« July 2005 | Main | September 2005 »
August 31, 2005
DUmmies on Katrina: Bush MIHOP; minorities being oppressed; etc.
"cthrumatrix" offers us We need "one dot connected for MIHOP" New Orleans disaster & impeachment."MIHOP" stands for "made it happen on purpose". The case for MIHOP consists of four points:
1. "Bush received a 2001 national disaster update." One of those concerned NOLA.
2. A 2004 report to Bush covered what a major hurricane would do to NOLA.
3. "Bush cut funding to New Orleans and hurrican planning by 80%"
4. CIA weather control using HAARP and "Tesla technology".
Now, the first three probably happened, even if some of the details are a mite off. But, as proof that not all DUmmies are completely insane, most dismiss #4 as tinfoil hat time.
Returning to slightly more sane race-baiting and victimization territory, the DUmmies offer us "Are Minorities getting the short end of the stick in NO" and "white evacuees/black refugees".
Finally, "CrackpotAmerica" spares no rhetorical florish in "Our Nation Is In Great Danger":
In the wake of this disaster, we are all bearing witness to the competence of our nation’s institutional response. I am afraid that this response is less helpful than it is indicative of the gross incompetence and arrogance of our President’s agenda. Further, those private institutions that have received great benefit over the past six years are serving to remove their facade of charity and compassion by their meager offerings to this devastated landscape.In the not too distant past, "liberals" would have concentrated on leading the humanitarian effort. Now, they've simply been reduced to one small step above jabbering street people.
The immense consequence of the President's quest to cut funding to FEMA coupled with his complete disregard for any tangible plan for emergency preparedness will now be experienced by our entire nation. Yet, there is no mention of it thus far in the mainstream.
The President in his great narcissism has not walked a single yard of this broken soil since the storm has passed. As people scrambled upward in their homes to save their very lives, the President opted to enjoy a sliver of sweetly frosted cake on a sunny tarmac and attend a town hall meeting to discuss matters of no relevance to the immediate crisis.
While the Coast Guard worked to chop holes out of roofs to save men and women in their potential last moments, the President opted to commemorate Japan’s surrender, strumming a guitar with a boyish posture.
Posted to Bloggage at 08:15 PM | Comments (1)
Inside the Open Borders mindset
The following comment came in to this thread about Orrin Hatch's anti-American DREAM Act recently. It was posted from a small college in California's Central Valley. It was all uppercase, which I've converted to lowercase:
No one should beg for anything or even beg those racism people like those who make comments in this web site who all they care about is them self and not about others who need some help. after all those immigrants who live in this country, who many american citizens dont want in this counrty are the ones who do all the hard work for those lazy as citizens who arent brave enough to do the hard work in the hot fields. if it wasnt for these immigrants the economy of supposly your country woulduv crashed down ones again. you american citizens should give thank's to all immigrants who do all the field work so you lazy asses can have food on your table. [etc. etc. etc...]
It seems we're having a wee bit of a problem with our assimilation policy.
While there's the possibility that this person is only pretending to be an Open Borders loon, based on the many other similar comments posted there and especially at this earlier thread I tend to doubt it.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 04:02 PM | Comments (4)
Sen. John Cornyn: "rampant lawlessness" because of illegal immigration
According to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX):
Illegal immigration threatens the United States' reputation as the "nation of laws"... "We have rampant lawlessness within our borders because our immigration system is simply broken... It's harmful to our reputation and harmful to the immigrants operating outside the protection of the law."
He's right about that, but he's definitely wrong on the "fix" that he and Sen. Tom Kyl (R-AZ) are selling: a massive amnesty scheme.
The Cornyn-Kyl amnesty appears to be the "tougher" alternative of the two false choices offered to the American public, the other being the Kennedy-McCain massive amnesty scheme:
At issue is how to create a system that takes a tough stance on national security while simultaneously allowing immigrants to keep working. Currently, some immigrants are applying for work permits and legal citizenship. Others are taking advantage of United States' loose borders.
Huh? No, the idea is to reduce the number of illegal aliens in the U.S., not simply to change what we call them and keep them here. The article (by Nathaniel Jones of the Star-Telegram Dallas Bureau) goes on to stress that the Cornyn-Kyl amnesty is not an amnesty.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)
Infiltrators at Code Pink Walter Reed Army Medical Center protests?
Code Pink's August 26th release "CODEPINK Statement on Vigil Outside of Walter Reed Hospital" contains this shocking news:...In recent weeks, the vigil has attracted some people who have tried to change the tone and message of the vigil, including yelling and holding up inappropriate signs. The organizers have asked the newcomers to be respectful and wonder if they might indeed be infiltrators whose aim is to disrupt the vigil.One of those "inappropriate signs" says "Maimed for a Lie." In fact, you can see a picture of the person with the sign in front of the hospital here.
The organizers also suspect that the sudden attention to the vigil on the part of the conservative media is part of a well-orchestrated smear campaign against the peace movement...
That last link also points out that the sign's holder is from another leftie group, Veterans for Peace. But, see, that's all part of the smear campaign. The way I sees it, it's like this...
Posted to ThePeaceMovement at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
Time/Space-shifted Philadelphia Experiment victims call Nebraska from... Norway?
It's rare that this site breaks a story ahead of Steve Quayle or Whitley or even the Northeast Intelligence Network. Usually, as in the case of the massive Texas crack or The Elk I simply follow in their "giant" footsteps.
However, such an occasion is fully upon us.
I am now free to report that the "gibberish" calls that have been plaguing residents of Kearney, NE for the past few months are the result of victims of the Philadelphia Experiment who were time - and location - shifted to the present-day Norwegian Peninsula (site of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and, sources tell me, France).
These Philadelphians have been trying to contact the residents of that small Nebraska town to warn them of an impending singularity which would return the time-shifted battleship to within their vicinity. However, because of the effects of the time travel, and their current location in that Peninsula, they are having trouble making their warnings heard and these messages are coming out as what appears to be gibberish.
Collaborating - once again - with Linda Moulton Howe and TeamSpace, I will soon be venturing forth to personally investigate this matter and finally get the truth on these time and space travelers and their mysterious helper Grays.
Posted to WackyHumor at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
Florida Times-Union helps Mexico distribute illegal alien ID cards
The Mexican government passes out Matricula Consular ID cards to their citizens who are in the U.S. illegally. The cards allow illegal aliens to open bank accounts and in some states obtain driver's licenses. And, Mexican consuls travel from outpost to outpost in the U.S. distributing them to their citizens.On Saturday one of those events was held involving the Florida Times-Union. If you ever see an article from that paper (jacksonville.com), you now know which side they're on:
...The Mexican consulate in Orlando advertised that its staff would be on hand from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to take applications and issue official Mexican identification cards. But by 5 p.m., there were still at least 100 people waiting in the auditorium at The Florida Times-Union building in Riverside. The Times-Union was a co-sponsor of the event.Previous coverage of these cards starts in "Immigrants" get Matricula Consular cards in Watsonville; some downsides noted. For a backgrounder, see "The 'Matricula Consular' Advances Mexico's Immigration Agenda"
In some cases, those waiting in line were legal immigrants or American citizens, trying to get the cards for themselves, friends or relatives. In other cases, those applying were undocumented aliens, mostly migrant farm workers...
Posted to Immigration_consul at 12:27 PM | Comments (0)
PETA's 25th Anniversary: September 10 at Paramount Studios in Hollywood
Oddly enough, my invite to the C-list-star-studded gala appears to have been lost in the mail. Thankfully, a cavalcade of press releases has alerted me to this impending event.
Those scheduled to appear include such minor, long-forgetten, laughable pseudo-stars as:
Pamela Anderson (co-host)
comedian Fred Willard (co-host)
Lady Heather Mills McCartney
Ravi Shankar
Alec Baldwin
Jamie Lee Curtis
Kelly and Sharon Osbourne
Alyssa Milano
Dennis Rodman
But, don't fear, as there will be palatable vegan food to keep the crowd happy. From this:
PETA scoured the country to assemble a world-class gourmet vegan catering team, and heading the list in the dessert category was San Francisco-based vegan ice cream maker extraordinaire MaggieMudd.
Oddly enough, this says:
PETA scoured the country to assemble a world-class gourmet vegan catering team, and heading the list in the dessert category was Ft. Lauderdale-based vegan dessert maker extraordinaire Sublime.
Wait, yet another press release says this:
PETA scoured the country to assemble a world-class gourmet vegan catering team, and heading the list was Glendale’s Devil Spice.
Even a whole slew of world-class restaurants are listed here, and cookies are offered here.
But, what of the awards, you say?
Runkle is undaunted by threats to his personal safety as he continues to conduct undercover investigations into cruel factory farms and abusive rodeos. He has organized countless vegetarian events and demonstrations, coordinated anti-circus and anti-fur campaigns all over Ohio, produced TV advertisements, and even raised the money to air them. Runkle is also the founder of the animal rights journal Outrage and publisher of his own vegetarian starter kit.
Now, I know it's unseemly for me to make fun of PETA press releases while chickens are having their beaks seared off and cows are forced to stand on their hind legs and beg for mercy. I'm willing to be converted, but only by Lisa Franzetta.
Posted to Miscellania at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
Katrina: How low will the left go?
From the DUmmies to the dummies at HuffPost and Air America, the left knows that no tragedy is too great not to seek to profit from it.Starting our tour at the fever swamps, "chicagiana" says:
BTW, does anyone else think it's suspicious that the levees didn't break until AFTER the hurricane passed and it was clear the storm surge was not going to swamp the city. It would probably only take a couple of sticks of dynamite to get those things flowing. Seems like someone wanted Bush to have another pile of debris to climb on top of."Nothing Without Hope" responds:
The hurricane had passed and the city was safe from catastrophe. Than overnight the levies broke.
