Posted on 09/16/2007 9:38:52 AM PDT by DCPatriot
Given the responses I got the last time I focused on this issue, I almost hate to bring it up…but here goes.
I think Tony Snow is exactly right when he says here:
“I deeply admire what [Mr. Bush] did on immigration and I think he’s right,” Mr. Snow said. “I think the policies the president outlined generally are the ones that eventually this country is going to adopt.”
Let us hope so, because the alternative “solutions” out there - “let everyone in and register them all Democrat” on the left and “ship them all back to Mexico no matter how long they’ve been here or how productive” - are neither workable nor just.
Snow also says, here,
“the White House was not prepared for the anger of foes of illegal immigration
For crying out loud, that’s a staggering statement when even I - a lowly and not terribly bright housewife - completely understood the mood of the illegal immigration extremists. They were not interested in any sort of “half-measure” by President Bush - they did not want Bush do what Reagan always tried to do, “get 75% of what you want and come back later for the rest.” No, the extremists on this issue, crying, “we’re the base, you better dance with who brung ya,” were relentlessly uncompromising on the matter of illegal immigration and President Bush - and any other politicians who disagreed with them or sought a more workable solution than “ship them back and build high, high walls” had their rhetorical heads smashed repeatedly against the rhetorical curbside.
I still have a few dents, myself.
The illegal immigration hardliners demanded “all or nothing at all,” from President Bush and the GOP leadership. And now, they have nothing, and no political power to do much of anything. Illegal immigrants are still entering the nation mostly unchecked. The useless NIS is no closer to being reformed and retooled into something useful. There are no plans to design as sort of Ellis Island West, to actually process potential citizen immigrants “the way my grandfather came into New York - legally!” as the hardliner crows. Nothing is being done. But hey…at least the folks with the high, strong principals can sleep at night knowing they didn’t compromise!
A long time ago I wrote that the blood of many may well rest on the heads of those who would not get serious about the War on Terror. By the same token, I think it would not be completely unfair to state that the increases and excesses of illegal immigrants - and whatever political fall-out or legislative impotence comes from once more refusing to deal realistically with an issue that has been ignored for decades - will rest on the heads on those who took a hard, uncompromising line; those who managed to drop-kick the first president to try to effect positive change, and further weaken his entire presidency, while still getting nothing done. This issue was not well-played, folks. And just because the only ones still talking about it are the one-noters in internet forums doesn’t mean the issue is put to bed. Far from it. The reckoning - and the issue itself - has simply been kicked down the road for the time being, launched by a tantrum of “conservative anger”, which sent it nowhere good.
In the Wall Street Journal today the editorial writers take a look at how the hardline stance against illegal Mexican immigrants (come on, you never hear about the illegal Irish all over Boston or Long Island) can hurt the GOP and conservatives politically. They’re right to be concerned. When conservative and Republicans find themselves further weakened politically because they’ve managed to give the back of their hand to what every year becomes a more substantial portion of the electorate, who will they blame? They’ll have no right to blame George W. Bush - who tried to deal with the issue - but they may try to. It’s easy to blame Bush for everything, after all. But the truth is, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
I have a suspicion, just a little one - it’s anecdotal and nothing I can cite - but a suspicion nonetheless that some of the folks who jumped on the “all or nothing, ship them back, Bush has betrayed the base” bandwagon are beginning to regret the ride…turns out it was just a merry-go-round, after all.
LOL - yes, a merry-go-round. It looks as though the author enjoys being invaded.
“illegal immigration extremists”
I stopped reading right there. One amnesty in 1986 was one too many.
I want them all gone PERIOD. Nothing less, at this time willl do. They have proved that they care nothing for America and are just leeching off us.
Build the damn wall, start massive deportations, employer sanctions, and the rest will leave on their own.
I have no pity or compassion for ANY of them anymore.
Spoken from a gated community.
And it is not “nothing” we got. Because what is is far better than what was proposed. What you have are a number of GOP candidates that are willing to enforce the laws. That means a border fence, increased internal enforcement, going after the sanctuary cities, and deporting the illegals. Pretty simple.
This author takes la la land to new heights.
I like President Bush, alot. A man who sticks by his guns. But I’m also willing to point out his achilles heels. And illegal immigration is one of them.
Nope. Its called the first shot. - Across the bows, and we intend it to come to an entirely different conclusion.
Who here actually believes that the amnesty bill would have "solved" the problem, especially under a (hillary!) and a democrat controlled congress??
Who is this kook, anyway?
1. "that’s a staggering statement when even I - a lowly and not terribly bright housewife"
2. "'the White House was not prepared for the anger of foes of illegal immigration' For crying out loud, that’s a staggering statement"
How do I hate this person. Shall I count the ways? They are too numerous.
Suffice it to say that all the elites have their own lawyers guns and money. they are world citizens. elite politicians generally go with elite opinion. the trouble with elite opinion is that it is generally disloyal. that’s the downside of being world citizen.
tony snow is an entirely likeable man. W is likable too. I pray that after this administration is over neither man or their family or friends ever get in politics again.
It is very doable easy and cost effective to send illegals back to their homelands. It would be a great boon to do so especially for a country like Mexico. Why? They’d get a skilled workforce who knew something about what a first class country looks like and how to get there.
I can’t disagree at all. This has been his only failure. Thankfully though, his failure and his agreement with the democrats and rinos on this issue, opens up an opportunity.
Well, your 'new buddies' Feinstein and Durbin are trying to sneak amnesty for 2 million illegals into the must-pass Defense Authorization Bill.
All that would have been moot had you the temerity to compromise.
Now with the RATS in charge, all I can say is, "I told you so!"
Without some major fixes, it looked like the amnesty program was worse than nothing. The failure (or success if you are on the side of the illegals) of the 1986 amnesty has poisoned the immigration well. Build the fence and shut down the border for a few years, then we can talk about what level of immigration would be best for the United States on the whole and not just some special interest groups.
We must be wise enough to grab the opportunity.
I USED to like “see ya at the signin” Bush, but I am so disgusted with him now, that I can’t stand to see his face or hear him talk. If he comes on, the channel changes IMMEDIATELY. I am sick of him. Jan 20, 2009 can’t get here fast enough.
They can try, but they will fail. Hunter is on the Armed Services Committee.
I’m able to separate the good from the bad. The good is that he is CIC, instead of McCain, Gore, or Kerry. The bad is that he has the same posture on the borders that they have.
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