The Plastico Translation

(read the real story first and then find out what is really happening below)

Thai slave laborers freed in El Monte become U.S. citizens

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Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

GROUP HUG: Mario Mercado, left, and Nantha Jaknang, center, hug Suphaphon Khamsutthi during a ceremony at attorney Julie Su's home to celebrate the freedom of the former laborers. More photos >>>

The women take part in ceremonies in Montebello. They were among 72 workers whose plight in 1995 captured the nation's attention.

By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 14, 2008

Maliwan Clinton recalls her first taste of America with a shudder. In this fabled land of the free, she was enslaved behind razor wire and around-the-clock guards in an El Monte sweatshop, where she and more than 70 other Thai laborers were forced to work 18-hour days for what amounted to less than a dollar an hour.

When she was freed, a shocked public learned of slavery in its midst and flooded the Thai laborers with American generosity: Churchgoers offered shelter, community advocates proffered English lessons and job tips, lawyers fought for work permits and legal status for the group.

Exactly 13 years to the day the Thai laborers won their freedom, Clinton's American journey came full circle Wednesday as she acquired U.S. citizenship by taking the oath of allegiance to her new nation. ... Continue with story (not recommended)

Not sure where to start here. First off lets hit that softball over the middle of the plate - 72 people (mostly women) were freed from slavery only to pile into this perverts living room like a bunch of sardines??

I can't help but think that if you are looking to enslave someone that the easiest prey will be those who have already been enslaved once. That's right, you guessed it, I'm writing this on my blackberry as I barrel down the 210 on my way to El Monte.

Also, in what is likely an unrelated story: the unemployment rate in El Monte jumped to 9.6% as 72 new unemployment applications were posted today.