Posted on 08/18/2009 8:21:04 AM PDT by VU4G10
WASHINGTON -- The White House plans to host a discussion on immigration on Thursday with advocates, faith-based groups, businesses and law enforcement officials.
An administration official says that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will lead the discussion. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting is not public.
Last week President Barack Obama said immigration reform is important but that other priorities such as his health care overhaul and financial regulation are going to come first.
Obama said he expects to see draft legislation for an immigration overhaul by the end of the year, with changing the system waiting until next year.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Lame. Grasping at straws. Appeals to religion when it suits him. The religious should be wary of such given Barry’s ‘religious’ track record.
Ping for later
The hits keep coming!
Obama...bitterly clinging
Mike Cutler weighs in:
Hi Gang:
The news article I have attached below appeared on a number of websites and originated on the FAIR website today and was forwarded to me by a friend who held a high-ranking position on Capitol Hill.
As I am all but certain, you know that FAIR is the Federation of American Immigration Reform.
As you read the article I want you to consider my “take” on this issue.
Let me start out by telling you that I am unashamedly in favor of having our nation enforce its immigration laws and secure its borders against those who would circumvent the vital inspections process by which our CBP (Customs and Border Protection) inspectors are supposed to keep out aliens whose presence in our country would be a violation of our laws and would have a deleterious impact on our nation and/or our citizens.
I also want you to know that I am absolutely outraged that there is virtually no integrity to the “system” by which our nation adjudicates applications for a wide variety of immigration benefits for aliens including according them lawful resident status and even United States citizenship.
Simply stated, I believe that the folks who are paid by our government to enforce and administer the immigration laws do so in an effective, efficient and civil manner.
As I am also certain you most probably know, for 30 years I worked for the former INS, first as an immigration inspector and then for about a one year stint, as an examiner or, “adjudicator” as that position is now referred to. I adjudicated applications for residency for aliens who were married to United States citizens or resident aliens (lawful immigrants).
I spent the balance of my career as an INS special agent enforcing the immigration laws, investigating and arresting aliens and others who had violated the immigration laws of our nation. I rotated through virtually every squad in the investigations branch of the INS at New York.
Yet, apparently today, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the Secretary of DHS would love to categorize me as being an “extremist” simply because I want our nation to secure its borders against illegal immigration and smuggling activities and want the immigration bureaucracy to possess real integrity.
They would also love to similarly brand returning soldiers with a similar label along with God only knows how many other Americans who believe in having our nation’s borders secured.
There is a radio talk show host by the name of Terry Anderson with whom I have had the privilege of sharing the podium at a number of speaking engagements around our nation. He has a wonderful expression and even hands out bumper stickers with his exclamation:
“If You Ain’t Mad- You Ain’t Paying Attention!”
I have been paying attention for many years and boy am I mad!
I recall when the DHS first made its outrageous claims that they referred to those of us who were concerned about our nation’s porous borders and its incompetent efforts to create an immigration bureaucracy that possessed even a modicum of integrity as being “single issue” advocates.
Here is the point: immigration is not a single issue but is the major aspect of almost every serious challenge confronting our nation today! Our nation’s nonfeasant, misfeasant and malfeasant immigration bureaucracy and our nation’s utter failure to secure its borders impacts everything from national security, criminal justice, the economy, the environment, health care and education- to name the most prominent of those challenges.
The 9/11 Commission, to which, incidentally, I provided testimony, found that immigration fraud and our broken immigration system contributed greatly to our nation’s vulnerability on September 11, 2001.
Yet, when citizens of our nation speak out demanding that our nation finally do what is in the best interests of our nation and our citizens, Ms Napolitano would be among the first in line to brand those citizens who are exercising their First Amendment rights as extremists.
Napolitano is not alone in playing the “name game.”
Nancy Pelosi has stated that when ICE agents arrest illegal aliens they are acting in a terrorist fashion against the people (illegal aliens) they arrest. Incredibly she made that statement on October 29, 2003 in Mexico City- the capital of the country that sends our nation the greatest number of illegal aliens!
What is more than just a bit disturbing is that Janet Napolitano, as the Secretary of Homeland Security is in charge of the agencies that are charged with securing our nation’s borders and providing integrity to the immigration bureaucracy.
Apparently she believes that anyone who expects her and her minions to actually do their jobs effectively are to be considered “Extremists!”
WOW!
That really takes my breath away!
Would she consider anyone who expected the DEA to get the drugs off the streets of our towns and cities to be an “extremist?”
How about demanding that the EPA go after those who pollute- what would she call such people?
Why then is she quick to brand those who expect her to live up to her oath of office to be extremists?
Imagine being a soldier who returns to the United States after a tour of duty in harm’s way being told that he is suspicious to our government for having gone in harm’s way at the behest of the very government who sent him (her) overseas at great personal risk!
What is disturbing to me is what actions, perhaps, Ms Napolitano might have wanted to implement against those who are viewed as extremists. In many ways, the DHS can wield more power than even the FBI. The DHS, through the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has the authority to deny an individual the ability to board a commercial airliner.
The sort of hostility voiced by high ranking members of the government is of great concern to me and should be to all Americans!
What is of even greater concern are the “sources” used by DHS in preparing its report.
Certainly their are a relative handful of those who are xenophobic and simply do not want our nation to admit aliens. I can, however tell you that in my extensive travels around our nation to participate in various speaking events- just about everyone I have spoken with is not opposed to lawful immigration but are absolutely opposed to illegal immigration. As I generally state at the end of my commentaries- immigration is not a “Liberal” issue, nor is it a “Conservative” issue- immigration and border security are American issues!
