Saturday September 6, 2008, 2:29 am
A timely article Jill and one which must be addressed; these immigrants are humans and deserve to be treated as such. Consumers who truly care about the plight of these farm laborers must stand up to those who deny the issue of slavery in America today! Instead of shrugging and saying it doesn't effect them, stand up to the corporations who keep these people slaves. Burger King, McDonald's and the like must be shown their profiting from slave labor will not be tolerated. Hit them where it hurts, boycott those businesses who condone this type of labor.
All men are created equal means just that and does not discriminate against immigrants.
Jill, yer da bomb! My thanx for your continued efforts to bring enlightenment of this and other issues which effect humanity as a whole.
We ARE our brother's keeper...
^^^5's^^^ and *greenstars*

Saturday September 6, 2008, 6:30 am

Thank you, Kim, for your comment and commitment !
You really encourage me to continue - even if only a few people have noted this so far.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 6:44 am

This post includes several updates, as well as links to additional articles, for the full story. This is one:

Editorial: Purge U.S. of shame of slavery

from News-Press.com, Fort Myers, Florida - Southwest Florida
September 4, 2008

The successful prosecution of five Immokalee residents on slavery charges is satisfying, but the brutal details of their treatment of farm workers show how warped the agricultural labor system is.

We congratulate Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Molloy and other anti-slavery crusaders for their work in this case, one of the largest slavery prosecutions in Florida, and perhaps one of the most brutal in the country. We urge him and farmworker advocates to carry on this work against all forms of slavery and human trafficking.

The 17-count indictment settled by guilty pleas Tuesday alleged that ringleaders Cesar Navarrete and Geovanni Navarrete held more than a dozen people in boxes, trucks and shacks for more than two years, chaining and beating them, forcing them to labor in fields in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina and sinking them in increasing debt.

The Navarretes will likely serve 12 years and be fined between $750,000 and $1 million each. Sentencing is set for December.

This is among six slavery cases the Coalition of Immokalee Workers has helped prosecute, freeing more than 1,000 people. Coalition member Gerardo Reyes asked Tuesday, "How many more workers have to be held against their will before the food industry steps up to the plate and demands that this never - ever - occur again in the produce that ends up on America's tables?"

That will help, but comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to legal residency and citizenship for certain workers, is also necessary to bring this shameful plague to an end.

So long as agriculture relies on illegal labor, a culture of human exploitation and disrespect for the law will prevail, so we can eat slightly cheaper food and certain people can pocket extra profit.

Disrespect for human beings is in the DNA of the current system. Respect demands that we legalize the foreign labor we clearly need to harvest our crops.

We need a mix of guest worker programs, liberalized legal immigration and a path to legal status and earned citizenship for illegal immigrants who are committed to life in this country.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 9:51 am
That is appalling to treat human beings in such a degrading way. To prosecute these "Slaveowners" AND get a conviction is a step in the right direction. Kudos to the authorities who brought these degenerates to trial.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 9:52 am
noted thanks jill,and thanks todd for the link.good news article.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 10:26 am
Noted with sadness. Thanks for this article about exploitation. Looks like the BOSSES don't understand that WE ARE IN THE 21st CENTURY!!!
Love,
Dalia E.:(

Saturday September 6, 2008, 10:34 am
This is precisely why we must be clear about with whom to be angry in terms of the immigrant population. Of course we're alarmed when we see such a huge influx of culturally different people. I, myself, am irritated that we have an administration determined to undermine all attempts at Family Planning at the very same time we have these particular groups of people who have LOTS of babies ! (Perhaps the idea is disposable people...after all, most of us don't really like THEM, do we ?)

We have a fear of scarcity, understandably so, since we can look for "entitlements" and most of our social support systems to be financially gutted. This was a liklihood even before this country was trillions of dollars in debt, it is now most certain.

I think that this mess has been allowed to exacerbate so that we cry out for "something to be done", and that something will be increased "law" enforcement and more detention camps (which are already in use). People in these camps will be ripe for labour abuse, but under some kind of "legal" guise ( as in "make them help pay for their upkeep", and oh, yes, run by a third party contractor ).

And may I be so bold as to suggest that it's the unseen elements in our own U.S. goverment, combined with corporate abuse and interference, which has largely caused the conditions which make it so difficult for "those people" to live in their own countries ?

Saturday September 6, 2008, 10:37 am
enslaving humans is not acceptable behavior!!!!!!!!! People found guilty should have to perform slave labor for a period, make them understand why it is wrong!!!!

I know, not very white lighter of me...

Warm regards, best wishes

Saturday September 6, 2008, 10:54 am
THANKS, JILL, ARE WE IN THE RIGHT CENTURY.??

Saturday September 6, 2008, 11:29 am
So sad to read yet again about exploitation of God's people. Here in Bahrain and in all other Arab countries slavery and exploitation is rife. What a world :-)

Saturday September 6, 2008, 11:30 am
Sorry that icon should have been a sad one :0(

Saturday September 6, 2008, 12:09 pm

Thanks Jill

Saturday September 6, 2008, 12:13 pm
Florida is behind the times in everything! It does not surprise me in the least about slave labor.Thanks,Jill Great Read!

