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Immigration hearing draws cheers and jeers
By: EDWARD SIFUENTES and WILLIAM FINN BENNETT - Staff Writers | ∞
With Deputy Chief Mike Fisher sitting next to him, Chief Patrol Agent for the San Diego sector of the Border Patrol Darryl Griffen answers questions to a panel of congressmen during the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station on Wednesday.
HAYNE PALMOUR IV Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO --- Hundreds of immigration supporters and opponents descended on a congressional field hearing Wednesday at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station, where law enforcement officials spoke about terrorism and the border.
Groups protested outside the station during the hearing, saying the event was politically driven. It was the first of several nationwide hearings organized by Republican congressional leaders stalling negotiations on opposing immigration reform bills. Human rights activists later held their own "alternative" hearing.
Democrats on the 14-member panel, including San Diego-area U.S. Reps. Bob Filner and Susan Davis, said the congressional hearings were an effort to whip up public support for the House version of the immigration bill, which focuses primarily on tougher enforcement measures. The Senate bill would provide a path to legalize millions of illegal immigrants and would implement a guest-worker program.
"This is a charade," said Filner, whose district includes the patrol station. "It's a cover-up for the fact that they can't produce a bill and they can't secure our borders."
The discussion became heated at times when congressmen on the panel traded barbs. U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, called the hearings a "dog and pony show." But newly elected North County Congressman Brian Bilbray, a Republican, said the hearings were informative and that they exposed the weaknesses in the Senate bill.
"The only dog is the Senate bill," Bilbray said after the hearing. "The Senate bill is so bad that even senators and the president are doing political moonwalks to get away from it."
Activists critical of hearing
The Border Vulnerabilities and International Terrorism hearing was criticized by local immigrant-rights activists. They said Republicans were trying to frame immigration reform in terms of terrorism while ignoring human rights issues.
Immigrant-rights groups, including the Border Angels and the American Friends Service Committee, held a vigil and march outside the Border Patrol station. About 200 protesters gathered there.
Hundreds of tiny wooden crosses were laid out on a grassy area at the corner near the station. The crosses represented the thousands of illegal immigrants who have died during the past decade trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. A group of about 30 protestors listened as one of the speakers recited the names of nearly 4,000 of those who have died.
As the names were read, San Bernardino County resident Richard Buttress, 33, yelled out from across the street that the use of the crosses was nothing but "a publicity stunt."
When a protester came up to him and said that out of respect for the dead, he should remain silent, Buttress sounded unrepentant.
"They are trying to blame these people's deaths on America's right to have borders and enforce them," he said.
Inside the station, numerous cheers erupted inside the standing-room-only meeting room where the hearing was held. The crowd of about 100 people included many anti-illegal immigration activists, such as members of the San Diego Minutemen, the Vista Citizens Brigade and You Don't Speak for Me.
These groups have rallied throughout North County protesting day-labor sites and the Mexican flag flying at the Del Mar Fairgrounds durng the recent San Diego County Fair.
The hearing was open to the public, but only invited guests were allowed to speak. The speakers included Darryl Griffen, chief patrol agent for the Border Patrol's San Diego sector; Andy Ramirez, chairman of the border watch group Friends of the Border Patrol; San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender; and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.
All of North County's congressional representatives ---- Bilbray, Darrell Issa, R-Vista, and Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon ---- participated in the hearing.
Enforcing the border
The House version of the most recent federal immigration bill, supported by the local lawmakers, includes a proposal to fund local law enforcement agencies that cooperate with the federal government in arresting illegal immigrants.
Law enforcement officials said they need more money and more officers if Congress wants local agencies to take more responsibility in enforcing immigration laws.
"This is not an issue that can be easily dealt with with a simple solution," Baca said. "We don't have enough jails in America to incarcerate every employer (who hires illegal immigrants) and their workers."
But law professor Kris Kobach of the University of Missouri told the panel that several of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists had broken immigration and civil laws that could have led to their arrest if local law enforcement agencies would enforce immigration laws.
Bilbray asked Border Patrol officials why they didn't arrest illegal immigrants at day-labor sites, including workers who gather outside North County home-improvement stores. Griffen said the agency's primary focus is patrolling the border. Interior enforcement falls under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, he said.
Sherman quipped: "I doubt there are any terrorists at the Home Depot."
The audience responded by booing Sherman.
Immigration-rights activists hold separate meeting
Frustrated at a lineup of panelists they called anti-immigrant, local immigrant-rights advocates held their own meeting later in the day at the Mountain View Recreation Center in San Diego.
"None of the panelists were from our community, so we decided to have our own space," said Consuelo Martinez, the coordinator for the Escondido Human Rights Committee.
Two other North County activists participated at the meeting: Yesenia Balcazar with the Vista Human Rights Committee; and Jose Gonzalez, regional coordinator for the Indigenous Front of Binational Organizations, a group that defends the rights of Mexican Indian migrant workers in North County.
At the meeting, local Latinos were invited to talk about the human rights abuses they said they or their family members had suffered at the hands of local law enforcement agencies or the Border Patrol.
San Diego resident Guillermina Renteria, 44, said that her husband left for work on June 27 and never returned. She said that later that day, she got a phone call from him saying that he had been stopped by the police, who later turned him over to the Border Patrol. She said she has no idea where he is now.
San Diego resident Beverlynn Bravo Balderas told a similar story, of how her husband ---- who is in this country illegally ---- was recently stopped by San Diego police officers and turned over to the Border Patrol.
"I don't know if he is alive or dead," Balderas said.
She said she is an American citizen, who was born in the United States.
She said that she has grown to despise her own country.
"In the Pledge of Allegiance, it says ëwith liberty and justice for all," but I don't see any of that," Balderas said.
On the outside
Outside the hearing at the Border Patrol station, about 14 San Diego Police Department officers kept groups of protesters and counter-protesters cordoned off from one another on Saturn Boulevard at the entrance to the Border Patrol station, Wednesday morning.
A group of about 200 people made up of faith-based groups, labor unions and human rights activists protested the so-called town hall meeting as little more than a political stunt designed to stir up passions.
Christian Ramirez, a San Diego immigrant rights advocate with a Quaker group called the American Friends Service Committee, agreed.
By holding the town-hall meetings across the country, "obviously, they are looking at the November elections," Ramirez said.
"The Republican Party sees this as a hot issue to maintain control of the House and Senate," he said. "By playing on people's fears and using immigration as a tactic, they are obviously trying to hide the fact Republicans are losing the war in Iraq."
A group of about 20 or 30 anti-illegal-immigration demonstrators stood on the other side of the street, waving signs and shouting at the opposing group.
Fallbrook resident Steve Roberts, 58, a member of the anti-illegal immigration group, the California Minutemen, said that when he arrived at the event Wednesday morning, he asked some of the U.S. Border Patrol agents who were present if they were going to check the protestors' identification to see if they were legal residents.
