Talk Radio Fails to Stop Amnesty Bill

News By Us ^ | Jun 27, 07 | Andy Selepak

[GFritsch]

Despite a valiant effort, the power of conservative talk radio was no match for the White House, the Republican and Democratic Parties, and the major media.

The Senate on Tuesday voted to revive the illegal alien amnesty bill by a vote of 64 to 35. Senate leaders are pushing for a final vote of approval by Friday.

One reason for the outcome was the propagandistic ability of supporters of the bill, such as Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post, to frame the debate in terms of a “solution” to the immigration problem?the Senate bill?versus rounding up illegals and deporting them in a Hitler-like un-American approach.

In a May 22 column, Robinson said opponents of the bill favored “hunting down millions of men, women and children and forcing them to leave,” a flat-out falsehood.

Robinson also suggested that opponents of the Senate bill were Nazis or fascists.

In essence, supporters of the bill managed to eke out a win by lying about their opponents.

Another factor, of course, was the misguided idea of some Republican Senators that the bill has to be passed in order to give President Bush part of a “legacy.” With the war in Iraq still going badly, Bush is desperate to put his stamp on something?anything?he can claim as a “victory.”

Republicans were playing into the hands of Senator Ted Kennedy, an architect of the bill. On June 24, 2007, the Associated Press quoted Kennedy as saying, “We have a terrible problem in this country that demands an answer.” For Kennedy, one of the main architects of the 1986 amnesty program, that answer once again is amnesty. Kennedy complained that those against amnesty offered no solution. He said, “We know what they’re against. What are they for?”

Taking the Kennedy line one step further, on May 22, 2007, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson concluded that opponents to the amnesty bill only offered Nazi-like deportation. He said opponents of the bill favored a “round ‘em all up, kick ‘em all out,” approach. Robinson called this “indistinguishable from a pogrom.”

The meaning was clear. Pogroms are programs of violence directed against minority groups. The term is usually associated with violence against Jews.

This was a despicable smear. It comes from a columnist for a paper whose top executive, Post chairman Donald E. Graham, is a trustee of a foundation that provides money to an illegal alien support group, CASA of Maryland.

Continuing his attack, Robinson asked, “Would SWAT teams of immigration officers descend on neighborhoods and go door to door? Would they snatch children out of schools? Where would they take these people? To special camps? To the nearest border?”

But deportation was never the alternative to amnesty and Robinson knows it. He concedes that, without the amnesty bill, public pressure will force “border states and gateway cities to develop their own immigration policies.” That implies a tougher approach that will dry up the market for cheap and illegal labor.

R. Bruce Josten, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has been quoted as saying that if the amnesty bill did not pass, “The consequence of inaction is that more states and cities will target businesses and property owners.” But this is not inaction. It means that there will be pressure on businesses to quit hiring illegals. Josten doesn’t like that. But it is a logical and necessary response to the problem.

Hazleton, Pennsylvania has already passed ordinances to suspend the business licenses of employers who hire illegal aliens, penalize landlords who rent to illegal aliens with fines, and make English the town’s official language. This is effective local government action in response to illegal immigration.

Punishing businesses that hire illegal alien workers to combat illegal immigration is sometimes called attrition though enforcement. If it had happened after the 1986 bill, as it was supposed to, there wouldn’t be 20 million illegal aliens in this country now.

Numbers USA calls Attrition Through Enforcement “the most effective and efficient solution” to the problem. They say it would work “if our government refused to award illegal aliens another amnesty, mandated all employers to verify a person’s eligibility to work here, cracked down on identity fraud, and enabled local police to easily transfer illegal aliens in their custody to the feds.” More about this concept can be seen here.

The idea is to make living illegally in the United States too difficult. When the government, at all levels, from federal to state to local, enforces the laws already on the books, that leaves illegal aliens with no alternative but to leave the country because they can’t find work and don’t receive government social services. According to Numbers USA, there is no need “to round up and deport illegal aliens; they will buy their own bus or plane tickets back home if they can no longer earn a living here.”

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has told the Washington Post that he favors a similar approach whereby illegal immigrants “could be slowly sent back to their home countries simply through enforcement of current law.” He said the idea is “to take people who are here today and working here and replace them gradually and humanely with our own citizens as well as with legal immigrants who come in to take their place.”

Some deportations are absolutely necessary. Those illegal immigrants that come to the U.S. as terrorists, drug runners and dealers, or gang members, should be apprehended, jailed or deported. In addition, the building of a border fence, already mandated by law, would serve to keep other illegal aliens out and prevent the repeated return of those deported.

But dishonest journalists like Eugene Robinson want people to believe there are only two solutions to illegal immigration?amnesty or “round ‘em all up, kick ‘em all out” like a redneck Gestapo.