Saturday September 6, 2008, 12:38 pm
Let me make myself very clear, Human slaves are not acceptable in any way, shape, form, or fashion. However, the question of illegal immigrants is a totally different matter. I live in TX. where the border of Mexico contacts the US at El Paso, Tx. A city in N. TX. is currently embroiled in a legal battle which would NOT allow illegals to live there. This city is telling companies that hire illegals and apt. complexes that these folks should be able to show their green card, workers visa, or legitimate entry into the US. I agree, not because they're illegals but, it would help STOP the abuses that illegals are receiving either in their job, or their living spaces. Noted and tks.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 1:05 pm
This is why legal immigration is so important. Illegal immigration allows people to break the law on many levels. In Arizona there is a place called Arrowhead Ranch. It's been rumored that there are unmarked graves there of illegal immigrants who met the same fate. ---That was from years ago but still it proves a point of what can happen with slave labor. It is worst for the children and especially young girls--when no one has no knowledge they are here, they have no papers and if they go missing, little hope of justice.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 2:52 pm
Let me see - you Leftists are thinking this is typical exploitation, and what we need are massive government regulations protecting workers, and if only the rest of the world forgot Ayn Rand and those horrible corporations the world would be a better place.

Well, I read Ayn Rand, and her protagonist, industrialist Hank Reardon, paid his workers the highest wages even though he was non-union.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 5:13 pm
Is that an exception, that is used to prove a rule Daniel?We must ask ourselves why so many companies, such as MacDonalds and Walmart, are anti-union?Its not because they want to give workers more money, and better conditions.
The motivation to derive maximum surplus value, from the manufacturing process, will ensure that stories like this one above, are heard worldwide.That is hardwired into the system..with the exception of the very rare caring capitalist.That is why tough laws are needed to stop the exploitation.The only way that capitalism seems to function effectively is within a regulated system ,whereby government is above business,and not acting as its executive arm.Progressive taxation, ensure that quality public services can develop in education and health.
This works,and is why a country like Sweden,is vastly healthier,better educated,fairer and cohesive than the USA..

Does freedom not include, the freedom to be a member of a trade union?Or is freedom a one way street,an elite private member's club?
Or have i misjudged the cuddly owners of the corporations,who left to themselves,will hand out truffles and canapes at the factory gate?

Lets have a look at some examples of cuddliness:
Bhopal murdered hundreds,and were responsible for birth defects of the children of employees,they have worked strenuously to avoid giving compensation to those whose babies were born resembling nothing human,

MacDonalds: responsible for eco-destruction,animal cruelty,low low wages,anti-union practices,fuelled by a zealoutry which is bordering on hysteria,surveillance of employees,failure to prevent the use of child labour in manufacturing toys,harassment of food critics,spying on opponents.

Walmart..extreme surveillance of employees ,wages so low that full time employees, have to seek welfare assistance,massive benefit scrounging (a contradiction in a free market surely),anti-competitive practices.

Shell-murder and brutality (ie in Nigeria),eco-devastation,raping the lands of Africa with no discernable benefit to the locals,unless dead rivers are a benefit.

Coca-Cola trading illegally in nazi Germany with FANTA (nazi coke),draining indian villages of water,racism in the USA,shadowy use of assassination squads in Central America.

Disney using child labour etc etc etc now

This is only the very tip of the iceberg..I could go on and discuss Exxon,BP,Pepsi,Nike,Reebok ,Kaiser Permanante,Fox News,Hollinger International etc..
Yep it all works fine,and the cuddlyrations, dont need red tape,to get in the way of the charitable giving, and other Care Bear type activities they so enjoy..
Those damn leftists,with belief's like "people before profits",its just political correctness gone mad..

Saturday September 6, 2008, 8:17 pm
I suggest the sentence will not be complete until these creatures have to live under similar conditions!
Thanks Jill

PEACE

Saturday September 6, 2008, 8:42 pm
Thank you Jill. Noted

Saturday September 6, 2008, 8:44 pm
Thank you Havana Sensa H. for the link.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 10:38 pm
Not even in Arizona could these men get appropriate punishment. If they didn't harm any rich person or corporate property, they have nothing to fear.

Saturday September 6, 2008, 11:00 pm
Yes, Daniel, I like your plan:

"what we need are massive government regulations protecting workers, and if only the rest of the world forgot Ayn Rand and those horrible corporations the world would be a better place." I totally agree. Thanks.

I'll bet Blackwater's 'contractors' aren't union either. WTF does this argument prove?

Sunday September 7, 2008, 2:33 am
I strongly object to the term: "Nazi Germany" It's extremely insulting and untrue.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 4:21 am
Do they grow tomatoes in Germany?

Monday September 8, 2008, 8:50 am
we need to do some serious immigration reform to stop these kind of practices from happening. think of all the other cases that did not get any publicity.