I don't know half of you half as well as I should like;
and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
Back to our regularly scheduled program...aka "Commentary on the World by Handsome Tom." Hey I should write a book. ;-) Those of you without your heads stuck in the sand have no doubt heard about the fact that this country is discussing widespread immigration 'reform' legislation. This has been sought after by many, and both the House and the Senate have been working on bills for quite some time. The President has also submitted to them a bill that he would like to be passed.
Now I like President Bush, I think most of you know that by now; however, I often get a laugh out of the fact that the thing he is most widely criticized over (the Iraq war) is really one of the few things that he's actually been doing right in his administration. This immigration 'reform' is an excellent example of this problem. The bill as it stands now (yes it has been modified from GW's original) would call for the deportation of illegal immigrants to wait in line for visas for those here less than two years, immigrants who have lived here from two to five years would be instructed to return to the border where they would register and then be left back into the country for three years for temporary work, and immigrants who have been here more than five years are allowed to continue to work here for six years while applying for citizenship. The resolution would also supposedly offer increased border security, and would penalize employers for hiring illegals.
I wasn't quoting the word reform previously in this post for nothing. Realistically speaking there is almost no reform going on here. All this comes down to is the administration and much of the government pandering to businesses who want to keep their cheep labor, and to immigrants who are crying to the press that they will be sent home. One specific woman was on TV whining about what her family was going to do because her husband was a convicted felon in jail and they were all illegal immigrants. I am sorry to say that this story doesn't exactly fill me with compassion. I'm afraid I can't be sorry for those who ask for government handouts because they married someone who turns out to be a criminal both by bringing his family illegally into a country and by then committing a felon there. Why is it that we didn't deport him as soon as he committed the crime to some foreign prison?
The fact of the matter is, they're here illegally. I understand that this country was founded on immigration - we all got here from some form of immigration let's face it, but the truth of the matter is that the vast majority of those who came here did so legally, through Ellis Island and the like. I'd love to let anyone and everyone come to the land of opportunity (well maybe except terrorists and other criminals) provided they do so through the legal system. That's why it's set up, when did our country forget that, and why is it that since we forgot it we need to somehow be nice to these criminals now? After all they've been here so long, that obviously makes their crime less of a crime right? I mean if I steal stuff from a store and have a good enough reason to do so and keep doing it long enough that doesn't make it stealing anymore right? WRONG! It is stealing; we need to get over this fact. Yes families are going to be hurt, yes not everyone is going to take it well, but yes it needs to be done.
We cannot simply open our borders to anyone who wants to waltz in, nor can we allow those who have come in illegally, or have stayed past their legal duration to remain here. It goes against everything a system of justice is supposed to be about. Then again, we did forget all about justice some time ago didn't we?
rock on... Glenn beck had some interesting things to say about this a week or so back...
One of the greatest quotes was from the leader of a "300,000" person march (in reality closer to 80,000 some have said). This woman (I can't find her name) said that this bill "criminalized illegal aliens".
So at what point did she and the others, including our own lovely Senator Clinton who is the soon-to-be commencement speaker at my school graduation, forget what ILLEGAL means? Wouldn't you by default crimilize something thats illegal?
whoa boy.. better not criminalize illegal terrorists or illegal murderers either. Thats just plain ol' demeaning to them.
Want to read something funny? Guess what Miss Hillary had to say:
Clinton blasted the House bill as "mean-spirited" and said it flew in the face of Republicans' stated support for faith and values.
"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures," Clinton said, "because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."
Sounds to me like someone needs a Bible lesson or two.
Yeah I read about that a while back and almost made my post then, but since life was hectic I never did. In response to Clinton, I believe she's talking about how Jesus was an immigrant to Egypt. Which was true, however, as I recall there was nothing in the Bible stating that He was an illegal immigrant. Nor is there anything that would lead us to determine Egypt's immigration laws at that time.
Also, the good Samaritan was traveling not moving, as I recall. Tourism is still quite legal, it's moving here without getting propper permission which is not.
Ah, illegal aliens . . . such an interesting topic. Actually, I usually take their side, because the only discussion of this that I hear at school is, "Yeah, all those beaners are just taking our jobs. We should shoot them when they try to cross the border." In my opinion, that's rather bigoted, and having actually been to Mexico, I can certainly understand why they'd want to be here. But come on . . . more rights for ILLEGAL immigrants?? Since when do we have to protect the rights of those already breaking the law? I will admit I still have a lot of sympathy for those people, but this is rather ridiculous. I guess I just have to be arguing, whichever viewpoint is being presented. =)
HT, I agree with you on tough security. I agree that illegal immigration is wrong and we need to deal with it. America needs to be safe for Americans. I don't mean white males, I mean all those who either were born American or took and oath of allegiance. First protect Americans, then help out the unfortunate.
Now, the part where it gets sticky. I am all for lets deport them when we find them...as long as they are some nameless faceless person on TV. What about that girl who is an illegal immigrant that I know, would I want her deported? NO! I know, I am not supporting equality under the law. It should be fair for all, and not exempt those that I know. However, it makes one wonder. What if someone you were close friends with was an illegal immigrant. You know it's wrong, but would your opinion be softened a little?
I don't have an answer for these issues. On a good note though, I am not the President (okay, quit the applause) so you don't have to worry about my opinion meaning anything.
Just wanted to let everyone know I have a new website... following the example of http://dashblankdash.blogspot.com and http://toothpastefordinner.com, I present:
http://acatzr800.googlepages.com
I know that you love computers and such, but have you ever thought about a career in politics or journalism? just wondering.
With regard to your comment on my blog :-)
Yep! Bought it the day it came out. ;-)
in the package.. a psp..
and i have been hearing about that on the news a lot lately.. of riots.. they had a big article in the Lakeland Ledger not to long ago too..
Yes... I finally read your post. It's good to know your opinion on it. I for one... yeah am going to keep my opinion to myself until perhaps it is fully formed in my head. I have an interesting story about an immigrant (legal) who is now twenty years younger than he was before. I'll tell ya about it sometime. ;) Keep your smile ~Sugar ptlw
Hum.... I enjoyed reading your post especially since this is a BIG BIG deal here. I'm not saying I agree with it or disagree, but all's I know is if they deport all illegal immigrants, it's going to cause a lot of trouble,especially in tourist places. People can get upset and say that the illegals are taking all of their jobs, but give me a list of five Americans who would want to work LONG LONG hours and get paid peanuts with no benefits cleaning or whatever else they have to do. Most teens/Americans wouldn't even consider taking jobs that these people do.
true.. thats why I still support the work programs already set up.
Here's an idea-
Illegal immigrants and their immediate families can become citizens if the head male commits to and follows through with joining the army or reserves or something for a 2 year term AND completes all of the other requirements for becoming a citizen. The military service wouldn't be a free pass, but would get him and his family to the front of the immigration lines.
Penis size is the unwritten measure of masculinity and virility and viewed as and indicator of the ability to please sexually.