W's Live Speech Thread

Fox News | 1-7-04 | my favorite headache

[My Favorite Headache]

Press conference starts at 2:45 EST....get the prilosec out...we are going to need it.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Life isn't fair. Get over it. Everyone has been burned by time and events. Wouldn't it be nice if we could appreciate what we have and stop whining so much?

[WackyKat]

I think this is a good start at "reforming" the whole immigration mess, both for the "legals" and to control the "illegals".

It's reforming the border out of existence and it will not control further illegal immigration

[Age of Reason]

Educated yes, but experienced in my field of expertise no.

In this world of rapid change, careers are here today, gone tomorrow.

[Sabertooth]

I've stayed away from these threads until the actual plan was announced. I still don't know what to think. Vicente Fox makes me absolutely sick, what with his demands that we provide work for his citizens all the while not doing anything about the corrupt government of Mexico. Arrrrgghhhh!

So, I'm still thinking about this whole issue but at this point, I'm leaning against it. California is a shambles in large measure due to the illegals overrrunning the state. Allowing them to get a green card doesn't seem to be helping the problem at all.

The President is being less than honest.

He claimed that his legaliztion of Illegals program doesn't give them unfair advantage over legal immigrants.

That's true, so far as it goes. However, this program gives Illegals a tremendous advantage over immigrant applicants who are trying to abide by our laws but haven't yet been admitted.

Sheesh, I'm listenting to Micheal Medved and he's lying through his teeth to support this Amnesty.

The effort is on within the GOP elites to reward Illegal behavior, and pretend they aren't making the problem worse.

[Pro-Bush]

To me, the worst part is the way all this went down. It was done unilaterally by President Bush. An issue as big as this should have been presented to the people and voted on after 6 months of public debate. I am very disappointed with the Bush administration.

[Steel Wolf]

Illegal Aliens Break the LAW. We have all kinds of law enforcement agencies that are supposed to handle this problem.

The Military are by law not allowed to get involved in law enforcement unless some kind of National Emergency is declared.

Are you willing to live under Martial Law?

How would using military resources to intercept non-U.S. citizens from entering the country equate to putting U.S. citizens under martial law? This is the same line of logic that says that the detainees in Guantanamo should be given the same rights as U.S. citizens.

The Constitution, and its protections, only apply to U.S. citizens. People illegally attempting to enter the country are non citizens, and are trespassing.

[Lady Eileen]

bttt

[CasearianDaoist]

Bush has to go. Period.

[SCalGal]

How many Americans would willingly do migrant work?

I spent a summer picking veggies. Pay me enough to live on, and I'd do it again.

[ladyinred]

Bush's spinmasters are out in full force in this thread. I knew they would be. I guess they got their talking points from Karl Rove this morning and are on the job.

You know what? I am a certified Bushbot, and I am not so sure I like this either. I don't know if I fully understand it yet, so I am trying to by reading these threads and listening to the President.

However, it seems to me that your side is the one who are out in full force on this thread insuring those like me who don't know what to think of this don't come to a reasonable conclusion. A real debate of the issues doesn't seem possible here. It just shouting and bashing. Too bad.

[Hildy]

I live in San Diego. Apology accepted.

[My Favorite Headache]

With all due respect...have you ever talked to blue collar workers? Those who live in poor towns or industrial towns? They will do all kinds of work no matter what the job. This is just shady...I just wish you could see this.

[eleni121]

As more Americans understand the ramifications of this new policy the percentage of those approving the plan will increase.

[Laura Earl]

How refreshing...a rational person who understands the FACTS rather that jumping to tinfoil hat conclusions.

Welcome! :)

[Hildy]

I live in San Diego. Apology accepted.

[rbessenger]

Is there a "needle in the haystack" argument against this. If we legalize and regulate millions of immigrants that are currently on the outside edge of "legal", won't it make it harder to identify illegals who do not go through any sort of process at all?

[primeval patriot]

Jobs Americans won't fill

The President of the United States blaming Americans for not wanting to work. Pathetic. Where's the hard data for this? Is there any? I guess it must be common knowledge U.S. citizens are genetically inferior. Averse to hard work and such.

[jeremiah]

It would be easy to require those on welfare, to work the farm jobs to pay for their "free ride". Roll back the child labor laws, let the chillrun work summers again, the homeless can also be compelled to either go to jail, or find a way to make a living doing the things the illegals do now. All that is necessary is to let people live or die on their own, no freebies for those that will not work, when they are physically able to.

[Lurking in Kansas]

Bush's "Plan":

The new "temporary worker program" would allow either one of the estimated 8 million illegal immigrants already in the United States or someone abroad to apply for the right to work legally in the country for a three-year term that could be renewed. The White House is not saying how long the term could be extended or how many times it could be renewed.

_An applicant for the program already in the United States must pay an unspecified registration fee and show they are currently employed. Applicants still in their home countries won't have to pay a fee, but must have a job lined up.

_The employer must show no Americans wanted the job.

_Temporary workers would get all the same protections afforded American workers.

_The worker must return to his or her home country at the end of the term.

_Dependants of the temporary workers would be allowed in the United States if the worker can prove they can support their family. The workers would be allowed to move freely back and forth between the United States and their home country.

_The White House also is calling for an unspecified increase in the number of green cards allowed to be granted annually.

_The plan also would provide incentives for the workers to return to their home countries, including the promise of access to retirement benefits and new tax savings accounts.

_Congress would have to write legislation for the changes to take effect.

[section9]

Wait a minute.

None of this happens without Congressional action!

It's not like Bush just waved a magic wand. There WILL be debates and hearings.

Be Seeing You,

Chris