Posted on 06/14/2007 2:37:50 PM PDT by jazusamo
Thursday, June 14, 2007
"I am angered by this morning's arrest by federal officers of approximately 150 Portland residents who were working at a local produce company."
Oh, poor Tom Potter. Portland's mayor is angry. Federal law enforcement officials were out doing their jobs -- actually rounding up people who were working here illegally and using Social Security numbers belonging to others, actually arresting people who allegedly helped Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. hire the illegal workers, and otherwise enforcing U.S. immigration laws -- and Mayor Potter is angry.
Too bad.
You might think Potter has enough to do these days on the grand matters within his jurisdiction -- filling Portland potholes, fly-specking the city's diversity-awareness programs or enforcing the jaywalking statutes he's so keen on. But Potter's puffy sanctimony knows no limit. After rushing out a press release announcing his anger, His Honor unbosomed himself on the national immigration issue:
"[To] go after local workers who are here to support their families while filling the demands of local businesses for their labor is bad policy. It also serves as a reminder of the failure of our national leaders to deliver an immigration policy that is both fair and humane to families and acknowledges the economic realities of our country. Our nation would be better served if this kind of energy was focused on creating a comprehensive approach to immigration reform . . . ."
This from a mayor who has a difficult time coming up with voting majorities on the Portland City Council. This from a mayor whose recent bid to change Portland's form of government went down in flames at the polls. Please.
Indeed, it's the prissy views of people like Potter that make "comprehensive" immigration reform so difficult to achieve, and I write this as a supporter of some form of comprehensive reform. Everyone says that beefed-up enforcement -- on the border and at the job site -- must be part of immigration reform, along with some regularization of illegal immigrants who've been here a while. But when the federal government actually goes out and enforces existing immigration laws -- or when there are moves to ensure real enforcement before regularization -- the Potters of the world cry foul. Even when employers and their staffing outfits are hiring illegals in droves. Even when the illegal immigrants and their enablers are hijacking the Social Security of bonafide U.S. citizens, dead and alive.
It makes you wonder if they're really serious about border enforcement or employer sanctions. Or do they only use these catch phrases to leverage the almost-amnesty provisions in their reform packages? Whatever the case, this kind of smarmy chatter doesn't do anything to enhance the already shaky credibility of comprehensive reform champions.
Potter said his "heart goes out to the families dealing with the aftermath" of Tuesday's raids, and that's a noble impulse. This must be frightening and tough, particularly for their children. But tenderheartedness too often leads to mush-headedness on the immigration issue.
For starters, the illegal workers are the ones who've put their families in this tough spot. They're the ones who've broken the law to come and work here. Why blame federal officials for simply enforcing our laws?
The mush-headedness was on gaudy display in Potter's press release when he served up the old "We're a nation of immigrants" boilerplate. "Immigrants provide more than mere labor in our community," he said. "They have long enriched our history, our culture and our city."
All true. The problem, however, isn't with immigrants who've "long enriched our history, our culture and our city." It's with illegal immigrants who've violated our borders, our immigration law and our Social Security numbers. Illegal immigration is the issue. Potter cannot even bring himself to use the term and define the problem properly. Yet he's more than pleased to pop off on what other levels of government should do to fix the problem. Insufferable, no?
Maybe Portland's angry and addled mayor would be more concerned if the illegal immigrants in Tuesday's raid had been picked up for jaywalking.
Just say NO to Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!
U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121
White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Bump!
Mr. Potter needs to be chipping rock in a federal pen, not running a major US city. A**hole.
Unfortunately, he he truly is government for the people, by the people in Portland’s case.
That would be a good place for him.
Tom potter sent crisis teams (at the public expense) to council the grieving "victims" and families of those arrested, what an asswipe.
More raids! more deportations! Moore, More, more!
I find it really despicable that many local police and politicians won’t work with immigration on these illegals.
Let the mayor hear from you -—
Phone: 503-823-4120
Fax: 503-823-3588
Mayor’s 24-Hour Opinion Line: 503-823-4127
Thanks for the numbers, Doug.
Tom Potter, Vera Katz.....same ole same ole commie liturgy. I heard on the radio this morning that Seattle, Portland (Multnomah County), Boulder, and the state of Vermont are actually run by the CPUSA. Portland and Seattle have been for decades now. I’d say the Democrat Party is also owned by...uh...an anti-American consortium.
It wouldn’t surprise me, I know both Potter and Katz are real turkeys.
“Mr. Potter needs to be chipping rock in a federal pen...”
Mayor “Plug” Nichols in Seattle could be his cellmate, and good riddance to the pair of them.
Why make it something that would obviously be delightful for those two.
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