President's Immigration speech - Live thread

me | 05/15/2006 | me

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I frankly do not understand what the kerfuffle is about this path to citizenship. In criminal prosecutions, the prosecutor hauls twenty guys in for possession of marijuana. He knows that there is not enough room in the jail for all of them. So, he gives them all suspended sentences, places them on probation and puts lots of conditions on their probation. If they screw up, they go to jail. No one claims that the guys got amnesty. They got a suspended sentence, with an incentive for staying out of trouble and being law abiding citizens.

First of all, only people here a long time qualify for this citizenship program. If these illegals are as raunchy and terrible people as many claim, they will not be able to meet the terms of the program. Meanwhile, they will be identified with this identification card and can be kept on a short leash.

Botom line. Meanwhile you are gonna get up to 27600 beds for detention. An end to catch and release. Increased sanctions on employers. Enhanced funding for enforcement. A vastly enhanced fence program.

You ain't gonna get a deportation program. But if some of these things work, many will deport themselves.

[lawdude]

"I haven't seen anyone seriously advocating mass roundups."

Mass roundups are NOT necessary! If their employers are sanctioned, they will get the hint. Most have too much invested in this country (cars, homes, etc) to see them lost due to unemployment. They will sell out and go back. Then return when they can do so legally.

This is not the final solution (that is 100% effective) but if we can reduce the presence to 10%, we are millions ahead.

[SerpentDove]

One thing that struck me is when he said "It is urgent that we secure our borders NOW."

Hmmmm....that's strange, since it's 2006, five years after the WTC attacks, and six years after he was elected.

He only has a couple of years left to shut down the borders. Yet it's top priority.

???

[KevinDavis]

Well if this is going to be general attitude of FR i.e. not going to vote for the GOP cause of one issue, then why in the hell should I stay here...

[clawrence3]

LOL

[bfree]

LOL!!!!!!!!

[hole_n_one]

Border Patroll

It's not everybody that can come up with something that clever.

[Sweetjustusnow]

Oh! My things would really change!


/s

[rodeocowboy]

I believe that too... but unless he called for every illegal to be frogmarched back across the border, there are some who were not going to be satisfied.

Well, not exactly "frogmarched." But, we could go with the House Republican's bill and they would deport themselves. Despite my tag line, I hope that we don't make the House Republicans, the true conservatives on this issue, pay with their jobs. But, I hope that no other Bush sees the inside of the White House as a President or Vice President again (after both George's) and I hope that Mel Martinez, Chuck Hagel, and all of the other RINO's in the Senate are sent packin' too when their terms end. I am so frustrated!

[A.Hun]

Paying a fine, spending time as a guest worker, then applying for citizenship through normal channels is not amnesty.

You need a dictionary:

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/amnesty

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pardon

[Zechariah11]

This thread is misleading. Check out how many times the vitriolic have posted -- some seven times or more. Backers of Bush are less likely to be so obsessed.

[truthkeeper]

I have a question.
What are we going to do when we offer these illegals that have been here a long time right to citizenship and they don't take it since it means they have to pay bak taxes,etc? Are we going to give them a time limit to get it together or else or are we just going to continue letting them live here as illegals?
I want that answered from the Presidant!

And here I thought I was the only one with that question!

[TheLion]

The current wave of illegals shatters all past numbers for immigration.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Of course I am watching FOX and the two Republicans they have are King and Tancredo. What balance? lol."

And who was on BOR right after King and Tancredo? lol

[speed_addiction]

I was under the impression that you HAD to be a US citizen in order to serve in our armed forces.

My ex-wife came to the US from Mexico at the age of 14, not speaking a single word of English. She graduated as valedectorian of her senior high school class and went to Texas A&M on a volleyball scholarship. She enlisted in the Army and served as an MP and was in Desert Storm.

She still speaks with a Salma Hayek accent, but refuses to speak Spanish unless it is absolutely necessary. Carly became a citizen not long after her enlistment was over. While she is a complete and total bitch, she is also one of the truest and proudest Americans I know.

The immigrants willing to serve in our military have never been the ones who are a problem.


What We Are About To Do Here Is What The Good Lord Would Call A Cleansing of the Wicked. I Call It A Good Old Fashioned Texas Ass Kicking.

[gas_dr]

Everyone here who threatens to sit out the next election CASTS A VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT. Everyone who threathens a third party vote VOTES FOR A DEMOCRAT. Change the republican party in the primaries, elect the congress we want and KEEP MAKING INCREMENTAL STEPS. This was an exceptional speech. We got virtually everything we want...and appear reasonable to the middle of the country.

[catholicfreeper]

THe Presidents speech was principled. He has had these views for years.

[sageb1]

"At least the Democrats are honest about their beliefs."

What did I miss? What beliefs? That they think the world can sing in perfect harmony?

[jackv]

Oh please!! This is NOTHING like what Reagan did.