IMMIGRATION: HOW LIBERALS GOT IT WRONG!

William McGowen has a look back to the the 1965 immigration act and how Liberals like Ted Kennedy and those at the New York Times got it wrong and shaded their reporting. Here are some of the money quotes:


"As historian Otis Graham has written, the law of unintended consequences “was about to produce a major case study.” Under the new system, the total numbers of immigrants would triple to one million annually and the source countries of immigration would radically shift from Europe to the third world — two consequences that supporters of the 1965 reform bill guaranteed would never happen."
 
"When Times news coverage did get into technical details of the reform bill at all, it ignored the reform’s “hidden mathematics.” Uncritically relaying unfounded forecasts and glib assurances in the service of wishful thinking, it overlooked the elephant in the next room — i.e., massive potential third-world influxes. “The bill would greatly increase immigration from such nations as Poland, Greece, Italy and Portugal,” one particularly incurious Times report maintained, failing to even mention India, China, Africa and Latin America, where populations were rapidly expanding."

"Years later, surveying the impact of the legislation, journalist Theodore White said the 1965 reforms were “noble, revolutionary and one of the most thoughtless of the many acts of the Great Society.” If that is the case, The Times bears a good share of the responsibility for bringing us to a demographic milestone Americans were promised they would never see."

Some Senators are listening to the American people

Michelle Malkin has some good news on illegal immigration

Today, U.S. Sens. David Vitter (R- Louisiana), Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama), James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) announced the formation of the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus.
The U.S. illegal immigrant population is the highest it has ever been. One in 25 residents currently living in the United States is here illegally. Over the last seven years, immigration has been the highest in history – 10.9 million immigrants arrived, over half of them (five million plus) without legal status.
The Caucus members recognize that Congress has presented the American people with a false choice in solving the illegal immigration problem – give illegal aliens amnesty or round them up and deport them en masse. The principle mission of the Caucus is to promote a true, achievable alternative: attrition through enforcement and border security. Living illegally in the United States will become more difficult and less satisfying over time when the government – at ALL LEVELS – enforces all of the laws already on the books."

Hmmm having our Federal Government enforce the law. What a concept!

Is McCain riding the B.S. express to victory in New Hampshire?.

John McCain may be on a roll in New Hampshire but, not because of his "straight talk express". I was watching "highlights" of the Republican debate in New Hampshire. Although he tried Mitt Romney did not quite smack down John McCain on the immigration amnesty bill that McCain helped cook up last summer behind closed doors. But, it's not all Romney's fault because he and many others keep getting got the facts wrong thanks to the mainstream media where the Romney campaign are probably getting their debate points. Perhaps they should turn to the blogosphere where those of us who were following the issue pointed out how bad the immigration bill McCain supported really was. For example Romney tried to point out that the illegals would pay only %5,000 in fines if the the bill which McCain supported passed. WRONG! It was much worse than that! As I and others pointed out last year:
"The illegal immigrants under the Senate Amnesty Bill ONLY HAS TO PAY A FINE OF $1,000 to become legal to work indefinitely in the United States under the Senate amnesty bill. They ONLY have to pay the additional $4,000 IF the want to become a U.S. citizen."
If Romney had had his facts straight he could have put McCain away by attacking his Achilles heal which is his support for last years illegal immigrant bill. But, as I said it is not all Romney's fault. Even the mainstream media outlets like Time and the New York Times got the information wrong.

Saving energy? Not in the Senate.

An article in today's Washington Post points out that the Senate is about to fold on the new energy bill. Here are the money quotes:

"Democratic leaders in the Senate are planning a vote on a retooled energy bill late next week after they failed to muster enough support yesterday to prevent a filibuster of ambitious legislation passed by the House on Thursday. "

"A new version of the bill will probably scale back some elements of the House's tax package and jettison a requirement that electric utilities use renewable energy for 15 percent of their power generation, but a White House veto threat citing a broad range of objections continued to cast uncertainty over the ultimate fate of the proposed legislation. "

Hmmm Why would anybody in this country not want our utilities to use even a small amount of renewable energy?

"The failure to close debate was a victory for the major oil companies, Southeastern utilities and coal-mining firms that had opposed the legislation. "

Doh! Forget I even asked the question.

It's not fair! The Dream Act defeated without me.

I have been trying to call my Senators (Clinton and Schumer) since this morning. Early on I got through to Senator Clinton's voice mail. But, it was full and I could not leave a message. I was never able to get through again. Even the Senate Switchboard had a busy signal. So I finally called Senator Clinton's Long Island office and was told it was defeated. It's not fair they did not hear from me yet. Seems there are more and more people getting outraged enough to call about illegal immigration. Washington had better start listening.

Time to smack some Senators again!

