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Another day another controversy. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru are suing Georgia to block their new HB 87 law. In short this law would allow law enforcement to check the immigration status of a suspect who cannot provide identification and empowers them to turn over anyone found to be in the country illegally to federal authorities. It also adds new penalties for those convicted of harboring illegal immigrants and presenting false documents when applying for a job. There are an estimated 425,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia alone. Mexican officials were dismayed when Georgia passed the law, which it said could impact millions of Mexican workers, tourists and students in the U.S., and millions more whose jobs depend on international trade, adding,"Mexico respectfully submits that, if HB 87 is allowed to take effect, it will have a significant and long-lasting adverse impact on U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations, and on Mexican citizens and other people of Latin American descent present in Georgia." Mexico's lawsuit against Georgia is similar to the one it filed last year against Arizona over it's similar law it tried to pass. The ACLU is one of the groups that's directly linked to the Mexican government. Another group linked to the Mexican government is a plaintiff in the case, the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. GLAHR is headed by Teodoro Maus, former Mexican consul general in Atlanta. Another group, the Instituto de Mexico, is also directly linked to the Mexican government. Others involved in the suit include many names familiar from past ACLU/NILC suits; they're listed at. I must say that in America's time of economical turmoil this is outrageous. When is it wrong to enforce the law? Illegal is illegal as a sin is a sin. No matter how big or small it is what it is. We have the right as a country to deport anyone who does not belong here. Middle Eastern countries arrest Americans all of the time for small things, wearing the wrong close, talking to loud, being Western, etc. Why does Mexico care so much? Do they want our money? Of course, they and the other 10 countries want our money but not our presence. Mexico should spend its money on stopping their massive 
drug wars on their side of the border. I am giving Georgia a Digit Up for not backing down, so far. This is a good law, a just law, and it is nothing more than a detailed version of a national law.
I read this article on Yahoo about what things America is no longer the lead producer of. They only gave us 10 things to look at, but I am sure there are many many more, not including education and healthcare. Take a look:
1. Autos
Position: 2nd
Leader: Japan, with 17 million autos produced by Japanese automakers in 2009
U.S.: 12 million autos produced by American automakers in 2009
U.S. auto manufacturing has long been considered not only one of our most critical industries, but is representative of American industrial power. The U.S. is the second largest manufacturer of cars and light vehicles after Japan, which is the headquarters of Toyota (NYSE: TM - News), Honda (NYSE: HMC - News), Nissan and Mazda. The American auto industry nearly collapsed in 2008 after years of extremely high labor costs and falling market share in domestic sales. GM (NYSE: GM - News) and Chrysler went through bankruptcy with extensive federal government support. Ford (NYSE: F - News) was strong enough to avoid having to ask for government handouts. The U.S. is not only the second largest manufacturer of cars; it is also the second largest car market by sales. China passed America in this metric in 2009. Japanese automakers made 17 million cars in 2009 compared to 12 million made by U.S. companies.
2. Beer Production
Position: 2nd
Leader: China, with 423 million hectoliters in 2009
U.S.: 229 hectoliters in 2009
U.S. beer production in 2000 was the greatest in the world, generating 232 million hectoliters, versus second-place China's 220 million. In just nine years, the People's Republic has roughly doubled its production output to 423 million hectoliters. American output has actually decreased to 229 million. Per capita consumption in China is relatively low at less than half of the level in the U.S. However, China has a drinking population four times larger and has created an industrial capacity in the beer sector that has allowed the country to pull far ahead of the U.S.
3. High-Technology Exports
Position: 2nd
Leader: China, $381 billion in 2008
U.S.: $231 billion in 2008
The World Bank describes high-technology exports as "products with high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery." These are all fields in which the United States prides itself, and the U.S. remains in first place in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite this, China has beaten America in the high-technology exports since the World Bank began collecting data on the category in 2005. In 2008, Chinese high-technology exports were worth $381 billion and American exports were $231 billion. America's second place status shows no signs of changing. Between 2005 and 2008, Chinese high-tech exports increased 78%, relative to a mere 21% by the U.S. over the same time period.
