Posted on 10/23/2006 7:13:02 PM PDT by freedomdefender
The current political landscape is littered with backpedaling politicians who are succumbing to backbreaking attacks from the Left. In this environment it is good to find the occasional conservative who has the backbone to speak the truth instead of running for the high grass at the first sign of attack. Two leaders deserve special recognition for being particularly strong in the backbone department.
California Republican congressional candidate Tan Nguyen is a Vietnamese immigrant who has made immigration the centerpiece of his campaign for the House. Over the weekend his campaign office, his residence, and the residence of one of his staffers, was raided by officials from the California Department of Justice. They were looking for evidence Nguyen is guilty of voter rights violations. The investigation was launched by the office of the Attorney General (who happens to be a Democrat) just three weeks before the crucial mid-term elections.
What caused all the hubbub? A letter sent to Hispanic voters by Nguyen's office manger warning them, "You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time." That's it....all the office manager did was send a letter reminding people that if they are here illegally or if they have immigrated but have not become a naturalized citizen they are ineligible to vote.
You would think Republicans would line up to defend Nguyen for calling on Hispanics to respect the law and vote only if they have legal status. But rather than lining up to defend they lined up to call for him to withdraw from the race.
Initially, Nguyen caved to the pressure, fired his office manager, and started to backpedal. But then an amazing thing happened.....he grew a spine and decided since he was right he would fight back. He has invited his office manager to return. He held a press conference where he said, "There has been no crime committed so why is there a criminal investigation three weeks prior to a very important election? What's going on...who is fueling this investigation?" He then issued a statement that made me want to stand up and cheer. He said, "I'm innocent. I 'm not going to quit this race, I'm going to win this race." Well, hallelujah....the backbone really is connected to the brain, at least in Nguyen's case. Instead of being investigated by the California Justice Department he should be getting a medal from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
Republican Duncan Hunter, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, is another Republican who suddenly discovered his backbone. He has asked the Pentagon to remove CNN reporters embedded with U.S. combat troops, saying the network's broadcast of a video showing insurgent snipers targeting U.S. soldiers was tantamount to airing an enemy propaganda film. The tape was aired on "Anderson Cooper 360" on Wednesday, October 18 and repeated on Thursday. Hunter was quoted as saying, "CNN now served as the publicist for an enemy propaganda film featuring the killing of an American soldier.
CNN, of course, says they are just reporting the news but his particular piece of news didn't come from one of their reporters but from their contact with an insurgent leader (read terrorist) in Iraq. It is about time someone in a position of responsibility called the hand of some major media outlets who are pimping for the terrorists. When you are reduced to showing footage of the assassination of a U.S. soldier supplied to you by the terrorists, you have gone beyond reporting the news and can now be considered a propagandist for the enemy. I applaud Rep. Hunter for having the backbone to call for some measure of responsibility in CNN's coverage of the war.
I love the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians. He said, "Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, stand firm" (6:13, NASV). Now certainly, taken in context Paul was talking about the spiritual aspect of standing firm. But our spiritual life has an outward manifestation. When we "walk in the Spirit" internally, we demonstrate externally that we are members of God's kingdom. So taking a stand spiritually should cause us to take a stand publicly. Paul's life was characterized by taking strong stands.
In his last letter to his beloved Timothy, Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith...."(2 Tim. 4:7, NASV). Later, in the same letter, he made reference to Demas who, "having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica."
May God grant us more Paul's in the area of public policy and fewer who go the way of Demas.
Instead of being investigated by the California Justice Department he should be getting a medal from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
Duncan Hunter was outstanding on CNN this evening. He gave Blitzed a piece of his mind in no uncertain times. Kudos to the man.
Nguyen made one BIG mistake. He didn't distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants.
Even legal immigrants can't vote. You have to be a citizen to vote. US government defines immigrant as resident who's not a citizen. Tan warned people that non-citizens - including immigrants (who by definition aren't yet citizens) - can't vote.
Duncan Hunter has always had a backbone.
Well, well...there are actually TWO Republicans that will stand up to the Rats. How about that!?!
Ok. I wasn't thinking about the legals who aren't citizens. My husband is a legal immigrant AND a citizen. I guess it would have been a good idea to be more explicit in the mailer.
There's no mistake.
Best bet is for Republicans who can't get beyond seeing a funny little foreign guy with strange eyelids representing them in Congress to GET OVER IT and support this man's courageous campaign against the forces of evil.
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson Joins with Latino Organizations to Encourage Eligible Californians to Register and Vote
Announces mailing to communicate with voters affected by intimidation attempt
SANTA ANA, CA – Secretary of State Bruce McPherson today joined with several Latino organizations including, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) to announce that he will be issuing an official, non-partisan voter education letter to Latino voters who recently received a letter attempting to intimidate them.
“I want all eligible voters in California to cast their votes without fear or misinformation. I am outraged that anyone would try to rob eligible Californians of their right to vote. Any attempt to intimidate voters is unacceptable,” Secretary McPherson said.
(snip)
I am outraged that anyone would try to rob eligible Californians of their right to vote.
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Decoded -- I am outraged that anyone would try to rob illegal immigrants, felons and other criminals, of their RIGHT TO VOTE DEMOCRAT....
It's time for all Republicans to grow a spine!
Secretary of State McPherson is a liberal Republican.
So my husband, with his British accent and his citizenship papers, is no longer considered an immigrant???
Secretary of State McPherson is a liberal Republican.
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In name only -- he is very happy working in the liberal &*%$ hole that our state has turned into....RINO, happy has hell to see Dem votes.
I thought only citizens can vote, immigrants of any variety cannot vote until they become citizens. Nguyen was correct.
It's semantics. The article refers to Nguyen as an immigrant. I am guessing that he's also a citizen as he's running for Congress. Legal immigrants who are citizens are entitled to vote. They are sometimes still referred to as immigrants. It would have been good if he had qualified perhaps with 'non-citizen immigrants' or something similar.
The term "immigrant" also has "popular" meanings, and you might have somebody say "We are a nation of immigrants". Doesn't mean it's true, or that the speaker is using a correct usage in the proper context.
If your spouse continues to speak of "immigrant", "emigration", and similar words, check his passport ~ might be a surprise coming.
Semantics and popular usage of the word. Trust me, my husband is a good guy.
Their reaction, and that of the Governor out there, is absolutely shameful. Not sure how they can show they've paid proper penance ~ maybe ritual seppuku or something ~ yeah, that's the ticket ~ and do that in San Francisco so Nancy Pelosi's crowd will get a good idea what all that can mean.
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