REID, KENNEDY, DURBIN, CATHOLIC CARDINALS CALL FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

Lard Ass Central ^ | 28 April 2006 | LA Bimbo

[Aussie Dasher]

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy joined Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Richard Durbin, and Cardinals Roger Mahony and Theodore McCarrick to push Congress to act by passing comprehensive immigration reform instead of criminalizing the 12 million immigrants living and working in the United States.

Senator Kennedy said, "Our history teaches us that doing the right thing for people is also the right policy for our country. When we bring immigrants out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America, we improve their lives and make them less vulnerable to abuse. And in so doing, we also protect Americans because immigrants can no longer be abused to lower American wages and displace them from their jobs." Kennedy continued by saying, "These cardinals understand that the undocumented are not criminals. They are people who work hard. They are people who love their families. They are people who love this country."

Leaders in the labor, business and religious community have come together in an unprecedented way to meet the challenge of immigration reform and Senator Kennedy has vowed to continue his fight for tough, fair legislation that deals with our national security and economic challenges in a way that is consistent with our values and the American Dream. Below are Senator Kennedy's remarks as prepared for delivery:

IMMIGRATION PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CARDINALS (As Prepared for Delivery)

We're immensely grateful for the leadership of the Church on the important issue of immigration, and the visit by the Cardinals today is important inspiration for our cause. I'm especially honored to have Cardinal O'Malley here from Boston.

Immigration reform should be about our security, but also our humanity. There are few issues more basic to our faith than how we treat others -- not just our friends and our countrymen, but also those from other countries and traditions.

We remember the words of our Lord from St. Matthew's Gospel that we are not only to feed the hungry and care for the sick, but to welcome the stranger. And Thomas Merton took that further when he reminded us that we are wiser as people when we not only welcome - but we listen -- to the voice of the stranger.

That's what this debate should be about -- about welcoming and learning from those who are willing to contribute to the strength of America. And across this county, people are making their voices heard, loud and clear.

Our history teaches us that doing the right thing for people is also the right policy for our country. When we bring immigrants out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America, we improve their lives and make them less vulnerable to abuse. And in so doing, we also protect Americans because immigrants can no longer be abused to lower American wages and displace them from their jobs. These cardinals understand that the undocumented are not criminals. They are people who work hard. They are people who love their families. They are people who love this country.

We're at a moment in our history not unlike what this country was faced with in 1964, when the country and the Congress were in a stalemate over civil rights. We have a responsibility to move our nation forward and correct these historic wrongs. We still have a long way to go to enact reform that is tough and fair. We need the Church's voice now as much as ever to urge Congress and the President to get the job done -- and to do it in a way that upholds our best values and traditions as a nation of immigrants.

Thank you, Eminences, for taking the time to speak to us today.

[Aussie Dasher]

Mahony and McCarrick bring no credit on the Catholic Church by mixing with such low-life!!!!

Isn't great to see Princes of the Church standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a living disgrace who would be more than happy to see every baby in America murdered in abortuaries! No thanks, Eminences, for dragging your Church down!!!!

[ncountylee]

And in so doing, we also protect Americans because immigrants can no longer be abused to lower American wages and displace them from their jobs."

Hey Ted have you been drinking? That makes zero sense.

[Aussie Dasher]

"Hey Ted have you been drinking?"

Shall we take a vote on that?

[hsalaw]

Hey Ted have you been drinking?

Isn't he always? He sounds drunk any time of the day.

[Razz Barry]

That's what this debate should be about -- about welcoming and learning from those who are willing to contribute to the strength of America. And across this county, people are making their voices heard, loud and clear.

He forgot to add that it was about more dem rat voters and money for the church.

They seem to have a deaf ear when it comes to the voices of Americans.

[singfreedom]

How does he do it? I am just constantly amazed at how this drunken, fornicating, homicidal maniac can derive support from The Church. Believe me, it does nothing for their reputation to consort with such an individual. He must make awfully big contributions. Are the pedophiles? Is that how they find common ground with Kennedy?