Like bad puppies there are some Senators who take a while to learn. So we need to smack some sense into them with our phone calls. As the Kausfiles and others report Senator Dick Durbin and Harry Reid are attempting to bring up the backdoor amnesty bill (S.2205) aka "The Dream Act: Here's the background and the numbers to call to smack some sense in the Senate. YOU NEED TO CALL TODAY TO STOP THIS NONSENSE!:

"The DREAM Act will grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and help them pay college tuition at taxpayer expense. Please note that S.2205, unlike some versions of the bill, now has an age limit of 30. There is, however, NO CAP on the number of people who may receive amnesty under the DREAM Act. Moreover, to make even more people eligible for amnesty under the program, Homeland Security may waive the following offenses:

Failure to show up in court;
Obtaining visas by fraud;
Alien smuggling;
Document fraud;
Violation of student visas;
Marriage fraud;
Falsely claiming citizenship;
Voter fraud.

Once an illegal alien applies for legal status under the DREAM Act, he or she may not be removed— FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER—while the application is pending. Furthermore, the educational requirements in the bill are virtually meaningless as Homeland Security may waive the application of them if the alien can show "compelling circumstances for the inability to complete the requirements." And, illegal aliens who obtain amnesty under this bill will likely become eligible for in-state tuition and for federal financial aid.

You can contact any of these Senators' D.C. offices
by calling the toll-free switchboard at 1-866-340-9281
also . . . . 202-224-3121

TIP: Don't give speeches. Be EXTREMELY short, firm and polite.
Say it in your own words: "I'm a voter and I'll be voting in November 2008"
" I AM OPPOSED TO THE bad DREAM ACT Senate Bil 2205 "
I WANT BORDER SECURITY NOW - NO AMNESTY, NO GUEST WORKER SCHEMES.
If "corrected" by staff that this bill is not "amnesty" say
that you are a voter and that if you say it is amnesty, then IT IS AMNESTY! "- Tony Dolz

A Spector is rising on illegal immigration.

Just when I thought that the Senate might have gotten the message from the American on what to do about illegal immigration. Along comes Republican Senator Arlen Spector with "a new plan". According to The Hill Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), who accompanied President Bush (this is always a bad sign) Thursday ( on his visit to Pennsylvania, said he has spoken to Bush and the two Cabinet members who have led immigration talks about his new bill. Here are some of the money quotes:

But he would leave intact the family reunification standard that this spring’s defunct immigration bill partially replaced with a skills-based system

That's moving the country forward Senator Spector. Just what this country needs allowing more low wage uneducated workers to bring their families in to the country instead of giving priority to those with the skills needed to help America keep it's edge in the technological world.

The lone change in the status of the 12 million, Specter said, would be removing their status as fugitives from justice, an attempt to diminish their incentive to remain outside the system and in fear of deportation.

Why not just say it Senator. It's another AMNESTY!

Specter added that he already has met with “stakeholders” from outside groups involved in the complex immigration debate, and he plans to hold more sit-downs next week. Offering green cards to immigrants seeking employment in the high-tech industry is under consideration, he said.

Stakeholders Senator? How about the American people. Looks like its time to send Senator Byron Dorgon to have a little chat with Senator Spector to remind him who the real "stakeholders" are..

Hey Washington! It's amazing what happens when you enforce immigration laws.

Unlike our politicians in Washington the ones in Georgia know how to create and enforce illegal immigration laws and amazingly the laws work:

Independence Day.

I reflect on the foundlings of this country this July 4th and also celebrate the victory of the American people in stopping the immigration amnesty bill last week. Despite the powerful forces trying to push it through the Senate. The American people let their voices be heard and made it so loud that they could not be ignored. Even when most of the mainstream media seemed to be pushing it also. It is worth celebrating the independence of the American people from the mainstream media bias. As Mickey Kaus puts it:

Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox News Channel took a pro-comprehensive dive. It turns out conservatives don't need Big Murdoch Media to make themselves heard any more than netroots left needs the "liberal MSM." -Mickey Kaus

Yes, independence from the mainstream media on important issues affect the American people. That is worth celebrating too!
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The power outage and the power of outrage!

A transformer blew up in my neighborhood the other day knocking out power to the house. I was on the computer and so had to stop and do other things not dependent of the electric grid. I got quite a lot done which reminds me we need to shut off the computer from time to time. That's what I'll be doing for the next few days. My girlfriend is dragging me out to the Hamptons for a few days where I'll be sitting on a beach in Ammagansett for the rest of the week. I received an email today that read in part:

The critical vote coming this week will be on the "cloture" of S.1639.
This vote is one to stop (limit to a finite amount of time) debate on the bill and force a final vote. Cloture requires 60 votes to pass.
The final bill only requires a majority (51) votes to pass. One of the tricks some Senators may be counting on is to vote YES on cloture, knowing full well that there will be 51 votes to pass the bill, and then vote NO on the bill itself so they can tell their voters they voted against it. It is up to you and all your friends and relatives to call their offices and let them know that it is their vote on cloture which will be used to judge them at the polls the next time they are up for election. They need to know that America wants them to VOTE NO ON CLOTURE on S.1639. A simple message to follow that may be something such as "We want our EXISTING LAWS enforced before you enact any additional ones."

