Posted on 04/05/2006 5:50:41 AM PDT by zook
WASHINGTON — Accusing politicians of "pounding their chests" on immigration for short-term political gain, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that the tone of the debate had been "hurtful" to him and his Mexican-born wife, Columba.
Bush, the younger brother of President Bush, reserved some of his sharpest criticism for conservatives in his own Republican Party, calling it "just plain wrong" to charge illegal immigrants with a felony, as a provision passed by the Republican-led House would do. He also opposed "penalizing the children of illegal immigrants" by denying them U.S. citizenship, an idea backed by some conservatives but not included in the legislation.
"My wife came here legally, but it hurts her just as it hurts me when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad," the Florida governor wrote in an e-mail exchange with The Times.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Why does it seem that so many of these people, including people on this board, have such a @$%&* hard time getting this?
YOU CROSS THE BOARDER WITHOUT PREMISSION, IT IS A C-R-I-M-E!
Well, I have no problem with people disagreeing with President Bush or Governor Bush. I disagree with President Bush on some issues.
But...using the word "traitor" to describe either of them is way out of line. "Traitor" means that the person described has committed treason. That is not the case.
I'm just sick of the word "traitor" being bandied about so loosely. If Jeb Bush is a "traitor," then where's the trial?
I'm just sick of it.
"Is it OK to post this picture now?"
I don't know. Is that your dad waking you up for school?
Even Jeb Bush doesn't know the difference between legal and illegal. Who knew?
susie
You and me both. Let's see, W is a traitor, Jeb is a traitor, McCain is a traitor, anyone who supports the Senate I-bill is a traitor. I guess damn near everyone is a traitor except George Lincoln Rockwell.
Well, you and I agree on a lot. But I think the core responsibility here lies with Jeb and President Bush to stop mischaracterizing the illegal immigration debate. If they addressed it in a straightforward manner, without the typical spin against those opposed to illegal immigration, the atmosphere would be much less poisonous.
We already have a "guest worker" program..
That's what green cards and work visas are for..
Well I don't know, but, it seems it would be better than all the illegals that are draining our system. Lot of people came to America so they could start businesses and have freedom.
No government aid to illegals would be a good start!!
Did you see the thread about the free housing for illegals in Pensaquitos? (sp?)
Truth be told, many are probably employing them or benefiting from their services". They're part of the problem themselves.
The problem is, the Republicans are willing to have a civil discourse about immigration (most of us, anyway). I'm hardline on deporting illegals, but all for expanding legal immigration.
Then we see half a million illegal aliens shutting down the streets of Los Angeles with impunity, carrying Mexican flags, burning American flags, and carrying signs proclaiming that this is THEIR country and how they're going to take it back. And THAT is what throws "civil discourse" out the window. I'm not interested in having a "civil discourse" with somebody who's proclaiming that he's going to take over my country and throw me out.
Governor Bush needs to be telling MALDEF and La Raza and the Aztlan freaks to stuff it long before he needs to talk to the Tom Tancredos and Jim Gilchrists of the world.
}:-)4
What I don't understand is how messages posted here that call our President a traitor don't get pulled. That just seems so far over the top to me that I don't get it.
There are many areas where disagreement with the President makes sense. I don't like his stance on illegal immigration, either, but I would never call President Bush a traitor.
Ditto Jeb Bush. I don't really follow what he does, since I don't live in Florida, but I do know that his loyalty to his brother helped defuse the near loss of Florida in 2000.
I'm going to start clicking "Report Abuse" on all posts that call our President a traitor. I hope there's some action on this. I cannot think of anything worse than calling the President a traitor other than some sort of threat against him.
The whole characterization of the debate is totally phony.
It's not really Latinos who are upset by the idea of cracking down on illegal immigration (nearly half of Latino voters voted for Props. 187 and 200); it's the elites who exploit the illegals who object to the laws being enforced.
If you watch who is arguing which side, you can verify for yourself that this whole issue is really elites vs. commoners.
It took decades for the 11-30 million (no one has any idea how many there are) to come in one at a time, I am for decades to deport the sorry criminals one at a time.
"But I think the core responsibility here lies with Jeb and President Bush to stop mischaracterizing the illegal immigration debate."
Don't get me wrong. I don't like President Bush's position on illegal aliens. I would personally like to see all illegal aliens deported, although I confess I don't have any idea how that could be done in a practical way.
I've criticized President Bush many times on FR. I would never call him a "traitor," though. That's way out of line.
Do you not see that he mentions immigrants,not illegal aliens? I'm sorry, but I'm not so stupid to think that he doesn't know the difference. This attempted blurring of the issues is not accidental.
susie
Yep, and got caught by those 'Mean Spirited' Customs officers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.