[plain talk]

Kennedy told the committee the proposal was not an amnesty. People seeking legal status would have to pay a $2,000 fine, apply for a six-year temporary status, have a job, pay taxes, learn English and show an understanding of U.S. government.

I'd have to see the details but elements of this as presented here sound reasonable to me and better than the status quo of doing nothing. I'd give them a stiffer fine. Rounding them up and deporting them is more preferable but that's not ever going to happen. Why couldn't our guys propose a stiffer version of this? Why are they gathering around an Edward Kennedy proposal? Bizarre.

[Flavius Josephus]

You don't get it. All this will do is cause ANOTHER tsunami or illegals trying to cash in on the amnesty pie. That is why we are so opposed to it. If they stopped the flow first we could discuss this, but they have no intention of stopping or even slowing the flow.

[Flavius Josephus]

Why are they gathering around an Edward Kennedy proposal?

Because it's actually a John McCain proposal, but he doesn't want his name on it this time. Kennedy either feels bulletproof or is ready to retire.