TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND READ THIS LETTER. THESE ARE STRONG, POWERFUL AND COURAGEOUS WORDS COMING FROM A RETIRED ARMY
> > COLONEL.
> >
> > AND READ WHAT LINCOLN HAD TO SAY AT THE END. WOW!
> >
> > 33 Senators voted against English as America's Official Language on June 6, 2007.
> > On Wed. 6 June 2007 23:35:23 - 0500 Colonel Harry Riley, USA Ret. wrote:
> >
> > Senators:
> >
> > Your vote against an amendment to the immigration Bill 1348 to make English America's official language is astounding. On D-Day, no less, when we honor those that sacrificed in order to secure the bedrock, character and principles of America, I can only surmise your vote reflects a loyalty to illegal aliens. I don't much care where you come from, what your religion is, whether you're black or white or some other color, male or female, Democrat, Republican or Independent. But I do care when you are a United States Senator representing citizens of America, and vote against English as the official language of the United States.
> >
> > Your vote reflects betrayal, political surrender, violates your Pledge of Allegiance, dishonors historical principle, rejects patriotism, borders on traitorous action and, in my opinion, makes you unfit to serve as United States Senators; impeachment, recall or other appropriate action is warranted --- or worse.
> >
> > Four of you voting against English as America's official language are presidential candidates: Senator Biden, Senator Clinton, Senator Dodd and Senator Obama; four Senators vying to lead America, but won't or don't have the courage to cast a vote in favor of 'English' as America's official language when 91% of American citizens want English officially designated as our language.
> >
> > This is the second time in the last several months this list of Senators have disgraced themselves as 'policital Hacks', unworthy as Senators and certainly unqualified to serve as President of the United States.
> >
> > If America is as angry as I am, you will realize a backlash so stunning it will literally 'rock you out of your panties' --- and preferably totally out of the United States Senate.
> >
> > The entire immigration bill is a farce. Your action only confirms this really isn't about America, it is about self-serving politics --- despicable at best. It has been said: 'Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level!'
> >
> > The following Senators voted against making English the official language of America:
> >
> > Akaka (D-HI)
> > Bayh (D-IN)
> > Biden (D-DE) (wants to be President)
> > Bingaman (D-NM)
> > Boxer (D-CA)
> > Cantwell (D-WA)
> > Clinton (D-NY) (wants to be President)
> > Dayton(D-MN)
> > Dodd (D-MN) (wants to be President)
> > Domenici (R-NM) (coward, protecting his senate seat)
> > Durbin (D-IL)
> > Feingold (D-win) (not unusual for him)
> > Feinstein (D-ca)
> > Harkin (D-IA)
> > Inouye (D-hi)
> > Jeffords (I-VT)
> > Kennedy - (D-ma)
> > Kerry (D-ma) (tried to be President)
> > Kohl (D-WI))
> > Lautenberg (D-NJ)
> > Leahy (D-VT)
> > Levin (D-MI)
> > Lieberman (I-CT) (disappointment here)
> > Menendez (D-NJ)
> > Mikulski (D-MD)
> > Murray (D-WA)
> > Obama (D-IL) (wants to be President)
> > Reed (D-RI)
> > Reid (D-NV) (Senate Majority Leader)
> > As Lazar (D-CO)
> > Sarbanes (D-MD)
> > Schumer (D-NY)
> > Stabenow (D-M
> >
> > PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN stated:
> > 'Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime, that damage morale and undermine the military, are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged!'
> >
> > PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING AROUND THE UNITED STATES TILL THE ELECTION!

if that is real, i feel for this country. some will prolly say in effect it was made up by some right wing nutjob or the like. ive said in the past, if you come to this country, ( legally) welcome, if you want to speak yoyur language go for it. but english is what we speak. if i went (or moved) to your country, id be expected to learn your language ( but would still be allowed to speak my own)

It's partially true.  Read the entry on Snopes.com (the urban legend repository) for more information.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/englishvote.asp

DLW

voting on a official language in America is a moot point.  i suspect the whole process was nothing more than politics as usual in washington.

As usual, the rightwing talking points are flawed. 

Everyone always says something to the effect of "If they came here legally, I'd be all for it."  Well, do you know how many Mexicans are allowed to immigrate each year?   Less than 200,000.  With an estimated 12 million illegal Mexicans here, it would take something like 60 YEARS to let that many in. 

