Columnist Ray Hanania argues that the term MENA to describe Arab Americans only dilutes the ability for Arabs to defend themselves against racism and that the term Arab should be used not only with the U.S. Census but in seeking equality in government contract awards. MENA undermines the ability of Arabs to defend themselves, although the broader, more generic term covers a wider range of people. But as Hanania writes, no one ever called him a "dirty MENA" before. He urges support of legislation introduced by State Rep. Cyril Nichols
Illinois just became the 9th state to ban "assault weapons," which the Illinois Senate president describes as guns "whose only intent is to eviscerate other human beings."