4A
Friday, November 11, 1994
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
California measure is both unconstitutional and unfair
Sometimes even the majority isn't right. On Tuesday, Californians approved Proposition 187, the ballot measure that denies illegal immigrants access to education and most health care and requires teachers and doctors to turn in people suspected of being in the country illegally.
Although 59 percent of the voters approved the measure, it isn't right — legally or ethically.
Constitutionally, the measure doesn't fly. A 1982 Supreme Court case, Plyler vs. Doe, stated that Texas could not deny "undocumented school-age children the free public education that it provides to children who are citizens of the United States or legally admitted aliens."
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution says that no state can "deprive any person of life, liberty or property." That's person, not just U.S. citizens.
Californians' justification for this unconstitutional proposition was to "Save Our State." Yes, California may have a problem with illegal immigration, but the consequences of Proposition 187 could be much harsher than saving a few dollars in the next few years.
Many immigrants' children are U.S. citizens by birthright.
By denying those children their right to an education, California is denying future generations the right to be like any other U.S. citizen. And those 300,000 to 800,000 children who are children of these immigrants will continue to be pushed into a permanent underclass: one with little skills and, especially, no education. Who would you hire? Someone with a G.E.D. or someone who received little, or no, American education?
Health care is another concern.
This measure refuses "most" health care to illegal immigrants.
What does it allow? California's health department should take a look at
PROPOSITION 187 Immigrants in peril
expanding what it will give to illegal immigrants.
Denying immunizations, for example, would create a plague.
Some "childhood" diseases can eventually kill if they go untreated, and we do have both treatments and preventative measures for them. In amorbid way, denying immunizations and treatment could, over a long period of time, "save" California from illegal immigrants by slowly killingthem off.
A final concern is requiring people to turn in suspected illegal immigrants to the proper authorities. This could easily create a sense of panic. All minorities, especially Hispanics, would be forced to carry identification — in case they're suspected of not being a "true" American.
Proposition 187 was strongly supported by Caucasians, Asian Americans and African Americans. Why? Probably in part because the plan would not affect them.
Meanwhile, many Hispanics 29 percent of the population may live cautiously, worried that their lives may be affected by being harassed because of their ethnic background. That's nearly one-third of California who could be innocently labeled as a "criminal" illegal immigrant, who could face discrimination and pain as a result.
And those who are indeed illegal immigrants will live a shadowy existence.
They aren't going to suddenly flee the United States or go to Oregon or Nevada because of the proposition. And, Proposition 187 won't stop potential immigrants from trying to make more than the $5-a-day minimum wage they would make in Mexico.
What Proposition 187 will do — if it is upheld in the courts — is create a permanent class of people who are plagued with disease, no skills, no chances and no hope.
ROBERTA JOHNSON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
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What's news to you isn't news to me
Have you been keeping up with the news lately, Sludge?
"What? Another heavily-armed nut taking shots at the White House?" Basically, yeah.
Newt Gingrich and the GOP have taken over D.C.!
"Um. not really. Why?"
Oh, and a Cure for AIDS may have been found! Scientists say they have discovered the protein that could put the AIDS virus on "indefinite hold."
"Indefinite hold? Sounds like what happened to me at enrollment."
What about Marcus Allen in L.A.?
"Not back to the Raiders!"
No. Sludge. For the O.J. Simpson trial, Apparently, however, the ESPN reports that Los Angeles Police were going to interview Marcus about the O.J. Simpson case turned out to be false.
"But didn't he sleep with Nicole Simpson Brown?"
According to her best friend's book.
"Best friend? Geez. Women certainly can be cads to one another, huh?"
The price of stamps is going up, too. "I thought food stamps were free." No, first-class stamps, silly. They're
The price of stamps is going up, too.
MATT GOWEN
"What happened to 30? Would it be too much trouble to make it an even amount? You know, without all those extra pennies."
going from 29 cents to 32 cents in January.
Well, most people buy rolls of stamps, not just one.
"Oh."
Also, the Clinton administration is trying to urge the Supreme Court to reinstate the federal ban on the possession of guns within 1,000 feet of schools.
but I just put my windshield wipers on high and kept going. Should I have made a citizens arrest or something?"
"Hey! I was gonna say something to that kid with the Super Soaker 2000,
Well, let's wait to see what the court says. But Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin, says that more than 200,000 kids tote guns to school every day. And apparently, according to the 'arguments on Tuesday, Congress has recognized a connection between gun possession and violence.
"Really? What is it?"
I'm not sure, Sludge. But there's some interesting food news, too. A study released in the most recent American Medical Association journal shows that eating dark green, leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of Macular degeneration later in life.
"So, your ability to digest Big Macs goes down if you don't each spinach. Kind of a weird trade-off."
No, the center of your retina deteriorates, and you may lose your vision after age 70. Eating cabbage, brussel sprouts, squash or cauliflower may also help.
Yikes. Eat leaves or grass or maybe lose your sight? I think I'll take my
chances."
"What. half-minute rice?"
Or what about the new "super rice?"