Remember, it is NOT our immigration system which is broken, as so many in Washington DC continually repeat in hopes that if you hear it enough you will believe it. It is the will of the politicians in Washington DC which is broken. It is their will to enforce the law as is their sworn duty which is broken. This is something which we as a nation can "fix" at the ballot box. .

The email also gave the names of Senators that needed to be called
Bond (R-MO), Bingaman (D-NM), Burr (R-NC), Boxer (D-CA), * Cochran (R-MS) '08 , Conrad (D-ND), * Craig (R-ID) '08, * Domenici (R-NM) '08, Ensign (R-NV),Gregg (R-NH), Hatch (R-UT), * Levin (D-MI) '08, Webb (D-VA), Nelson (D-NE), * McConnell (R-KY) '08, * Smith (R-OR) '08, * Warner (R-VA) '08
about the newest Shamnesty bill S.1369 Kennedy/Bush/McCain/Lott/Graham and others are trying to ram through the Senate. So even though I won't be online I will have my cell phone on the beach and a number of staffers in the Senate offices will be hearing from me and also hearing the sound of the ocean in the background. I may be on vacation but, my participation in our Democracy never is.

P.S. The Senate switchboard number is 202 224-3121

A good Democrat.

It gives me hope when I see a Democrat doing the right thing for the country and not pandering for votes like many of the Democrats who are trying pushing S1348 the Senate Immigration Shamnesty Bill through the Senate. A tip of the hat to Senator Claire McCaskill Democrat of Missouri who will vote no on cloature of the Immigration Amnesty bill.

Why Senator Ted Kennedy makes me laugh!

Mark Krikorian has come up with a number of quotes on illegal immigration over the years from limo liberal Senator Ted Kennedy who is one of the leaders of the gang of 12 attempting to railroad S1348 the Senate Illegal Immigration Amnesty Bill through the Senate. They are amusing in a pathetic sort of way:

1965: "The bill will not flood our cities with immigrants. It will not upset the ethnic mix of our society. It will not relax the standards of admission. It will not cause American workers to lose their jobs."


1986: "This amnesty will give citizenship to only 1.1 to 1.3 million illegal aliens. We will secure the borders henceforth. We will never again bring forward another amnesty bill like this."

2007: "Now it is time for action. 2007 is the year we must fix our broken system."

Well one thing you can say about Ted Kennedy he is more articulate than George Bush, but on the other hand he is just as dumb.

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Immigration bill quote of the day.

We're against gushing borders and illegal immigration, which is at this point even souring the general mood on legal immigration, because we don't trust our bureaucrats to let in the people America needs. We don't trust our bureaucrats and leaders to care a lot about America. (We assume that when senators are together, if someone says, "But what about America?" everyone laughs, and then the top senator says, dryly, "Your concern is duly noted. Next.")

-Peggy Noonan

I think that very well describes the attitude of the "grand bargainers" of the Senate who keep pushing this immigration Amnesty bill.

Show us the fence and the enforcement not the money.

George Bush and those stupid Senators who think that a public relations campaign that says "look we are throwing money at the border to show how serious we are about border security". Like this talking point response from Florida Senator Mel Martinez:

"That $4 billion is a tremendous help," said Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), one of the bill's negotiators and the chairman of the Republican National Committee. "It gives people confidence that security really will be there."

Yeah right! Martinez and others pushing this bill seem to think the American people are stupid. It is good to see there are some in Washington who like the American people really understand what is going on. Here is the real money quote:

"Only in Washington would people believe that throwing money at the problem is going to solve it," said Rep. Brian P. Bilbray (R-Calif.), who is leading the opposition. "This is a blatant attempt by senators to extort votes so they can fast-track an amnesty plan."

The pro amnesty/cheap labor Senators and President Bush trying to railroad this this bill are on the wrong track. The American people will not be fooled by the "show them the money" trick. What those in Washington need to do is show us the enforcement and while you are at it show us the fence!

The facism of Trent Lott?

Republican Senator Trent Lott in today's Washington Post:
I'm sure senators on both sides of the aisle are being pounded by these talk-radio people who don't even know what's in the bill," Lott said. He added that the "leadership will have to be prepared to do what needs to be done."

Like what shoot them? Send them to Guantanamo? While I am no big fan of talk-radio and never listen to it. It is clear that Senators like Trent Lott are fooling themselves if they think that the outrage over the Immigration Amnesty bill is only because of talk-radio. The outrage that Trent Lott and the other Senators are hearing is the real outrage of the American people not talk radio. But, perhaps Lott like George Bush is too stupid to realize it. In which case the voters know what needs to be done!