The alternative, which the media want to exclude serious debate over, is to enforce the current law by fining and penalizing businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens and take jobs away from Americans.

Talk radio needs to make this absolutely clear. Opponents of amnesty have a workable and viable solution.

Smear artists like Eugene Robinson of the Post should be roundly criticized for going over the line. His use of smear tactics suggests that he fully understands that he doesn’t have the facts or the evidence on his side.

You can tell him what you think of his despicable tactics by emailing him at eugenerobinson@washpost.com Ask Robinson to provide the facts about the chairman of the Post and the CASA of Maryland illegal alien support group. Let’s find out if he will provide an honest column that exposes the bias of his employer for his readers to see.

[ANGGAPO]

Best you don’t go there.

[Sicon]

There is no need to hunt them down if the present laws are enforced. Cut off all support and there only recourse will be to go home

I'm not so sure about that. If you cut off all the support, then they'll be "forced" to turn to crime to support themselves ("forced" by our lack of compassion, not the fact that they broke the law to come here in the first place). Standard liberal playbook: if you object to being forced to support the criminal invaders, you are heartless, and furthermore, you are responsible for them becoming criminals. THEY are the victims, dontcha know?

[Mark17]

Robinson also suggested that opponents of the Senate bill were Nazis or fascists.

Actually, I think those in favor of amnesty are the real Nazis.

[DCPatriot]

Happy to say, “I TOLD YOU SO!”

[bt_dooftlook]

Here is a spreadsheet detailing the votes on the immigration bill and its amendments.

Excel 2003: http://www.sendspace.com/file/o2uo7y
Excel 2007: http://www.sendspace.com/file/4ewmx2

It contains some statistics as well as contact information for each senator - please call or fax to let them know how you feel!

[alarm rider]

Go where?

[ANGGAPO]

Who ever said that you can’t round them up and truck them to the border was right. But if we can make life here so miserable for the illegals many of them will opt to go home.

[TommyDale]

[reagan_fanatic]

Kennedy complained that those against amnesty offered no solution. He said, “We know what they’re against. What are they for?”

That's funny, Teddy - we've been saying the same thing about the democratic party for years.

[Bitsy]

Pay attention to those traitors who voted against their constituents!
Mary Landrieu (d) voted NO to amnesty bill - so she really got the message. She is up for re-election in two years and lost her base in Katrina. I, for one, must have contacted her office ten times about the bill. The love fest the dems and pubs are having on this bill is sickening and I hope we let them all know how we feel in the upcoming elections. Power to the people!

[exile]

“Kennedy complained that those against amnesty offered no solution. He said, ‘We know what they’re against. What are they for?’”

Term Limits.

[Bitsy]

The only thing that is going to make any difference in the end is if we can vote these fools out of office. What do you think the likelihood of that is?

You know, let’s give it a hell of a try! Even though Landrieu voted no, she still has to go!

[Miss Didi]

Rush: Oh, and here's something else. I want to warn you people about this. The Drive-By Media will now revel in the fact that talk radio ultimately is powerless. "Talk radio failed to defeat this bill! Talk radio, despite everybody's fears, is really irrelevant, because the bill passed nevertheless," and when they say that, folks (as they will), I want you to understand that they're also saying it about you, because talk radio's audience is simply the American voter; American citizens who are interested, passionate, and care. You care about the outcome of events and the future of your country. I'm sure we have some people listening that don't vote, but the vast majority of the people involved in this do. That's why this scares Washington, because you're voters. So you will be lumped in with others. You won't be called irrelevant, just small. "You're just loud and you're very vocal but you're really not that big, and this vote proves it. This vote establishes it." Now, I mention all of this just so that you can be prepared for it. Don't take it personally. You can let it make you mad, let it fire you up, but understand it's just rhetoric, and it is not the case. We've seen the polls, 76 to 80 of the American people on all sides of whatever lines you want to draw, oppose amnesty, which this bill is.

[F.J. Mitchell]

It ain’t over til the fat bastard from Boston sings our tune.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Talk Radio Fails to Stop Amnesty Bill

Oh yeah! It ain't over -- and if in the end the miscreation passes.. well, we got DRIP. Don't Return Incumbent Politicians.

Years ago San Francisco talk host Jim Eason (retired) starting talking about DRIP, well now we know why. BTW, Jim started calling for the impeachment of Bill Clinton on that Wednesday Jan. 20, 1993 -- or maybe it was the next day, I've forgotten.

[WOSG]

ITS NOT OVER - KEEP CALLING THE SENATORS - TELL THEM TO VOTE NO ON NEXT CLOTURE VOTE

Below is a list of Senators to call who voted for reintroduction of the immigration bill. They must be reminded that a vote for the cloture motion to end debate is a tacit vote in favor of the bill!