Um, no, but that's a good idea. I guess researchers at the International Rice Research Institute have developed a breed of rice that yields 25 percent more food per acre than the best types today. It would be enough to provide for another 450 million people a year. The world's population and hunger problems would be solved, and The Pope and Al Gore could kiss and make up. We'll all eat rice. Isn't that great news?
"No way! I'd rather have everybody fall into the ocean. I can't live without Johnny's cheeseburgers."
I'm sure we could make an exception.
What game?
"Are you done asking questions? I can't hear the game."
"Any game. My head's starting to hurt."
Fair enough
LET'S HOPE THESE ELEPHANTS DON'T ACT LIKE MULES
Matt Gowen is a Lawrence senior in journalism.
Matt Hood/ KANSAN
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Proposition 187 not about race
The respective articles of Sandra Olivas and Nicholas Shump on Proposition 187 in California were insightful, but allow me to offer a different point of view on the hotly debated issue. The new joke these days in California is if you go to the hospital and don't have insurance, forget about it. But if you really want to get treated, tell them you are an illegal.
In the New Websters Dictionary, illegal is defined as "violating the law." This brings to mind jail time, not a free ticket to services of hospitals and schools. It is true that the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment ensures all children proper schooling, but it refers to all citizens of the U.S. government not just anyone who can get into the country. Proposition 187 is not about race, but instead a solution to boost an economy that is ranked 49th in the nation.
Mission Viejo, Ca., junior
Tom Alrev
Heard the latest about Chuck and Di? Ninnies, bores, foggy moors and such
Or maybe it isn't authentic but that doesn't matter in modern journalism.
From secret sources, I have obtained what could be an authentic transcript of marriage counseling sessions with Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
Here are portions of their poignant efforts to resolve their marital differences and live happily ever after.
Counselor: "Well, why don't we begin. I'd like each of you to tell me what your major problems are. Who would like to start?"
COLUMNIST
Charles: "Tlill start. I find her to be something of a ninny. Pleasant to look at, I suppose, but not a brain in her head, poor thing."
"Besides, Charles is a bore, and a bore is far more annoying than a ninny."
Counselor: "Diana, what do you say to that? Are you a ninny?"
Counselor: "Charles, are you a bore? Charles? Wake up, old chap." Charles: "Hmm? Oh. yes. Bore, she
Diana: "But of course. I was raised to be a ninny. Upper class and that sort of thing. Why in the world would I have learned anything useful when I knew I would lead an idle life of looking and sounding pleasant? Education and knowledge would have merely made me cranky. He knew full well before he married me that I was a ninny.
MIKE ROYKO
says? Of course I'm a bore. What would you expect? I was raised to be a bore. Family tradition, you know. Our line of work, really. Dress well, stand up straight, shake hands, smile politely, give them the old cheerio. Then it's back to the countryside to stomp about a foggy moor. Of course Di doesn't like stomping about a foggy moor. Prefers a disco to a moor. Can't understand that."
Diana: "Ah, but you have that wrinkled hag of a mistress with whom you stomp about the foggy moor. I truly don't know what you see in that old thing."
Charles: "Well, it is fogy enough on the moor, she looks adequate."
Diana: "But when we married, you swore to me that your affair with her was over."
Charles: "I swore to that? Are you sure?"
Diana: "Absolutely."
Charles: "Hmm. Then it must have slipped my mind. Should start jotting that sort of thing down."
Counselor: "Good thinking. Diana, would a reconciliation be possible if Charles promises to jot things down?"
Charles: "Just a moment. I'd like to settle the matter of that twit of a major with whom Diana had a merry roll in the haw."
Diana: "We did not have a roll in the hay. You know very well that I dislike hay and that it makes me sniff."
Charles: 'Well, I don't really care where you had your roll. Such details bore me. But the least you could have done was have a roll in the whatever with a decent chap who wouldn't dash off to write a bloody book about it.
"My word, if Henry the Eighth were your husband, he would have had you and that major drawn and quartered."
Diana: "Who is Henry the Eighth?"
Charles: "See? I told you she was a ninny."
Diana: "Well, I can't keep track of all your relatives. Have I met him at any parties or balls?"
Charles: "Henry the Eighth is dead."
Diana: "Just as well. I'm sure I wouldn't have liked him. As for the major, I had no idea the cad was
going to write a book about us. He didn't seem at all like the literary type."
Diana: "Then I must read it. Where does one get books?"
Charles: "He's not. Dreadful book.
Quite shallow."
Charles: "You can borrow a copy from mvum."
Diana: "You know very well that I can't stand your mum, and she dislikes me. I've told you that a thousand times."
Charles: "Really? I'll have to jot that down too."
Charles: "Ah, you read it, then?"
Diana: "By the way, your new book about not loving me is nothing to brag about."
Charles: "Ah, you read it, then?" Diana: "No, but a dear friend read a review."
Charles: "How nice, Well, I must go now. Time to stomp the moor. Hear there is a fine fog today."
Diana: "Yes, and I must go to my health club. I fear I've gained an ounce."
Counselor: "But what about your marriage? Don't you want to resolve your problems?"
Charles: "Oh, that. Yes, I'll jot that down."
Diana: "Yes, and take a note for me. You know how I hate spelling."
Mike Royko is a syndicated columnist with the Chicago Tribune.
HUBIE
By Greg Hardin