The issue of immigration law enforcement is clearly not the “litmus test” to determine whether or not someone is an extremist, but it is being used by our government as a means of vilifying those who are willing to take a stand on this critical issue. Every pole that is taken makes it clear that the vast majority of Americans want our borders secured and want the immigration bureaucracy to be effective at weeding out fraud.
Latest poles also show that the great majority of Americans want lawful immigration levels greatly reduced. This is not about extremism, racism or xenophobia- it is about common sense. It would be absurd for a family to invite guests to the dinner table if their own kids were going to sleep hungry at night. Today mortgage foreclosures are rising along with filings for bankruptcy. For an increasing number of Americans, the American dream is just that- a dream- an increasingly unattainable dream!
It makes no sense to permit the United States to go the way that California has gone! California should be thought of as the canary in the mine. The massive influx of illegal aliens into that beleaguered state has bankrupted its economy. Furthermore, if the point to the Economic Stimulus Package was to pour billions of dollars into the American economy to prime the economic pump, what sense does it make to watch more than a hundred billion dollars per year get wired or otherwise transmitted from the United States to countries around the globe by foreign workers, legal and illegal, working at jobs that Americans would do for a living wage?
The health of our country needs to be measure by more than the Dow Jones Average! America can not be really doing well if the average American is not doing well!
On a personal note, I am a lifelong registered Democrat. As I have jokingly noted at a number of my speaking events, the closest I come to being a “skin head” is my growing bald patch on the back of my head that I have come to refer to as my “flesh colored yarmulka!”
Of course now there is an effort underway to backpedal on the name calling engaged in by our “leaders” but the point is that damage has already been done!
The issue for our politicians is that they do not want the citizens of our country to get in the way of their plans. In some ways, we have ourselves to blame for this deplorable situation. My dad used to tell me that I would teach people how they should treat me. He told me that if made it clear that I would accept unfair treatment that those around me would be quick to exploit my acquiescence. That is why first impressions are so important!
For far too many years, the average American has failed to be involved in the political process. Sporting events are far more exciting than listening to a Congressional hearing or reading through testimony and legislative bills. However, it is of extreme importance for the citizens of our nation to stand up and be heard!
Of course when people speak out at town hall meetings, they are often branded as extremists- there is that word again! However, We the People must stand up and be clear about what we expect of our government!
I will also offer you a suggestion.
I am a fan of Lou Dobbs- I have been on his program many, many times and he was one of the very first journalists to discuss our nation’s immigration crisis. However, I disagree with Lou on an important point. He has said that we should declare our “independence” and not be affiliated with either major party.
I have a very different suggestion. Especially when you consider that neither party represents the “average” American.
The collective failure of We the People to get involved in make our concerns known to our politicians have nearly made the concerns of the great majority of the citizens of this nation all but irrelevant to the politicians.
I implore you to get involved!
If this situation concerns you or especially if it angers you, I ask you to call your Senators and Congressional “Representative. This is not only your right- it is your obligation! You need to politely but pointedly, demand to know what they are doing to protect our nation. You need to ask them how they are protecting you and your families. You can also forward this commentary to them.
All I ask is that you make it clear to our politicians that we are not as dumb as they hope we are!
We live in a perilous world and in a perilous era. The survival of our nation and the lives of our citizens hang in the balance
This is neither a Conservative issue, nor is it a Liberal issue- simply stated, this is most certainly an AMERICAN issue!
You are either part of the solution or you are a part of the problem!
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Lead, follow or get out of the way!
-michael cutler-
ping
Mexico’s largest export to the US isn’t oil, it’s Poverty. Maybe Mexico should use some of that oil money and build schools so that 3/5’s of it’s population have a high school education.
My religion tells me to love all mankind, but it also says to obey the laws of the land as established. I have nothing against people from Mexico, I have an aunt whose from Mexico, but the laws of my land (USA) state that if you cross into this country illegally, you are an ILLEGAL and must be deported.
God told us La Raza and MS 13 should destroy your country as quickly as possible, let them all in.
What a surprise! /s
If Obama thinks he is catching hell on health care wait until he tries to 'reform' immigration!
Illegals get endless freebies and are contributing to America going bankrupt and electing marxists.
Keep fighting against DeathCare, Cap & Tax and Amnesty.
Why are such meetings off limits to the public?
Every one of the 57 states makes fabulous claims as to how transparent they are in their dealings in government meetings, open record laws, Sunshine laws, etc.
Yet here, in the White House, Janet N is meeting with advocates, faith-based groups, and businesses all on her very own?
I understand excluding meetings for security (law enforcement, military, CIA, etc. ) but advocates and business people? Oh, I get it, raising hand: it's under the guise of Homeland Security.
Give me a break. This is exactly how we get crap policies enacted. No public input. Or, more accurately, the illusion of public input after the fact.
Transparency indeed.
Re #2: Why are you superimposing my face on that DJs body? My face is too large for that small body, so you aint fooling anyone!
The healthcare townhalls will look like prayer meetings by comparison.
Bozo exists in a Democrat power vacuum. He needs those illegal votes more than ever.......... now that he flopped on healthcare.
He made a HUGE mistake w/ Senora Soto---polluting our USSC with an avowed Third World racist.
Americans will not tolerate another amnesty move.
The last two amnesty flops left lawmakers with tire tracks on their backs. This time they are looking at political quicksand.
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