Posted on 03/19/2006 1:28:22 PM PST by Crackingham
It used to be that protesters took to the streets to build public support for their cause. Now they do it to show their strength. Instead of moving you to join them, now they want you to know that they won't be moved. That's especially true when the issue is illegal immigration. Around the country, immigrant-rights activists, illegal-immigration apologists and open-border advocates are protesting immigration reform efforts in Congress.
In Chicago, nearly 100,000 people clogged the streets recently in support of immigrants and looser immigration laws. Clearly offended by efforts to criminalize the undocumented, many protesters carried signs with slogans such as: ``No somos criminales.'' (We're not criminals.) Not to be overly technical, but if the person holding the sign came into the United States illegally, then he or she most certainly is a lawbreaker. This part isn't complicated. There are federal immigration laws on the books governing the proper way for one to enter the United States, and, every year, more than a million people break those laws by entering the wrong way. Ergo, these people should be considered criminals.
Those who believe otherwise have one leg to stand on. For the time being, the fact that one is in the United States without the proper documents is only a civil violation. That's a technicality that deserves to be changed. The Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act -- co-sponsored by James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and Peter King, R-N.Y., and passed by the House in December -- would do that. Don't misunderstand. The bill is deeply flawed. It ducks the tough question of what to do with the 12 million illegal immigrants already here, and it makes clergy, charities and social workers into criminals by expanding the definition of ``smuggling'' to include anyone who ``assists'' an illegal immigrant. But the part about making unlawful presence a crime seems like a reasonable concession. It's also the part that many in the immigrant-rights movement are angry about.
It's fascinating. Many illegal immigrants and their advocates really seem to believe that if you enter the country illegally but then keep your nose clean and never break another law, it's like you never entered illegally in the first place. You're the equivalent of an upstanding citizen.
There's the problem. Everyone has an opinion on illegal immigration. But on both sides, whether you're talking about immigration restrictionists or open-border advocates, no one wants to be honest and admit the obvious.
On the right, they'll never admit that younger Americans in particular have lost their work ethic, or that much of the angst over illegal immigration comes from the clash of cultures. On the left, they'll never admit that the undocumented did anything wrong in coming here, or that the United States has the right to protect the sovereignty of its borders.
It isn't real helpfull for them to hold signs claiming they're "Taking America back". Even liberals are a little nervous about that one.
The BIG problem remains a government, with an executive that is PRO-illegal immigration and is setting a horrid example for this nation, that will not do anything about the problem. Clearly until Washington starts working again for the people that put these pols there, will there be any change to status-quo, vote-generating law-breaking encouragement from and in Washington.
If only the liberals were nervous about that. Nope the liberals welcome such sentiments.
I'm surrounded by liberals, and not one of them likes the flood of illegals.
My liberal relatives don't seem too interested in handing the country over to anybody. My liberal uncle even spends extra money to do background checks to make sure the immigrants he hires are legal.
Which is why they should be encouraged to keep on holding up signs like that.
Also, the more Mexican flags waving at their protests, the better.
More like 'no immigration laws'.
The first time they marched last year in Chicago it was about 10,000 (organized by self-identified communists).
Not ONE peep from the English-speaking Illinois or national media.
This time there were 100,000. The reporting in the press was what I would call muted. They couldn't totally ignore it, but they sure didn't give it the play it deserved. Not even close.
The situation in LA and Chicago should be a wakeup call for America.
That's why HONEST polling done on this issue shows overwhelming support in BOTH parties and among independents for solving the problem.
Wetbacks use to be welcomed...these days with their militant stances who needs them.
This is THE issue I part company with the GOP. I will support the first party or candidate, with mmy time money and votes that is serious about stopping illegal immigration and real border control. Nothing else will matter if we don't get this under control and very soon.
It will increase support for the Minutemen tenfold. Wouldn't these pictures be great in negative ads against politicians who support the invasion?
(I'd consider it a worthy cause to support financially)
much of the angst over illegal immigration comes from the clash of cultures
In New Zealand sentences like this will get you classified as a leftist lunatic. Even the New Zealand Labour Party, officially a member of Socialist International and headed by a Prime Minister to the left of Hillary Clinton, is to the right of the author on this statement.
how is that a "flaw"?
This excerpt is from the article you cited in GAMING NEWS.
Hmmmmmm.....let's put this in perspective. US citizens spend a disproportionate amount of time in casinos....gambling, partying, and being waited on. There aren't enough citizens to cater to their whims. So, we need foreign labor to pour their drinks and provide their food? Too many people playing, not enough left to do the work?
And just how does this differ from Nero fiddling while Rome burned?
I do not see how the politicians could never see these signs.
- They just aren't doing anything unless we force the issue at the grassroots level
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