L. Marcus

Clearly, some people are operating on very different narratives. I like to look at it this way: Is illegal immigration a home invasion or a parking violation?
 
Both are violations of law, but most people would say they are of greatly different severity. When people park where they shouldn't, we charge them a fine but we don't revoke their license, confiscate their car and demand massive government expenditure to make sure nobody double-parks or parks in a fire zone again. Neither do we shrug and say that since we can't stop everyone from parking in the wrong place every time, we should just give up and abandon all parking regulations.
 
To me, that describes illegal immigration. People haven't followed the rules, but it's no big deal. Levy a penalty, but give them a chance to re-park somewhere else.
 
A report on All Things Considered claimed that more than half the "illegals" actually entered the country legally but overstayed their visas. So this is nothing more than letting the parking meter run out on your car. Pay your ticket, move on.
 
But clearly, to many people illegal immigration is more home invasion. Strangers have violently entered a place that is theirs to rob them and do them harm.
 
The problem I see with this emotional response is that the country is not your home. Your home is yours. Your country is not. You, individually, do not get to say who belongs and who doesn't. Moreover, you are not, personally, robbed or harmed by the mere act of someone crossing a border without permission. Any harm is likely diffuse and indirect.
 
No matter how intense and visceral the sense of violation, feelings are not facts. Public policy should be carefully considered and made on the most objective grounds possible. Not just because some people are confused about personal boundaries.
 
(Though the point about employers of the undocumented is another issue. Here, I think the harm is quite objective and measurable -- including to the undocumented.)
 
Dean Shomshak

... I have a vision of elder species playing Why Are You Hitting Yourself with newcomers.

Pariah is one of the preeminent ice sculpture artists working today, specializing in bespoke snowflakes.

Ursula K. Le Guin has died at 88

Doom

Turns out, I'm healthier than I thought.

Had a coronary angiography yesterday. Not really tip-top, but definitely an A grade. 
 
Hurt like a motherbitch when they pullet out the introducer, though. Vascular spasm.

Had a coronary angiography yesterday. Not really tip-top, but definitely an A grade. 
 
Hurt like a motherbitch when they pullet out the introducer, though. Vascular spasm.

You will know if it has happened by someone acing the test.

Yes. It's called "Non-Gaming Discussion".

I don't even touch alcohol. I have a sneaking suspicion that I would be a really mean drunk.

The Computer keeps telling you to go outside, because sitting in your room all day is treason.
 
New Topic: Fun things to do in Des Moines, Iowa.

Pigs 3, British Bipeds 1

No ... I wanted to catch the 3:30 bus, and good form snark takes more time than I had.

I had good ones. Were they helpful?

"So, human, what were you planning on having?"
 

Trump never gets tired of reminding us all how superior he is. Mainly because he isn't.

Convective cells imaged on pi 1 Gruis
An S star

Oopsie on my part.

Oh great flaming spheres of stupid

Crabulous

Decapod