Mass. governor calls Alabama immigration policy 'hysterical and poisonous;' compares it to Jim Crow

al.com [AL] ^ | May 02, 2012 | Debbie M. Lord

[kevcol]

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick compared Alabama and Arizona immigration policies to McCarthyism and Jim Crow in a speech Monday to students at Tufts University, according to a story on Boston.com.

“The actions of various states to take matters into their own hands have been ham-fisted, self-defeating, and even racist,’’ Patrick was quoted as saying.

The tone of Patrick’s speech Monday - he called much of the debate surrounding immigration reform “hysterical and poisonous’’ - has struck some state lawmakers and immigration policy specialists as more vehement than previous speeches, the story said.

“The public discourse about immigration is as toxic today as McCarthyism or Jim Crow were in their time,’’ Patrick was quoted as saying. “Now, like then, the debate seems to be based more on emotion than reason, more on slogan than fact.’’

Eva A. Millona, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, told Boston.com that she was not surprised by the content of Patrick’s speech - she has always agreed with his stance on immigration - but was struck by its particularly brash tone.

“It’s very strong wording that really speaks to [Governor Patrick’s] belief, to his understanding, to his vision for a stronger America,’’ Millona said.

On the other hand, Jessica Vaughan - director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that researches US immigration policy - said the governor’s fiery words Monday were a political mistake.

“The language he chooses is just as loaded and charged as the rhetoric of the people that he’s criticizing - maybe even more so,’’ Vaughan was quoted as saying. “I don’t think he could get away with giving that speech anywhere other than a college campus.’’

[UCANSEE2]

“...compared Alabama and Arizona immigration policies to McCarthyism and Jim Crow...”

Well... McCarthy was correct. Communists were infiltrating Hollywood, the NEWS MEDIA, and political offices.

For ‘proof’, I give you.... Obama, Holder, and Patrick.

[EyeGuy]

Keep your unaccomplished,affirmative action nose in your own northesatern Commie craphole, Patrick, and out of the business of states with a sane approach to the future.

Since you like to throw out adjectives, what do you call the current plague of arrogant, in-your-face black racism, that is infesting our once great nation?

[ABQHispConservative]

Wasn’t the whole Jim Crow thing a Democrat thing at the time?

[UCANSEE2]

They exist in a degenerated state which ignores the principles and morality of their illustrious predecessors. They have devolved into something less than American.

They have turned into Washington D.C.

[HiTech RedNeck]

He’d probably call it the karma of whitey, or some such thing.

When really it’s a rabble of people who have been taught by bleeding heart white LIBERALS that it’s never a good thing to control their emotions and try to do something rational instead of just party and rage.

[commish]

Alabama resident tells blithering moron mASSHOLE Governor to shut his yap and mind his own pea-pickin’ business.

Oh, and Bless his heart.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Yes. The GOP briefly flirted with segregationalists in the South during the civil rights era, and although it quickly rejected them afterwards, this is the reason that black politics gives for not embracing the GOP. Forget every doggone thing that happened, or at least was tried, by the GOP from Abraham Lincoln till now... oh, no!

[UCANSEE2]

Wasn’t the whole Jim Crow thing a Democrat thing at the time?

Well, we know the Democrats didn't want to free the slaves. The KKK was just an arm of the DEM party. Pretty much every racist event is caused by DEMS. Take the ZIMMERMAN/MARTIN incident.

[UCANSEE2]

(oops)

....Take the ZIMMERMAN/MARTIN incident... for a recent example. And I could rattle off dozens more.

[FReepaholic]

Alabama’s immigration reform again cuts unemployment

Alabama's unemployment rate drops for 8th month

[chesley]

Well, here I am in Alabama. I passed by the HR office this morning, and there in the conference room were another 10 new employess receiving orientation.

It’s been going on like this every two/three weeks for months, now.

[epow]

Supreme Court nominee if Obama is re-elected.

Probably, but don't forget that Senate confirmation is required in order to put a nominee on the bench. However, I don't remember for sure if a simple majority suffices to confirm a USSC nominee or if it requires a 2/3 majority. If it's the latter there should be enough Pubs in the Senate for the next 4 years to prevent such an embarrassment to the Court and to the nation from becoming reality.

OTOH, GOP Senators voted to confirm some of the most liberal Justices of the 20th century, so pray that Scalia and Thomas will enjoy good health for another 5 years just in case our worst nightmare becomes reality and Obama deceives the voters one more time.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Deval Patrick would never have gotten elected Governor of Massachusetts without the help of Slick Willard.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Deval is actually from, wait for it... Chicago !

[goodnesswins]

YES! Democrats are the ones who instituted JIM CROW laws!!! But, the plantation holders don’t want their slaves to know the truth.

[ladyjane]

As much as you might dislike Romney there is no comparison between him and Deval. The current governor of MA is an Obama clone. Maybe worse. I think Obama may even be smarter than Deval - if that is possible.

[ladyjane]

Supreme Court nominee if Obama is re-elected.

OMG

[trisham]

Deval Patrick was born and raised in Chicago.

[stephenjohnbanker]

LOL!!....Works in our favor

[stephenjohnbanker]

Rod spells it out..