I HAVE been wondering why Bush looks so perky and happy - like he's very PLEASED about the hurricane. It seems like more than his usual sociopathic cluenessness. Is there somethiing about the oil infrastructure, the neighborhoods that were destroyed (surely not strongholds of GOP support), the probable availabllity of cheap land now that so much has been destroyed. Or perhaps just that the cost of oil has soared so high?Cleaning up their comments slightly, RFK Jr. says:
As Hurricane Katrina dismantles Mississippi's Gulf Coast, it's worth recalling the central role that Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour played in derailing the Kyoto Protocol and kiboshing President Bush's iron-clad campaign promise to regulate CO2.Lesser HuffPo contributor "Bob Cesca" offers us "The Hurricane President". Another lesser light, Eric Boehlert, can't wait to start playing "The Blame Game".
...Now we are all learning what it's like to reap the whirlwind of fossil fuel dependence which Barbour and his cronies have encouraged. Our destructive addiction has given us a catastrophic war in the Middle East and--now--Katrina is giving our nation a glimpse of the climate chaos we are bequeathing our children.
In 1998, Republican icon Pat Robertson warned that hurricanes were likely to hit communities that offended God. Perhaps it was Barbour's memo that caused Katrina, at the last moment, to spare New Orleans and save its worst flailings for the Mississippi coast.
And, from Cindy Sheehan:
...Well, George and I are leaving Crawford today. George is finished playing golf and telling his fables in San Diego, so he will be heading to Louisiana to see the devastation that his environmental policies and his killing policies have caused.... And, should I dare say "global warming?" and be branded as a "conspiracy theorist" on top of everything else the reich-wingers say about me.Perhaps "liberalism" should be reclassified as a mental disorder.
Posted to Miscellania at 11:11 AM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2005
Katrina: Thousands dead in Gulfport, Mississippi?
This report has not been confirmed, but if true this is going to be one of the U.S.'s worst tragedies:I have finally reconnected with my best friend who is a paramedic who was sent from Georgia 2 days ago to Gulf Port, Mississippi before the hurricane hit.UPDATE:
He just reached me within the last 10 mins via emergency cell phone to tell me he was alive.
Thousands of bodies have been discovered throughout Mississippi in Gulf Port, Waveland,Hancock County,Bay of St.Louis.
They are hanging in trees and they are pulling them out 30 at a time. Entire families found drowned in their homes and washing up on shore.
The stories he could tell me were brief. National Guard is on the scene and arresting anyone seen on the streets.
GULFPORT, MISS. - Stunned residents emerged from shelters and homes Tuesday to start assessing the massive damage left by Hurricane Katrina as rescuers pulled bodies from crushed homes and apartments near the coast.
The death toll in this hard-hit county rose to more than 100, but officials believe that number will rise. "There's so much rubble, we won't know for a while. But I fully expect the number to be in the hundreds," said Jason Green, assistant to the Harrison County coroner...
..."We begged, we pleaded, we demanded. We told them they had a good chance of dying if they didn't leave. But there's only so much government can do to protect people," [Gulfport Fire Chief Pat Sullivan] said. "Too many people tried to ride it out. We can't regulate good sense."
Posted to Miscellania at 11:28 PM | Comments (4)
Is Fabian Nunez an American, a Mexican, or a little bit of both?
Fabian Nunez is the Speaker of the California Assembly, and he's returned from a four-day trip to Mexico designed to smooth over our troubled relations with that fine country. Unfortunately, based not just on this trip but on his entire career, I'm a little bit confused over which country he actually represents. Does he represent America, or does he at least partially represent Mexican interests?Needless to say, Nunez is a Democrat. While the GOP has its share of crazies and corrupt politicians, I can't think of any elected Republican who appears to have divided loyalties with another country.
The latest report on the California legislator's trip is in "Nunez: Bush 'Turned His Back' on Mexico":
...[He said:] "I don't believe that they've shown this administration (of Fox) the respect it deserves and I don't think that as (Fox's) term draws to a close he's going to be given the respect that he didn't receive earlier..."But, wouldn't that tend to increase Mexican influence in this state? Is that good for California and the U.S.?
Nunez said that he would push for modifications in California law so that Mexican businessmen would find it easier to invest in the state...
He criticized Bush's lack of support for the immigration reform bill sponsored by Republican Sen. John McCain and Democrat Ted Kennedy, which allows family unification, reduces the number of pending immigration cases and sets up an immigration status legalization program - but does not provide amnesty - for those who entered the country illegally...Obviously, by playing the race card he's trying to stifle any form of intelligent and honest debate. And, he's also doing it in Mexico, spreading false information to our "friends" to the south. (This is vaguely reminiscent of a trip by Nancy Pelosi to that country, in which she accused the government for which she works - and to which she presumably has some degree of allegiance - of terrorizing people.)
In his judgment, one of the main problems between the two national governments is on U.S. immigration policy, which "has allowed racial prejudices to enter" into the matter, something that has made an "intelligent, honest" dialogue impossible...
In actual fact, most of the legal and almost all of the illegal immigrants to the U.S. over the past several decades have come from Hispanic countries. If anything, there's a Hispanic bias in our immigration system.
As part of that intelligent and honest debate, perhaps we should take a close look at that bias. If most Mexicans think the U.S. southwest rightfully belongs to Mexico, is it wise to allow them to settle the U.S. southwest? And, do we really want to give the corrupt oligarchies that rule many Central and Southern American countries even more power over our country's policies? Do we really want to allow in people who cheer for the "narcos"?
Given the choice between someone who wants to come here to be a full-fledged American, and someone who is just coming here to make money and doesn't respect our laws or our way of life and who has divided loyalties, which should we choose? To many "liberals", the second would appear to be the choice they prefer. (In the cases where a quest for racial power or for far-left ideology aren't involved, that would seem to be psychological: they appreciate the challenge, plus it makes them feel better.)
Regarding the California governor, Nunez said, "He has said things that have insulted not only the government, but also the people of Mexico," adding that the continual friction has not allowed the development of the bonds that should exist between neighbors, particularly considering the fact that Mexico is California's largest foreign trade partner.At least we're doing one thing right then.
"Instead of militarizing the border, he should seek ways to cooperate with Mexico" and increase collaboration in technology and intelligence, the California lawmaker said.
The problem, he emphasized, is that the United States "has no confidence (in Mexico) and doesn't treat it like a modern democracy."
If the Dems were smart, they'd purge people like Nunez from their ranks, suggesting that they join the Greens or the Peace and Freedom Party instead. Otherwise, people will continue to think of the Dems as just a lunatic, un-American party.
Previously:
Mexican business leaders feeling unwanted, unloved
Should Fabian Nunez stay in Mexico?
Fabian Nunez, California Democrat, kisses up to Vicente Fox
See also this deja vu report of a 1999 trip by Mexico's president to meet with Antonio Villaraigosa and Gray Davis. The latter was, of course, recalled. Perhaps a similar effort should be mounted in the case of Nunez, Gil Cedillo, and other "American" politicians.
Posted to California at 06:16 PM | Comments (2)
Over half of WND readers support Bush's impeachment
WorldNetDaily is running a poll, asking their readers to vote whether they support Pat Buchanan's call to impeach Bush over illegal immigration.
At post time, with over 2000 votes counted, over half support impeaching Bush.
Now, of course, no internet poll is completely accurate, and some are completely inaccurate. However, the WND poll asks for an email address, thereby making it slightly more difficult to rig.
Note the results of a similar poll I conducted (the-lonewacko-blog.redstate.org/story/2005/8/26/15454/9101).
11 said "Yes, impeach". 10 said "No". And, 11 selected "No, it would backfire". The options I offered are not as rich as the ones offered by WND. Note that you need to register at redstate to vote there, making that also slightly more difficult to rig. And, note that, as with all my other diary entries there, that post was not elevated to appearing on their front page, so only those who read the diary section saw it.
Note also that RS is the home of one or more people connected with the GOP...
Posted to Politics at 01:38 PM | Comments (1)
Douglas Mayor Ray Borane sells illegal immigration to L.A. Times
Ray Borane is the mayor of Douglas, AZ, which sits almost right on the border with Mexico. The town has 15,000 residents, 90% of whom are "Latino". From the LAT article "In a State of Emergency, City's Relaxed":But on the front lines in Douglas, senior government leaders, federal agents and many residents are hard-pressed to identify the emergency conditions. Borane said the city of 15,000 was in generally good shape and had learned to live with the annoyances that accompanied the flow over the border...The mayor's contributions have been noted. Borane is the recipient of Mexico's Ohtli Award for:
To be sure, illegal immigrants cause substantial damage in and around Douglas. They have trampled sensitive ecosystems in the nearby mountains, dumped many tons of litter in the countryside, vandalized ranchers' property and caused havoc with local healthcare systems.
But those burdens are part of a much larger relationship with Mexico. On balance, Borane said, immigration has been a benefit.
"The damage these illegals commit is minimal compared to what they contribute," said Borane, who is chairman of a group of U.S. mayors on the Mexican border. "This country can absorb these people. They are producers. Their children can become productive citizens."
"efforts to improve U.S.-Mexican relations, contributing to their communities and promoting their Mexican heritage and culture."Borane also formed the core of Marc Cooper's Minuteman Project hit piece.
There's much more about this fine "American" here.
Further, the LAT buys what the feds are selling:
U.S. Border Patrol agents don't agree with [Napolitano] that they are not increasing enforcement or with the mayor that immigration cannot be controlled.The LAT goes on to report on problems the ranchers and other residents are having, and that most of the residents of Douglas are opposed to illegal immigration.
