Loss of Privacy

For a million young Dominicians with Haitian parents, a new law could strip them of not only their identity but also their rights to education, travel and even marriage. Many young Dominicans of Haitian descent lacking birth certificates say they are facing discrimination by officials in efforts to obain the document. Without it, they are unable to go apply for university, marriage or a passport. Though Haiti has said it will offer citizenship to anyone with Haitian parents, many of the one million young Dominicans have never been to neighbouring Haiti and feel no allegiance to a nation mere miles away on the other side of the border of the same island. Al Jazeera’s Ross Velton reports from the Dominican Republic.

Yet more hypocritical speeches, this time from President Obama.

“As we mark the end of America’s combat mission in Iraq,” President Barack Obama said this week, “a grateful America must pay tribute to all who served there.” He should have added “unless you’re gay,” because, despite his rhetoric, weeks earlier the commander-in-chief fired one of those Iraq vets: Lt. Dan Choi. Choi is a West Point graduate, an Arabic linguist and an Iraq war veteran. He was fired under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. We talk to him about his life, his coming out and his military service.

In a letter to members of the city council, the ACLU requested information relating to the immigration resolutions and the hiring of prominent illegal immigration attorney Kris Kobach, who recently visited the city.

Albertville Mayor Lindsey Lyons said the request will be done, but he feels it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars and a city employee’s time.
“I laugh at these people. I’ll be honest with you. As far as I’m concerned, you can put a “U” in front of the “A”, Unamerican Civil Liberties Union. I think they ought to devote their efforts to real world problems,” said Mayor Lyons.

ACLU officials said they’re looking to see if there are any violations of citizen’s rights. 

It’s pretty sad that an elected mayor thinks that violations of people’s basic rights are so funny and such a waste of time. Despite what Mayor Lindsey Lyons thinks, even illegal immigrants have rights. Without basic rights, you might as well return to slavery, which is what some people claim Mr. Kobach and some of his associates would like.

Is it their right to be racist? Should businesses be allowed to discriminate? What do you think?