Immigration and "the stranger among you"

Outline of a post I expect to finish up one of these days:

Immigration Policy falls into two broad categories, and then two classes within those, plus a clarification of child citizenship:

1. How immigrants attempt to get into the country determines fate
• If entry was by deceit, then
• Deport, with family, or
• Forced menial labor (you want to stay, you do this job)
• Legitimately, then
• Ellis Island Approach
• quarantine while investigated (health or background, 
• must have sponsor and job to go to, 
• plus one month's minimum wage saved.
• all good? Then go in peace, you are welcome here
2. How should they be treated once here?
• Sojourner (in Bible "the stranger", "the alien")
• Equal treatment before the law, criminal or civil
• Unequal in privileges/benefits (reserved only for citizens)
• Naturalized Citizen
• Only after formal request, and passing rigorous test
• Equal expectations (exs: pay taxes, vote, military service)
• Equal benefits (public education, social security, etc.)
3. Child citizenship determined by:
• birth to (or adoption by) two other known citizens
• not based on place of birth, but on citizenship of parents

Scripture: Exodus 12:43-49; Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33; Dt. 10:18-19; Ex. 22:21; Numbers 15:15-16; Lev. 25:47; Lev. 24:22; Dt. 24:17; Dt 24:20; Dt. 29:11; Joshua 9

Sweet Home Iowa

Dear reader, apparently we have a few aspects of Iowa culture to catch up on.  I just moved a bunch of photos from my Samsung Galaxy to my Mac, and realized that it's been an eventful few weeks, with some iconic Des Moines, Iowa, events to share.  They are, in order:

• Packer MVP Quarterback Day (12-4-16)
• Hannukah at Lubavitch's on Polk St.
• Caucus fever at Smokey Row Cafe'
• Bacon Fest! at the Iowa Events Center

Okay, this first one isn't really even a thing, but.. we celebrated at the office anyway!

Hannukah was early this year.  And Des Moines is one of the few places I know where the local kosher deli also hosts a Torah school and has the biggest menorah in town.

Not in the list, but a short interlude to look at another winter sunset in Iowa.

Caucus Fever.

In addition to the candidate I stumped for, many others came to sleepy old Iowa, and a few I even got close enough to snap a photo.

Carly, for one.

Ben, for another.

Mike, also.

The guy is movie-star handsome.  But couldn't get traction here, despite the "Rally for O'Malley" that popped up at Smokey Row on Caucus eve.

NPR came out and did "Morning Edition" on location at my favorite coffee shop.

David Greene was the host that day.  He sort of looked like his voice sounded, too.

But none of the candidates that interviewed with him that morning made it in the top three, and 3 of the 4 dropped out after New Hampshire.  Too bad.  They were the ones I liked.

Bacon Fest.

It's massive.

Quirky.

Gastronomic.

Adventurous.

Indescribable.

And has some sights that you never can un-see.

So to ease the pain on your eyes, I present a composite shot of the view overlooking the East Village, from the 34th Floor of the Ruan building downtown.  The Embassy Club of Des Moines occupies this lovely place, and I'm looking forward to an elegant dinner there at the end of this month, to watch the lights come on across the city as dusk falls.  :)

This, dear reader, is my state.  I'm beginning to feel at home here.  :)