Border Control Chief David V. Aguilar said his agency had made significant progress in stanching the flow of illegal immigrants in the Tucson sector, which includes Douglas...
Posted to Immigration2005b at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
I need $25 for an ad on MotherJones.com
For "just" $25, I can get a text link (javascript, not a direct 'a href', not that a week would do me much good if it were) on MotherJones.com for a week. Considering the CTR, it's not such a bad deal, but even so...I'm seriously considering it in order to educate their readers about the idiocy that that site spews forth.
For instance, clicking around a bit, I came across this roundup after the last presidential elections:
...Illegal immigrants were also big losers last night. Voters in Arizona passed Proposition 200, which would deny services to illegal immigrants and require government employees to report, by law, undocumented workers to authorities. Conservative supporters argued that it saves the state money and send a message that illegal immigrants are not welcome. At the "Yes on Proposition 200 party," J.T. Ready, a campaign volunteer, captured the nativist sentiment of many southwestern conservatives:What planet are MoJo readers from, and when will they return there?"This is going to send a resounding message to the federal government. We citizens are sick of them turning their heads to illegal immigration."[That's "nativist"? -- LW]
The proposition drew widespread criticism, from Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano to Republican Senator John McCain. [That's not a wide spread --LW] But in a campaign that urged voters to "do something about illegal immigration," the politics of fear and ignorance swept more than just the presidential election. [Too bad most Arizonans aren't as highminded as MoJo and don't support massive corruption, an invasion by a third world country, and the Mexican oligarchy. Bad, bad Arizonans! -- LW]
Unfortunately, Arizona was not the only state to enact anti-immigrant legislation. Even in San Francisco plenty of folks voted against according "illegal" immigrant parents voting rights in local school elections. [The quote marks around "illegal" are in the original -- LW] Although the measure failed in a narrow election, it speaks volumes that in a city that supports Kerry, Senator Barbara Boxer, and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi with over 80 percent of the vote, a basic right for these parents is voted down. [Do I really need to say that voting is not a "basic right" for those who are here illegally? To MoJo readers, apparently I do -- LW] It's getting ugly when progressive initiatives are beat up in our own backyard...
Posted to Bloggage at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
"Study: Terrorists Exploit Immigration Laws"
The CIS has released a new study written by Janice Kephart, former counsel for the 9/11 commission: "Moving Beyond the 9/11 Staff report on Terrorist Travel".From the AP report "Study: Terrorists Exploit Immigration Laws":
Suspected or convicted foreign-born terrorists have routinely exploited federal immigration laws over the last decade to enter or remain in the United States illegally...The AP follows that up with a statement from DHS asserting that they're working on it. And, in other news, shoelace production is up 42% in this quarter. Then:
"The attack of 9/11 was not an isolated instance of al-Qaida infiltration into the United States," the 46-page report found.
"In fact, dozens of operatives both before and after 9/11 - other than the 9/11 hijackers - have managed to enter and embed themselves in the United States, actively carrying out plans to commit terrorist acts against U.S. interests or support designated foreign terrorist organizations," the report concluded. "For each to do so, they needed the guise of legal immigration status to support them."
Overall, 59 of 94 foreign-born nationals who were either convicted or indicted on terror charges broke federal immigration laws to enter or remain in the country between 1993 and 2004, the report found...
The report identified many of the immigrants as affiliated with at least one terror organization, including 40 with al-Qaida, 16 with Hamas, 16 with the Palestinian or Egyptian Islamic Jihad, and six with Hezbollah...
A spokesman for the National Immigration Forum, an immigration advocacy group, did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment Monday evening...I previously provided excerpts of the 9/11 Commission's Staff Report. I don't know what overlap exists between that and this study.
Posted to Immigration_terror at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
The 1986 amnesty failed spectaculary, why repeat the mistake?
Georgie Anne Geyer discusses the 1986 amnesty, that was supposed to be the amnesty to end all amnesties. (Also here)....Pete Nunez, the former U.S. attorney for San Diego and a lifelong fighter for immigration control, told me in a recent talk: "Why are those numbers today so high? Because of the amnesty of 1986! Those 2.7 million illegals amnestied were then able, in the decade of the '90s, to sponsor their family members. That decade turned out to have the highest number of legal immigrants practically in our history, because of the amnesty."It is truly scary how the same organizations (such as the National Immigration Forum) and politicians (such as Big Ted) that were involved in the 1986 amnesty are trying to fool the U.S. once again.
Here at the busy port of entry, in my long conversations with officials of the Department of Homeland Security, which encompasses immigration, border patrol and customs, there is unanimous agreement with this interpretation.
"The '86 experience definitely led to family reunification," Lauren Mack, customs and border protection public affairs officer, agreed. "We watched that amnesty -- it only created more fraud and more problems."
...The 1986 amnesty was not to be the first of many amnesties, nor a kind of experimental plug in the flow of human beings from a poor country to a rich one. To the contrary, it was to be the "last amnesty." Pushed by liberals in Congress like Teddy Kennedy, it was supposed to settle and legalize the illegals already in the United States, while controlling future immigration. It was to be the solution.
Instead, those 2.7 million settled in America and, under the dominating "family reunification" policy, were able immediately to sponsor almost any number of relatives, some bringing in 80 or 90 persons. And because the enforcement aspects of the law were never put into practice, the 1986 amnesty left the gate open to still more massive numbers. Meanwhile, the proposed new guest worker programs before Congress almost all provide for some kind of amnesty that will lead only to a repeat of 1986...
Posted to Immigration2005b at 07:53 AM | Comments (17)
Arizona Daily Star drops Ann Coulter; "liberal" bloodlust not sated
Ann Coulter's column has been dropped by the Arizona Daily Star. About the only good thing that can be said about that paper is that they aren't quite as "liberal" as the AZ Republic.
Apparently she was too "shrill" for some of their readers, whose sensibilities were offended. Some of those readers included conservatives. Or, at least, people who said they were conservatives:
Finally, we've decided that syndicated columnist Ann Coulter has worn out her welcome. Many readers find her shrill, bombastic and mean-spirited. And those are the words used by readers who identified themselves as conservatives.
Now, surely, our fine "liberal" friends should be familiar with COINTELPRO, infiltrators, false flag operations, and the like. Hmmm...
Be that as it may, as the graphic illustrates, the Soros-funded Media Matters for America has not had its bloodlust sated by this move, prefering instead to begin the persecution of her replacement on the pages of the Daily Star, Tony Snow.
Posted to Politics at 06:18 AM | Comments (17)
Almost 1500 Chinese illegal crossers detained in FY 2004 in one sector
In fiscal year 2004, 1483 Chinese (as in Red China) nationals were detained by the Border Patrol... just in the Rio Grande Valley sector. The report doesn't mention the numbers for other sectors in Texas, only saying that it's small. And, it doesn't mention the figures for other states. But, only 49 were detained last fiscal year in that same area. And:
Federal figures show that the American government has consistently granted asylum to between 600 and 900 Chinese nationals each year for the past five years.
And, from this:
FAIR Comment: The article notes that the U.S. government has consistently granted asylum to between 600 and 900 Chinese nationals each year for the past five years, but does not report that number will rise dramatically as a result of the ceiling for such claims being removed by Congress earlier this year.
Posted to Immigration_terror at 05:42 AM | Comments (0)
Mexico still jockeying to be our #1 cheap labor supplier
Mexico is considering reinstating visa requirements that might help keep out Brazilians who intend to cross into the U.S., Bloomberg reports. On a cynical note, this is probably not for humanitarian reasons or related to cooperation with the U.S. It is probably at least partly because when illegal Brazilians send their money home it goes to Brazil, not Mexico. Needless to say, Mexico would prefer that that money was sent to their country instead.
The article also describes the Brasilian telenovela "America" about illegal aliens, and how "half of Brazil's 180 million people live in poverty, earning less than $2 a day". Unless we intend to open our bleeding hearts to 90 million people, we'd be advised to strongly encourage them to stay home and build up their country rather than coming here.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 03:55 AM | Comments (0)
The Dallas Morning News' "best thinking" isn't good enough
The DMN joins the long line of papers and pundits who've taken the opportunity lately to push for immigration "reform". As I pointed out here, all of these editorials seem to follow the same pattern and offer the same advice. The DMN is no different in "Feeling the Heat: Citizens are pushing the immigration fight":
...When Congress reconvenes after Labor Day, it will have some very good ideas in front of it for how to fix this mess. Our best thinking is to start with Arizona Sen. John McCain's guest worker program, which would allow foreign workers to apply for two three-year visas, and combine it with some of Texas Sen. John Cornyn's border security ideas, such as investing in more cameras...
Sounds comfy! A little of one amnesty, a little of another. But, whatever you do, don't even consider the revolutionary idea of simply enforcing our current laws.
Obviously, the Dallas Morning News' "best thinking" just isn't good enough.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 01:29 AM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2005
Would you give Al Sharpton a lift to the airport?
Oddly enough, the news that Al Sharpton's driver was arrested for speeding when trying to transport The Right Reverend to DFW after his photo op with Cindy Sheehan wasn't much of a surprise. Sure, I was slightly surprised that he was able to allegedly hit 110 MPH.
But, I wasn't surprised that the Rev professed their innocence:
"That nine-mile chase is news to me... All I know is that the police pulled us over because they wanted to talk to the driver about speeding."
However, this part is what leaves me scratching my noggin:
Sharpton caught a lift from a passing driver and made his scheduled flight to New York.
If you saw the Rev thumbing a ride on the side of the road, would you stop to pick him up?
