Massive demonstration right outside my window!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
I don't think anyone has taken a poll.

I was out there marching Sunday, and I'm a third-generation Anglo-Californian.

QFT.

Though of course you'll have the knee jerk reactionists who'll think you were an illegal too .

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Wycoff
Why do you believe that illegals should get amnesty?

I'm still deciding that one.

What I'm against is creating 11 million new felons, and making anyone who unwittingly helps them (like charities) felons as well. And I'm not too happy about spending $2 billion dollars on Berlin Wall, the Sequel.

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
And I'm not too happy about spending $2 billion dollars on Berlin Wall, the Sequel.

$2 Billion seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of billions being hemorrhage into the sands of Iraq., especially when considering that a border wall could do more for national security than Iraq ever could.

I haven't formed an opinion on the felons part. Theoretically, illegals caught should be deported under the current system. I don't see what the benefit is to making them felons for the first offense. However, I fully support making into felons those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Wycoff
...I fully support making into felons those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

To save tax money, I'd make the first offense a misdemeanor, with maybe 3 months jail time. Even a short jail sentence will get the attention of a lot of employers. Repeat offenders can be felons.

However, the part of the act I hate is that part which makes people felons who help people in "reckless disregard" of whether they are illegal aliens. That would mean that churchs and charities would have to check green cards before issue aid. I don't think that's the job of the Church.

[Ramo]

What you think of yourself as....where your first loyalties lie.

Are you trying to tell me that Mexico's about to invade us?

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
However, the part of the act I hate is that part which makes people felons who help people in "reckless disregard" of whether they are illegal aliens. That would mean that churchs and charities would have to check green cards before issue aid. I don't think that's the job of the Church.

I don't think that churches or non-profit charities should have to check green cards. Government programs, on the other hand, should require proof of legal presence before service unless there's a dire emergency, like imminent death.

[Zkribbler]

Are you trying to tell me that Mexico's about to invade us?

Bill O'Reilly says Mexico already is.

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Bill O'Reilly says Mexico already is.

I hate to agree with O'Reilly, but what else do you call it when millions of nationals from one country illegally enter into the territory of a neighbor? There's also hundreds of reports alleging that Mexican army units are crossing into the U.S. to aid drug smugglers. This current situation is a situation that hasn't really been paralled for centuries... almost like a new Völkerwanderung.

[Zkribbler]

Tanks + infantry + artillery + air support = invasion.

Housekeepers + gardeners + and farm workers < invasion.



"Surrender or will kill you" = invasion.

"Do you want fried with that?" < invasion.

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Tanks + infantry + artillery + air support = invasion.

Housekeepers + gardeners + and farm workers < invasion.

"Surrender or will kill you" = invasion.

"Do you want fried with that?" < invasion.

Houskeepers + gardeners + farm workers + gang members + severe burden on welfare state + drastic demographic changes = ?

I recognize that there is a distinction between an overt military invasion and the current situation, but I'm not sure what to call the current situation.

[DanS]

At a minimum, the Mexican government and society aren't acting responsibly toward the US. More than 5% of the Mexican population is in the US illegally and Mexico hasn't been very understanding of the US security needs in the post-9/11 world.

[Dinner]

From there point of view why should they? Serious question.

[DanS]

No reason other than minding that your fence is mended and being neighborly[1]. On the other hand, they shouldn't be surprised when the solution taken isn't particularly to their liking.

[1]I note that the Canadians seem to have been much more understanding and they have economic interests involved too.

[Timexwatch]

Just to give a beltway perspective:

It looks like Specter passed his immigration bill because he's a superior legislator and outfoxed Coburn, DeWine, etc. That's what two Dem lobbyists let me know.

Second, I was sitting in a Union lunch with a Republican member today and immigration is a hot topic. Reps from marginal/split districts realize that you can deport all illegal immigrants, but you can't reward them either. There's a lot of paralysis because they realize that they can be clubbed over the head with the "American Story". Racism isn't a concern.

Interestingly, people say that labor unions are big supporters of immigration/amnesty. That's only half true. The Internationals are very, very far out in front of their rank and file on this in terms of supporting illegals. Rank and file aren't big fans of illegals. One guy from a public-sector union remarked that many guys in the locals want to "put these people in boxcars and send them back to where they came from". Another union guy said that despite the potential for membership growth, illegals by and large don't join unions because unions have to collect information on their members. It looks like there's a big clevage to be exploited in the labor movement if the Republicans are clever enough.

Also, these protests haven't quite resonated on the Hill; but they have definitely rocked the White House.

Disclaimer: I'm a Republican working for Republican lobbying firm.

[DanS]

I think the WH was caught a little flat-footed on the House bill. I wonder if they will be able to write a workable bill in conference, but that's what the WH is undoubtedly hoping for.