What is this world coming too?

I need to check if Hell is freezing over when this Democrat starts agreeing with Newt Gingrich on those in Washington who try and blackmail the American people on the illegal immigration bill:

The Attempt to Blackmail the American People by Threatening to Refuse to Enforce the Law Without a New Bill Is Disgraceful: A number of powerful figures in the Bush Administration and in the Senate have been saying that if we do not agree to pass this destructive bill, they will never enforce the law. Tell your senator that this is an extraordinary effort to blackmail the American people by having officials state that they will fail to perform their sworn duty, and we won't stand for it.-Newt Gingrich

Are you listening Mr. Chertoff?

Fool on the Hill.

For the first time in five years, President Bush will attend the Senate Republicans' weekly policy lunch today as he pushes to revive his moribund overhaul of the nation's immigration laws.-Washington Post

Today President Bush travels to Capitol Hill and attemps to spend whatever political capital he has left by attempting to push an immigration amnesty bill which the American people instinctivly know is a repeat of the failed 1986 immigration amnesty bill. That 1986 immigration bill granted a one time amnesty when there were only three million illegals in the United States. Now there are an estimated twelve million and Bush and some Senators like Ted Kennedy, John McCain, and Lindsey Graham want to give another amnesty. Doing the same thing over and expecting different results is a definition of insanity. Welcome to Bushworld!

I love DEM guys (and gals)

"A tenuous compromise to overhaul the nation's immigration laws collapsed last night when senators from both parties refused to cut off debate and move to a final vote, handing the unlikely alliance of Democratic leaders and President Bush a setback on a major domestic priority.
The defeat came after months of painstaking negotiations and weeks of debate as a 45 to 50 procedural vote fell well short of the 60 votes needed to break the filibuster. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) then pulled the bill from the floor, while holding out hope that the Senate could resurrect the measure within weeks."-Washington Post

Well, it seems democracy and the will of the people won this one against all odds and the backroom deal that bought this pig of an immigration bill out into the light where everyone could see how ugly it was. I am especially proud of the 15 Democrats [Max Baucus, Jeff Bingaman, Barbara Boxer, Robert Byrd, Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan, Mary Landrieu, Carl Levin, Claire McCaskill, Mark Pryor, Harry Reid, Jay Rockefeller, Debbie Stabenow, Jon Tester, Jim Webb] who voted against cloture and help kill this amnesty bill before it went to a vote. They are the true Democrats unlike the limo liberals like Ted Kennedy or those pandering to get the Hispanic vote at the expense of legal immigrants and U.S. citizens. If you ever want to see how a real Democrat should approach this debate watch Byron Dorgan on the Senate floor. He still remembers what the Democratic party should stand for and what his bill was really about:

Adrienne Shelly says thank you.

It was ironic that on the day the Senate illegal immigrant Shamnesty bill went down to at least a temporary defeat an envelope arrived at my house from the Adrienne Shelly Foundation. In it was a letter thanking me for my donation to the non profit organization. It was ironic because Adrienne Shelly was murdered by an illegal immigrant just before her most recent film Waitress which she directed was about to be released. He punched her in the head knocking her out and then dragged Shelly's body back to her office and hung it from the shower rod in an attempt to make it look like a suicide. Her death like that of housewife Mary Nagle is tragic. Both of their deaths continue to haunt me because they could have been prevented had the Federal Government enforced our current immigration laws and not allowed these individuals into the country. But, what I think is more tragic is how the mainstream liberal media in particular covers up how often the bright lights of people like Adrienne Shelly are snuffed out by an illegal immigrants. Certainly not all illegals commit such heinous crimes. But, with no ties to the community and the ability to wander around the country leaving no record or trace which allows criminality of this group to grow. The immigration amnesty bill that was defeated would have encouraged others currently outside the country that they way to get into the U.S. would be to break the laws and come in illegally. Just as the two illegals who killed Mary and Adrienne and others that we often don't hear about in the mainstream media did. It is now time to start enforcing our existing laws and send a message to anyone in this country illegally that we are serious about illegal immigration and that you had better start to make plans to leave and come into the country legally because they American people have had enough! i look upon the thank you note from the Adrienne Shelly Foundation as a thank you from Adrienne herself for my efforts that people obey our laws so that maybe other woman will not meet the same fate as Adrienne and Mary at least from illegals in our communities.

Whew! America dodged another one. Cloture vote fails!

Michelle Malkin does a top notch job on reporting on the days events as the gang of 12 in the Senate to ram the Senate Illegal Immigrant Amnesty Bill through against the wishes of the American people. A small victory for the American taxpayer but, I have a sense that this is not over.