Savage: Impeach Bush over immigration plan

WND ^ | 1-12-04 | N/A

[JustPiper]

Conservative talk-radio star, author says amnesty is betrayal of country

In the latest indication President Bush is having problems with his conservative core political constituency, Michael Savage, one of talk radio's biggest stars, tonight called for the impeachment of President Bush over his plans to legalize millions of illegal aliens.

"This is the worst betrayal of our country in my lifetime," said Savage, whose program is heard on more than 350 stations with an audience reaching some 6 million. His book, "The Savage Nation," last year was No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller's list for five weeks. His follow-up, "The Enemy Within," out just one week, is already No. 8 on the list. Both were published by WND Books.

President Bush

Tonight Savage called Bush a liberal and described him as part of the "enemy within" that is destroying the nation.

Savage created the phrase "compassionate conservative" in 1994, a term picked up by Bush during his presidential campaign – a campaign supported by Savage.

"This is much more serious than dropping your pants for an intern," said Savage. "This is a policy that represents a danger to national security."

Savage is hardly alone in his strong feelings of opposition to Bush's proposal to offer legal status to illegal immigrants. A new ABC News poll finds 52 percent of the nation opposes an amnesty program for illegal immigrants from Mexico, while 57 percent oppose one for illegal immigrants from other countries. Both results are roughly the same as when the administration floated the idea two-and-a-half years ago.

But today in Monterrey, Mexico, Bush reaffirmed his support of the proposal, despite its unpopularity at home. He said it could help illegal immigrants "leave the shadows and have an identity."

At a joint press conference with Mexican President Vicente Fox, Bush warned that his government will not allow the existence in the United States of an underclass of illegal immigrants, but claimed again his proposal is not an amnesty. Amnesty, he said, would only promote the violation of the law and perpetuate illegal immigration.

Bush said his immigration proposal would benefit both the United States and Mexico as it recognizes the contribution of thousands of honest Mexicans who work in the United States.

For his part, Fox embraced Bush's proposal.

"What else can we wish?" Fox said at the news conference with the president.

In the U.S., the latest poll on the controversy shows at least twice as many Americans "strongly" oppose the proposal as strongly support it.

Opposition peaks in Bush's own party: Fifty-eight percent of Republicans oppose his immigration proposal for Mexicans, compared with 50 percent of Democrats. For illegal immigrants other than Mexicans, 63 percent of Republicans are opposed.

Bush reportedly will disclose more details of the plan in his State of the Union address Jan. 20.

Meanwhile, the National Border Patrol Council, which represents all 9,000 of the Border Patrol's non-supervisory agents, has told its members to challenge President Bush´s proposed guest-worker program, calling it a "slap in the face to anyone who has ever tried to enforce the immigration laws of the United States," the Washington Times reported today.

The agents were told in a letter from Vice President John Frecker that the proposal offered last week during a White House press conference "implies that the country really wasn't serious about" immigration enforcement in the first place.

"Hey, you know all those illegal aliens you risked 'life and limb' to apprehend? FAH-GED-ABOWD-IT," said Frecker, a veteran Border Patrol agent. "President Bush has solved the problem. Don't be confused and call this an 'amnesty,' even though those who are here illegally will suddenly become legal and will be allowed to stay here. The president assures us that it's not an amnesty," he said.

Last week Bush proposed the sweeping immigration changes that would allow the 8 million to 12 million illegal aliens thought to be in the United States to remain in the country if they have a job and apply for a guest-worker card. The immigrants could stay for renewable three-year periods, after which they could apply for permanent legal residence.

Savage cited a new report published in the City Journal by the Manhattan Institute suggesting there is a major crime wave in the U.S. caused by illegal immigration.

"Some of the most violent criminals at large today are illegal aliens," the report charges. "Yet in cities where the crime these aliens commit is highest, the police cannot use the most obvious tool to apprehend them: their immigration status. In Los Angeles, for example, dozens of members of a ruthless Salvadoran prison gang have sneaked back into town after having been deported for such crimes as murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and drug trafficking. Police officers know who they are and know that their mere presence in the country is a felony. Yet should a cop arrest an illegal gang-banger for felonious reentry, it is he who will be treated as a criminal, for violating the LAPD’s rule against enforcing immigration law."