Posted to WackyHumor at 04:44 PM | Comments (0)
"Day Laborers, Cities Seek a Way That Will Work"
The L.A. Times reports in "Day Laborers, Cities Seek a Way That Will Work":...Cities throughout California and around the nation are struggling to cope with the sheer numbers of day laborers, or jornaleros. Critics say the sites not only encourage people to come to the U.S. illegally, but also create traffic jams and are eyesores. Supporters say the workers are simply trying to make an honest living and are crucial to local economies...One solution is to make it unprofitable to hire day laborers. With their drive to organize they might do it themselves by pricing themselves out of the market.
...Cities have made bold moves, then sometimes suspended or reversed them. Redondo Beach barred day laborers from seeking work on its streets; a judge then blocked the move. Costa Mesa opened a center to match workers with employers, then decided to close it. Burbank required Home Depot to build its own hiring hall, then put the opening on hold...
"Local government doesn't exist to drive that kind of policy," said Glendale Police Capt. Mark Distaso. "This is something that needs to be dealt with on a federal level."
...Day laborers began gathering in California in the 1960s after the end of the bracero guest-worker program, said UCLA professor Abel Valenzuela, who has conducted numerous studies on workers. Their numbers have multiplied in recent years, with the expansion of part-time work and the influx of immigrants. He estimated that there are as many as 35,000 people seeking work at hundreds of sites in California.
The majority of day laborers are undocumented immigrants from Mexico or Central America...
..."We are not the solution, nor are we the problem," said [Home Depot] real estate director Jeff Nichols.
The company has posted signs to discourage workers at some stores — and provided supplies to help cities build hiring halls near others...
...The laborers, meanwhile, are fighting back — holding rallies, marches and national organizing conferences to push for centers and against restrictive ordinances. They also are seeking to improve working conditions, advocating for higher wages and filing claims against employers who don't pay...
Another way would be to conduct stings against contractors. For the reasons given below, that's probably not going to happen.
The DHS could also conduct raids at day laborer hiring halls. Since UCLA says that most are illegal aliens, that should be all they need. Of course, given what happened in Temecula and Bush's general plan to say he supports border enforcement but do nothing about interior enforcement, it stands little chance of happening.
Posted to Los_Angeles at 02:22 PM | Comments (2)
Bush pledges border enforcement in El Mirage
I'm sure there are plenty of retirement communities in Arizona, yet, for some reason, Bush chose the one in "El Mirage" to talk about Medicare, gas prices, and Katrina among other matters. Speaking of mirages, he also mentioned immigration matters in his remarks:I also want to talk about immigration here in this state. I understand the issue well. I was the governor of a border state; I was the governor of the state of Texas. I know what it means to have a long border with Mexico. And I understand the solemn obligation of the state government and the federal government to enforce our border. I did so when I was governor, and I'll work with your governor and governors along the border to do so as the President of the United States. We have an obligation to enforce the borders. (Applause.)Here's where it gets even more comic. Feel free to act this out at home.
I understand it's putting a strain on your resources. We know that. I don't know if you know this or not, but hundreds of thousands of people have been detained, trying to illegally cross into Arizona. In other words, what I'm telling you is, there's a lot of people working hard to get the job done, but there is more we can do.
I spoke to Mike Chertoff today -- he's the head of the Department of Homeland Security. I knew people would want me to discuss this issue, so we got us an airplane on -- a telephone on Air Force One, so I called him. I said, are you working with the governor? He said, you bet we are. That's the most effective way to do things, is to work with the state and local authorities. There are more resources that will be available, we'll have more folks on the border; there will be more detention space to make sure that those who are stopped trying to illegally enter our country are able to be detained.A report on this is here, but the above is from the official transcript.
It's important for the people of this state to understand your voices are being here in Washington. D.C. And this Senator [Kyl] and this Congressman [Trent Franks] are working closely with the administration to make sure we got the resources necessary to do our responsibility, which is enforce this border. And we'll do so. And we'll do so. (Applause.)
Posted to at 01:58 PM | Comments (2)
Blacks lose jobs to immigrants; do "liberals" care?
The Boston Globe's labor reporter offers "Job hurdles grow larger for black men":...In 2004, fewer than 39 percent of black men between the ages of 16 and 24 had a job. The comparable national numbers for Hispanics and whites were 60 percent and 59 percent. All three groups lost ground between 2000 and 2004. Blacks started from a lower point and fell further...[The article discusses the findings of the paper "What Explains the Continuing Decline in Labor Force Activity Among Young Black Men?" from Georgetown University public policy professor Harry Holzer, which says that prison and child support play a role. The article doesn't mention it, but the paper - for some wacky reason - doesn't appear to cover another major issue. The article, however, does mention that issue:]
...intensified competition in the labor market. In a series of reports they have written, Northeastern University economists Andrew Sum and Paul Harrington have documented the success new immigrants have had in landing jobs. Since 2000, 3.7 million new immigrants -- those who arrived in the past five years -- have found employment. In low-wage jobs, immigrants have displaced young people of all races.Obviously, the correct public policy is to reduce the amount of foreign competition for American jobs and inculcate a "work ethic" among the 61% of 16-24 black men who are unemployed. The absolutely incorrect public policy is for the president of the U.S. to promulgate propaganda in support of cheap foreign labor.
But young black men have been hit hardest, Sum said, because they compete most directly with immigrants for jobs at stores and fast-food restaurants, especially in urban areas.
Harrington saw that rivalry up close on a recent visit to Philadelphia where he conducted a focus group with employers. Philadelphia is a city with a large black population and a growing number of immigrants. The employers at the meeting didn't say anything disparaging about black workers. In fact, some of the employers themselves were black. But to a person they were effusive in their praise for immigrants.
"All they could talk about was the work ethic of their foreign-born employees," Harrington said. Work ethic seems to be a term that covers a lot of ground -- everything from showing up on time, to treating customers well, to willingness to learn new skills.
Racism may be a factor, but probably not a big one. Harrington and Sum's research shows that black male immigrants without a high school diploma are twice as likely to hold a job than their native-born counterparts...
How do "liberals" respond to this issue? While no "liberal" site appears to have commented on this specific article, let's turn to this January 7, 2004 thread from Daily "screw 'em" Kos about Bush's guest worker amnesty scheme:
"Catsy" says: The downside: pardon me for being shrill, as this affects me directly as one of the nation's unemployed, but what the great bouncing cherry-flavored gummi christs are we doing taking steps to legitimize illegal workers and provide job placement for potential immigrants when there are so many American citizens who can't find work?
"manyoso", who I believe to be raza, replies: This is one of the things I hate about Republicans... and you are echoing them. This is the classic Republican argument against immigrants. It is also one of the primary arguments in every racist bigot's arsenal. I am disgusted to see this coming from a progressive site. Fear of brown people coming in to take all of our jobs is anathema to the progressive, inclusive view. Let's not turn into Republicans by turning on one of our primary constituencies.
Then, the Great Kos himself chimes in: Immigrants do the shit work that Americans think they are too good to do. Landscaping. Slaughterhouses. Agricultural drudge work. Housekeepers... Don't shit on immigrants... And considering that I am an immigrant, I wonder whose job I "stole"?
Obviously, they live in a magic place where illegal aliens always did those jobs and furthermore where the market doesn't apply. While some of the "liberals" on that thread make some slight sense, they usually spoil it by supporting a massive amnesty or by being restrained by political correctness. That said, it seems like there is the possibility of some of the great thinkers on that thread of having their minds changed if presented with more information.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 01:11 PM | Comments (2)
Big Business Balks at Bush Propaganda Plan
President Bush has created the Orwellian-named "Americans for Border and Economic Security" to push for his massive guest worker amnesty scheme. Now, Bloomberg reports, Big Business is balking at the plan:..."There is a reluctance to sign up for something that might turn out not to be the type of immigration reform bill we want to see," said John Gay [1], who runs a coalition in support of guest-worker programs that includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, First Data Corp. and Marriott International Inc.In other words, will it be almost completely against the wishes of the vast majority of Americans, or will it be completely against the wishes of the vast majority of Americans? That is, to them, the question.
Republican lobbyists including Ed Gillespie, the party's former national chairman, and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, are seeking to raise money for a public relations- campaign of as much as $3 million to support Bush's plan. The lobbyists are asking companies such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to contribute between $50,000 and $250,000 to pay for the effort.
Bush's plan aims to allow employers to hire immigrant "guest workers," which companies want. Supporters say their concern is that Republican lawmakers pushing for tighter borders on national-security grounds will pressure Bush eventually to accept a measure making it harder rather than easier to hire workers from overseas.
"We are still uncertain what the policy is that the group will advocate for," Lee Culpepper [2], a lobbyist for Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart, said of the Gillespie-Armey effort. "Will it be only whatever the White House wants, or will it be independent policy goals formed by the members of the group?"
What will Bush's propaganda consist of?
The campaign being planned by Gillespie and Armey is aimed at emphasizing the economic benefits of immigrant workers, said Terry Holt, a former Bush campaign spokesman who is working with them on the effort.Translation: "Aww... Why do you hate-filled people hate our cheap laborers? They're wonderful people, despite what you evil xenophobes say about them!"
..."We want to communicate the great message of what immigration means to the American economy," Holt said. "In this political climate, it's also necessary to talk about how our borders must be secured."
..."Immigrants aren't being talked about in a very endearing way [by " Talk-show hosts and newspaper columnists"]," Armey said. "But we're talking about real good people who are doing what we all are trying to do, which is feed our babies."
Gillespie's group, which also includes former Democratic Representative Cal Dooley of California, is courting companies such as Greenwood Village, Colorado-based First Data and Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Food Inc. as well as groups representing landscaping businesses, restaurants, hotels, nurses and hospitals.Obviously, the great majority of Americans are opposed to these various plans. It's also extremely dangerous for our country when corporations are listened to and the people are not: "Would a Bill of Impeachment Wake-Up President Bush?"
