By James Riswick
News Editor
For five years I was a resident alien of the United States. I had a green card, a social security number and a driver’s license. I legally entered this country from Canada and seven years, and a whole ton of paperwork later, I’m an American citizen.
By now, you must be wondering why I’ve chosen to share with you my history of American naturalization. Well, if I were to repeat this process again in California instead of Indiana, I could get the driver’s license with about as much formality as “Yo quiero uno driver’s licenso.”
California’s potential lame-duck government has signed into law a bill allowing non-residents of the United States – meaning illegal immigrants – to get valid driver’s licenses.
Gov. Gray Davis supports the bill because, one, he likes doing unpopular things and two, because he says it will make California’s roads safer by having all drivers on the road licensed and capable of buying insurance.
After driving around anywhere in California or in the United States for that matter, it becomes apparent that there are a whole lot of terrible drivers out there – almost all of which are licensed. Besides, aren’t Mexican driver’s licenses recognized as legal in the United States anyway?
Also, does anyone think that an illegal alien who’s working for an indentured servant’s wages is going to be insuring their $400 1984 Chevy pick-up?
Opponents to the bill are not only agreeing with what I just said, but they’ve also brought up the fact that having a driver’s license will allow illegal aliens to vote in California. Essentially, an illegal immigrant who Davis just allowed to have a driver’s license will have the ability to recall him.
But this is scary, because a driver’s license is apparently good enough for voter registration. That means that even a resident alien, as I was, would be able to vote. Does that mean I could have voted without becoming a citizen and in the process not memorizing such citizenship test information as what colony joined the union first? (The answer will be provided at the end of this column)
The thought of legitimizing illegal aliens is ridiculous. They might as well tell U.S. Immigration along the Mexican border to take a day off or maybe California can even provide an air-conditioned bus from Ensenada. Heck, that bus could even be driven by a licensed illegal alien.
Regardless of how long this law stays in effect, more identification should be required to vote than simply a driver’s license. Gaining citizenship should count for more in this country than just being able to get a passport.
• Israeli Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told CNN on Sunday that assassinating Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is a possibility. Wow, that’s just a fantastic idea. You might as well take the well-scorched Road Map to Peace, throw it into an Israeli pizza shop and before you could say “jihad,” blow it to kingdom come.
Responding to this, Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “We think it would create a great deal of difficulty in the region.” That goes as the understatement of the day. Taking out Saddam Hussein is one thing, but taking out a man, who like it or not, is respected by his people is quite another. If the Israelis want to halt terrorism, taking out Arafat would be the most counterproductive thing they could possibly do.
• And now to severely change topics, here is what has become the weekly hot pop star commentary. This week, the honor was originally going to go to Jessica Simpson. In fact, I had to rewrite the conclusion of this column after reading the newest issue of Rolling Stone Magazine featuring Britney Spears. It was just too hard to pass up.
In her latest shock-and-awe photo shoot and interview, Spears spoke candidly about a variety of subjects ranging from Justin to the big kiss. Instead of me elaborating on these, just pick up the issue and enjoy it for yourself. All you need to know is her innocence has now plunged lower than her neckline and you’ll never look at her (or Fred Durst) the same again.
Oh, and before I forget, the answer is Delaware.
September 18, 2003