The situation is similar, the report says in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Austin and Houston. These "sanctuary policies" generally prohibit city employees, including the cops, from reporting immigration violations to federal authorities, says the report.

"These people are destroying America," said Savage. "That's all I have to say on the subject. But you can talk about it. Talk about it while you can – while America is still a free country, because it's not going to last."

[m1-lightning]

Unemployment Bouns of $3000

[sinkspur]

Some folks just can't handle the truth.

Most folks can't handle a paranoid schizophrenic on the radio.

The fact that as many people listen to this guy as do proved that PT Barnum was right.

[riri]

Should Ronald Reagan have been impeached in 1986

Take a look at the country!!! It is a much different place than 1986.

[exmarine]

It is not racist for a country to plan on having a cohesive society.

Agreed, and Good car theft analagy. The Constitution is the Law of the Land, and I will not tolerate these politicians flouting it. It's time to stop the Constitutional bleeding or our rights will disappear completely within 10-20 years! The government does not grant my rights - God does. The government is my servant, not my overlord.

[AbsoluteJustice]

"Michael Savage is a mental case. If you take your cues from him, so are you."

Like I said earlier Savage is a brilliant man and does tend to go wayward every once in a while to get a point across and make people passionate about how screwed up things in this country are.

Unlike Hannity and El Rushbot, he tells it like it is and does not care what side of the aisle you are on. He is not a kool-aid drinking Republicrat. El Rushbot and Hannity unfortunately have an agenda just like the left; see nothing wrong in anything either paty does and play it up as a good political move. To play this down as Hannity and Rush have done is a farse and is sheeple like. this is not good for America in ANY shape or form. El Rushbot and Hannity should speak the truth on this one and call it for what it is. A political move to pander in 10% of the vote.

[Texas_Dawg]

Take a look at the country!!! It is a much different place than 1986.

Nice excuse.

Reagan would have done the exact same thing today because he was a conservative and a smart businessman.

[sinkspur]

Just wait till Christian leaders start sounding the alarm!

You know, soldier, you just keep throwing stuff out there, hoping that some of it sticks. There's no evidence that Christians are going to bolt, certainly not over the immigration issue. Many denominations favor some sort of worker program.

Is is okay to violate your oath to the Constitution?

No. And Bush has not violated his "oath to the Constitution." No matter how much you stamp your feet and say he has.

Maybe you ought to get a job.

[T.Smith]

"Why does Vicente Fox care about the situation of illegals in the United States, I could care less about Americans who choose to leave this country."

His citizens are his country's most profitable exports. By sending his people north he is depleting his own beleaguered population while increasing the importation of US Dollars (illegals send billions back to Mexico every year).

The friendlier we are toward the people his country exports, the more people he is likely to be able to convince to come here. It's a brilliant solution, as far as he is concerned.

[Modernman]

Do all this under Executive Order and tell the Courts to back off. This is national security!

Anyone else find this line incredibly scary?

[Atlas Sneezed]

But who's going to clean the crappers in Crawford?

---

Undoubtedly meant in jest, but the reality is that crapping (and ditch digging, and hotel bed changing, and produce) would get a little more expensive. You might need to pay more for food, and pay toilets might get more expensive. You might have the option to save $15 on hotel stays for each day you allow your room to go un-made-up.

But medical care, taxes, etc. would be cheaper, and we would be better able to preserve our culture.

[MEGoody]

"Savage is not a failure on radio however and if you can get the signal give him a try over several days if you can stand the initial insult as it took me to be a fan of his."

My son is a fan of Savage. I can't stomach him.

[AbsoluteJustice]

"You know, soldier, you just keep throwing stuff out there, hoping that some of it sticks. There's no evidence that Christians are going to bolt, certainly not over the immigration issue. Many denominations favor some sort of worker program."

