September 24, 2004

One of these really happened

Can you guess which of the following really happened?

BERKELEY � State Rep. Miroslav "Mike" Wise recently received one of the Soviet Union�s highest honors for civilians, in part for his work in trying to secure driver�s licenses for undocumented workers... The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics gave Wise the AgitProp Award, awarded to people or organizations that impact the lives of Russian nationals living abroad...

HAMTRAMCK � State Rep. Ahmed "Mike" Wise recently received one of Saudi Arabia�s highest honors for civilians, in part for his work in trying to secure driver�s licenses for undocumented workers... The Republic of Saudi Arabia gave Wise the Jihad Award, awarded to people or organizations that impact the lives of Saudi nationals living abroad...

AUSTIN � State Rep. Miguel "Mike" Wise recently received one of Mexico�s highest honors for civilians, in part for his work in trying to secure driver�s licenses for undocumented workers... The Republic of Mexico gave Wise the Ohtli Award, awarded to people or organizations that impact the lives of Mexican nationals living abroad...

AUGUSTA � State Rep. Pierre "Pete" Wise recently received one of Quebec's highest honors for civilians, in part for his work in trying to secure driver�s licenses for undocumented workers... The Republic of Quebec gave Wise the La Separatisme Award, awarded to people or organizations that impact the lives of Quebec nationals living abroad...

The answer won't shock you: "Mexican government honors local politician":

..."It is a pleasure to present this incentive to a person who has devoted an important part of his legislative career to the betterment of the Mexican community that lives in this country," said Francisco Javier Alejo, consul general of Mexico in Austin...

At the end of the year, Wise will surrender his seat in the Legislature, having lost to Armando Martinez in the Democratic primary. Wise practices law in Weslaco.

He hopes to continue working to help undocumented immigrants get driver�s licenses, as well as pushing for the Legislature to recognize the Mexican-issued matricula consular identification card as a valid form of photo identification in business and government transactions, he said...

As can be expected, there's nothing in there about the impropriety of a politician receiving an award for working if not at the behest of then certainly in the interests of a foreign power.

Posted to Immigration2004 at September 24, 2004 12:20 PM

Comments

Isn't this sort of involvement illegal under the Vienna convention? This shows again how immigration policy can bring us towards war with other countries; if a lot of their citizens are here, they will care about what goes on in our domestic politics , and try to influence these. Presumably the facilitation of this interference by mexico, in our internal affairs, by our officials, would be included in the definition of treason, or not?

Posted by: John S Bolton at September 25, 2004 12:35 AM