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.

[BushisTheMan]

What law is being disregarded? The president didn't say he approved of illegal immigration. He is coming up with a plan that allows for documented temporary workers.

[browardchad]

"Guest workers" as a low wage concept is just slavery-lite anyway, especially with the current illegal situation.

Another point that the pollyannas are missing here is that although any NEW hires of undocumented illegals will require that the employer prove that Americans don't want the job, the estimated 8 to 12 million existing illegals who are currently illegally employed will be grandfathered in -- no proof will be required that the jobs can't be filled by Americans, per the Bush plan. Rather convenient for employers.

The same document is also rather blunt in stating that this three-year work visa will be renewed, indicating that the three-year term, as well as the "Americans don't want the jobs" stipulation, are window dressing. These will esentially be work visas in perpetuity -- all carrot and no stick.

It's spelled out by adminstration officials in the conference call posting on the White House site, linked in an earlier post.

[LinuxRocks]

I didn't hear the President say he would be for illegal immigration, did you?

I certainly didn't hear him say that!

[Flyer]

What I am saying is that anyone who believes that these policies will be enforced is very naive.

President Bush has a habit of doing what he says.

[norton]

You might take a poll on how many (a) send half their pay 'home' and how many (b) plan to return to mexico when they retire.

Their kids might hang around but way lots of the illegal crop intends to run back to the real tomorrow land (manana) where US money has built the farm up to a nice retirement property.

There is a LOT of US capital going to mexican investments.

[altura]

It was good to see your name on this thread.

As usual, you made a polite, reasoned response.

I was leery of even peeking on this thread and now I know why.

I know there is a problem, but for now I intend to trust the President's good intentions to try to solve it.

I will be interested to know what you think after you have investigated further.

[Dane]

One of the most annoying things about this whole argument is why the president is even doing this- what is his political motivation?

Uh did it ever occur to you that this may not be politically motivated, but that the President is trying to solve a problem.

[Sloth]

What's to stop an illegal from fraudulently applying under a different name every three years?

[BureaucratusMaximus]

So, opposing illegal immigration is a "far-right" position?

Of course it is...didn't you hear? We're all unprincipled centrists now. Get with the program!

[cyncooper]

Why would you speak to someone like that? All she did was transcribe a line the president said in his remarks, then noted since others were not interested in the actual substance of the remarks she was leaving.

Really, your attitude, tone, and words were totally uncalled for.

In the muck and mire this thread evidently is, your post actually stood out for being the hateful spewage that it is. And here I'm trying to get the gist of the remarks since I missed them and must slog through the nonsense that you and others feel you must upchuck onto threads like this.

[rbessenger]

What will you do when your data base has 150 people using the very same Social Security Number. You are assuming that as soon as this policy is implemented the wave of illegals will stop. If so many illegals are legal they will be in a position to demand higher wages. This will increase the "market" for non-participating illegals who will still work for pennies and will beat out the new legals for jobs.

[Ciexyz]

Todos tenemos que aprender español.

Si, hay que estudiar el idioma del futuro. (Yes, it's necessary to study the language of the future - Spanish.)

[McGavin999]

I'm in pretty much the same place that you are. I would prefer to have a roundup and a lot of buses headed south, but it's not realistic.

This will also cut down on illegals voting because he stressed that breaking ANY law would mean being sent home. A new law will be WELL advertised, applying for your permit would probably list out things that would result in instant removal. I think this will give them a stake in obeying the laws. The fee is also good because it will be returned at the end of the three years when they go home.

[alnick]

That's entirely in keeping with his rewarding the terroist arafat with a state for the last three years of Jew-killing by bomb (the Intifada, 1000+ killed).

When did Bush reward Arafat with a Pali state?

[Rate_Determining_Step]

If you live in WA State, you ARE going through a big cultural change -- California Immigrants! From what I've heard, Californians are despised in Washington State. Is that true?

Oh yeah, I forgot. Everything isn't exactly the same since I hung out with all my white friends at the burger joint when I was in high-school. It's all those Californian's fault. Where's Pat Buchanan when you need him! /sarcasm

I grew up in Seattle. Back when men wore pants and we had Scoop Jackson. Now, I have a most "interesting" mix of neighbors. Guess what? That's life. Thanks to them, my property values are sky high. Things change. I'll move. Get over it.

[RightWhale]

what is his political motivation?

He has now acknowledged the problem. That's the first step. Now there is something to build upon, something negotiable, political currency.

[McGavin999]

Background checks. Did you notice the fingerprinting devises we just installed at airports?

[WackyKat]

What law is being disregarded? The president didn't say he approved of illegal immigration. He is coming up with a plan that allows for documented temporary workers.

Huh? He wants to wave a wand and make the illegals now legal. He is making a mockery of this nation's laws.

[RockyMtnMan]

Is the bigger crime still committed by people who buy the fruits and vegetables produced by illegal labor?

I would agree with that but it's too easy to obfuscate the origin or method of production of a product.

[Kevin Curry]

a sweet little man, an illegal mind you from Mexico

You speak condescendingly, like he's little defenseless child.

Allow him the dignity of being a MAN for heaven's sake!

He needs to go back to Mexico, kick butt, and take names.