Oh no? Look at the latest polls? Watch O'Reilly last night? This issue is killing him and his base. According to O'Reilly (who is very reputable might I add) his numbers have dropped dramatically in his base support. To the tune of 6-8%. So you tell me, is it sticking? Yup. Are people sick and tired of pandering politicians? yup. Bush is stinking up the place terrible with this agenda.

[Final Authority]

That is a great example of a "utility" argument used to excuse crime. Like the guy who steals a car and after a year he is caught, the public defender goes to the judge and argues, the thief just used the car to get to and from his job, and he used the proceeds from the job to clothe, house, and feed his wife and kids, he bettered himself, so your Honor, don't put him in jail, for society was better for it, after all.

[sinkspur]

Apparently Congress didn't pass it, or your state's not giving it to you.

You need government help to find a job?

[Texas_Dawg]

There's no evidence that Christians are going to bolt, certainly not over the immigration issue. Many denominations favor some sort of worker program.

Of course not. Most Christian churches in the areas most affected (for good and bad) by illegal immigration spend time ministering to these immigrants (despite whatever disagreements they have with their law-breaking). They will have no problem with this decision at all. One thing many FReepers are not, especially the anti-immigrant crowd on these threads, is Christian.

[ZULU]

"I disagree with this. I don't think he's lost any more than a few foam-at-the-mouthers who likely, like you, would have found another reason to vote against him."

You, my friend are sadly mistaken. This is a real bread and butter issue among native Americans and naturalized Americans in every community in which hordes of illegals have appeared. I don't know where you live, but my guess is its someplace where this problem is far less acute or evident.

Bush won in a close election. Many DemonRats believe he stole it. They will be out in numbers like never before in 2004. It will be like the Orcs pouring out in "Return of the King".

Bush can't afford to alienate his base by crazy proposals like this one. Bush has angered many conservatives who were, at best, suspicious of him, justly recalling his father and his term of office. They have been angered by things like the medical program he proposed, his failure to confront the Dems on their unconstituional actions in blocking conservative federal court appointees, on the assault rifle ban extention, on McCain-Feingold, on the budget and on a number of other issues.

If the situation in Iraq does not improve substantially within the next year, if the economy takes a hit, if the inevitable next attack on American soil by terrorists occurs with the wrong timing, things will play out better for the DemonRats in 2004 than in 2000. Don't ever underestimate your enemy. Dean and Clark are vulnerable, they have have made some stupid remarks, but they are learning from their mistakes and they will have the entire hord of Orcs, I mean Democrats, united behind them in November. And one them even might have Hillary as a running mate. And the clintons can polarize a lot of money and votes.

"Michael Savage is a mental case"

He's NOT a mental case. He is a showman with a conservative bent, but a showman nonentheless.

"If you take your cues from him, so are you."

Ad hominem remarks are beneath the dignity of this forum and unworthy of you.

"Besides, presidents don't get impeached for making proposals."

I agree.

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

do a google on "Operation Wetback." My understanding is it was an Eisenhower administration deportation.

[gunnrmike]

I used to think that Savage was intertaining until he made the comment that "a modern day Aircraft Carrier was nothing more that a floating welfare state where female sailors used getting pregnet as an excuse to get out of the Navy" or something to that effect. As a 30 year Navy Vet I took exception to his comment and will not listen to him anymore.

Gunnrmike

[Modernman]

My problem is that these people are here ILLEGALLY, thus are breaking the law, but IMHO, I think some of these people might make better Americans than some of our own home-grown liberals.

I've always felt that securing the border and focusing on assimilating people who were here would be the best approach, I haven't seen much support for the idea among FReepers.

[jpsb]

What conservative would have believed in 1999 that a Republican house, a Republican Senate and a Republic President would oversee the largest expansion of the federal government since LBJ. Who could of guessed that the GOP would turn out to be bigger spenders than the Democrats? That George Bush has less respect for the law and the Constitution then Bill Clinton?

Now that Bush has busted the budget he wants to bust the borders. He also wants to spent 1 trillion dollars that we don’t have on a Mars mission. One freaking trillion dollars! Bush has lost his mind, if he ever had one. Anyone that votes for him in the next election loves their party more then their country.