[Marie]

What was going on in 2001?

- we didn’t have 9-11 to think about. Illegal immigration was not broadly seen as a national security issue.
- we hadn’t had the debate about ‘compassionate conservationism’ with Bush yet.
- the entire issue of illegal immigration wasn’t in the foreground of public discussion.

Could I forgive Perry for this signature - seeing as how so much of this is Monday Morning Quarterbacking?

Sure. If he asked for forgiveness. If he really believed that it was a bad decision.

But he defends himself. *After* we’ve had the debate and endured the horrors that were 9-11, he still ends up on the wrong side.

Then he insults those of us who’ve thought this through and decided that the stance was wrong.

[af_vet_rr]

What was going on in 2001?

- we didn’t have 9-11 to think about. Illegal immigration was not broadly seen as a national security issue.
- we hadn’t had the debate about ‘compassionate conservationism’ with Bush yet.
- the entire issue of illegal immigration wasn’t in the foreground of public discussion.

Could I forgive Perry for this signature - seeing as how so much of this is Monday Morning Quarterbacking?

Sure. If he asked for forgiveness. If he really believed that it was a bad decision.

But he defends himself. *After* we’ve had the debate and endured the horrors that were 9-11, he still ends up on the wrong side.

Then he insults those of us who’ve thought this through and decided that the stance was wrong.

You nailed it, but you also forgot something - Perry was supporting open borders in 2001. Obviously 9/11 changed that, and Perry switched his message over to guest worker programs, and this is where you really nailed it - he's never apologized for it or retracted his views on guest workers. We have no idea what his stance in 2011 on guest workers is.