He said that if the government is serious about wanting to stop illegal immigration it has to "hammer" on those who employ illegal immigrants.
"If you take their jobs away and take their benefits away, you'll have to get buses to take them back to Mexico," he said, because they won't want to stay here any longer.
Roberts said he has little sympathy for families who will be split up if the United States ends up deporting the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in this country.
"You come here illegally, you reap what you sow," Roberts said.
At odds
At the rally outside the station, one of the speakers who defended the rights of illegal immigrants was 18-year-old San Diego resident Stephanie Romero. As she started talking about her family, she began sobbing and only was able to continue with encouragement from those in the audience.
Romero, who was born in the U.S. and was recently accepted to study at the University of California Santa Cruz, said that both her mother and her older sister were born in Mexico and are "undocumented immigrants."Ý She said her sister is already in her third year at U.C. Santa Cruz and the family has made a huge effort to help her pay for her studies. Until recently, Romero's mom helped pay for her sister's education ---- she is paying out-of-state tuition rates ---- out of her meager earnings at a fast-food restaurant.
But recently, their mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer and can no longer work, and it will be very difficult for Romero and her sister to complete their educations. She said she is torn about whether to go to school or get a full-time job.
As Congress prepares to pass laws to crack down on illegal immigration, "they don't realize how many people they are hurting," Romero said.
As President Bush pushes for legislation that would allow for many of the illegal immigrants living in this country to begin a path to legalization ---- one that he says would make them go to the end of the line behind those who have been waiting for years to receive visas ---- one woman expressed her outrage Wednesday.
Philippines native Elizabeth Wellner said she is a U.S. citizen, whose brother served in the U.S. military, in WWII and was a survivor of the Bataan death march, in which about 10,000 prisoners of war died. She said her father has several siblings and other relatives for whom he first submitted petitions in the mid-1970s, for them to receive visas to the United States.
None of those petitions have been answered and when her father recently died, all of those family members went back to the end of the line, she said.
"We played by the book and they are still languishing in the Philippines, while illegal immigrants are rewarded with citizenship," Wellner said.
Another hearing, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., was held Wednesday in Philadelphia. A hearing is scheduled for Friday in Laredo, Texas.
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.
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Mary wrote on Jul 6, 2006 12:10 AM:When you break the law you take the chance you will get caught. When you marry a law breaker, you take the chance they may not come home. You should have made a better choice in a husband. Kids deserve to raised by law-abiding people - and that includes obeying the immigration laws as well. You should not have selected a father who was a law breaker.
DAN (TEMECULA) wrote on Jul 6, 2006 12:55 AM: ELIZABETH WELLNER SAID IT ALL. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR ILLEGAL ACTIONS TO BE REWARDED WHILE OTHERS PLAY BY THE RULES. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PEOPLE BLIND TO THOSE FACTS. LISTEN UP, IN THIS LIFETIME LIFE IS MOSTLY UNFAIR AND FOR SOME DOWN RIGHT MISERABLE. THAT BEING SAID TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND BE THANKFUL FOR BEING AN AMERICAN. WE AS A NATION CAN NOT SOLVE OR PREVENT EVERYTHING WRONG IN THIS WORLD. IF YOU WANT TO HELP THESE UNFORTUNATES GO TO THERE COUNTRY AND HELP AND SEE HOW MUCH YOU WON'T BE APRECIATED. THEY ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT WHAT WE HAVE, BUT MOSTLY NOT WILLING TO LOVE THIS COUNTRY. PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T BEEN DIRECTLY AFFECTED YET, AND THEY DON'T LOVE ARE COUNTRY AS MUCH AS PEOPLE WHO DON'T SUPPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. (DON'T BEAT ME UP OR TRY TO MAKE IT A RACIAL THING BECAUSE I AM A LEGAL RESIDENT IN AMERICA AND MY RIGHT TO HAVE AN OPINION). PLEASE WAKE UP BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY WAITING TO COME HERE FROM ALL OVER THAT ARE JUST AS UNFORTUNATE AND ARE WILLING TO WAIT IN LINE. GOD BLESS AMERICA, AND GOD BLESS YOU
Robert wrote on Jul 6, 2006 5:40 AM:Bravos to Hunter, Bilbray and Issa as without their efforts this hearing would never have occurred. It sure showed those in attendance and C-Span viewers the marked difference in positions of each of the political parties on this critical issue that confronts the entire nation.
El Guero wrote on Jul 6, 2006 5:59 AM:The crosses representing thousands of illegal immigrants who died crossing the U.S.-Mexico border was a nice touch. I wonder if anyone thought to include crosses for all those who died trying to scale Mt. Everest. Are all people who risk their lives doing stupid things entitled to blame U.S. immigration policy?
Pirate wrote on Jul 6, 2006 7:38 AM:Aaaaargh! Any way you slice the turkey, the US is being invaded by Mexico w/the help and approval of Mexico City and WDC! Because of this, President Bush and his co conspirators have put in jeopardy the safety and welfare of all Americans. The Centrall Intelligence Agency repeatedly tells us that we will be hit again w/major terrorist attacks because of our open borders w/Mexico where 12,000 to 15,000 illlegals, terrorists, criminals, etc., flood into our country EVERYDAY and with an aggregate total of aliens exceeding 25 million! Some would call this national suicide, insanity. What would you call it. Many feel that never in the history of our nation have we been put at such risk.
pat wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:09 AM:Regarding your featured photo of the person calling out the names of illegals who have died crossing the border-The list is much longer for US citizens who have died due to illegal immigrants being in this country!
Stinky Sanchez wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:17 AM:Can Americans illegally sneak into a foreign land and sign up for free health care? No Can Americans sneak into a foreign land and have babies there and have them automatically become citizens of that country? No Can Americans illegally sneak into other country's to live and demand that the teachers give special attention to their children and teach them all in English? No Can Americans illegally sneak into a foreign country and purchase and use fake documents to receive benefits, drivers licenses, bank accounts, etc..? No It's not a human rights issue nor is it a issue of race. Americans are finally becoming tired of these merit less, redundant accusations from the pro-immigrant advocate groups that claim these illegal workers do the work that Americans don't want to do. The truth is, employers choose to hire undocumented workers because they don't want to pay the high cost of insurance coverage and workman comp. If they could get away with paying these illegal workers even less they would. All undocumented non citizens of USA regardless of origin shall be considered to be here illegally and it's about time we as primarily English speaking Americans help see to it that immigration laws are enforced and demand that our borders be secured for our and our children's future. It's a fact that the country's government to the south is extremely corrupt, yet they come here to protest. Why don't these people ever protest their own government? For every one Stephanie Romano story there's 10+ spray painting gang members, 10+ deviant child sexual offenders, 10+ drug dealers, 10+ home invasion robberies, +10 car jackings, +10 Murderers, +10 Rapists etc...
Harry wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:24 AM:This isn't about immigrant rights it is about illegals. We are deciding what to do with these criminals.