When the number we allow is so out of proportion to the demand (and when the economic situation is so totally wrong in Mexico), AND when there are thousands of American companies (GOP donors, cough, cough) hiring them to undercut labor costs of citizens, there will be millions of people crossing illegally.  Duh.

If any one of us were born in Mexico (and it is only luck that we were not -- certainly not anything we earned) and could see that the economic situation in the US was so much better, we'd do WHATEVER we had to do to provide for our families.  I certainly would, and I would not apologize for it.

Yes, they should learn the language, and yes, they should not get handouts from US taxpayers, but I find the whole immigration debate to be grandstanding -- nothing more.

Quote from: trumpetguy on January 22, 2008, 04:59:43 PM
As usual, the rightwing talking points are flawed. 

Everyone always says something to the effect of "If they came here legally, I'd be all for it."  Well, do you know how many Mexicans are allowed to immigrate each year?   Less than 200,000.  With an estimated 12 million illegal Mexicans here, it would take something like 60 YEARS to let that many in. 

When the number we allow is so out of proportion to the demand (and when the economic situation is so totally wrong in Mexico), AND when there are thousands of American companies (GOP donors, cough, cough) hiring them to undercut labor costs of citizens, there will be millions of people crossing illegally.  Duh.

If any one of us were born in Mexico (and it is only luck that we were not -- certainly not anything we earned) and could see that the economic situation in the US was so much better, we'd do WHATEVER we had to do to provide for our families.  I certainly would, and I would not apologize for it.

Yes, they should learn the language, and yes, they should not get handouts from US taxpayers, but I find the whole immigration debate to be grandstanding -- nothing more.

Yea thats great and all...but whatever happened to facing your problems and trying to fix them yourself.  I really dont see to many mexicans trying to better their country.  I Do see a lot of them fleeing to america and doing construction jobs , boarding 20 people up in 3 bedroom house,  and squandering their money on booze, chains, and rims for their dodge or  chevy....Ya great improvement for us.  Can someone also explain to me why i have to try to find the correct side of a box to read its contents.  Instead of it being halfway covered in spanish....why not polish or arabic...They are staying here too...Im just tired of illegal border jumpers bringing their problems into this country and forcing us to help/deal with them..  I believe we have enough of our own..

uhh my racism radar is hitting the red area 

Well trumpetguy. You nor anyone else should speculate what we all would do If we were born and raised in Mexico. Thats just silly of you.

Also, our economy isn't very far away from becoming Mexicoish. (Dramatization of course)

  -Anti 

Quote from: The Antibody on January 22, 2008, 08:27:55 PM
Well trumpetguy. You nor anyone else should speculate what we all would do If we were born and raised in Mexico. Thats just silly of you.

Why do you say that?  Have you been to Mexico?  I have been many times (twice in the last year), and I have seen people living in cardboard shacks less than a mile from the Texas border.  You mean to tell me you wouldn't leave there if you could, to make exponentially more money?  Silly, indeed...

Quote from: trumpetguy on January 22, 2008, 04:59:43 PM
Yes, they should learn the language, and yes, they should not get handouts from US taxpayers, but I find the whole immigration debate to be grandstanding -- nothing more.

from both sides of both parties

maybe the language thing is a moot point. but if you honestly don't think or see that illegal immigration is hurting us as a country i beg you to look again with a more open mind. illegals get free handouts paid for by us. and should someone such as myself stand up and say something about it, well, then i'm just labeled as being racist. it's not about race. i don't give a damn what color your skin is. get your ass off the couch and work and earn your wage and pay your taxes and pay for your medical care etc just like everyone else and we won't have a problem. call me racist if you like.  if you'd like to talk about racism i'd be glad to post an email concerning that as well. 

Quote from: jserio on January 22, 2008, 09:52:34 PM
maybe the language thing is a moot point. but if you honestly don't think or see that illegal immigration is hurting us as a country i beg you to look again with a more open mind. illegals get free handouts paid for by us. and should someone such as myself stand up and say something about it, well, then i'm just labeled as being racist. it's not about race. i don't give a damn what color your skin is. get your ass off the couch and work and earn your wage and pay your taxes and pay for your medical care etc just like everyone else and we won't have a problem. call me racist if you like.  if you'd like to talk about racism i'd be glad to post an email concerning that as well. 

The illegals who are working for paychecks (as opposed to cash) have fake Social Security numbers.  They are paying income taxes and FICA taxes which they will never see back in refunds or benefits. 

