there are probably thousands of good ones...you just don't hear about them.
Cry for THAT kid but do not turn your nose up and make harsh generalizations when it comes to all the children who are loved, nurtured and cared for by their nannies/caregivers.
Yes, they can afford to stay at home, they may have to give up somethings but the health and well being of thier children are more important than making more money. What do you mean where is the logic? Where is the logic of having someone else taking care of your children? I grew up without my mother and trust me I feel the pain of it even to this day! I am about to have a baby and I would never ever leave my child in the care of another because I know what others are capable of doing.
For your information, I never once demonized "all nannies" as you put it. The responsibility falls on the parents to take care of thier children. They should not pass that responsibility up no matter how good a nanny is.
And yes I will pass judgement because I have experienced the abondonment and being cared by others instead of my own mother! I will judge because I have a mind and I believe nothing is better than motherly love. I will judge what is good and what is bad and in my not so humble opinion, Mother = Good for the children.
You are entitled to your own opinion.
OMG!!!! mom, cali mom and cate in co, you guys are so dumb and racist. So if i speak spanish that makes me a illegal?? are you like kidding? You guys are so ignorant. Get a life, go take care of your kids. Also i thought we were here to talk about the poor baby not about inmigration!!!
ugh!
Mady
OMG!!!! Mady, you are so dumb and iliterate. Are you like kidding? No one said that and this thread is like 2 months old. Get a life and stop obsessing about my kid. (He's asleep in bed now hon, it's past 10:00 pm here.) BTW did you mean to say "immigration" instead of "inmigration"? What a funny typo. All those illegals (you?) sure are migrating IN.
Holy immigration, Batman!
There's no way you can post a video like this and NOT have anything un-pc said about it, Mady. That is what makes Jane's Blog so great.
When you write a post, you have the floor, and can pretty much discuss whatever you want.
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