Posted on 04/05/2006 5:32:19 PM PDT by HungarianGypsy
KTAR Airs Historic Program 'Beyond the Border' by KTAR Newsroom As the immigration debate stretches from Capitol Hill to the Arizona-Mexico border, KTAR aired a historic simulcast, "Beyond the Border," with two Spanish-language media outlets to go behind the headlines, provide in-depth analysis, and to foster dialogue and understanding.
KTAR's Pat McMahon moderated the program from 9 to 11 a.m., which was simulcast in Spanish on Radio Campesina 88.3 and 620ktar.com. La Campesina host Alfredo Gutierrez, and Univision anchors Karina Coronel and Victor Rodriguez were co-hosts.
Audio downloads available NOW in KTAR Audio Photo slideshow available NOW - click here
Credit: Jennifer Gedicke Topics covered included legal issues, crime, naturalization, Mexican flag-waving at rallies and the economic impact of uncontrolled immigration.
Immigration reform, a recent bill proposed in the House that wants to criminalize illegal immigrants sparked massive protests across the country and here in Phoenix.
"I think some of the difficulties that people have had about this immigration issue is that people are talking, but they're not listening to one another," McMahon said.
Program participants included Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Terry Goddard, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Commander Kim Humphrey with the Phoenix Police Deparment.
Napolitano said Washington, D.C. has let the problem fester for many years "which is why people on both sides are speaking out. We're watching with interest to see if the Senate can move a bill . . . But I think it's up in the air whether they're going to get anything past that makes any sense for the country, much less for Arizona."
When asked if there is disproportionate amount of Latino crime from statistics alone, Lt. Humphries with Phoenix the Phoenix Police Deparment said no. "Actually, there's not. It's pretty reflective of the communiity. I believe that if you actually break down who's commiting the crimes, it's pretty proportional across the board."
Callers, some U.S. citizens, some illegal immigrants called into the station to air their views and ask questions.
One caller, Andrea Hernandez, said she is a U.S. citizen but her husband is not. "It's hard for him and it's hard for me. I mean we're both working, we both pay taxes, but he's not free."
She said in order for her husband to become legal he would have to return to Mexico and stay there until allowed back into the U.S.
Another caller, Carmen, expressed concern about the immigration protests and debate, said she and her parents followed that process when emigrated to the U.S. in 1962. "I'm very unhappy about what's happening here. My parents have paid taxes for years and I'm very disappointed at what I see. I see undocumented immigrants protesting on American soil."
Carmen said everyone should follow the same process she did. "We met the criteria. We were required to put money in the bank. We were required to have passports. We had background checks. We were medically checked."
But one undocumented immigrant called in say, though she was a Mexican by birth, she considers herself a Mexican-American in her heart because of her 11 years she's spent in the U.S. "And even though my skin isn't light, my eyes aren't blue, we all ... all of us have a similar heart," she said through a translator. "I love very much for the Americans for allowing me to come here to get ahead. I have three daughters whom I've taught to love and respect this land."
"I'm very conscious of the fact that I've violated a law," she said. "But I think in a sense I have paid for this by having left my child in Mexico so that I could come here."
That old coot is still on the air? LOL Other than the annual "A Christmas Carol" production and the broadcast from the nudist colony, he's unbearable.
(Anyone else remember Wallace and Ladmo? I was fan as a kid...)
It was something I noticed also. When they mentioned this on the news I rolled my eyes a wee bit.
I never listen to him so I don't know his politics. He was very talented on Wallace & Ladmo, but then again, I was very young. I did note though that everyone he had listed that would be on the show were Center-Left. There was a naught a Tancredo among them.
Whaddya expect from KTAR...known better by its nickname "K-GOO"
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