President's Immigration speech - Live thread

me | 05/15/2006 | me

[devane617]

I searched but did not see a thread already open for tonights speech. I think this is the most important speech the President will probably make for the remainder of his term.

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Mod Note:
This could turn into a whack-a-troll thread. All immigration trolls that would like to participate should post here. It'll be interesting to see if we mods can whack the trolls faster than they can sign up new accounts.
Jim

[oceanview]

sure, some of the folks here will be legalized. the key word is "some" I have no problems with that.

but if we had real employer sanctions, many of the transients here will deport themselves when jobs dry up. let's have 2-3 years of employer sanctions, border security - let's see who leaves, then we can re-assess legalizing those who are still here.

[hole_n_one]

Lou Dobbs is so upset he is shaking...

Maybe they screwed up his mental clock by taking off his velcro slippers, wiping the apple sauce from his chin, and letting him out of his room late at night so he could participate in this "Special Edition" of his show.

[Fawn]

Time FReepers quit wining, and started asking "how can we help"!

I believe the minutemen tried to do that....but the government turned them into Vincente Fox.

[MindBender26]

Where did his balls go?

[betsyross1776]

Did soros tell you what to post . Man you demos are so easy to spot.

[clawrence3]

Was the Bracero program started in 1945 "amnesty"?

[Sprite518]

O'Reily is a a populist.

The majority of voters wants control of the boarders, and not the amnesty that Bush is pushing. So please do not tell me this issue will get us thrown out of office.

Its a real simple solution folks to get control of this.

1) Cut of ALL Social Services
2) Fine companies heavy amount of money (perhaps a percentage) if they hire illegal Aliens
3) Offer a free ride back to the boarder.

[the mo]

None .....they were Native Americans

[mkjessup]

Bush has just repeated what he has been supporting for some time. Why do you agree with him this time?

There has been a lot of ambiguity up until now, with too many shifting positions, too much inaction, and this speech has required the President to state clearly that he is against amnesty, and that our borders have to be brought under control.

Yes, talk is cheap and the proof will be in how this speech is translated from words into deeds, and how quickly that takes place.

The idea of providing a means of legalizing illegal immigrants that have been here for years and have not been a source of trouble or criminal activity is not a bad thing. The alternative is to arrest them, seize their property, confiscate what money they have, and put them on trains bound for Mexico. That might make us feel good, but those who would be shipped out in such an operation may very well be the sort of citizen-candidates that we might want to be part of our society. The illegal immigrants who are working in criminal enterprises, causing all sorts of chaos, death and mayhem are the ones we want to deport and the President gave every signal that is exactly what he wants to do too.

IF (and I agree that is a big 'if'), immigrants who are brought into the system are issued valid credentials and ID to enable them to work, that will go a long way to stem the flood of 20 billion dollars +/- that leave the U.S. for Mexico, because if immigrants are paying taxes, having social security deducted, etc., that reduces their net income which means they'll be keeping more of it in their pocket for their own expenses. As it is right now, they work illegally, get paid under the table, a lot of the cash gets wired via Western Union to Mexico within hours.

Ideally, the border SHOULD be fortified to keep out any and all trespassers, and I'm all for mines, barbed wire, mad dogs, rattlesnakes, whatever it takes to make the border impossible to cross except at authorized border entry points.

I'll give the President the benefit of the doubt for now. Not a blank check by any means but I will wait and see what develops in the days and weeks ahead.

For the record, I'm no BushBot.

[Spiff]

I'd like to ask all those claiming this was a persuasive speech - what was the difference between what the president said this time, and what he said last time? He says we need to ratchet down the rhetoric, and have a debate, but he has budged not one inch from where he began on this issue.

VERY little new substance. Mostly a repackage of the same old stuff that conservatives and Republicans have already rejected. It is obvious that the only message that the President has got on this issue is that he had to find a new way to sell it. He's learned nothing.

[JeffAtlanta]

Disagree with that one.

Check the numbers - hispanics are overwhelmingly democratic voters.

[HHKrepublican_2]

To all Thread Hijackers, Illegal Immigration obsessers et al...


Shutting the border completely is political suicide. It will allow the Democrats to get into power and will immediatley reverse our progress. President compromised with the Far-Right (US) and the Center, this was a great speech and looks like the turning point of the GOP low point, while the GOP might not be the best, they are better than the RATS. Putting Pelosi third in line to presidency and letting the Democrats control legislation (AND THUS, WAR FUNDING ETC) is NOTWorth making points to people like Chafee, Snowe and McCain.

This is the best we could have asked for from Bush, we are lucky he didnt stick with his original plan (full guest worker and no National Guard\More Agents) Stop whining and realize that we got the bigger end of the stick. Democrats just got B*tchslapped, so sit back and enjoy

I Rest my Case.

[jackv]

"why don't you join the Dems"

Why don't YOU leave and form the Buchanan party!! The majority of reasonable compassionate conservatives will be fair and reasonable.

[Yaelle]

I am embarrassed to be associated with them as "republicans" anyway.

How am I an isolationist? I think it is cruel to take advantage of these poor people who barely speak decent Spanish. I for one don't WANT the American economy sizzling along on the backs of nearly indentured, unprotected "workers." It's not worth it.

How am I an isolationist if I want to pay my insurance premiums for only MY OWN family, and want MY family to be seen in the ER in a timely manner? Am I isolationist by wishing my children could be challenged in a school by the educational materials and not by thugs with guns, nearly beyond the reach of the law?

[catholicfreeper]

I totally agree. Of course I am watching FOX and the two Republicans they have are King and Tancredo. What balance? lol.

[clawrence3]

Was the Bracero program started in 1945 "amnesty"?

[Drammach]

Do you mean to tell me that non-citizens are able to enlist and be expected to defend our country?

Yes, many LEGAL immigrants, who have not yet acheived citizenship, actually enlist in the military and serve..
In return, under the proper circumstances, they are awarded citizenship for their service..
It's a legal short cut to citizenship..

[gpapa]

The governors of the respective States are the Cincs of their respective National Guard units not on active duty in the US military and can order them to the border at any time. However, they would not have the power to arrest and detain any illegal alien within State boundaries. That is the responsibility of the Border Patrol and other federal agencies responsible for border control, such as the Coast Guard. I do not believe the President has any intent to militarize the border.

[bfree]

Excellent!!