Freedom of Religion

This post could easily have been called separation of church and state. Depends on your perspective I suppose.

The founding fathers came to North America partly to escape the Church of England and to practice freedom of religion. Clearly, at the time, and really up to very recent times, religion - primarily Christianity - played a large role in American society. Despite that, it seems highly likely that the religious men and women who founded this country thought that religious entities should not be running the country.

It seems equally as likely that they didn't mean that Christian symbols should be banned from public life. Nor any other religious symbol for that matter. In terms of the United States and Christianity, they are joined together forever because of the huge majority of citizens who identify themselves with at least modest Christian beliefs. That huge majority should not be apologetic, nor asked to forgo their important symbols.

However, other faiths with fewer followers, and indeed those who are "faithless", should not be any way discriminated against either. Symbols that apply to the vast majority do not discriminate against people of other religions or no religion. To think that a nativity scene or crucifix in a public building somehow violates separation of church and state is simply not reasonable. It even pays tribute to the beliefs of the brave men and women who founded this great land.

Immigration

Okay, now we have to move on to more meaningful topics such as immigration reform. The broken U.S. government was unable to get the deal done. Based on the document they created, that is a good thing. However, since they won't deal with this again until 2009, the following should be done:
1. Secure the border as much as possible by wall, patrols, destroying tunneling, night vision tracking, etc. Work hard it.
2. Enforce the laws already on the books and the newer tighter rules and laws being passed or contemplated in the states. Arizona today passed tighter laws.
3. Deal with the Legal Immigrants now. They are a different problem. Think about the fiasco with passports and realize that these folks are being unfairly and unduly delayed. They have followed the rules so let's get them done.
4. Take time to talk to illegal immigrants and try to understand what will make them step forward and identify themselves and learn English.
5. Immediately detain and deport any illegal immigrant convicted of a crime - finger print them, get their DNA, and never let them apply. Tell them if they are ever caught here again, they will be detained in a U.S. prison and their families will also be barred from entering even legally.
6. Finally, in 2009 pass comprehensive immigration reform that rewards the achievers and English speakers, and allows for some of the traditional family inclusion.

To have passed the so called bi-partisan bill would have been simply unreasonable as it was, as President Bush clearly announced, an amnesty bill that would have been terrible for this country.