[1] In 2003 John Gay was identified as "Vice President, Governmental Affairs, of the American Hotel & Lodging Association". In 2004, he was identified as "vice president at the International Franchise Association". In both cases he was also identified as "co-chair of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition". The latter group is at ewic.org. Their membership consists of a large number of big business advocacy organizations, together with... the American Immigration Lawyers Association. In the "small world, eh" dep't, there's also a link between the AILA and Rep. Chris Cannon.
[2] Lee Culpepper is also Chairman of the National Immigration Forum and works for the National Restaurant Association. Last mentioned here.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 11:43 AM | Comments (2)
Arkansas Republican governor Mike Huckabee and the "underground economy"
Arkansas' "compassionate conservative" governor, Republican Mike Huckabee, paid a visit to New Hampshire over the weekend. The details are in "Arkansas governor talks politics, immigrants at GOP gathering". In the original version, the following two paragraphs have several paragraphs between them. But, when excerpted they are quite striking:"Politics does not matter to a single mother working two jobs and needing medical care for her child or to someone wanting a pothole patched, he said... Politics, [Gov. Mike Huckabee] said, is of little consequence to someone who does not have a job...Obviously, his "compassion" seems to have interfered with his ability to form commonsense, American, public policy.
He said people complain illegal immigrants are taking their jobs. But, he said, when he asks individuals to give him names and addresses of people who want to work in a poultry-processing plant deboning chickens, no one does...
Huckabee wants to bring in a foreign serf class to do the jobs Americans won't do. But, his "compassionate" side feels the pain of Americans who are out of work.
I'm sure those who don't let "compassion" stand in their way of doing the right thing could think up a better way than importing helots.
Here's a suggestion: reduce the number of foreign serf workers. That would raise the wages for poultry workers. And, that would provide an alternative for those out of work Americans he feels such compassion for. And, as it happens, those are the same people who presumably voted for this loser and whose welfare he should put before other concerns.
Huckabee agreed a "hot" issue today is illegal immigrants. He said the country’s borders need to be protected, not so much from those trying to get into this country to earn a living, but to keep out the person trying to sneak in a dirty bomb.Obviously, we don't want terrorists coming over. But, that doesn't mean we can't prevent illegal low-wage workers from coming over at the same time. Apparently Huckabee isn't concerned about the latter.
He said the country's 11 million illegal immigrants and the companies that employ them have created an underground economy. Without them, he said, our economy would collapse.I'd dearly love to call him a supporter of that "underground economy," but just because he appears unwilling to fight against corruption and other anti-American activity doesn't necessarily mean that he's involved in it. But, clearly, it doesn't appear to be much of a concern of his. He is obviously unfit not just for president, but for any elected office.
If the Dems were smart, they'd start trying to tie the word "Republican" to the word "corruption." The problem, as usual, is that the Dems aren't smart enough to see opportunity, even when handed to them on a silver platter.
Previously: "Arkansas' Huckabee, Tyson Foods, LULAC all aligned", "New Americans welcomed to Iowa, Arkansas", "Arkansas: discounted college for illegal aliens blocked", and "AR Gov. Mike Huckabee goes on the attack".
Posted to Immigration2005b at 07:35 AM | Comments (1)
"Immigrants" get Matricula Consular cards in Watsonville; some downsides noted
The Santa Cruz Sentinel article "ID card gives immigrants more opportunity" describes a visit of the Mexican consul to Watsonville, CA to pass out Matricula Consular cards, aka "IDs for illegals." Those ID cards are only of use to illegal aliens, and the Mexican government travels between their outposts in our country passing them out to its citizens who are here illegally. The Bush administration supports the use of the cards.The article starts out in the "standard" way, but then includes some downsides of the cards:
To the Mexican immigrant, especially the one who is in the United States illegally, the card is the key to opening bank accounts, obtaining credit with credit card companies, even paying income taxes to the U.S. government.As pointed out at the second link above, the Bush administration fought to allow banks to accept these cards. The only official criticism has come from the FBI, the GAO, and some pro-America congressmen and other elected officials. If this article's reporter has evidence of the DHS leadership opposing the card, I'd like to see it.
Yet to the state of California and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, issuing such a card is of big concern.
Not only has the card been criticized for lending legitimacy to illegal immigration in California, it has come under fire for being the end-round for terrorists in a post-9/11 era...
"Obviously, Mexico isn't our number one concern, but open borders are always a problem, and we're not entirely convinced that the background process to determine identity and criminal background (for acquiring the national cards) are being done satisfactorily," said Gary Winuck, chief deputy director for California's Office of Homeland Security in Sacramento.Perhaps the report is confused that agency with the federal DHS.
The fact of the matter, he said, is that the United States has no jurisdiction over the matter.Strictly speaking, that's wrong. If a country's consulate really does something wrong, we can always ask them to leave. Of course, that's a very rare occurence. But, there's always the possibility of a formal complaint from the State Dep't to their opposite numbers. That needn't be a rare occurence, but for some reason or other the Bush administration refuses to do anything about Mexico repeatedly stepping over the line. And, a consulate passing out the cards wouldn't do it any good if they were considered to be the Mickey Mouse IDs that they are. Unfortunately, that's not the case: the Bush administration fought to allow banks to accept the cards, and the Mexican government has gone to cities throughout the land and convinced gullible, racist, corrupt, or just "liberal" local officials to accept the cards (an example from Napa).
"Whether they’re here illegally or legally, it is not our job to determine," [Jose Loreto, San Diego's deputy general consul] said.
Loreto said 70 percent of the people who apply for the card... are here illegally...
Posted to Immigration2005b at 04:12 AM | Comments (1)
August 28, 2005
Article promoting anti-American DREAM Act covers some downsides
The article "Tests illegals can't pass" is yet another article promoting Orrin Hatch's anti-American DREAM Act. That Act would give discounted college educations to illegal aliens. Out-of-state U.S. citizens would continued being forced to pay the full price. Of course, under no circumstances should a citizen of another country be given a better deal than a U.S. citizen, but some people - far-lefties as well as corrupt politicians - remain unclear on that commonsense concept. The current article is a bit different from others that promotes that Act, as it includes a few of the downsides and it's not as weepy as the others:The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act forbade states from granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants based on residency because those students would be paying less than out-of-state U.S. citizens...Quick! No one tell them they're violating federal law.
...some [NJ] colleges are allowing undocumented students to pay the lower in-state tuition, apparently violating federal law...
...[out of several others, the reporters found two pro-American colleges:] William Paterson University and the County College of Morris reject all applications from undocumented students...
...Partha Banerjee, executive director of the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network, says the few four-year colleges that grant in-state tuition to illegal students - three of 10 - probably "just don't know or they are just not following" the federal rules. He says he's concerned that "once they find out this is something they cannot do, then perhaps they will stop doing it," and that would further harm the immigrant students...
..."People who are here illegally should not benefit on the backs of taxpayers," says Assemblyman Michael Carroll, R-Morristown. "Far from being welcomed with a discount, [they] should be evicted immediately."...Obviously, there's only a limited number of available slots, and none of those should go to anyone who's here illegally. Obviously, there are some who don't see it that way. They would be willing to allow a citizen of another country to take the spot of a U.S. citizen. Of course, a small number of those people aren't necessarily un-American: they just haven't thought about this enough.
...State officials worry that an influx of students suddenly able to afford college might strain a system already filled to capacity. For the class entering last fall, the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education says, its four-year public schools received 88,467 applications but enrolled only 15,912 freshmen...
"We have huge capacity needs; we are short of space," says Jean Oswald, the commission's executive director. "If thousands more of these undocumented students are able to go to college because they can afford it, it absolutely will knock more of the legal people out..."
Immigration advocates [sic; make that "illegal immigration advocates"] insist that opportunities for achieving students, legal and illegal alike, should be based on merit.Now, come the scare tactics:
But others argue it is wrong to secure a college slot for an illegal immigrant, particularly at the expense of a legal resident.
"A college might admit the undocumented student on merit," Oswald says, "but the bottom line is that some residents will say, 'Why should my daughter compete for a college spot against someone who is illegal?' "
"Those who create obstacles for immigrant students will find that in the end they will have a bigger problem," says Rafael Fraguela, the principal at The Learning Center in Passaic and a former vice principal of Passaic High. "Instead of spending more money on education, they will have to spend more money on prisons and on fighting gang violence.Well, the cure for that is to prevent illegal immigrants from coming here in the first place. That way everyone discussed above wouldn't be an issue.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 11:47 PM | Comments (6)
The AP on the "divided GOP" and their "immigration debate"
The AP offers a helpful "summary box" of the "debate" so far. It consists of just three short bullet points:
MAKING A MOVE: President Bush is considering allowing illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before February 2004 to qualify for guest-worker visas. Those who arrived later would be deported.
Of course, almost 2/3 of Americans - from across the spectrum - oppose those visas, but what matters their opinion?
And, the idea that Bush would have the will to deport anyone who arrived here since 2/04 is ludicrous at best. If he had that will, why don't we set the cutoff date a year or five years earlier? What will actually happen is those who came here after that date will just become part of the first wave of the new group of illegal aliens who'll come here because of his amnesty.
WARRING FACTIONS: In crafting a proposal, Bush is caught between conservatives who want to stem the tide of illegal immigrants and supporters in the business sector who think the economy needs the workers.
Obviously, the AP needs to start reading some of these polls. It's not just conservatives who are opposed to Bush's plan. Those who support his or the similar plans are actually a small but powerful minority consisting of not just businesses but the racial lobby, the media, and the far left.
CRISIS POINT: Arizona and New Mexico have declared immigration emergencies, and the Senate is set to consider competing plans — one would allow workers to stay in the U.S. while applying for visas, and the other would not.