4. Commercial Aircraft Production
Position: 2nd
Leader: Airbus (Europe) based on 574 orders in 2010
U.S.: Boeing, with 530 orders in 2010
Through the 1970's, the United States had what was effectively a monopoly on large commercial aircraft production. The nature of the industry made it difficult for other companies to compete with the massive U.S.-based Boeing (NYSE: BA - News). The costs to create an aerospace manufacturing industry were prohibitive. In the 80's European air manufacturers began to compete through subsidies, particularly European-based Airbus, which was originally formed by France, Germany, Spain, and other investors. Rising demand for Airbus planes have propelled the European company past Boeing to become the largest commercial airplane manufacturer in the world. In 2010, Airbus was awarded more jetliner contracts than its American competitor. It appears the trend will continue this year, with Airbus securing a massive deal with IndiGo, the third-largest airline in India. It is the largest commercial aircraft sale in history.
5. Coal Production
Position: 2nd
Leader: China, with 3.3 billion short tons produced in 2009
U.S.: 1 billion short tons
America is no longer the world's largest manufacturing economy nor is it the largest consumer of energy for manufacturing purposes. Coal production in America is now a distant second to China. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. produced just over a billion short tons of coal in 2009. China produced more than three times that amount — 3.3 billion — because of the exponential growth of the Chinese energy infrastructure in the last decade. Since 2005, American coal production has decreased slightly, while Chinese production has increased 34%. The two countries account for more than half of the world's total coal production.
6. Lettuce Production
Position: 2nd
Leader: China, with 12.9 million metric tons
U.S.: 4.1 million metric tons
The population of China at 1.3 billion is more than four times that of the United States. Food consumption is obviously significantly higher as well. Partially because of large federal subsidies, the United States remains #1 in corn and soybean production. Chinese demand has caused domestic production of many crops to move well ahead of that of the U.S. For example, Chinese lettuce production was nearly 13 million metric tons in 2009, while U.S. production was closer to 4 million, according to the United Nations.
7. Oil Production
Position: 3rd
Leader: Russia, with 9.7 million barrels produced each day.
U.S.: 9 million barrels produced each day
The United States produces the third most oil per day, at just over nine million barrels. The two leaders are Russia, at 10 million barrels per day, and Saudi Arabia, at 9.7 million barrels per day. Despite its current position in production, the U.S. is only 14th in proved reserves, with 19 billion barrels available relative to Saudi Arabia's 264 billion barrels. The U.S. is now the second-largest importer of crude and continued to deplete its reserves to try to be less dependent on foreign crude.
8. Rice Production
Position: 11th
Leader: China, with 166 million metric tons produced between 2009 and 2010
U.S.: 6.9 million metric tons
U.S. rice production is not even in the top 10 compared to the rest of the world, and accounts for just over 1% of the world's total. Because of reduced demand, this country is actually the third leading rice exporter with 18% of the world market. About 20% of U.S. rice production is exported. China produces 20 times more rice than the U.S.
9. Wind Energy Generated
Position: 2nd
Leader: China, with 42 gigawatts generated in 2010
U.S.: 40 gigawatts in 2010
While some chastise the United States for failure to implement alternative energy sources and complain about our dependence on fossil fuels, the country is nevertheless, for the moment, leading the globe in alternative energy capacity. According to a recent Pew study, the U.S. beat out China's total alternative energy capacity in 2009, 53.4 gigawatts to 52.5 gigawatts. China's renewable energy infrastructure has increased, however, and might have surpassed the U.S. in 2010. What is certain is that China beat out the U.S. in wind generation. In 2010, American wind energy capacity was at 40 gigawatts, while Chinese generation was nearly 42 gigawatts.