Senators with the most potential to change their vote:

Christopher Bond (R-MO) (202) 224-5721
Sam Brownback (R-KS) (202) 224-6521
Richard Burr (R-NC) (202) 224-3154
Larry Craig (R-ID) (202) 224-2752
John Ensign (R-NV) (202) 224-6244
Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (202) 224-2541
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) (202) 224-6665

Senators who voted for cloture that still need to hear from the American people:

Robert Bennett (R-UT) (202) 224-5444
Norm Coleman (R-MN)(202) 224-5641
Susan Collins (R-ME) (202) 224-2523
Pete Domenici (R-NM) (202) 224-6621
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) (202) 224-5972
Judd Gregg (R-NH) (202) 224-3324
Chuck Hagel (R-NE) (202) 224-4224
Jon Kyl (R-AZ) (202) 224-4521
Trent Lott (R-MS) (202) 224-6253
Richard Lugar (R-IN) (202) 224-4814
Mel Martinez (R-FL) (202) 224-3041
John McCain (R-AZ) (202) 224-2235
Olympia Snowe (R-ME) (202) 224-5344
Arlen Specter (R-PA) (202) 224-4254
Ted Stevens (R-AK) (202) 224-3004
George Voinovich (R-OH) (202) 224-3353
John Warner (R-VA) (202) 224-2023

[BlackElk]

Does that classify you as anti-Mexican? Oh, of course not!

[Condor51]

Talk Radio Fails to Stop Amnesty Bill
News By Us, Jun 27, 07, Andy Selepak

Oh really Andy? Well Sparky I wouldn't be signing up for Spanish lessons too soon. I just heard on FNC that seven senators are switching their votes tomorrow, (3 'Rs' and 4 'Ds'), to NO. This Bill is d-e-a-d.

Plus it ain't going anywhere in the House. So the senate show is a waste of everyone's time. The only good its doing is keeping the sot Kennedy (D-Cutty Sark) out of the DC Gin Mills.

[caphillbabe]

Here is a list of the key staff contacts of the “Amnesty 8” Senators that are most likely to be persuaded to vote no on Thursday and derail amnesty. Many offices are putting calls straight to voicemail and they can just trash faxes (and letters take weeks to get through due to security). Hit Hill staff where they are so codependent - their Blackberries! Send email directly to staff - not just the generic Senate office mailbox. Contact their Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and Press Secretary. Make your voice heard!!

For the Democrats, I would strongly suggest taking a pro-union/anti-illegal alien stance (i.e. “they are taking our jobs”) rather than using the conservative national security angle.

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Chief of Staff
tim_becker@bennelson.senate.gov

Legislative Director
christiana_gallagher@bennelson.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
david_dimartino@bennelson.senate.gov

Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Chief of Staff
bob_russell@pryor.senate.gov

Legislative Director
andy_york@pryor.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
michael_teague@pryor.senate.gov
lisa_ackerman@pryor.senate.gov

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
Chief of Staff
paul_reagan@webb.senate.gov

Legislative Director
mike_sozan@webb.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
jessica_smith@webb.senate.gov

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO)
Chief of Staff
brian_klippenstein@bond.senate.gov

Legislative Director
kara_smith@bond.senate.gov

Communications Director
shana_marchio@bond.senate.gov

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Chief of Staff
glen_chambers@brownback.senate.gov

Domestic Policy Advisor
brian_robertson@brownback.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
john_rankin@brownback.senate.gov
brian_hart@brownback.senate.gov

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
Chief of Staff
alicia_peterson-clark@burr.senate.gov
alicia_peterson-petersonclark@burr.senate.gov

Legislative Director
natasha_hickman@burr.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
laura_caudell@burr.senate.gov
mark_williams@burr.senate.gov

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Chief of Staff
jennifer_lowe@coleman.senate.gov

Deputy Chief of Staff
lucia_lebens@coleman.senate.gov

Legislative Director
lorianne_moss@coleman.senate.gov

Communications Director
tom_steward@coleman.senate.gov
tom_stewart@coleman.senate.gov

Press Secretary
leroy_coleman@coleman.senate.gov

Senator John Ensign (R-NV)
Chief of Staff
john_lopez@ensign.senate.gov

Legislative Director
pam_thiessen@ensign.senate.gov

Press Secretary/Communications Director
tory_mazzola@ensign.senate.gov
jack_finn@ensign.senate.gov
don_tatro@ensign.senate.gov

[Yaelle]

I’d rather President Bush found a cute intern to install under his desk as his legacy than to legalize millions of illegals.