P in O wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:49 AM:I just saw a story on the news about a group of motorcyclists gathering to protest the helmet law. While they were there, they were all cited by the authorities for not wearing helmets. Why then do the authorities not take advantage of this situation and round up the illegals? Mmmm?
Ron wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:55 AM:I watched the hearings on C-Span, what a sham! First of all, it was held right after the holiday, when most had to be at work, and was held during business hours. Intentional timing, they wanted to limit the amount of citizens able to attend. Most of the "hearing" was speeches by Congress attendees. They simply repeated their already well know phrases, and positions. The only hightlight, in my opinion, was when Darryl Griffen, chief patrol agent for the Border Patrol's San Diego sector said the wall built during Operation Gatekeeper stopped 80% of illegal crossings in the San Diego sector.
Concerned wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:55 AM:I feel no sympathy for those who chose to come here illegally. Sorry, but it was your choice! American needs to enforce the law by punishing employers who hire illegals. Clear and simple. The rest will take care of itself. And, for the girl going to UCSC. I hope that I can send my daughter to a decent college. Of course, being white, paying taxes, and living by the law I don't have much of a chance getting her in the UC system!
Conservative wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:08 AM:Illegals are a cancer eating at America. Both political parties, led by President Bush are pandering to these criminals to get future votes. It is great to see Americans and the Republicans in the House rising to defeat this threat. Amnesty means open borders and the end to America as we know her. I've never seen such a high percentage of Americans involved and energized on an issue. It is a fascinating time in history; we must all work so that the results preserve America and we defeat this invasion.
PhotoOP wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:16 AM:A featured photo on the NC Times website shows a man from Los Angeles who is trying to honor those who died in the commission of a crime, sneaking into the United States illegally. I don’t feel sorry for criminals who are shot and killed while robbing a bank. It is hard to feel sorry for those who die committing other crimes. Illegals are criminals and some pay a heavy price, but one of their own choosing, while committing their crimes.
C.A.Jones wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:41 AM:I watched most of the hearing on C-SPAN. The guest speakers were representatives of law enforcement and large businesses. Law enforcement was represented by the San Diego county Sheriff and the Sheriff of Los Angeles county. Their message to Congress was in essence this: if in the making of new laws you send us, the local law enforcement, new duties and responsibilities concerning illegal non-citizens also send money to support the work. The businesses that were represented sent the message that they relied upon "legal" non-citizen programs to make a profit. If that is true good for them - that is the way it is suppose to be. There were none of the "illegal" business people that use the "illegal" non-citizens for profit at the hearing, they were represented by Ted Kennedy. What I got out of the hearing was this: There are too many illegal non-citizens in the country to even try to deport them. The true answer was brought out at the hearing: Start arresting the heads of companies that are using illegals to make a profit, and do it on a systematic basis and according to a plan that will allow for speeding up and slowing down according to the effect on our economy. It was brought out at the hearing that if the incentive to come to the USA is cut off there will be no illegal non-citizens coming here. STOP HIRING ILLEGALS!
Tom wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:00 AM:The Senate bill is about commerce, the House bill is about security. The treasonous SPP and resulting North American Union is a root cause of the Federal Government ignoring the Mexican invasion, in my opinion. We can't just treat the symptoms, illegal immigration, but not the NAU disease. Patriots like Lou Dobbs, Michael Savage, Tom Tancredo, Jim Gilchrist, Jerome Corsi and others are trying to get American citizens to wake up to the NAU threat, while the mainstream media is mute on the NAU. It's not surprising since the NAU is an invention of the ruling elite and transnational corporations, including media corporations and corporate customers of the media. Our best patriot leaders need to get together and plan a wake-up-America counter attack on the NAU and those who are promoting it. The Eagle Forum's Phyllis Schlafly, who is a member of a group of conservative organizations against illegal immigration and the NAU, has a good site on NAU.
Thos. wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:19 AM:Can't believe that NCT graced their front page with a discusting picture of a toothlesas paid protester from the Los Angeles welfare pool. Thanks for showing your taste and prejudice.
AlegalAlien wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:27 AM:I have no sympathy for people who broke the law to enter this country and I have no sympathy for the people who hire illegals. Offering the illegals amnesty or ANY path to citizenship is a slap in the face to those who played by the rules, obeyed the laws and earned the right to be in the United States. If we don't have enough prisons to house the law breakers, deport them. Heavily fine employers who blatantly violate the law and hire them. The fines should take into consideration the services used by each illegal worker (i.e.education and health care to start) and the back taxes that should have been paid on the illegal worker's wages. ENOUGH! Remember to vote down any bond measure to continue or extend benefits to non-citizens and vote out of office politicians who are not taking a stand to protect the pocketbooks of taxpaying American citizens!
American woman wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:33 AM:This is a truly throw-away article. Mr. Sifuentes occasionally comes through for America, but this is just such a lousy representation of what occured at the hearing. I was there. This reporter forgot to mention that the phony Latino radical extremist do-gooders, led by none other than the contemptable Enrique Morones, BUSSED the Mexican protesters in, as is their usual procedure...probably financed by the ever-available funding of the infamous National Council of La Raza (NCLR)...a truly down-and-dirty organization of Latino nasties, funded by GREEDY CORPORATE AMERICA! Wake up, America! In a nutshell, the hearing was your basic collection of political puppets, all trying to out-pee-pee each other. Exceptions were: Representatives Rohrebacher, Hayworth (AZ), Bilbray and Blackburn (TN), each of whom had a grasp on the issues of illegal immigration and open borders. The rest, including my own Congressman, Darrell Issa, are blind and deaf as to their constituents' take on the issues. Issa, a died-in-the-wool GLOBALIST, is useless as a representative of the best interests of the people. His sites are set totally on his own agenda, and that ain't good news for us. It's time for him to GO! Sifuentes' inclusion of the sob-stories of the lawbreakers is so predictable! I'm sick of it! Illegal is illegal, Edward! Mexico has the bucks to fix the problems down there. We need to quit coddling the folks they are sending by the millions to feed off of America and her citizens. The use of quotes by Sifuentes when reporting one protesting California Minuteman's comments on the implementation of the existing RULE OF LAW, is uncalled for, but for whatever reason, this "journalist" feels compelled to take the low road, accentuating the perceiveable negativity and/or violent connotation of the word, h-a-m-m-e-r! Well, it's the perfect description of what needs to be done when attempting to deal with our mislabeled leadership in DC. Thank God for the fact that SOMEONE IN GOVERNMENT has come up with the figures, 10 to 12 million to describe the number of invaders currently living unlawfully in our country, eh, Mr. Sifuentes? It sounds soooo much better than the more accurate 25 to 30 million we all know as closer to the truth. My final observation of the article by Edward Sifuentes is this: Mr. Sifuentes, with all the quotes you could have used, why would you choose the one by Sheriff Baca that claims How devisive is that, Sifuentes? What an un-American dolt you are, Edward! We all know that simply FINING the living b'jeezus out of the offenders would end the problem in a heartbeat. Baca gave you the opportunity and you slopped it up like a pig at a trough, Ed...anxious to get that information to uninformed readers! Bravo!! Way to go! With folks like you providing this kind of garbage reporting, we will continue to go down the tubes even faster than planned! Wooo-hooooo!
