by Reynold Mson
In 2010 a host of important issues vied for public attention. Several captivated the public and riveted their attention. Here’s our list of the top 10 issues of 2010.
1. The Arizona immigration law. Known as SB 1070, this dastardly piece of anti-immigration legislation gave police the authority to demand papers from people they suspected of being illegal immigrants. The law made Arizona the target of boycotts and demonstrations. It was challenged in court by several groups including the ACLU. The Obama administration sued, and the most odious parts of the law were blocked. It is now on appeal
2. The DREAM Act. This bill, designed to help children who were brought into the country undocumented when they were underage, was defeated in the senate this month, dashing the hopes of thousands of young people who had hoped to legalize their status and perhaps go onto college. Its defeat portends tough times ahead for undocumented immigrants who had hoped for good things under the Obama administration.
3. The election of Marco Rubio, Martinez and Sandoval. The election of Marco Rubio in Florida whom many see as a potential national figure portends well for Hispanics. The election of Susanna Martinez and Brian Sandoval, as governors of New Mexico and Arizona gives Hispanics a voice in the immigration debate.
4. The Haiti Earthquake. In January a cataclysmic earthquake wreaked havoc on the poorest country in the West. Port-a Prince was left in ruins and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. The quake decimated the country’s already feeble infrastructure leaving many homeless. The devastation eventually led to a cholera outbreak blamed on the contaminated water supply.
5. The Chilean Miners. The story of 33 men trapped in a mine after an earthquake rattled parts of the country, grabbed the attention of the entire world. They seemed doomed at first, but then a drill broke through the space where they were trapped and a note came up with the good news, “we are alive”. They were greeted as heroes when they were finally rescued months later.
6. Ground Zero Mosque. The proposed Mosque near the site of the World Trade Center riled relatives of those killed and in the 9/11 disaster. Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and even President Obama got into the controversy. Some say Muslims wanted to build a triumphal Mosque on the site of their biggest victory. Others saw it as an issue of religious freedom.
7. Bp Oil Spill. In April a rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven men lost their lives, and for the next three months oil gushed into the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly $400 million worth of black gold was washed away leaving a dark stain over 4000 square miles of ocean.
8. Election of Scott Brown. Elected to the Massachusetts senate as the first republican since 1972, he denied the democrats their filibuster proof senate. The faith of DREAM may have hinged on his election. It was, as they say, a game changer.
9. The Tea Party. This grassroots movement has made its mark on the political scene. Politicians are racing to follow their lead on a whole host of issues including immigration. Their ascendency does not bode well for immigration reform.
10 DADT. The repeal of this law that prevented gays from openly serving in the military was a victory for the President. He did not keep his promise on immigration but he made good on this one.
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