America's history of immigration is a history of illegal immigration.

Irish? Illegal immigrants, many fleeing famine.

Italians? Illegal immigrants; the slur "wop" is for With-Out Papers.

Chinese? Illegal immigrants, many aided and abetted by railroads and mining interests operating in the western frontiers.

Polish and post-Soviet? Lots of illegals there too.

The truth is that part of what makes America so vital is that it is a multi-ethnic society where people who are truly hungry for a better life have a shot, paperwork or not. These are the sorts of folks who are driven, who are risk-takers, who are in a very real sense entrepreneurs.

Which isn't to say there aren't differences in 21st Centiry immigration patterns. Refugees aside, it's usually an economic thing, and these days you really have to look at it within the context of a globalized economy: as capital moves more freely, labor wants to do the same.

Conservatives who rail against the erosion of the nation (language, culture and borders all becoming more muddled) are reactionary, yes, but not completely paranoid either. Especially where physical geography connects nations, tighter economic integration means more human immigration and eventually closer legal coordination. I for one see this as sort of inevitable, and something we aught to embrace and try to manage rather than ignore or leave up to the whimsical providence of "market forces."

I say let's accept the natural end of post-cold-war Pax Americana -- it wasn't going to last, even without Iraq -- and let more global security fall to the broader G8/UN-Security Council folks. At the same time we should be working towards a more robust and energy-independent economy, and looking to improving things in our own hemisphere for a spell. Let the Empire expire; long live the Republic!

Boing Boing had this on monday, but I've been busy with work. This is interesting and important. Everyone's been casually aware for some time that social networking will be a big part of how the next generation will organize. Seeing it happen is exciting.

Also, your social networking technology isn't worth anything. The userbase is worth something, but good luck trying to keep them. These groups who are doing big-money deals for these tools are going to end up disappointed, unless there's some sort-term payoff (like datamining the user database for marketing information) that I'm missin.

Talkin' about the cat in Afghanistan who's under the gun for apotasty -- converting from Islam to Christianity -- here's the American Enterprise Institute's Richard Coehn, spoiling for the clash of civilizations in a column. Unfathomable Zealotry:

Now, though, this awful thing returns and it is not just a single country that would kill a man for his beliefs but a huge swath of the world that would not protest. There can be only one conclusion: They were in agreement.
...
I can embrace an Afghan for his children, his work, even his piety -- all he shares with much of humanity. But when he insists that a convert must die, I am stunned into disbelief: Is this my fellow man?

An Afghan might ask if you are in fact his fellow man if you insist that wedding parties must be anniahlated so that freedom can march. It's a messy world, and we shouldn't pretend that we're not brutal people too. Stripping away the humanity of the Other just makes it easier to kill.

Sorta makes me mad, this cycle. It is how wars perpetuate, with sweeping generalizations and demonization. It's the same story, and I can't really fathom why people like Cohen or orgs like the AEI (a prominent cheerleader for invading Iraq) really do these things, but the intent is clear.

I won't be going to this, but I think it's worth posting.

Brecht Forum’s Database Computers Stolen in Suspicious Robbery

Two principal computers at the Brecht Forum were removed on the night of Thursday, March 16, in what appears to be a politically targeted theft. The Brecht Forum is a 30- year old education and cultural center that offers seminars and classes in political organizing and progressive analysis, and serves as a meeting space for scores of local activists, organizers, students and the public.

According to Brecht Forum Executive Director Liz Mestres, there are strong indications that this was a political theft.

• The two computers stolen held important information on the organization and its constituency.
• There were several other computers of the same kind in easy reach that were not touched.
• All the computers were old and not worth much for resale.
• Audio and media equipment were in plain sight in the next room.
• There were no signs of forced entry, so it is likely that whoever took these machines not only had access but knew exactly what they were after.

The Brecht Forum recently relocated from a loft in mid-town to a larger space in the Westbeth complex on the far west side of Manhattan. A similar theft of a single computer holding the database occurred about 6 years ago at the old location.

Throughout its existence, the Brecht Forum has been an open meeting space for analysis and discussion within the left and progressive community, and we have never shied away from controversial issues. For example, in the last month alone, we sponsored panels on developments in Venezuela and the elections in Palestine, as well as classes in Marxist theory and an exhibit of Artists Against the Death Penalty.

In the current political climate, when peace groups and dissenters are labeled as terrorist and covertly spied on, the Board of the Brecht Forum believes this has all the earmarks of an act of intimidation. Moreover, because we are a center where people across the left come together, the impact is aimed not just at the Brecht Forum, but against all groups engaged in social change organizing across issues, from supporting immigration rights, improving education, and promoting health care and affordable housing, to opposing the Iraq War and imperial foreign policy.

Because we believe this is not an isolated incident, we would like to hear from other groups and individuals that have had similar suspicious occurrences or overt acts of intimidation.

• We know we are not the only group being targeted or harassed for our political activities.
• We need to act together, firmly and fast, to show we won’t be frightened by such strong-arm tactics.

We need to challenge the Patriot Act and the atmosphere of repression that is growing against activists!

Come to an Emergency Community Meeting at the Brecht Forum
Tuesday, March 28 – 7:30p – 451 West St, [Between Bethune & Bank]

Join us to share information about what is happening.

Let us know if similar incidents have happened to your organization.
Call us at 212-242-4201 or email us at mail@brechtforum.org

Founded in 1975, The Brecht Forum is an educational and cultural center dedicated to advancing social justice and equality. Each year, more than 6,000 people attend over 200 public events that are a mix of political panels, classes, lectures, book signings, music and performances. www.brechtforum.org