[sittnick]

I would grant that Brownback is generally a conservative. But his stance on illegal immigrants is in direct conflict with conservatism.

Bush the Younger has always been more or less pro-amnesty. I voted for Buchanan in 2000 because I didn't trust Bush on key issues. Buchanan made immigration the core of his campaign (the infamous meatball ad). It didn't do too much for him then.

Many conservatives ARE pro-immigration. Reagan was, Kemp is, and Brownback is.

I get leery of the anti-illegal immigration group when all the ones who make a big fuss about it aren't particularly interested in much in the way of legal immigration.

By all means, disagree with Brownback on the issue, but don't pretend that being pro-immigration is being against conservatism. There are good guys on both sides of the issue.

[okie01]

By all means, disagree with Brownback on the issue, but don't pretend that being pro-immigration is being against conservatism.

Whatever did I say that gave you the impression I was anti-immigrant? I'm not. And no conservative is.

But every conservative should be anti- anything that is illegal. And the issue is more accurately described as about "illegal aliens", not "illegal immigrants" -- because the term "immigrant" connotes a legal status.

At that, I am not against the illegal aliens themselves. I'm not looking to punish them in any way (nor reward them, either) -- except that they must return to their countries of origin before they can apply and be considered for legal immigration.

And I'm 100% in favor of streamlining our immigration procedures -- so that those who want to immigrate (and are needed) can be processed more quickly, painlessly and cheaper. Like every federal bureaucracy, the INS can be made more responsive.

At the same time, I'm in favor of tightening visa enforcement -- another area of significant abuse by other, non-Hispanic illegal immigrants. Any alien who overstays his visa should be sought out and deported.

True, there are a few anti-immigrant cranks in the anti-illegal alien movement. But please don't tar the rest of us with that same brush.