Sick and Tired wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:56 AM:Nice going NCT with the big picture in this mornings paper of a Mexican reading names of those who died while trying enter the U.S. illegally. We who support efforts to secure our border with Mexico are supposed to feel somehow responsible for the deaths of illegal border crossers. We are not the cause. The illegals take that chance when they sneak across and are to blame. Why not, NCT, show pictures of schoolrooms, hospital emergency rooms, prisons and welfare offices inundated with Mexicans, many who are illegal? Show pictures of Mexicans loitering in parking lots, of graffiti painted on private and public property. And make sure you show pictures of San Diego County’s 10 most wanted criminals, 8 of who are Latino. I am not a racist nor do I not have compassion for people less fortunate than I, but I am sick and tied of the NCT and others pandering to illegals and those who support illegals who are in the process of dragging down and eventually destroying our great country.
US Citizen in Townsite wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:56 AM:Tom! The NAU is absolutely what this is all about. Multinational corporations operating with impunity to undermine our own economy and sovereign government. I watched and listened to Bob Filner attempt to defend the amendment to S2611, to REQUIRE the US AND Border communites to consult with Mexico for their approval before building the fence. Did you know that amendment,in its' original form, audaciously referenced the SPP agreement? Of course Specter stripped that reference because he doesn't want the average citizen to realize what the corporate run government is doing. Bob Filner is on board with the traitors of the USA.
robert218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 10:58 AM:It is too late. Mexicans are here to stay. Get used to seeing the Mexican flag, get used to hearing Mexican music, and definitely get used to hearing the Spanish lanuage. You are only making it harder on yourselves if you don't.
FairJudgement wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:06 AM:If it were any other country in the world- there would be no doubt to this. There really is no debate- and there also should not be any sympathy nor opportunity towards the illegals. They have a country already to live in. That is their responsibility to make a life and families in. I have imported 2 wives from Europe- legally. There is quite a bit of beaurocracy involved- but it is necessary. Now I dare anyone that has traveled outside of North America to differ with me on these very basi laws. The only problem with the issue is that there is any doubt to it's validity.
Was There wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:08 AM:I was at the meeting and there was a lot more than 20 or 30 anti-immigration people there. The anti- immigration people greatly out numbered the ones there for immigraton. Where was your reporter NTC? He wasn't there!
RACIST wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:11 AM:Yes I am a racist for America! Anybody or Country against the US and its laws, I am most certainly a racist. Now that we established I am a racist and if you are done calling us names....just what is your point?
Concerned wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:50 AM:Actually "Robert218" it's not too late. As you can see there is a consensus of Americans who believe that this is a country with one language and one flag. Legal Mexican immigrints are welcome once they go through the process and swear alligience to our country. As for you, you may want to consider moving south. Or maybe to France.
robert218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:59 AM:Get used to it. Viva la Revolucion! Just hope it never escalates to violence. You silly gringos are outnumbered.
Go Robert218 !! wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:59 AM:You are so right! Mexicans are here to stay so all this Bla Bla Bla is just a way for racists to come out of the closet temporarily.
ICE wrote on Jul 6, 2006 12:31 PM:I say if you want to make our country safe you cut the Defense Department budget and give the money to ICE and make sure they visit employers often, and enforce the laws already on the books. This hearing is just a way for conservatives to mask their ineptitude and rally their troops for the mid-term elections where they fear the impeachment of their values. Mexico is on the verge of politcal sea change, let the people who will loose their jobs due to increased ICE activity go back to Mexico and make it a better place to live by getting involved in the polical process OVER THERE instead of exerting their efforts on this side of the border. VIVA MEXICO !!
Proved our point wrote on Jul 6, 2006 12:39 PM:Robert218....YOU ARE IN AMERICA...you should be waving the AMERICAN flag. If you all are so hell bent on "VIVA MEXICO"...go to MEXICO and waive your flags..protest and demand "rights" from your corrupt government and leave us be.We never said we never wanted you here...America is the land of the free, and the immigrants can't be discriminated against for wanting a better life. But some are here ILLEGALLY, and THAT is what has to change. National Security warrants a crackdown on illegal immigration regardless of your race. There was a cross for all the victims that died crossing the border? What about our law enforcement officers that died at the hands of an illegal immigrant? The crosses of immigrants who died trying to cross the border should be displayed in Mexico while Mexican citizens protest and take the streets demanding a better life. Oh, that's right...they're only bold on this side of the border.....you should not be shouting "VIVA MEXICO" but "God bless America!!" Shame on you!!
Get used to it?? wrote on Jul 6, 2006 12:59 PM:Don't have to. Once a valid rather than stolen SSN is required AND VERIFIED per law and the employers of illegals heavily fined, most Mexicans, Latin Americans, Swedes, etc. will disappear and take the Mexican flag with them. Americans of Hispanic heritage will be delightedly waving goodbye to all but the Swede who probably won't notice. Don't delude yourself, Robert, into thinking that a Hispanic majority endorses your viewpoint.
Larry wrote on Jul 6, 2006 1:12 PM:I drove down to see what was happening at this event. The illegal demonstrators were bused-in.
Mary wrote on Jul 6, 2006 1:13 PM:Robert218 - are you an illegal yourself or just someone who likes to see if you can irk enough people? By the way, Mexican population is around 100 million, we are due to hit 300 million. Last time I heard we do out number all the Mexicans combined both here and in Mexico.
Wondering wrote on Jul 6, 2006 1:13 PM:Whats this I hear about spp.gov and we are allowing a mexican customs to be built in Kansas? I looked up on google and its true the mexican are building a customs in Kansas. The story I am getting from some trucker friends they are ticked!!! There is talk amoung them about a truckers strike...if that happens watch out!! No food, no gasoline, no da nada. It looks as if the truckers will be the ones to finish this debate!
SMG-ma wrote on Jul 6, 2006 1:17 PM:As usual, the NC "Hispanic" Times gives FRONT page - above the fold coverage to someone promoting the "statis quo". These people are illegal and even though they are here, we MUST begin to close our borders to those who are illegal and start checking on those who are hiring them! If they weren't getting paid (and sending their money back to Mexico) they would not be coming here in record numbers!! U.S. - get with the program! Listen to the CITIZENS!
Robert24 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 1:22 PM:robert218, keep kidding yourself. I am going to guess that you supported the May 1st anti American rally also. If your eyes were truly open you would see exactly how that backfired. You and those like you that think we need to get used to anything Spanish related are in for a rude awakening. You woke a very large sleeping giant on May 1st, and he ain't going back to sleep. As for hoping it never escalates to violence, is that a threat? Better hope you can back that one up. A little simple math proves that you are way outnumbered. Got a little Spanish for you to get used to also; Adios muchacho. America has had enough. Vaya con Dios, adios.