10. Pork Production
Position: 2nd
Leader: China, with 51.5 million metric tons produced in 2010
U.S.: 10.2 million metric tons produced in 2010
The United States leads the world in production for most of the agricultural commodities and has the strongest demand for them as well. For example, the U.S. continues to produce the most beef and veal, beating out Brazil and China in consumption as well. However, pork demand in the United States, while the second-greatest in the world, is less than a fifth of that in China. Chinese farms produced 51.5 million metric tons of pork last year, compared to 10.2 million in the U.S.
Of course we all know America has been hurting for a few years but this is nothing new for us. I think the thing we really have to look at is who might be our next big compe
titor; Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela? Jut remember 20 years ago China was not even on our minds, Russia yes, China no. So we may laugh at a 3rd world country today, but tomorrow we may be kissing their ass because they bought a significant portion of our debt. Digit Down in disappointment.
Well we may not be seeing the words "corn syrup" if the Corn Refiners Association gets their way. Thy have filed papers to change the infamous corn syrup name to "corn sugar". Why? Well people just have a negative view on corn syrup thus leading to a major drop in sales of products containing corn syrup in it. The refiners are sticking tot heir guns that the syrup is no worse for your body than regular sugar, although it's main product soda is a leading cause for diabetes. Last year the average American ate only 35.7 pounds of corn syrup, down from 45.4 a decade ago. Now the makers, Archer Daniels Midland Inc., Corn Products International, Cargill, Roquette America, and Tate & Lyle, are eyeing a new market, Mexico, and hope that the new name will bring back sales in America. I think this is just whatever. Although it could take 2 years for he name change to be approved it will probably come sooner. America has too much corn, thus why corn is in everything from batteries to medicine. The companies over the corn have enough money to pay their way in and out of anything good or bad that comes their way. I am sure many of them support a lot of high ranking government officials and this will be an easy yes on the name change. I am still against High Fructose Corn Syrup, and nothing will 
change my mind. Have you ever seen corn syrup in a bottle? It is what it is, rich and thick syrup, with a golden tinge to it as well. I am giving this a Digit Down. I would love to see the product removed completely but it is cheaper and it is always profit over people.
Another day another controversy. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru are suing Georgia to block their new HB 87 law. In short this law would allow law enforcement to check the immigration status of a suspect who cannot provide identification and empowers them to turn over anyone found to be in the country illegally to federal authorities. It also adds new penalties for those convicted of harboring illegal immigrants and presenting false documents when applying for a job. There are an estimated 425,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia alone. Mexican officials were dismayed when Georgia passed the law, which it said could impact millions of Mexican workers, tourists and students in the U.S., and millions more whose jobs depend on international trade, adding,"Mexico respectfully submits that, if HB 87 is allowed to take effect, it will have a significant and long-lasting adverse impact on U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations, and on Mexican citizens and other people of Latin American descent present in Georgia." Mexico's lawsuit against Georgia is similar to the one it filed last year against Arizona over it's similar law it tried to pass. The ACLU is one of the groups that's directly linked to the Mexican government. Another group linked to the Mexican government is a plaintiff in the case, the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. GLAHR is headed by Teodoro Maus, former Mexican consul general in Atlanta. Another group, the Instituto de Mexico, is also directly linked to the Mexican government. Others involved in the suit include many names familiar from past ACLU/NILC suits; they're listed at. I must say that in America's time of economical turmoil this is outrageous. When is it wrong to enforce the law? Illegal is illegal as a sin is a sin. No matter how big or small it is what it is. We have the right as a country to deport anyone who does not belong here. Middle Eastern countries arrest Americans all of the time for small things, wearing the wrong close, talking to loud, being Western, etc. Why does Mexico care so much? Do they want our money? Of course, they and the other 10 countries want our money but not our presence. Mexico should spend its money on stopping their massive 
drug wars on their side of the border. I am giving Georgia a Digit Up for not backing down, so far. This is a good law, a just law, and it is nothing more than a detailed version of a national law.
