Senator Craig shouted down at feisty forum on immigration

The Times-News ^ | August 23, 2006

[Shermy]

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -- A town hall meeting with Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, dissolved into angry shouts and walkouts when Craig began discussing the controversial issue of immigration.

"I am sick of listening to these lies," one woman said, interrupting Craig as she left the Tuesday meeting, the Coeur d'Alene Press reported.

Stan Hess, candidate for the North Idaho College Board of Trustees, screamed at Craig as others booed. Before leaving, Hess yelled at a woman, his face inches from hers, as several people tried to separate them.

Craig planned eight town hall meetings in three days during a swing through northern Idaho that ends Thursday.

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He's promoting a plan that would allow some of the 12 million illegal immigrants already in the U.S. to apply for citizenship if they meet certain requirements, including having been in the country at least two years and having paid taxes.

"The reality is that there are 2.5 million jobs here that Americans won't do," Craig told the 60 people at the Coeur d'Alene meeting. "For 20 years, immigration laws have failed. We know there's a problem and we're working on it. The first step is securing the border and we're doing that."

Craig asked people to listen to the proposal, but some said they wanted illegal immigrants deported immediately. Others said Craig wasn't doing his job.

The senator is accustomed to spirited town hall meetings, said his spokesman, Sid Smith.

"It's fair to say it was pretty confrontational and at some point looked like it was about to get kind of ugly," Smith told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "But we weren't really thinking about calling the police. I was there and talked to all our staff who were there, and they agreed it was ugly, but not that ugly.

"It certainly isn't the first time it's been a very spirited and emotional town hall meeting," Smith said. "I would say (Craig) wasn't surprised or disappointed in that."

Craig also held town hall meetings in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry on Tuesday, which Smith said were more subdued.

[ASOC]

Got some buds that still live in rural ID. They are scared of the gangs and all that go with the gang "culture".

Up here in Alaska, the gangs now seem mostly pacific islanders - nasty bunch, that.

[Hannibal Hamlin]

This underclass is already here, and we are already paying.

The question is... what to do about it.

Getting rid of people already here is a lot harder than keeping new illegals from entering. That's why I am far more interested in what plans there are to secure the borders going forward.

[BW2221]

George and Laura have had Hispanic domestics to take care of the girls. His parents had domestics too. All Bush's friends have domestics that do "jobs (some)Americans won't do," like mowing the lawn, dishes, taking care of your kids, etc.

[cripplecreek]

Joe Schwarz didn't want to hear about it either. Now he won't have to.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Amen Cindy

[Hannibal Hamlin]

Term Limits has done nothing to help things in California. In fact, the legislators that have been coming into office since term limits are even more left-wing, goofy, and completely out of touch, than ever before.

[surely_you_jest]

I don't know why Republicans just don't get it.

For the same reason the press doesn't get it. The only people they talk to are themselves.

[rocksblues]

"The reality is that there are 2.5 million jobs here that Americans won't do,"

So Senator Craig what the hell are the other 9.5 million other illegals doing.

[KarlInOhio]

Switch 3 and 4, or else you are trying to empty a leaking boat with a colander.

[Thrusher]

Civility in public debate remains dead and buried.

First of all, it is difficult to be civil in a debate where your opponent, who is supposed to be your representative, continues to insult your intelligence by lying to your face.

Secondly, remember that the media spin on this is that those who are against illegal immigration are ignorant, racist rednecks... portraying their behavior in the most negative light possible fits the media agenda.

[Lizavetta]

"The reality is that there are 2.5 million jobs here that Americans won't do," Craig told the 60 people at the Coeur d'Alene meeting.

Why aren't liberals smart enough to realize what SHILLS they are for business, both big and little, when they tout this line of bull? Shilling for the profits of evil corporations, shilling for exploitation wages of the poorest of the poor? CAN'T THEY HEAR THEMSELVES?

And why doesn't anyone follow up this 'jobs Americans won't do' with 'because they're on welfare and don't have to work'?

[reagan_fanatic]

I don't know why Republicans just don't get it. 12 million illegals will create a whole new and probably permanent underclass, forever on welfare, demands on schools, hospitals, etc., that we'll pay for decades

It's not just Republicans - it's an entire segment of Americans who either a) don't give a damn (hey - it's not MY problem) or b) believe we can absorb 10-20 million third-worlders without any adverse effects.

Far too many people in this country live in a fantasy world, all nice and comfy in their little cocoons and ignorant of the stark realities just outside their door.

[ASOC]

that we'll pay for decades

We have been, it's just that now there are so many, you cannot ignore the problem. I left AZ in the 70s, in part, because of low wages due to 'guest workers'.

Now everyone awake seems to notice the problem.

Dunno what the actual solution is, but cracking down on EMPLOYERS seems, to me anyway, to be a good start.

I don't fear that much for myself, I am an OF. But my children and grandkids, this situation is a different kettle of fish altogether.

(SIGH) At least we all speak English (for now).

[mkjessup]

Switch 3 and 4, or else you are trying to empty a leaking boat with a colander.

Fair enough, hey that list isn't intended to be sequential, but simultaneous! ;)

[Groganeer]

As a life long resident of the Great State of Idaho I'd like to offer the following free advice to Mr Craig.

Find a new job in the private sector and pronto.

I don't know why anyone is surprised at the reaction of the populace. We are not being represented, simple as that. The illegal population does not pay taxes for representation. WE DO! That is why OUR legislators should be listening to us.

This issue is long from dead and 'Ol Larry better figure out which side of the fence he's gonna fall off onto.

[Soul Seeker]

He could be, if people organize to run a primary challenge. Are they? I don't follow Idaho politics, but an alternative needs to be groomed immediately if your going to get rid of him.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

"The reality is that there are 2.5 million jobs here that Americans won't do,"

---

Not as long as they can sit on their asses and get paid for it, they won't!

[Just another Joe]

And where were you on the night in question? ;-)

Yeh, same question. ;^)

[Nickname]

And getting moreso by the day!

[PEACE ENFORCER]

I have noticed Lib's attend these type of gatherings usually Conservative or Republican led so they can get offended shout, shame & blame, be disruptive then leave, like the little children they act like. They still haven't won any elections and probably won't in November either....to be continued.