Once again, the AP seems unable to present a choice that would actually work: enforcing the laws we currently have. This appears to be a stock tactic employed by the cheap labor lobby: just ignore that workable idea and concentrate instead on offering a false choice.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 04:24 PM | Comments (3)
"Compassionate conservatism" to be plaguing U.S. for decades to come
According to this, George W. Bush has already made plans for his library, and it's not going to be good for the U.S.
..."The Hoover Institution," reveals Bush's chief library scout and former Commerce Secretary Don Evans, "is the model. That's what will differentiate our library." ...Evans tells us that the "Bush Institute" won't just take up the president's agenda of advancing compassionate conservatism, fighting terrorism, and expanding democracy: Women's issues, a passion of the first lady, will also get a starring role. "This will be a very active institution," he predicts. And that's not all. In a letter to seven colleges and the city of Arlington, all vying to build the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Evans and Bush brother Marvin say the prez also wants a high-tech library and museum, including an IMAX theater, gift shop, and apartment. It'll be expensive, and the winner will have to raise gobs of cash. But, assures the duo, "the president has many donors, supporters, and friends around the world."
As previously discussed, the Saudis were major contributors to the Clinton library. Expect them - as well as domestic favorites like corporations profiting from Bush's policies - to be major contributors to this effort as well. It will probably go the other way as well: those in the media and elsewhere who've supported Bush's policies may be offered sinecures from the new institution.
And, of course, the institution will help future Bushes in their various runs for office...
Posted to Politics at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
Wacky stunt to highlight dangerously insecure border
The headline tells you most all you need to know, but there are a few ironic twists. "Human cannonball to be fired across U.S.-Mexico border" informs us that David Smith Sr. is going to perform the stunt from Tijuana over to Border Field State Park in San Diego. This might be next Saturday, or it might have already occurred. In any case, since no one really cares:The feat is the brainchild of Venezuelan artist Javier Tellez and is part of a series of public art projects in the two border cities...Isn't that cute? Of course, all he needed to do was become a citizen of Mexico, Brazil, or Yemen and he wouldn't have needed permission, just a corrupt employer and corrupt politicians to support him.
Tellez organized the cannonball launch with psychiatric patients at the Baja California Mental Health Center in Mexicali, Mexico as a therapeutic project...
Although it is against the law for anyone, including U.S. citizens, to enter the country outside an official port of entry, Smith Sr. won't be crossing illegally. U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar made an exception for him...
Posted to Immigration2005b at 11:51 AM | Comments (1)
Vsya Vlast' Nerdam: Linux big hit in tiny socialist state
Apparently the key to widespread adoption of Linux has been discovered: spread world socialism, and the penguin will follow.From "Linux thrives in left-leaning Kerala":
Kerala, a tiny coastal state in south India, is a site of significant popularity of free software and GNU/Linux. What lessons can Kerala teach other areas about using free and open source software?As can be expected, what's needed is a vanguard of right-minded revolutionaries. Only with their help can the peasants be educated and the countryside electrified:
Kerala, as a state, is strongly grounded in principles of socialism. Most of the educated middle class is leftist, at least in principle. The state is credited with a near 100% literacy rate and better social statistics than most of the rest of the country. And all this is reflected in a spirit among the people to question any decision imposed on them. They resent lack of choices, and by extension, oppose monopolies. What better fuel for an open source/free software movement to thrive on than a society like this?
...One lesson that is obvious from most of the above is that the key to promoting the adoption of Linux is to take it to the masses in a manner they understand. Present it to them, highlighting tangible benefits. Make it easy for them to move. Prepare migration paths mentored by professionals. Train them at nominal costs. And always strive to create not users, but 'missionaries.' Today, a state, tomorrow, a country, next year, the world!
Posted to Miscellania at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)
Mexican business leaders feeling unwanted, unloved
From "Mexican execs tell Nunez they feel rejected by state":Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez said Mexican business executives told him yesterday they feel "totally rejected" by California political leaders, a contrast to their warm relations with Texas officials.All together: Awwwwwwww.
After a private meeting with a dozen business leaders here, the Los Angeles Democrat said executives regard the current wave of "anti-immigrant hysteria" in California as an affront to them...
And, from "Nunez Trip Hits Heavy Resistance":
...[Mexican-"American" politican Fabian Nunez] worked with a local public relations man to spread his message to as many people as possible: that immigrants were a precious California resource and that the two nations must work together to protect their future...Wouldn't it be nice not to have to deal with this issue? Under any of the immigration "reform" programs, isn't it just going to get worse? Aren't our "amigos" to the south just going to make more and more demands?
Even worse, Mexicans here say, was the speaker's insistence that Schwarzenegger — who this spring praised the "Minuteman" campaign along the U.S.-Mexico border — was a caring person.
"Where does this guy stand?" asked Ulises Canchola Gutierrez, a foreign ministry official. "He supports a state of emergency. He says Arnold is not so bad. I'm confused."
...His call last week for Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency was seen in California as putting pressure on the Bush administration to acknowledge the steep costs shouldered by border states. Similar declarations this month by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano made headlines and freed up about $2 million.
Here, it was interpreted as another slap in the face...
"I don't believe he is anti-Mexican, or anti-immigrant," said Nunez, leaving many scratching their heads. Schwarzenegger is seen as favoring a sealed border, a position that is widely interpreted here as anti-Mexican...
"It is important that we need to protect the border," he said. "Not militarize it, protect it."
It was the sort of tempered liberalism that would normally draw applause from Latino audiences in California...
For the sake of this country, we need to just back away slowly from this whole mess. We can't afford to get even more entangled with a country that obviously has no respect for our laws. If Mexico's leaders won't reform themselves, then we need to just build a wall.
Posted to California at 07:22 AM | Comments (1)
Carlsbad Heckler's Veto, Part 2
As previously discussed, Carlsbad CA wants to charge state Sen. Bill Morrow for the costs that city incurred providing security at the illegal immigration forum held there earlier this month.
Now, the SDUT weighs in with "The price of speech", saying that the cities affected should pay for it:
...So, is it fair for the taxpayers of Carlsbad – and Oceanside, San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon and National City, whose police went to Carlsbad's mutual aid – to bear the expense? Yes, because protecting free speech from a "heckler's veto" can carry a high dollar price, and it's the duty of government, local and otherwise, to pay it.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 04:17 AM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2005
Illegal aliens stay in the U.S.; Mexican, American response compared
Because of increased border protection in some areas, the prices to be smuggled into the U.S. have risen and muy malo groups have gotten involved rather than the previous "mom and pop" groups. This has caused some illegal aliens who had previously returned home occasionally to not only stay in the U.S., but to send for their families.This is discussed in "Officials: Strengthening border has domino effect", and two alternative ways of dealing with this issue are presented.
From the Mexican side of things comes their general consul in San Diego, Luis Cabrera:
"It's a labor market and it obeys the laws of supply and demand... You can't control such a thing as migration into a developed country only by law enforcement. With all due respect, it's very clear that we have to deal with immigration in all its aspects and adjust the legal framework to reality."Is it any surprise that Bush, Cornyn, Kyl, McCain, Kennedy, and all the other amnesty proponents including those in the media all want to "adjust" the "framework" to fit their "reality", just like the Mexicans want to do?
Meanwhile, from the American side of things, comes Andy Ramirez of the Friends of the Border Patrol:
...the problem is not that border enforcement has increased, he said. The problem is that it hasn't increased enough.
"It's been strengthened in Tucson (Ariz.), but not elsewhere," he said. "They must strengthen the borders with manpower and technology."
In addition, Ramirez said, the government needs to start doing immigration sweeps in cities throughout the Southwest, increase workplace enforcement and stop allowing banks to accept illegal immigrants' Mexican identification card, or matricula consular, for bank business.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 11:35 PM | Comments (0)
When do-gooder do more harm than good
While there have been cases where "liberals" have actually done more good than harm, in many cases it's the opposite. A case in point is those groups that provide water stations in the desert for "migrants". From "Arizona residents grow weary of dealing with illegal immigration":...children's book author Byrd Baylor, 81, believes it's her duty to help. She owns the 35 acres of land where No More Deaths, a coalition of volunteers that offers humanitarian aid to illegal immigrants, has its summer camp. Originally from San Antonio and a member of the Baylor mining family, she said it's obvious that the border policy has to change.Her policy should be to prevent illegal immigration in the first place. That would be much more effective than in effect helping that to occur.
"My policy right now is just to keep people from dying who don't have a reason to die – just because they're crossing the border," Ms. Baylor said.
Before printing her "liberal" remarks, that article has the thoughts of other area residents who are tired of the trash and the large groups of "migrants" asking for stuff.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 09:28 PM | Comments (2)
Debbie Schlussel meets the SPLC
The Southern Poverty Law Center has responded to a post from her about the Ranch Rescue controversy. You really need to read their reply to believe it. Her post and their email are in Gaza in Arizona: How "Civil Rights" Lawyer Morris Dees Seized American Land For Illegal Aliens.
(I went to her site yesterday because for some reason I got a ton of hits to my collection of Debbie Schlussel pictures. I was unable to figure out why that happened; perhaps she was on TV or something. Her site is now blog-like, including comments. They, however, use the idiotic nofollow tag.)
Posted to Bloggage at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)
Pro-American church leaders needed
The following religious leaders will be in Nogales on Monday, August 29 to push for immigration "reform":
- Dr. David Elcott, U.S. Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee;
- Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches;
- Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, USA;
- Gideon Aronoff, Vice President of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society;
- Rev. Lori Sauder, Executive Council, United Church of Christ;
- Ethan Felson, Asst. Director, Jewish Council of Public Affairs;
- Rev. Jan Flaaten, Exec. Dir of the Arizona Ecumenical Council;
- Father Raul Travizo, Vicar for Hispanic Ministries
According to Elcott: "Criminal immigrant smuggling gangs, vigilante violence and the exploitation of undocumented migrants have made our borders dangerously unsafe... This country’s historic role as a safe haven for those coming to its shores is being seriously compromised."
