O, Big Brother Where Art Thou?

I can go for days without anything inspiring me to write and then in just a couple sections of the newspaper find a million topics to comment on.

Let me start with Immigration. I can't say that I have strong feelings either way on this issue but in recent months I've seen good people face deportation. First is a University of Arkansas college student named Jonathan Chavez. This is a young man forced to pay for the sins of the father. As a child Mr. Chavez's family illegally immigrated to America. This young man has worked hard to get a good education, he has a 3.8 GPA at the UA. He also has been a strong Christian example in this area. It is a shame that he is facing deportation. We are going to send him back to a country that he has no memory of and no ties to. The second is a family that I have had the pleasure to come to know. They entered this country through the Corporate jungle. Through a now typical series of corporate reorganizations etc., they find themselves facing deportation. This family has made every legal inroad to become U.S. citizens. I have seen them humble themselves to not become a burden on society while they were between work. These are hard working law abiding citizens that in a matter of weeks will have to leave the country. It all makes me sad. Our country was built on the backs of immigrants. On the dreams and desires of hard working people who saw the land of opportunity. It frustrates me to see what happens to these people. But I don't have a better answer. I understand that good people get caught up in laws that were enacted to provide security for Americans. It is unfortunate that the immigration system is so backed up. I have no answers. Just frustration.

Now the other political topic I got caught up in. Fayetteville is considering banning smoking in bars. I am a non-smoker. I find smoking a disgusting habit but I'm also not your mom, doctor, or conscience. I understand that there are places that I may go that expose me to secondhand smoke. I take steps to control my exposure. My question for you to think on is this. Does government have a right to ban smoking in these public places? Is it for the greater good? Who are we protecting, patrons that have a choice where they go or workers who are exposed to second hand smoke because of the need for employment? Once again I have no answers. If it were up to me no one would smoke. Especially those I love, I want you around for a long time and like it or not smoking kills you. But, I acknowledge that it is not up to me. Is it up to "Big Brother"?

Stepping off of my soapbox now...