Concerned wrote on Jul 6, 2006 1:49 PM:Robert218 and Friends. You are in America. If you don't like it please feel "free" to find another country. With your attitude, you are not welcome here. As far as racisim...please! You are the ones who are making a race ploy. I will bet you 99.9 percent of the people writing here don't give a hoot about race. It's about economic and social responsibilities. It's also about protecting our borders. Illegals are a major problem on so many points. And by the way, by turning this into a race thing you are not helping Mexicans nor Mexico. Like you idiots waving the Mexican flag, you do more harm than good. As for you...good riddons.
ICE wrote on Jul 6, 2006 2:17 PM:Patrick has the solution to this whole mess! ..."PROSECUTE EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS NOW!" WE expect our government to enforce the laws of the land!!
robert218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 2:36 PM:just for the record I did not write the Viva La Revolucion comment, just someone trying to be me. However I do not back down from my first comment at all, and for those that think my comment is false, you are only kidding yourselves. "pobrecitos."
Tired of Illegals wrote on Jul 6, 2006 2:51 PM:Hey Roberto218 - its jackasses like you who will eventually incite the violence you preach will hopefully never happen - and by the way, myself and many others I know will fight to the death before we let ourselves be overtaken by the horde from the south - be very careful about what you ask for - you most certainly may get it!
Smart Port wrote on Jul 6, 2006 3:01 PM:Check out smartport and see what your government is up to. They want a connection to run down the middle of the US connecting Canada with Mexico, you know sorta like one big happy family with the two poorer relations hanging on for dear life.
robert218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 3:23 PM:Tired Of Illegals: You've already been overtaken, are you that stupid that you can't see that?
Proved our Point wrote on Jul 6, 2006 3:27 PM:It is those that have the mentality of Robert218 that makes this situation a racial disaster. Your allegiance is to the wrong flag!! Don't bite the hand that feeds you. I say, take away all welfare benefits, education loans, no more free healthcare, jailtime for all employers who employee illegals and send the Mexican government the bill for all the illegals that are in our prison system that our taxes are paying for. Build the darn wall and reinforce the border security by any means necessary. Enough is enough. They don't really want to become legal citizens, if that were the case, they would go through the proper channels and for pete's sake, they would learn to speak English. This is not only for the Mexican illegals but for all illegal immigrants that feel they are above OUR LAWS.
Dee wrote on Jul 6, 2006 3:38 PM:AMERICANS ARE TO BLAME FOR MEXICANS CROSSING THE BORDER ILLEGALLY!jUST LIKE LIVING HERE ON WELFARE FREE MEDICINE,WHAT MORE CAN WE BE BLAMED FOR. JUST LIKE THEY WANTED TO BLAME THE POLICE FOR THE ILLEGALS FIGHTING BACK AND GETTING SHOT.THEY SHOULD BE DEPORTED. GIVE THEM AN INCH THEY TAKE A MILE. THEY RUIN THE NAME OF THE ONES THAT ARE LEGAL.
Ron wrote on Jul 6, 2006 4:15 PM:"Chicano is our identity; it defines who we are as people. It rejects the notion that we...should assimilate into the Anglo-American melting pot...Aztlan was the legendary homeland of the Aztecas ... It became synonymous with the vast territories of the Southwest, brutally stolen from a Mexican people marginalized and betrayed by the hostile custodians of the Manifest Destiny." (Statement on University of Oregon MEChA Website, Jan. 3, 2006) "In the spirit of a new people that is conscious not only of its proud historical heritage but also of the brutal gringo invasion of our territories, we, the Chicano inhabitants and civilizers of the northern land of Aztlan from whence came our forefathers, reclaiming the land of their birth and consecrating the determination of our people of the sun, declare that the call of our blood is our power, our responsibility, and our inevitable destiny. ... Aztlan belongs to those who plant the seeds, water the fields, and gather the crops and not to the foreign Europeans. ... We are a bronze people with a bronze culture. Before the world, before all of North America, before all our brothers in the bronze continent, we are a nation, we are a union of free pueblos, we are Aztlan. For La Raza todo. Fuera de La Raza nada." That closing two-sentence motto is chilling to everyone who values equal rights for all. It says: "For The Race everything. Outside The Race, nothing." Former MEChA members include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was officially endorsed by La Raza for mayor and was awarded La Raza's Graciela Olivarez Award. Now we know why he refuses to condemn a sea of foreign flags in his city. California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante is also a former MEChA member. He delivered the keynote address at La Raza's 2002 Annual Convention. Imagine Robert Byrd's refusing to disavow the views of the KKK, or if Strom Thurmond had failed to admit segregation was wrong. Imagine Heritage or Brookings Foundation making grants to the American Nazi Party. La Raza defenders usually respond by calling anyone making these allegations "a racist" for having called attention to La Raza's racist links. All the groups and public officials with ties to the La Raza movement can take a big step towards disproving these allegations by simply following the examples of Senators Byrd and Thurmond and repenting of their past ways.
To Ron wrote on Jul 6, 2006 4:46 PM:Excuse me? As inspiring as your comments were, that's not what is happening here. Wether or not you agree the land was brutally stolen...what we did with the land and what the Mexican government has done with their own land makes a world of a difference. We are not stating that immigrants can not come here but simply that there is a process and laws that need to be followed. We, the American citizens and those who fought before us have made this land what it is. Clean up your own house, before you critize another.
Guiseppi = wrote on Jul 6, 2006 5:00 PM:Mr. George Bush announced originally he was supportive of the Senate version of the immigration reform bill. Then he stuck his wet finger up in the stiff hot wind blowing in from the miasma of Xenophobia and changed his mind. Now he has switched to the Draconian xenophobic House version, which if passed, will generate a violent backlash from minority citizens. Bush needs the power of hot air to keep his sinking balloon aloft this November. We see a president who swims in the murk of Fear. Have you noticed how his party slithers in all those divisive issues? Trivial matters. What is going to bring the demise of this nation is an economic collapse brought on by the wanton fiscal profligacy of an administration that has exploded the debt of this nation. We now have a ‘Birth Tax’ of almost one quarter $million placed on the head of every infant born in this nation. Ain’t no Mexican gonna’ do that kind of damage to your grandchildren. I have never seen an age in which America was so hysterically fearful of things that we can rationally deal with, and oblivious of the real colossal dangers confront us.
Patrick wrote on Jul 6, 2006 5:20 PM:US EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE ILLEGALS ARE TRAITORS! STOP HIRING ILLEGALS AND THEY WILL GO HOME! NO FENCE, NO NATIONAL GUARD NEEDED!