I'm not aware of anything in our history like what's currently going on. I'm pretty sure that Ellis Island is quite a bit different from millions of people sneaking over our border. I'm also unaware of any biblical directive requiring one country to serve as a safety valve for the corrupt oligarchy of another country. Perhaps these "leaders" are just a bit confused.
The AJC strongly supports the need for bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, alternative approaches to which are now pending in Congress. "Appropriately drafted legislation would improve national security through enhanced border security and effective enforcement, while protecting those most vulnerable in our society through earned legalization and increased worker protections," Elcott said.
Gosh, any chance that could be a reference to the McCain-Kennedy massive amnesty scheme?
It would be nice if someone would ask these loonies some of the questions in "How many open borders loons can dance on the head of a pin?" I don't think their stance would stand up to much scrutiny, but, as always, the main problem is finding someone who has the access and the courage to ask some tough questions.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 03:21 PM | Comments (0)
Responding to Dallas giving in to racial power
From a U.S. English press release:Late Thursday night, a 5-4 vote of the Dallas school board made this Texas county the first in the nation to require administrators to learn Spanish or lose their jobs...As previously discussed, most of the DUmmies couldn't understand the problem. Of course, neither can most of our elected dummies.
"The Dallas school board's extreme approach sends the unmistakable message that English is optional in the area," explained Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc. "This is part of a frightening trend where English-speaking Americans are being asked to learn a foreign language, while nothing is expected out of non-English speaking immigrants to America. Instead of forcing their administrators to learn the language of immigrants, the district should open its facilities to programs that teach immigrant parents English."
...While Dallas County ranks 138th in the nation in the percentage of residents who speak Spanish at home, it is ninth in the concentration of Vietnamese speakers, eighth in the concentration of Urdu speakers, and 14th in the concentration of Korean speakers. In all, 123,000, or six percent of Dallas County residents, speak a language other than English or Spanish at home. The "outreach" program makes no attempt to reach other immigrant families...
Posted to Immigration2005b at 02:27 PM | Comments (1)
Lesson: Don't hire "immigrant" janitors
Cleaning and Maintenance Management Magazine - which I consult on a daily basis to learn what's going on in that high-tech field - has an article entitled "Immigrant janitors file suit". (At post time, the ad to the left is promoting "Minuteman" products, which is apparently unrelated to the Project of the same name.)The CMM post directs us to the news account "CEO denies direct connection to workers":
The suit claims 44 Eastern European and Mongolian immigrants regularly worked at three Fairfield Resorts Inc. time shares up to 85 hours per week as housekeepers and landscapers beginning in August 2002 and were never paid overtime.What do you want to bet that those "immigrants" are in fact illegal aliens? While there's the possibility that they were legal workers, the fact that their employer - whoever it may turn out ultimately to be - felt safe in allegedly abusing them would seem to indicate that they were here in somewhat shady circumstances.
The workers had to pay a deposit to start their jobs, weren't paid for three weeks of work in the spring of 2005, and have been harassed and threatened since they sought legal help, according to the lawsuit. Fairfield is named in the lawsuit as well as five companies and two men.
But Gary Clifton, CEO of Ambassador Solutions Inc. and Proline Management Corporation - Missouri contracting companies named in the lawsuit - said Friday he never directly employed the Williamsburg-area workers...
Here's hoping this suit succeeds and those "immigrants" collect a large judgment. Then, let's hope that that result is printed in CMM Magazine, and it serves as a lesson to other janitorial companies.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)
Rumor: Border Patrol honcho fired
The following is a completely uncorroborated rumor:
August 27, 2005 - 12:05 pm PDT -- According to knowledgeable sources, following an internal investigation, Lee Morgan, the Border Patrol's head guy for policing corruption at the Douglas, Arizona, Border Patrol station, has been relieved of duty, and his badge, gun and vehicle taken from him. His replacement is Kevin Keeters. The BP is trying to keep a lid on this and don't want the media involved.
Now, see More straw, Tamar? A Jacoby column featured this quote from Morgan:
[BP Agent Lee Morgan] criticizes the apprehensions as a waste of time and resources. "They're just poor people trying to feed their families," he shrugs... "What if the bastards come across here in Arizona and I don't catch them because I'm so busy chasing a busboy or a gardener that I don't have time to do my job--my real job--catching terrorists?..."
As I pointed out in that post, he seemed to be the go-to-guy for pro-Bush Border Patrol quotes...
Of course, this rumor may turn out to be completely or partially false and I'll provide an update when more information is available.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)
Bush's new immigration scheme due late Sept., early Oct.
This biased AP report deserves a fisking, but for now let's just concentrate on this bit of news:Struggling to pacify his party's warring wings, President Bush is moving toward allowing illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before February 2004 to qualify for guest-worker visas. People smuggled in after then would be deported...Parts of this article were also featured in "More McCain immigration quotes".
Bush and his advisers [sic] are caught between their supporters in the business sector, who believe the economy needs those workers, and conservatives whose priority is to clamp down on illegal immigration. The White House hopes to have a detailed proposal to Congress in late September or early October...
According to administration and congressional officials who took part in a series of White House meetings this summer, Bush does not favor requiring illegal immigrants to be sent home to apply for the visas.
In a nod to his conservative base, however, the president has rejected a part of the McCain-Kennedy bill that the White House believes would put illegal immigrants on an automatic track to citizenship, the officials said.
The officials said it was unclear how many illegal immigrants came after February 2004 or how many later had children in the U.S., conferring U.S. citizenship on those babies. The White House wants to avoid a surge of illegal immigrants who would try to beat a prospective deadline, they said...
From construction companies in Arizona to farmers in the Midwest and California, many industries need those cheap and available workers...
Depending on how Hispanics react, this fall's immigration debate could help determine whether Democrats or Republicans dominate the fastest-growing voting bloc in years to come.
The issue threatens to divide Democrats. Affluent, well-educated liberals are embracing immigration as part of cultural diversity. But poor Democrats, including blacks, are wary of Hispanics' growing economic and political clout...
The White House may take the unusual step of writing the legislation or submitting specific language to Congress.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 12:14 PM | Comments (0)
More McCain immigration quotes
From this:Conservative House Republicans tend to favor [the "tougher" Cornyn-Kyl mass amnesty.] McCain mocks it.Previously: "John McCain's illegal alien amnesty scheme gets cold shoulder from his constituents".
"Turn yourself in so we can send you back to Mexico," said McCain, throwing his head back in laughter during an interview at his Arizona office last week. "It's not going to happen."
..."Just stop at one of these construction sites and look and see who those workers are. They're all Hispanic," McCain said. "And I bet you they're illegal."
Posted to Immigration2005b at 12:07 PM | Comments (1)
John McCain's illegal alien amnesty scheme gets cold shoulder from his constituents
Here are two articles on a two-hour public event at which AZ Sen. John McCain took questions from his constituents: "McCain hears critics of immigration bill" and "McCain calms GOP critics at MCC".
While both report that many there were critical of McCain himself as well as his amnesty schemes, the reporters - oddly enough! - fail to provide examples of the questions he was asked and his answers, preferring instead to prattle on about insignificant matters. As seen recently (McCain: why immigration "reform" is horrible for Mexico's people), the easiest way to discredit both McCain and his plan is just to let him speak. Perhaps we'll get some quotes from other sources.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
"Wisconsin Program Helps Illegal Aliens Get Mortgages"
Fox News reports on Antonio Riley of the WHEDA ("Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority") and his scheme to give home loans to illegal aliens:...[Republican state Sen. Glenn Grothman] said he wants essentially to eliminate the I-TIN mortgages and has proposed that Social Security numbers be required for state loans.
He said that even though he believes the vast majority of Wisconsin is with him on this, he's not sure his own party is.
"If my legislation doesn't pass, it shows a high degree of cowardice on the part of the Republican leadership of the state of Wisconsin," Grothman said.
Wisconsin GOP leaders say they do not fear Hispanic voter backlash getting in the way of Grothman's legislation, but that the party has other priorities, like election law reform, that needs to be completed first.
Posted to Immigration2005b at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)
DUmmies: Chavez for Prez, simple "liberal" minds on multiculturalism, and George Galloway
Today in DUmmy News:
The poll question "Is Hugo Chavez is the greatest world leader so far in the 21st century?" [sic] has the following results: Yes, 32 votes. No, 24 votes.
And, they respond to the news that the Dallas school board has voted to require bilingual principals in some schools: "Bilingual-principal plan approved". To you this is an obvious ethnic power grab: just having a passing knowledge of Spanish probably isn't going to be good enough. A, shall we say, native fluency will be required. As will - of course! - an in-depth knowledge of "Hispanic" culture. Of course that will require that someone be "Raza"; otherwise the students won't have the proper, racially-sensitive learning experience. Needless to say, the DUmmies - except for one brave poster - are unable to grasp these elementary concepts.
And, lastly: "George Galloway US Tour! September 13-24". He'll be at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 3300 Wilshire on September 22, and I might be there. More tour dates here.
UPDATE: Chavez is pulling ahead! It's now Yes, 57 votes. No, 43 votes.
Posted to Bloggage at 04:15 AM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2005
Gov. Rick Perry's vision of the Trans-Texas Corridor
Texas' Republican Gov. Rick Perry wants to build a massive scar across that state called the "Trans-Texas Corridor". It would consist of roads, railway lines, and energy transport pipelines and, in some places, it would be one-quarter of a mile wide.