Most of the illegals with whom I have worked have been very dedicated to family and worked VERY hard.  They slept on the floor in a small apartment shared with their cousins and sent all their money (after rent and food) home except for $25 a week they kept to spend.  They didn't want handouts -- just a job.  To make a blanket statement like "illegals get free handouts paid for by us" is simply a gross generalization.  I have seen guesstimates (see bottom of page here) that say it's actually a profitable venture for the government having them here, with possibly a large net gain by the feds and a smaller deficit by local governments.

I'm not calling you a racist.  But generalizations like you are making are (by definition) prejudice.

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on January 22, 2008, 09:10:07 PM

Quote from: trumpetguy on January 22, 2008, 04:59:43 PM
Yes, they should learn the language, and yes, they should not get handouts from US taxpayers, but I find the whole immigration debate to be grandstanding -- nothing more.

from both sides of both parties

That's absolutely true!

Quote from: trumpetguy on January 22, 2008, 10:10:19 PM
The illegals who are working for paychecks (as opposed to cash) have fake Social Security numbers.  They are paying income taxes and FICA taxes which they will never see back in refunds or benefits. 

And I know one of those people who've had their SS#'s stolen by an illegal. It's caused him GREAT problems for years, and he still hasn't ironed the mess out.

I'm not a racist when I say that that's just plain wrong. It's also just plain wrong to enter a country illegally. I've visited Mexico, too, and I've seen the shacks.... I've also seen the middle- and upper-class neighborhoods. It's actually a lot like.... well...here. 

I've known people who've been hit by illegals, and they have absolutely NO legal recourse to collect for damaged cars and medical expenses.

I've also lived in a neighborhood where each time a family of 2 or 3 moved out, a "family" of 20 or more moved in, taking up the neighborhood resources (parking for one), and having little sense of community or respect for the property of others. Across the street, a large "family" moved in, and they rented out bedrooms.... one of the tenants used a front window as a front door...and this window was high off the ground...and they had a child... The first time I saw this, I thought someone was breaking into the house... I was shocked to find out that that was the usual method of entry...

I don't think that being against illegal behaviour makes one a racist. I don't think that wanting current laws enforced is being racist. I don't believe that seeing and commenting on the closed/gutted hospitals is being racist. Within the last year, a huge hospital in San Jose, CA, closed due to the fact that their biggest "customers" were illegals, for whom they were paid very little by the gov't. This is a HUGE loss to the community, and is a direct effect of the influx of illegals.

I believe that most of the jobs held by illegals would be filled by citizens or legal immigrants if the illegals weren't working....illegally.

I do agree with you completely, however, that the present immigration "discussion" is more political than anything, but it's real in the minds of many, especially those who are directly affected by the problems brought by illegals who don't know how to (and/or just plain don't want to) fit into our society.

Perhaps I'm a bit jaded after having lived in what used to be a very nice neighborhood, but one that is now a ghetto. I can't pretend not to be completely relieved and thankful to be out of that neighborhood. Interestingly enough, the neighborhood I live in presently is a melting pot with every possible ethnicity represented...but it's an entirely different world... 

wow. pandy does post genuine thoughts.  honestly, i have to say i agree with much of what pandy said. she just said it better. 

CHEAP TOMATOES


This one tells it like it really is..............Hope you read it all...........

THIS HAS GOT TO BE PASSED ALONG TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OR WE WILL ALL GO DOWN THE DRAIN BECAUSE A FEW DON'T CARE.


This English teacher has phrased it the best I've seen yet

.................................................................



Tomatoes and Cheap Labor



CHEAP TOMATOES?

This should make everyone think, be you Democrat, Republican or

Independent


From a California school teacher - - -



"As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal

immigration, there are some things that you should be aware of:


I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a

large southern California high school which is designated a Title

1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic

and income levels.

Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell

Gardens, Huntington Park, etc., where these students are

protesting, are also Title 1 schools.


Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program.

When I say free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and

roll -- but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices

that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is

monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash

uneaten. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)


I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at

least moderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell

phones. The school also provides day care centers for the unwed

teenage pregnant girls (some as young as 13) so they can attend

class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for

babysitters or having family watch their kids. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT

WORK)


I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing

funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need

for anything; my budget was already substantial.. I ended up

buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of

which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the

appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to

have a free education in America. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)


I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute

teachers whose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students

here in the country less then 3 months who raised so much hell

with the female teachers, calling them "Putas" whores and throwing

things that the teachers were in tears.


Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc, etc.

Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country

but to demand rights, privileges and entitlements?


To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants

contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and

housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some

time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs.


Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical

costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools,

overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc., etc. For me, I'll pay more

for tomatoes.


We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster

because we won't have the guts to enforce it.

Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily

leave and return?


There are many hardworking Hispanic/American citizens that

contribute to our country and many that I consider my true

friends. We should encourage and accept those Hispanics who have

done it the right and legal way.


It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-

world culture that does not value education, that accepts children

getting pregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses

to assimilate, and an American culture that has become so weak and

worried about "politically correctness" that we don't have the

will to do anything about it.



If this makes your blood boil, as it did mine, forward this to

everyone you know.


CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about?


Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage.


Consumers don't want expensive produce.


Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs.


But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase "cheap labor" is a

myth, a farce, and a lie. there is no such thing as "cheap labor."


Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children.

He takes a job for $5.00 or $6.00/hour. At that wage, with six

dependents, he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if

he files an Income Tax Return, he gets an "earned income credit"

of up to $3,200 free.


He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent.


He qualifies for food stamps.


He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care.


His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school.


He requires bilingual teachers and books.


He qualifies for relief from high energy bills.


If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for

SSI. Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare. All of

this is at (our) taxpayer's expense.


He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or

homeowners insurance.


Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed

material.


He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour

in benefits.


Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after

paying their bills and his.


The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and

trash clean-up.


Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people.

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR EITHER PARTY. 'AND WHEN THEY LIE TO US AND DON'T DO AS THEY SAY, WE SHOULD REPLACE THEM AT ONCE!'



THIS HAS GOT TO BE PASSED ALONG TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OR WE WILL ALL GO DOWN THE DRAIN BECAUSE A FEW DON'T CARE.

Quote from: jserio on January 22, 2008, 10:52:54 PM
wow. pandy does post genuine thoughts.  honestly, i have to say i agree with much of what pandy said. she just said it better. 

Shhhh...don't tell anyone...I have a reputation to maintain.... 

Ummm yeah right 

Quote from: jserio on January 21, 2008, 11:34:24 PM
> > PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN stated:
> > 'Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime, that damage morale and undermine the military, are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged!'

No he didn't, and maybe you ought to take a step back and think about what you're doing when you fabricate a quote and slap a respected president's name on it so people don't call you on your bullshit.  Freedom is not about obeying authority.  Free speech is about the right to stand up and disagree with the actions of one's government, among other things.

http://www.factcheck.org/article415.html

Also, you say that illegal immigration is hurting our country because they're getting free handouts.  Why is it that you don't think the FREE HANDOUTS are hurting our country, not the illegal immigrants?

edit:

Quote from: nastynate6695 on January 22, 2008, 05:42:55 PM
Yea thats great and all...but whatever happened to facing your problems and trying to fix them yourself.  I really dont see to many mexicans trying to better their country.  I Do see a lot of them fleeing to america and doing construction jobs , boarding 20 people up in 3 bedroom house,  and squandering their money on booze, chains, and rims for their dodge or  chevy....Ya great improvement for us.  Can someone also explain to me why i have to try to find the correct side of a box to read its contents.  Instead of it being halfway covered in spanish....why not polish or arabic...They are staying here too...Im just tired of illegal border jumpers bringing their problems into this country and forcing us to help/deal with them..  I believe we have enough of our own..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_%28United_States_Census%29

Any further questions?  Or was that a rhetorical question.

edit 2:
Wartime???  WHAT war?  Congress never passed a declaration of war.  And there is certainly no war in which giving instructions in Spanish is giving aid and comfort to our enemies.

it does appear you're right about the Lincoln quote. however, i was not the originator of the quote in question. if you had actually read my entire beginning post you would know this. i merely stated it was an intresting email i had gotten. one of those things that gets  forwarded a thousad times. i was posting it for opinions on the matter. i personally don't care if that's what Lincoln said or not. that wasn't the point of the email in my mind. the point being that our Congress, whom we've voted into office, seems to feel like it's their duty to only pass laws that benefit them. if the majority of the people in this country want English to be our national language and wants a law or whatever the issue was stating this, then that's what our Congressmen and women should do. listen to the voters. don't just worry about the bills and laws that will only fatten your pocket.