THERE IS A SOLUTION wrote on Jul 6, 2006 5:37 PM:When a criminal uses his car in the commission of a crime, i.e. smuggling, that car is confiscated and put up for auction. When a house is used for illegal activities, i.e. meth lab, that house is likewise disposed of. WHEN BUSINESSES HIRE ILLEGAL ALIENS, THOSE BUSINESSES SHOULD BE CONFISCATED, SHUT DOWN AND SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER! END OF ILLEGAL ALIEN PROBLEM!!! IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LAW.
Peter wrote on Jul 6, 2006 6:07 PM:La Raza & KKK - same organizations, different names & different skin colors. To think otherwise is a clear indication you have your head in the sand.
To Robert218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 6:13 PM:Robert, tell me what do you think will happen, when all the latinos "take over?" Do you think it's going to be "business as usual?" Do you really think that it will be better for the Bronze People? NO!! Everything would go downhill until all of California looked just like Tijuana - First thing to go will be your Welfare - there won't be enough of you working to pay the taxes to support it. Next thing will be the schools - though they'll all be spanish speaking, there'll be nobody to teach anything higher than 6th grade level. Third thing: medical care - how is it in Mexico - won't be any better here! Is this REALLY what you want? All this La Raza stuff is being dumped on you in the hopes that your ignorance will buy some power for a few who will benefit while the latino masses will grovel in suppression as they have south of the border. IS THIS REALLY WHAT YOU WANT?? USE YOUR HEAD! LA RAZA IS NOT ABOUT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE LATINO - IT IS ABOUT DOING EVERYTHING FOR THE FEW AT THE TOP OF THE PILE. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FUND THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN EXISTENCE TODAY - THEY WILL TAKE THE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES!! THEY ARE USING YOU!!
El Guero wrote on Jul 6, 2006 6:30 PM:Actually, Guiseppi's got it backward. President Bush initially supported the 'enforcement only' House bill, and then later wet himself over the Senate sellout legislation, claiming, as he had all along, that we need millions of poor, uneducated guest workers from Mexico. Millions of poor, uneducated Mexicans (like robert218) are what we've got and you've got to admit what a blessing they are to our communities.
Native American wrote on Jul 6, 2006 6:40 PM:All of you uninformed, racist wannabe humans only live here because your ancestors EMIGRATED(not immigrated) from other countries and acquired (in other words stole) our land through genocide. Most of you don't belong here at all and should never have arrived. Look at the mess you have made of my land.
Native American wrote on Jul 6, 2006 6:59 PM:Oh, and by the way, any perceived injustices that any of you may feel because of these so-called "illegal immigrants" are well deserved as the sins of the father most definitely should be visited upon his "sons" in the case of such heinous atrocities. Get over yourselves and be grateful that you aren't the ones being eradicated -- yet. While my Native American Nation is not related to the Mexican Indian line, in all reality they have more right to be here (especially in California) than most of you, as their ancestors were here first in all acutality. Do any of you know anything about what is somewhat recent American history? Could any of you even truly pass the test required to become citizens of this diabolical nation anway? Doubt it.
Responce to Robert. wrote on Jul 6, 2006 7:01 PM:Robert is right . My husband and I rode the trolley to the border and it looks like Cancer the further south you went. It was sick. Thousands of visitors to SD go to TJ. What do you think they tell people when they go back to other states. Chula Vista and Cities South of San Diego, look like T.J. and it is embarassing.
Voter For Ethics & Oversight wrote on Jul 6, 2006 7:18 PM:Take all of the illegals and do what they would do to American - Throw them in jail, and make their home country pay! Do not be fooled the Mexican government knows very well that if Americans were not holding a FM-4 and were living in Mexico or Baja... we can be sent to Jail! Our children born could not become Mexican citizens just because we were in their country illegally!!! Stop NOW the costs to American taxpayers and Charge the Mexican Government... As for Canadians the same holds true for them too! As for any illegals from other countries the same holds true for them too!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... STOP TWISTING THE LAW FOR A FEW... I will work in the fields, at a car wash, do house cleaning, do gardening, do dishwashing... it doesn't matter to me as long as I can work and pay my bills. SEND the ILLEGALS HOME and their illegally born children too!!!
John wrote on Jul 6, 2006 7:59 PM:Mexico now has a new President who claims to be anti immigration..Maby some will leave. Ya right.
Roberto218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:04 PM:When we take over, it will be paradise my friend! We will dismantle the banking system, the financial markets, the school system, and the legal system. We will breed like crazy, any man having sex with whichever woman he wants at the moment. We will use the streets as our trash cans, and no more smog checks on our cars. Then we'll look for another nearby wealthy country to trash...
John wrote on Jul 6, 2006 8:05 PM:By the way folks.Did you see the Mexican and American flags flown at the fair this year.Ya want to see some heavy back peddeling on this one.Contact the Fair commission and ask them what Clown thought that was proper.Youll get lots of hate mail and be told by his employees idiot things like "We want them to be welcome tourists too"Oh the Mexican flag was flown at the same height also.. Give em hell.Maby we can get some Buffoons fired.
Reply To Roberto wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:30 PM:That is exactly the foolish talk that keeps you folks suppressed. You have never won a war with Americans and you never will. We are smarter, more educated, more skilled, stronger and patriotic. You wouldn't exist without us. But your days are coming to an end here my friend. Your all going home to Mexico even you so called legal anchor babies.
Reply to Native American wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:36 PM:I agree with you. I just said the other day the Indians must be laughing their butts off about this illegal-immigration. Since I am Half Native American and half Scottish I have no choice but to stay true to Todays America. The one thing you must understand is that Mexico sold southern California and Arizona to the Americans that they stold from the Indians.
to Roberto wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:43 PM:Just to let you know, Idiot. In AZ they are putting your Compadres in Prison for being here illegally! No worky, worky for them. Soon we will have prison camps for all your illegal buddies and all their families left in Mexico will starve, cause Daddy aint coming home any time soon! You can't out think us, ever.
To Roberto218 wrote on Jul 6, 2006 9:47 PM:But, you ALREADY have that in Mexico... Don't believe it, Roberto - it ain't gonna happen! What are you smokin' anyway.
Guiseppi = wrote on Jul 6, 2006 11:51 PM:…El Guero is correct (blog 6:30PM) about Bush’s stand on the two different immigration bills, if one goes back even further. It’s true, Bush did indeed first favored the Draconian House version, then got talked into the Senate version by his business buddies who want endless cheap labor; and on July 4, switched back to the House version to gain growing support from the anti-Mexican racist backlash. Bush is wish-to-wash-and back to wishy again. His latest switch was reported in the NY Times QUOTE: "WASHINGTON, July 4 — On the eve of nationwide hearings that could determine the fate of his immigration bill, President Bush is signaling a new willingness to negotiate with House Republicans in an effort to revise the stalled legislation before Election Day. Republicans both inside and outside the White House say Mr. Bush, who has long insisted on comprehensive reform, is now open to a so-called enforcement-first approach that would put new border security programs in place before creating a guest worker program or path to citizenship for people living in the United States illegally. … The shift is significant because Mr. Bush has repeatedly said he favors legislation like the Senate's immigration bill, which establishes border security, guest worker and citizenship programs all at once. The enforcement-first approach puts Mr. Bush one step closer to the House, where Republicans are demanding an enforcement-only measure.” END QUOTE. Bush is just an old fashioned savvy wishy-washy-wishy politician - no personal integrity or conviction.
escoresident wrote on Jul 7, 2006 6:55 AM:it is so simple to me...ROUND THEM UP AND SHIP THEM OUT...I Dont care what race you are..if you are illegal..seeeyaaaa...do it right or get the hell out of here!!!!! Enough with all of this political crap...there should be no discussion...If you are an illegal alien you shouldnt have AMERICAN rights, human rights yes, but I dont think we are violating human rights by deporting your illegal a** out of here???