[hsalaw]

We're at a moment in our history not unlike what this country was faced with in 1964, when the country and the Congress were in a stalemate over civil rights.

What cr*p. And, BTW, has anyone noticed the absolute zero participation in this "illegal immigrant" stuff by the African-American community? Je$$e and AlSharpton are busy with the anti-war loonies in NY; the "new" Black Panthers are fooling around at Duke; but I don't see any big players involving themseves in Illegal Alien Day.

[Aussie Dasher]

No decent Catholic would be seen within a bull's roar of the despicable Lard Ass creature!

[peyton randolph]

I don't see any big players involving themseves in Illegal Alien Day.

---

Because the shakedown artists don't want more competition in the diversity handout contests.

[catholicfreeper]

I am sure that many Catholic Cardinals and Bishops would prefer that the good folks of Massachuscetts would quit electing Kennedy. He and other " Dem Catholic Politicians" have not made their life easier. However thats the World they have to deal in. BTW, before everyone wants to go on a tirade against the Hierarchy remember many of these same folks have had their people talk to Karl Rove and other other "catholic contacts" in the White House. Basically, the same sentiments are being expressed from those quarters too.

[singfreedom]

As far as I could tell this whole diatribe was absolute B.S. He's used every cliche' known to man---and ineffectually, at that!

That the church would sign on to this is disgusting. If I were a Catholic, I would have to write and ask if they couldn't possibly find a better way to replenish funds, used to pay damages to the sexually abused, than join forces with a "whore" like Teddy Kennedy.

[AnimalLover]

BUMP

[AnimalLover]

BUMP

[Waco]

Refuse to enforce existing laws, then p-ss and moan for new laws that they can refuse to enforce. Sounds like CFR all over again to me.

[Octar]

The word "Comprehensive" is code for "must include amnesty".

[raj bhatia]

Conservatives, rightly angered by court interference in religion, should never counter with the phony argument that there is no concept as the separation of church & state.

The clergy would always have its own set of beliefs and in a clash with the law of the land, they would hold onto their faith and flush the law down the toilet.

[Prokopton]

"We have a responsibility to move our nation forward and correct these historic wrongs."

The historic wrongs are:

Mexicans illegally invading our Country;
Mexicans illegally working in our Country without paying taxes;
Mexicans who are illegally in our Country committing huge numbers of serious crimes;
Mexicans who are illegally in our Country using taxpayer paid for social programs to the detriment of American citizens;
Mexicans who are illegally in our Country destroying our public school system with the overwhelming numbers of non-english speaking students.

I'm ready to move our nation forward and "correct these historic wrongs"!

[catholicfreeper]

Finally its happening. As I have predicted the Evangelicals leaders are about to speak out in a forceful way. Its going to be real interesting how the flock is going to respond to their clergy. I hope its with a an attitude of listening.
http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=4830643&nav=menu32_2

WASHINGTON A Southern Baptist leader says Christians approach the immigration issue as citizens of both the United States and the kingdom of heaven.

The Reverend Richard Land, who heads the denomination's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, says Christians expect the U-S border to be secured and immigration laws to be enforced.

But he says they also believe that Christian charity must be extended to anyone in need.

Land supports giving illegal immigrants six months to apply for "guest worker" status, undergo a criminal background check, agree to learn English and pay a fine plus back taxes.

He says those who don't should be deported, but those who do should be welcomed into American churches and helped on their road to citizenship.



Wow, this sounds like the Proposed Senate bill. It also shows a lot of common sense. It also shows a reality that the Southern Baptist Church is listening to its clergy in the field.
So folks ,is the Southern Baptist Church in this because of money? I doubt it. Just like the Catholic Church it has concerns. I expect major Evangelical forces to come down in support of a Senate Bill proposal in the next week or so.

[Mo1]

Hey Teddy .. immigrants are welcome to our country .. all they have to do is follow the rules ... that you in congress made