[soccer_maniac]

Same old tired bullsh*t

Blah blah blah . . . we increased funding by 60% . . . blah blah blah . . . in 2008 we may add a few more border patrol . . . . yada yada yada...some ole shit

I won't send another dime to any Republican candidate! All my contributions will go to http://www.minutemanproject.com/

I will also stay home in November. I am extremely disappointed. Shocked. Turly shocked.

[MissAmericanPie]

Why does Bush insist in calling Mexico "our friend". I remember our "friends" celebrating 9-11 in the streets of Mexico selling Ben Laden masks and t-shirts.

Does a government who is a "friend" distribute to it's citizens literature on how to sneak across the American border?

And what is meant by "back of the line"? When law breakers are already here and enjoying the benefits of the nation? And what business do law breakers have marching in our streets making demands, claiming that they are just taking back what is theirs? What business do law breakers have becoming citizens?

If we need "guest workers" why favor Mexico, why not start the search for guest workers in Honduras or Costa Rica? Bush's remark that we can enforce laws and still be a welcoming nation is just tap dancing. As though demanding that law breakers be deported by enforcing our laws somehow negates us being a welcoming country. These people don't want to be Americans, they don't want to "assimilate", they want cash.

[RandallFlagg]

I'm at work (where I always seem to miss these speeches). What'd I miss?

[gpapa]

Address by the President to the Nation on Immigration Reform
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/05/20060515-8.html

This, I believe is the key paragraph in the transcript of the President's speech.

I believe that illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay a meaningful penalty for breaking the law, to pay their taxes, to learn English, and to work in a job for a number of years. People who meet these conditions should be able to apply for citizenship, but approval would not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law. What I've just described is not amnesty, it is a way for those who have broken the law to pay their debt to society, and demonstrate the character that makes a good citizen.

Whether you call it amnesty or a pardon this recommendation by the President would reward illegal aliens with a path to citizenship even though they are in violation of current law as outlined in US Code 1325. A more meaningful penalty for breaking that law would be to deny illegal aliens the path to citizenship and thus able to vote, just as other permanent residents who are not citizens are not allowed to vote in elections for national offices. Whether we should grant some illegal aliens permanent residency is a concept for which I do not have a firm opinion, although before embarking on such an action I would like to see our borders sealed first.

[Digger]

What a waste of time. Live with this corrupt "Two-Party Cartel" if you want. How can we fall so low. End of discussion with this D.C. crowd. Our poor grandchildren. Never will they have a taste of what our four-founders gave us & we pissed it away.

[AnimalLover]

BUMP

[BurbankKarl]

I am hearing General Myers daughter at DHS just undercut Bush's speech? Anyone have the text.

I recall a lengthy thread how she had no qualifications for overseeing the CBP.

[af_vet_1981]

I did not watch the President but read the transcript afterward and found it to be a reasonable speech and a good start. I did not agree with everything but did not see anything I could not live with as I don't think we are prepared to round up all illegal aliens and deport them.

If we were willing to do that, I would prefer to see other people rounded up and deported in the place of some/many of the illegal aliens. I would also prefer to see the wholesale execution of convicted capital felons. There is no need to wait more than a year for murderers.

[PGalt]

OK speech. The focus shifts to Congress.

[Earthdweller]

It was a great speech. The President of the United States of America spoke from the heart. This speech was historic.

I never thought in my lifetime that the borders would need to be closed but it needs to be done and this President has enough of what it takes to get it done with compassion and leadership that surpasses all others.

Thank You President Bush for cleaning up the messes left for you by so many.

[Revolting cat!]

It's FICTION, people!

Wrong thread? I don't think so...

[heights]

Can't we all just get along?

[rwfromkansas]

I have not been on this thread until now due to no doubt what transpired during the speech.

So, I will say it now.

Dubya had a solid speech that recognized the BALANCE involved in immigration policy. If I say so myself, those who call for closing the borders and not allowing any immigration frankly need to get a heart. These people are desperate to get here.

However, at the same time, we are a nation of laws, and we are not going to reward lawbreakers. That is why Bush said those who want citizenship and come here via a guest worker program or other means will be at the back of the line, and they will have to learn what it is to be American and pay a penalty for coming here illegally.

However, just sending them all back does NOT send the message that America should be sending, a message that we are a nation of love and caring, a melting pot willing to take in those wanting the American dream.

Was there more I wish Bush would have done? Yes.

I would have liked to see plans for a REAL fence. I would have liked to have seen plans for 15,000 troos, not 6,000. I would have liked to hear even tougher requirements for the path toward citizenship. I would have liked to hear tougher demands on companies that hire illegals.

But, overall, the speech was very well done and the plan brings together all the different requirements of tackling the immigration problem.

Remember: this president is still better than Ronald Reagan on the immigration issue, and Reagan is considered a conservative hero. Those who would hate Bush for his stance here need to reconsider their love for Reagan, unless you enjoy being hypocritical.

[MaineVoter2002]

Election 2006 Immigration-Reform Candidates

http://www.betterimmigration.com/candidates/2006/featuredraces.html

[Rick_Michael]

I really don't want to see the dems take either house, but it's really going to come down to whether or not each individual looks at their candiate and wants to support them wholly (or partially). It's really a difficult decesion, especially in our 'trying times'.

I'm not sure what will happen.

[GunnyB]

For those of you who wish to gauge the President's commitment on immigration reform, I'll direct you to this page on the Whitehouse website -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/index.es.html

Of course, it will help if you are an illegal and can READ SPANISH...

Want to promote English, get rid of all the "crutches" we have all over the government and MAKE these people learn OUR language...

[voteconstitutionparty]

It's just cover for trying to push through the old "guest worker", now called "temporary worker" program.

[Brian_Baldwin]

A desultory con to “secure” the border with the National Guard ploy to the base which is leaving (which has left) in an attempt to get his poll numbers out of the toilet. It won’t work. No internal enforcement. Lackadaisical border security that is short-lived. And the only thing “temporary” here is the National Guard actually doing something on the border – the only thing that isn’t “temporary” about this plan is the “temporary workers program”.

Bush’s attempt to get himself out of the toilet-poll is to put America in the toilet with this laughable “plan”. The only thing more laughable than Bush tonight is the “Viva Bushies” who think this half-hearted con will turn things around. Bush again put another dent in the 65 Lincoln Towncar of the Republican Party, but what else is new? It’s now driving right down into the desert, and it’s got suicide doors, and now one of the doors is unhinged. The Viva Bushies can drink the Bush Root Beer and go on another “pray at Bush” head-trip all they want, in the next few days reality will set in, that Bush did the stupid buffalo again. Buffalo Bush. Root Beer.

Anyway, just tune into the radio tomorrow, you will hear the real tune. Listen to your fellow Americans – the tune you going to hear, well it won’t be the Viva Bushie’s out-of-tune party-whistles that troll some forums to pounce on anyone who isn’t a pin-up groupie of Bush Mod.

Bush Root Beer. It’s the real thing.

Right.

[Cacique]

btt

[ME-262]

The only problem with a permanent fence is how will we escape if Hillary is elected?