OneNationUnderGod wrote on Jul 7, 2006 7:12 AM:"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907. Every American Citizen needs to read this, especially the soft-on-illegals!
German- American wrote on Jul 7, 2006 8:30 AM: If only the Fatherland was on our southern border. My people made this country great! Now it is becoming a third world. We need to utilize the trains; arrest the illegals and they will be free labor that wont send money home. They can work the fields along with inmates and welfare recipitants.
Wayne wrote on Jul 7, 2006 10:33 AM:Of all the letters I have read so far, it looks as though there are more of us who are sick and tired of illegals coming into our country and taking advantage of the system. Media says otherwise. Yeah, big surprise there. To all you illegals in our country, you needs to get the hell outta here. As a matter of fact, those of you who support the illegals whether you're legal or not, you should follow them and go live in their counrty. I'm sick and tired of paying high car insurance, high health insurance premiums, paying high taxes that go towards benefits to help the needy (hmmm, wonder who that is), listening to an automated message telling me what options I have in Spanish, and listening to some mope telling me he and his "homies" are gonna take this counrty back. Yeah, good luck with that one "mi amigo." Build the wall, send all illegals back, bring back the Conservation Core (New Deal), and put our "legal" criminals to work by placing them right back in Chain Gains. New jobs will be created, trades will be learned, and the counrty will be safer than it is now. I would love to hear about your counrty, learn about your heritage, but don't demand we change ours for yours.
Vista John wrote on Jul 7, 2006 12:25 PM:"Illegal aliens flee their countries which are ridden with poverty, disease, crime, filth, illiteracy, and corrupt governments top to bottom. They endure hardship, occasionally death, to crash our borders illegally day and night to the tune of 10,000 every 24 hours; they rob U.S. citizens, kill their pets and livestock, damage property by cutting fences and water lines, and breaking and entering; drop tons of toxic refuse; obtain phony documents; steal citizens' identification; depress salaries by working for slave wages; overload our schools, hospitals, and criminal facilities; get food stamps, prenatal care, other welfare such as transportation, translators, psychiatric care, and social workers; receive benefits like scholarships and in-state college tuition in several states; drive without licenses/insurance; ruin neighborhoods and property values with multiple families living in houses designed for one; continue their failed cultures' unsanitary habits like not washing hands after going to the toilet, raising chickens and/or goats in the yard, plus the slaughter and outdoor cooking of the animals which breaks the housing codes of most towns and cities ; refuse to learn English and to assimilate; and bring diseases once eradicated and deadly others unknown to our country." Does this ring true in your community? Is this something you have experienced?
To Vista John wrote on Jul 7, 2006 4:25 PM:You hit it right on the mark. Now if you could just get your thoughts through to our pathetic politicans, maybe we could get our country back.
jsalegalimmigrant wrote on Jul 7, 2006 9:34 PM:Romero, who was born in the U.S. and was recently accepted to study at the University of California Santa Cruz, said that both her mother and her older sister were born in Mexico and are "undocumented immigrants."Ý She said her sister is already in her third year at U.C. Santa Cruz and the family has made a huge effort to help her pay for her studies. Until recently, Romero's mom helped pay for her sister's education ---- she is paying out-of-state tuition rates ---- out of her meager earnings at a fast-food restaurant. MY GOD DOES IT EVER END? THESE FOOLS WILL HAVE US BELIEVE BECAUSE ONE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PAYS FOR A CHESSEBURGER OR PART OF THEIR OTHERWISE FREE EDUCATION, WE'RE ALL SUPPOSED TO SAY, NO PROBLEMA KEEP COMIN'. SORRY FOLKS, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE MEN WHO ARE WORKING WITH FAKE NAMES AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, WHICH, OF COURSE, IS FRAUD, A FELONY. THEN THERE'S THEIR WIVES OR IN MOST CASES THEIR GIRLFRIENDS WHO HAVE TEN KIDS WHO END UP ON OUR WELFARE..THE WELFARE SYSTEM INTENDED FOR NEEDY AMERICAN KIDS AND WOMEN WHO NEED HELP. GET THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON A BUS AND SEND THEM HOME AND FORCE THAT PATHETICALLY CORRUPT COUNTRY CALLED MEXICO TO PROVIDE THESE POOR PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL SERVICES AND DECENT JOBS. IF I WERE MEXICAN I'D BE ASHAMED TO RUN FROM MY OWN COUNTRY.
maria wrote on Jul 8, 2006 6:49 PM:Balderas is a perfect example of mexicans born and raised here who hate Americans. This nurturing of hard feelings and hatred does your children a disservice. It prevents them from assimilating with other cultures, and leading happy and healthy and productive lives. Contrary to mexican belief children are not here to be used by their parents. (mexicans are taught that it's their responsibility and duty to care for their parents financialy and otherwise. It is a thick burden of guilt that is lain on them. These parents that profess to be so religous should read Corinthians 2:14 "children are not supposed to save up for parents, but parents are supposed to take care of thier children" Aren't we supposed to have our own ideas about things when we grow up? You profess to want a better life for you and yours, But YOUR ACTIONS CONTRADICT YOUR WORDS.
John wrote on Jul 9, 2006 4:21 PM:To our friend from the south,Robert.. Remember the Alamo,we were outnumbered than too. By the way ,How many Mexican Army war heros are there? May be surrounded but you will loose.
Vets Son wrote on Jul 10, 2006 1:04 AM:German- American wrote on July 07, 2006 8:30 AM:" If only the Fatherland was on our southern border. My people made this country great! My Father and Uncle "Mexican-Americans" made sure your people didn't destroy the world.
John wrote on Jul 10, 2006 7:37 AM:After looking closely to what Mr.Native American was saying,I had to comment.Firstly,your ancestior immigrated to this continent too,Accross the land bridge from Asia.Secondly, the native Americans practiced Genocide long before the white man showed up,Tribal warefare. Thirdly,Your ancestors werent the peaceful steller folks that you attempt to shove down our throats,they practiced slavery long before the white man came. Get your history straight.Dont try to shove that peacefull native American crap down our throats.You were your own worst enemys.
