The NSA is carefully monitoring communications between people of interest, who may or may not be a danger to this country. We do NOT spy upon ordinary citizens of this country. What we are doing is necessary to prevent another attack like that of 9-11." "America has a long history of helping those in the world that live under the thumb of tyranny, we are not, have not been, nor ever will be, the type of despotic regime we often must fight."
"When this struggle is over, America will no longer need the stringent requirements of the Patriot Act. I have directed members of Congress to put in a sunset clause to Americans that when the threat is vanquished, so will restrictions."
"I have been persuaded that the only way to get a guest worker program through Congress, is to build a fence from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, only then will we begin negotiations on a proper reordering of immigration priorities, and what to do with those living on our soil."
"Today another American citizen was beheaded by the enemy in an act of horror and cowardice. Ladies and Gentlemen, citizens of the United States and the world, I give you the face of our enemy". .........then show the beheading of several different people, complete with sound.
"Our intelligence has shown that terrorist acts are being planned and launched against our forces from (you name the place), tonight I ask your patience and prayer for our soldiers in far away places. I have ordered an attack against (you name the place) that has been responsible for IED attacks against our troops and the Iraqi people. I will not hesitate to order further attacks against the enemies of humanity, and America in this War on Terror. I say to those foreign powers, that are involving themselves in the internal politics of America, Iraq or Afghanistan, be warned. Thank you and may God bless America."
Pick one or all of the above, they say what I believe the President believes (except for the dream sequence about a fence)but he never articulates or emphasizes fully.
This is posted on tonight's Daily Dose. It's part of the President's speech in Yuma last week, speaking directly to Border Patrol Agents. I think they understood him clearly:
We saw some new fencing taking place. It makes sense to use fencing along the border in key locations in order to do our job. We saw lighting. I just saw the cameras in place where we're beginning to install -- modernize the border is what I'm telling you. We're in the process of making our border the most technologically advanced border in the world.
Interestingly enough, I don't think enough Americans know this, but over the past five years, federal agents, like our Border Patrol agents, have apprehended and sent home about 6 million people -- 6 million people since 2001 have come into this country illegally. I mean, we've got some people working hard.
So not only has the current immigration system caused a whole smuggling industry to come up, but there's also a document forgery industry. We want our employers to be able to be confident about who they're hiring. That's why we need a tamper-proof ID card, based upon modern biometrics.
We have a duty in Washington, D.C. to conduct this debate with dignity and honor. Immigration is an emotional issue. Sometimes people get carried away on the issue, and they -- in doing so, they forget the greatness of our country, that we are a land of immigrants; that we've always been a haven for better opportunity; that we welcome people who are willing to abide by our laws and work hard and raise their family and trust in the Almighty. America's greatness has been and always will be the fact that we are one nation under God.
Part of today's speech to the American Restaurant Association in Chicago. It is very understandable to me:
You not only help people put food on the table, but you provide many Americans with their first job, with a start. You teach people the importance of showing up on time, and working hard and meeting the needs of our customers. You're also America's largest employer of immigrants. And you know how essential it is that we have an immigration system that is safe, orderly and fair. (Applause.) And I agree with you, and that's why I laid out a vision for comprehensive immigration reform that would accomplish five key goals.
First: The United States will secure our border by deploying thousands of new Border Patrol agents and giving those agents the best technology available to do their job.
Secondly: You can't secure our border with thousands trying to sneak in, and therefore, this country needs a temporary worker program that will allow foreign workers to enter our country legally on a temporary basis to meet the needs of our economy and take the pressure off our border. (Applause.)
Third: We must create a reliable system for verifying documents and work eligibility so we can better enforce our immigration laws at the workplace.
Fourth: We will find a rational middle ground to resolve the legal status of the millions of people who have been here for quite a while -- without granting amnesty. (Applause.)
And fifth: We will uphold the great American tradition of the melting pot so America can remain what it always has been: one nation under God. (Applause.)
The reforms I proposed regarding guest workers are really important for your industry. Your association estimates that restaurants will add -- will need 1.9 million new workers over the next 10 years, which means if you need workers -- your need for workers will be growing faster than the American labor force. So you understand why effective immigration reform must include a practical and lawful way for businesses to hire foreign workers when they can't fill those jobs with Americans. The restaurant industry has firsthand experience with immigrants and immigration law. And I appreciate your strong stand on Capitol Hill for comprehensive reform. (Applause.)
And here's where we are. The House passed a bill last -- an immigration bill last December, and the Senate is working hard on its version of the bill. The Senate needs to complete its bill now, so that the House and Senate can work out their differences and pass a comprehensive reform bill that I can sign into law. (Applause.)
We face challenges at home and we face challenges abroad. So I've come to talk to you about an historic event that took place halfway around the world this weekend. This Saturday in Baghdad, the new Prime Minister of Iraq announced a national unity government. This is a free government under a democratic constitution, and its formation marks a victory for the cause of freedom in the Middle East. (Applause.)
In three elections last year, millions of Iraqis cast their ballot in defiance of the terrorists. And now they have a government of their own choosing under a constitution that they drafted and they approved. As this new unity government takes office, it carries with it the hopes of the Iraqi nation, and the aspirations of freedom-loving people across a troubled region.
The unity government has strong leaders that will represent all of the Iraqi people. I called them this weekend to congratulate them. I thanked them for being courageous and strong and standing for the belief that liberty will help transform their troubled nation.