Now, Raytheon has been selected to provide the booth-less toll part of the massive project. Don't have a toll pass? You'll get a bill in the mail after your license plate has been scanned. BTW: "FM" means "farm road". Just for your future reference should you find yourself in the area.
Previously: "Dueling over a scar". Some call the TTC a "NAFTA Road".
Posted to Miscellania at 08:56 PM | Comments (1)
Should Fabian Nunez stay in Mexico?
Honestly: wouldn't it be best for both countries if California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez would just stay in Mexico? He seems to be having so much fun on his vacation it's a shame it has to end. John Rice of the AP reports:Fabian Nunez could hardly stop grinning. The speaker of the California Assembly sat shoulder to shoulder with some of Mexico's political elite on Friday before an exuberantly friendly audience of thousands...It sounds like they could really use someone with Nunez' energy and political skills there. And, since we don't need people here who have divided loyalties, it would be a win-win.
Nunez, who spent most of the first seven years of his life in Tijuana, joined those around him in crossing his hand across his chest in salute as the Mexican flag arrived with a children's honor guard...
Nunez said migrants had helped make California one of the world's great economic powers, "yet the gap between the poor and the rich grows greater and greater, the racism against immigrant workers continues."
He also denounced civilian immigrant hunter groups such as the Minutemen, saying they "try to deny our humanity and our dignity."
Nunez avoided reference to Mexican political issues, but praised the leadership of the union's chief, Heladio Ramirez, who is a key figure in the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, that ran Mexico for 71 years before losing to opposition candidate Vicente Fox in 2000.
The farm union itself has been a key part of the PRI for decades.
Ramirez, meanwhile, decried poverty in the countryside that he said was driving Mexicans across the border.
"That, comrades, is a national disgrace," Ramirez said. "It's humiliating that we are exporting poor Mexicans in the worst conditions so that they can achieve elsewhere what we deny them here."
Previously: "Fabian Nunez, California Democrat, kisses up to Vicente Fox".
Regarding the part in red above, please send your thoughts to: readers.rep@uniontrib.com and feedback@ap.org.
UPDATE: From the mind-bendingly titled "In Mexico, Nunez is forced to explain border comments" come these mind-bending quotes:
"It seems as though there is a sense that people want to close the border," Nunez said Fox told him. "I assured him that that wasn't the case, and I think he accepted my response to that."The fact that he's "succeeded" shows that there are a lot of reality-denying cowards in the media, but we already knew that.
...[Nunez said:] "Many of these Democratic leaders traditionally are aligned with the Mexican people and have been very supportive of the contributions of undocumented immigrants in particular..."
"I always thought that the biggest criticism I would get is 'Here is this Mexican-American leader of California going to Mexico. Where's his allegiance – to Mexico or the U.S.?' " Núñez said.
"I think I have succeeded," he said. "The fact that that criticism hasn't been made shows that we have made a lot of progress."
Posted to California at 08:45 PM | Comments (1)
"Would a Bill of Impeachment Wake-Up President Bush?"
The person asking that question is... "Pitchfork" Pat Buchanan, and the question is printed in Human Events:...A president like Teddy Roosevelt would have led the Army to the border years ago. And if Fox did not cooperate, T.R. would have gone on to Mexico City. Nor would Ike, who deported all illegal aliens in 1953, have stood still for this being done to the country he had defended in war.
What are these Bush Republicans afraid of? Dirty looks from the help at the country club?
The question of whether America is going to remain one nation, or whether our Southwest will wind up as a giant Kosovo -- separated by language and loyalty from the rest of America -- is on the table...
...George Bush is chief executive of the United States. It is his duty to enforce the laws. Can anyone fairly say he is enforcing the immigration laws? Those laws are clear. People who break in are to be sent back. Yet, more than 10 million have broken in with impunity. Another million attempt to break in every year. Half a million succeed. Border security is homeland security. How, then, can the Department of Homeland Security say America is secure?
Who can guarantee that, of the untold millions of illegals here, and the scores of thousands ordered deported for crimes who have disappeared into our midst, none is a terrorist waiting for orders to blow up a subway or mall and massacre American citizens?
...Twice, George Bush has taken an oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Article IV, Section 4 of that Constitution reads, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion."
Well, we are being invaded, and the president of the United States is not doing his duty to protect the states against that invasion. Some courageous Republican, to get the attention of this White House, should drop into the hopper a bill of impeachment, charging George W. Bush with a conscious refusal to uphold his oath and defend the states of the Union against "invasion."
Posted to Immigration2005b at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
Is corruption a Republican value?
In a perfect world the Democrats would have a brain and would oppose illegal immigration. While it seems highly unlikely, if they do decide to join the American side of things, let me suggest a very potent talking point: the GOP is corrupt.Examples of that corruption can be seen throughout the article "Count Them In" about illegal aliens and banking:
..."Clearly Hispanic buying power, which is estimated at $600 billion, has captured the attention of business, and many are responding to the Latino market," Beatriz Ibarra, an assets policy analyst for the National Council of La Raza, which worked with Wells Fargo on the matricula program, says... [I didn't know about that connection before --LW]
...Still, there are those who say the matricula card compromises immigration enforcement just when the country needs it most. A Google search on matricula cards reveals a smattering of furious Web sites like www.americanpatrol.com, whose "Mexican Sham ID Card" section decries the increasing acceptance of the matricula and asks readers if they remember 9.11... [Finally, a reporter who knows how to search! Too bad he didn't incorporate some of the results into his report however. --LW]
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) maintains that by accepting the card banks are, in effect, laundering money for people not in this country legally.
"While the Department of Homeland Security and the Border Patrol are spending so much time and money on strategies to reduce illegal immigration, far too little attention is being paid to the practices of the American business community," CIS Spokesman John Keeley says. "The distinction between legal and illegal immigration has been blurred, and it's undermining governmental will to enforce the law."
..."We expect this trend to continue," James Ballentine, director of grassroots and community service for the [American Bankers Association], says. "The fact of the matter is that this population isn't going anywhere, and they shouldn't have to hide their money under the mattress any longer."
..."The ITIN policy aids and abets the employment of illegal aliens. It allows them to remain underground. This is coming from a federal entity and it's undermining the enforcement of federal law," CIS’s Keeley says...
Posted to Immigration2005b at 11:02 AM | Comments (0)
Fabian Nunez, California Democrat, kisses up to Vicente Fox
Fabian Nunez, Democrat and Speaker of the California Assembly visited Mexico yesterday to speak to...the speaker said the emergency decree was a matter "between the states and the Bush administration" meant to seek resources to solve border region problems.Because, as we know, Mexico plays no role in our problems with massive illegal immigration. Despite his obsequiousness, Nunez was partially in the doghouse: the meeting wasn't on Fox's official schedule. Whether he kissed Fox's ring is not disclosed.
"In no way does it seek to attack or place blame on the back of Mexico," said Nunez, a Los Angeles Democrat...
State Republican officials said Nunez's trip was orchestrated to woo Hispanic voters ahead of the Nov. 8 election...Wait... I though Nunez at least pretends to be an American? Why should a visit to a foreign country do an American politician any good?
On arrival at Mexico City airport, Nunez, who lived in Mexico until age 7, said enforcement of immigration law "has to be done with respect and dignity." He said "California depends on Mexican labor" and endorsed the idea of legalizing many of those now working illegally...On that note, see "Senators Hollingsworth and Morrow and Assemblymen Haynes and Wyland Unveil Illegal Immigration Proposal":
...Schwarzenegger said there was no need for [a border emergency] declaration. He also said state law allows him to declare emergencies only in case of war, natural disasters or epidemics.
In a letter he sent to Nunez on Wednesday, Schwarzenegger said the law was intended to protect health, safety, life and property in extreme circumstances...
The proposed legislation addresses these concerns by giving the Governor the explicit authority to call a state of emergency in regards to illegal immigration. Should the Governor declare a state of emergency, it allows for greater coordination and for the use of personnel and resources to address the problem.
Posted to California at 08:50 AM | Comments (1)
Portland: All corruption and "liberalism" is local
Multnomah County in Oregon - home to Portland - funded a "needs and assets assessment of the Hispanic community of Multnomah County". Click the link to read a fisk of the document, such as of this putrid slice:
Solidarity is what has enabled Latinos to make remarkable political gains as a group, in spite of their internal diversity. Solidarity is the basis of the concept of La Raza (your own people). Loyalty to the group starts by recognizing paisanos (those from your country) wherever one goes.
Racial solidarity is great! (Of course, it's only acceptable when performed by Oppressed Persons of Color. Otherwise, it's hatred, racism, xenophobia, and anti-human behavior.)
Posted to Immigration2005b at 07:24 AM | Comments (3)
McCain: why immigration "reform" is horrible for Mexico's people
As we know, Arizona's John McCain co-sponsors an amnesty scheme with Teddy Kennedy. This plan will encourage millions of Mexican illegal aliens to stay in the U.S. And, it will encourage millions more to come in expectation of being a part of their amnesty (or a future "final amnesty.")
What impact has our lax immigration enforcement had on Mexico itself, and what impact would any of these amnesty plans have in the future?
Let's turn to McCain himself for that answer:
"We have a national interest in improving the Mexican economy... We now have towns in Mexico that are devoid of young men because they've all come to the United States because they can't find work there."
Isn't that a bad thing? Shouldn't we try to encourage them to go home and build up their own country? Aren't we taking people from Mexico who could help reform that country?
Why would John McCain sponsor an amnesty that would just make that situation worse? Why do "liberals" support massive immigration rather than supporting governmental reform in Mexico? Why does John McCain do that? What would a real statesman do?
Posted to Immigration2005b at 06:35 AM | Comme