John wrote on Jul 10, 2006 7:46 AM:Hea Roberto, Its dam near IMPOSSIBLE for the average Mexican working person to get a home loan in Mexico .And you want to dismantel our banking system? are you crazy?Or just insane?
NationalGuardsMan wrote on Jul 10, 2006 8:32 AM:I say we round up all the illegals, house them in a camp along the border, and use their labor to build the wall... of course, supervised by the National Guard. Can't get any simpler than that. Oh, and when the wall is built, deport them.
Diane wrote on Jul 10, 2006 12:54 PM:Exactly "Vista John" (July 7). Then, as "Sick and Tired" (July 6) eludes to, the main stream media (MSM) always tries to portray the illegals as the "poor victims". It's unbelievable and truly sickening.
Still Responding, And wrote on Jul 10, 2006 2:59 PM:I'm impressed at the length of time that has gone by since this article first published and even now. Obviously we do want to see this commentary stay open. It's like a political forum to read. I'm just an average reader- but I love the various ideas coming out of this. NationalGuardsMan wrote a simple solution. It kind of reminds me of the slave labor used to build the pyramids of ancient Egypt. Maybe there can be a Great Wall of America. But probably one of those rich Mexican capitalists that is corrupting the elections right now, is sure to charge the tourists for visiting the great wall. I lived in Europe for about half of my adult life. I came back to San Diego (the place of my birth) as a new age socialist. I think you readers will all start realizing how important it is to abolish the greed involved in capitalistic corruption. Don't forget to remember how Mexico is kind of a poor country too- it is because of capitalism gone out of control. They are not a socially reformed country. So, of course- remove the employers of illegals first. Then build the wall. Mother, should I build the wall? YES!!!!!
Nick wrote on Jul 11, 2006 12:23 AM:To John: As a card carrying indian(I'll bet Native American doesn't even have a D.I.B. card), I want to say that Native American does not speak for all of us. He is one of the last people on Earth I would want to be associated with. Most intelligent people, not just Native Americans, are for shoring up our borders and putting an end to illegal immigration. I have to tell ya John, your about as out to lunch as he is. It's you who needs to get his history correct...1st) Native Americans never practiced GENOCIDE. Fighting between tribes, yes, genocide, no. You must have us confused with Nazi Germans, Ethnic Serbs, Fanatical Muslims, and the Japanese Army. 2nd) My Ancestors were farmers, hunters, and family men, who worshipped many things, not just one God. We had our own alphabet written by a man named Sequoyah. They played sports against other tribes( you might know of a game called lacrosse). They did not seek war, but were happy to oblige those who came looking. 3rd) Your greedy white ancestors were a far worse enemy than ourselves. A very good human quality called TRUST was their downfall. Considering your ancestors and their government broke just about every promise that they ever made, and broke every treaty that they ever signed. Since they couldn't get my ancestors land, they proceeded to have the US Army march them on a thing called The Trail of Tears. I know this because my Great-Grandfather and his Father survived it. 4th) As far as slavery is concerned, the blacks in Africa were practicing it long before the first slave was ever brought to this country on a ship, and are still practicing slavery and genocide as I type this. So why don't you tell all the black folks that they are Americans of African descent, not African-Americans, and to get over the whole slavery thing. And Lastly) Even after everything your white ancestors did to mine, they still had the PRIDE to fight and die for this Country in the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I have a half dozen family members buried in Arlington National Cemetary, and thats a few too many if you ask me. What the hell have you done for this country you Big American Patriot ? Next time, make sure you have your facts straight before you go running off at the mouth, you might not sound so ignorant.
Chicano wrote on Jul 12, 2006 3:38 PM:Chicano is our identity; it defines who we are as people. It rejects the notion that we...should assimilate into the Anglo-American melting pot...Aztlan was the legendary homeland of the Aztecas ... It became synonymous with the vast territories of the Southwest, brutally stolen from a Mexican people marginalized and betrayed by the hostile custodians of the Manifest Destiny." (Statement on University of Oregon MEChA Website, Jan. 3, 2006) "In the spirit of a new people that is conscious not only of its proud historical heritage but also of the brutal gringo invasion of our territories, we, the Chicano inhabitants and civilizers of the northern land of Aztlan from whence came our forefathers, reclaiming the land of their birth and consecrating the determination of our people of the sun, declare that the call of our blood is our power, our responsibility, and our inevitable destiny. ... Aztlan belongs to those who plant the seeds, water the fields, and gather the crops and not to the foreign Europeans. ... We are a bronze people with a bronze culture. Before the world, before all of North America, before all our brothers in the bronze continent, we are a nation, we are a union of free pueblos
Nick wrote on Jul 12, 2006 10:42 PM:What's your point chicano? Just to reinforce everyones feelings a little more like the stupid Mexican flag waving in the streets bit. The land you and your rocket scientist friends in MEChA keep laying claim to, was never yours to beging with. You guys crack me up. You are constantly spouting off about history, then you go and show that you actually know very little about history at all. Here's a little lesson for you. First there were The Olmecs, then The Teotihuacans, then The Toltecs, then The Mayans, then The Zapotec and Mixtec, and then The Aztecs. It wasn't until the XVII Century, when Spaniards born in Mexico, called Criollos, begin to become concious of a Mexican identity. I think you have been working in the fields a little too long and the sun is getting to you, or is that how you acheive that beautiful bronze color you keep talking about.
To Chicano not making fun of you but trying to understand wrote on Jul 13, 2006 3:38 PM:I would like to know what your education background is? If the Aztlan was so great they wouldn't have lost their land. I just don't understand the mentality of Mecha. It seems as though they have such anger and it keeps people like you from moving ahead. No one says don't be proud of being bronze as I consider myself brown but in reality how do they think they can take California back? Do you think Mexico with all their corruption will elp you? The year is 2006, enjoy your life as life is too short and you can never get the southwest back. You would have to fight all of the US and in the meantime your anger keeps you from enjoying life. My life is great and I embrace whatever makes me and my family happy, whether it is a hamburger or a tamale.
Bert wrote on Jul 22, 2006 2:26 AM:I think it's just time for the laws to be enforced, already. I think illegal immigration is causing big problems, problems that the Senate is not being open about, problems that, if let go, will become Big Problems in the future. I don't think it's wise to just let this go on and on. Our biggest illegal immigration problem is with Mexico, I'd like to see the border fence completed, and know that state and federal law enforcement are serious about bringing an end to it. Also, you don't have to lock up employers of illegals, just seize their business licenses...fine em a quarter-million dollars, and that'll end it right there...
Bert wrote on Jul 22, 2006 2:29 AM:one more comment: The treaty of guadalupe-hidalgo and the purchase of 1853 spell out the 'new' US boundaries. Any/all 'claims' against US lands by mexico/mexicans are specious and unfounded. They need to can that rhetoric or legal action needs to be taken against mexico for bona-fide treaty violations...put a cork in THAT bottle...
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