Essay 949

Working for justice and overtime with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• In Chicago, an illegal immigrant and her son (pictured above) have taken refuge in a church to avoid deportation. The woman stated that if she is forcibly removed from the church, she “will know that God wants me to be an example of the hatred and hypocrisy of the current policy of this government.” The director of the Illinois Minuteman Project said, “She’s spewing all this anti-American stuff. … The thing that scares me the most is her defiance, it really does.” Or maybe the Minutemen are frightened by the prospect of having to enter a church.

• An investigation by Apple discovered laborers at a Chinese iPod factory were working too many hours. However, the investigators “found no evidence whatsoever of the use of child labor or any form of forced labor.” But it’s still unlikely that any of the Chinese workers can afford an iPod.

• Built Ford tough? More like tough luck, as the automaker announced the temporary halt of production at 10 plants between now and the end of the year. “We know this decision will have a dramatic impact on our employees, as well as our suppliers,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Ford. “This is, however, the right call for our customers, our dealers and our long-term future.” What makes Ford think there’s a long-term future?

• A former judge in Oklahoma was convicted of obscene acts made while he was on the bench. Between 2001 and 2003, the judge apparently exposed himself and used a penis pump under his robe during trials. He’s now being sent to prison for 4 years, where he’ll no longer need the sex devices.