Republican Congressmen target UCSD "Activist" Professor for giving water to undocumented workers

[Nikki Stone1]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/06/activist-ucsd-professor-facing-unusual-scrutiny/

UCSD professor Ricardo Dominguez is facing unusual scrutiny from campus police and auditors for his involvement in two divisive projects — one that helps migrants find water stored along the border and another that disrupted the UC president’s Web site through a virtual sit-in.

Dominguez, 50, is a self-described activist and new media artist who is accustomed to stirring up controversy. But he said he’s troubled that his tenured status may be revoked for work that promotes his academic specialty of electronic civil disobedience. His supporters said Dominguez’s academic freedom is being trampled because he targeted administrators last month over its financial management. The sympathizers include coalitions of more than 50 faculty members at the University of California San Diego....

Dominguez said he’s been told the audit will examine his Transborder Immigrant Tool, a project that provides migrants with GPS-enabled cell phones informing them about water jug locations and U.S. Border Patrol lookouts. It also attempts to blend technology with art, delivering inspirational poetry through the phone speakers. The project is still in development, and is only available to university researchers. But it already has prompted death threats and hate mail.

Last month, Reps. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine; Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad; and Darrell Issa, R-Vista, sent a letter to Fox questioning whether the university should be helping illegal immigrants....


http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_05382f98-0c26-5804-a3f6-8ed3af26c622.html

Congress steps into border-crossing cell phone debate

Congress has swooped into the debate over a cell phone tool that would direct illegal border crossers to lifesaving water stations and other points of safety.
The federal intervention comes in the form of a demand letter from North County's three congressional representatives, who want a precise accounting of taxpayer dollars associated with the effort spearheaded by a UC San Diego arts professor.

Reps. Brian Bilbray, Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa also suggest in their letter to university Chancellor Marye Anne Fox that those working on the Transborder Immigrant Tool Project may be committing a federal felony by encouraging illegal immigration. The three Republican lawmakers want university officials to explain whether they believe the work is legal.

The congressmen write they believe the project is a "troubling use of taxpayer dollars" seemingly being used to "actively help people subvert federal law."
The professor spearheading development of the cell phone application, Ricardo Dominguez, said Tuesday he and his group have received less than $10,000 in taxpayer-funded grants....


HERE IS THE PETITION TO STOP THE DE-TENURING of Professor Dominguez:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-de-tenuring-of-ricardo-dominguez

[notesdev]

1. Does not compute

how does a government employee get away with specializing in civil disobedience?

[Luminous Animal]

3. Academic freedom. The university runs itself without government interference.

[notesdev]

7. Needs some academic integrity too

This guy is drawing a government paycheck to promote civil disobedience.

This leads us to the bizarre condition of actually having government-approved methods of disobeying the government.

If he wants to see how much academic freedom he really has, let's see him advocate something like not paying taxes until the government puts a stop to the bankers' looting, and see how long he lasts.

[Nikki Stone1]

13. It's his integrity that is the problem

He does not compromise his ideals. If he did, there'd be no problem.

[EFerrari]

18. This is a version of what they tried to do to Howard Zinn, isn't it?

Remember, that idiot at Boston tried to say Zinn was responsible for arson on campus?

Zinn won that one. I hope this teacher wins this one, too.

[Nikki Stone1]

19. When you stick by your own integrity

you're a danger.

[harry_pothead]

2. I think the GOP congressmen could use a few days in the desert with no water.

Teach em some humility and empathy.

[tech9413]

5. Sounds like a good idea to me

What's that old phrase "walk a mile in my shoes"? Might be if these asshats had to live the life of those they are so quick to condemn they might be a little more understanding.

[Nikki Stone1]

14. .

.

[Nikki Stone1]

8. I could go for that

I say Death Valley in the summer with 1 bottle of Evian. We'll see how far these turkeys get.

[BlooInBloo]

4. Sounds like someone needs to recalibrate their WWJD-o-meter.

[grantcart]

6. John Hunter who is Duncan Hunter's brother - or the current Reps uncle

is active with this group.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=54273

The immigration debate takes a technological turn with a new cell phone device that helps illegal immigrants crossing the desert into the U.S. find water. The Transborder Immigrant Tool was developed by UC San Diego prof and activist Ricardo Dominguez and UCSD lecturer Brett Stalbaum. Both believe it will save the lives of hundreds of people who die each year during their trek across "Devil's Highway."

Here's how the tool works. The phone, loaded with free GPS software, displays a digital compass that locates water stations installed by John Hunter, founder of the Water Stations project. Stations that are too far will not be displayed. The phone pinpoints "safety sites" -- such as Border Patrol station, a clinic or a church -- and includes poetry written by Amy Carroll to "welcome you to the U.S," said Dominguez. Encrypted to avoid detection by authorities, phones are $30 and should be available by summer.

Dominquez details how they did it:

We looked at the Motorola i455 cell phone, which is under $30, available even cheaper on eBay, and includes a free GPS applet. We were able to crack it and create a simple compasslike navigation system. We were also able to add other information, like where to find water left by the Border Angels, where to find Quaker help centers that will wrap your feet, how far you are from the highway--things to make the application really benefit individuals who are crossing the border.

Anti-illegal immigration activists like Barbara Coe told the OC Register that the creators are breaking the law and believes Dominguez "should be arrested and prosecuted." Others worry the device could lead people to stations that are dried up, defunct or have been destroyed by vandals.

Do you agree or disagree with Coe? Will the tool save lives or put more people in jeopardy? Tell us what you think.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=54273#ixzz0kUebPjHd


http://motherjones.com/politics/2007/03/fence-john-and-duncan-hunter


Now it gets even stranger

Issa contributes to help John Hunter

This tale of two brothers could stand in for the larger border debate, a weird combination of diametrically opposed positions and surprising synergies. John supports border fences in some instances. And Duncan supports John's work. At a memorial service for the Hunters' father last September, Duncan's friend and fellow Republican congressman Darrell Issa discreetly slipped John an envelope. Once home, his wife opened it and found a check for $25,000. "We understand each other's arguments," John says. "What's important is to do the right thing."

[EFerrari]

9. If you are a UC alumnus, be sure to mention that on the form.

Because that speaks right to the wallet.

[Nikki Stone1]

11. GREAT idea!

Especially now, when money is in short supply.

[Nikki Stone1]

15. .

.

[EFerrari]

17. Thanks for the thread, Nikki.

:kick:

[Nikki Stone1]

26. Welcome.

:)

[Echo In Light]

10. More of those good ol RWer "family value$"

[Nikki Stone1]

12. Yup

,

[bobbolink]

16. K&R for sheer disgust.

there are NO words for this inhumanity....

:cry:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. If Dominguez was Republican, selling the water at $5 a cup they'd hail him as an entrepeneur.

[Tailormyst]

21. It's a fucked up time when people can be arrested for saving lives

And rewarded for taking lives.

[Nikki Stone1]

22. Well said.

:thumbsup:

[saracat]

23. Gee , but aren't they Pro-Life? K+R

[Nikki Stone1]

25. Only if you're a fetus in the country legally.

:(

[waiting for hope]

24. K&R

[Initech]

27. WTF is wrong with these people?

[Mithreal]

28. Thank you