Thread: Bush Urges "Civil Debate" on Immigration Policy

Bush Urges Congress to Have a 'Civil Debate' on Immigration Policy
Thursday, March 23, 2006

WASHINGTON — As Congress prepares for a showdown over immigration policy, President Bush urged lawmakers Thursday to have a "civil debate" that respects people of all backgrounds.

"Ours is a nation of law and ours is a nation of immigrants, and we believe that we can have rational, important immigration policy that's based upon law and reflects our deep desire to be a compassionate and decent nation," Bush said.

He urged a serious debate on the issues at a time when advocates on both sides have been playing to voters' gut emotions.

"When we discuss this debate, it must be done in a civil way," Bush said during a meeting with groups pushing for changes to immigration laws. "It must be done in a way that brings dignity to the process. It must be done in a way that doesn't pit people against another."

Bush wants Congress to create a worker program under which participants could gain legal status for a specific time and then be required to return home. It would not provide an automatic path to citizenship.

"Our government must enforce our borders," Bush said. "We've got plans in place to do so. But part of enforcing our borders is to have a guest worker program that encourages people to register their presence so that we know who they are and says to them, `If you are doing a job that Americans won't do, you're welcome here for a period of time to do that job.' "

The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill with a guest worker program. If that measure does not move forward, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist planned to push debate on his bill. Frist's bill sidesteps the question of temporary work permits and would tighten borders, punish employers who hire illegal immigrants and provide more visas.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,188917,00.html

Bush's idea of civil debate is to stifle those who disagree with him.

Right ! And maybe that's why the ALIPAC website is having trouble. We're accomplishing too much in a "civil" manner.

I heard GB on the radio today talking about the internet and bloggers and how effective it's has become for people working on causes. It may be that it's only effective if he agrees with you.

http://www.10news.com/politics/8209288/detail.html

President Calls For Civility In Immigration Debate

POSTED: 9:16 am PST March 23, 2006
UPDATED: 10:48 am PST March 23, 2006

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush is calling for a "civil debate" over immigration policy -- a debate that respects people of all backgrounds.

His appeal comes as Congress prepares for a showdown on the issue.

Bush wants Congress to create a worker program under which participants could gain legal status for a specific time, and then be required to return home. It wouldn't provide an automatic path to citizenship.

A Senate panel is considering a bill with a guest worker program. But if that doesn't advance, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist plans to push a proposal that would tighten borders, punish employers who hire illegal immigrants, and provide more visas.


Bush said the United States is "a nation of laws" and "a nation of immigrants," and immigration policy should reflect "our deep desire to be a compassionate and decent nation."

Sen. Clinton: Bill Would Criminalize Jesus

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., joined immigration advocates Wednesday to block what what called a "mean-spirited" bill passed in December by the House that would make unlawful presence in the United States a felony.

The Senate is set to consider a version of that legislation, as well as several other bills on immigration reform.

She was quoted in the New York Times as saying, "It is hard to believe that a Republican leadership that is constantly talking about values and about faith would put forth such a mean-spirited piece of legislation."

The Times also quoted her saying, "It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

Volunteer Border Guards Will Patrol

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a volunteer organization that stakes out portions of the U.S.-Mexico border to help apprehend illegal immigrants, has announced plans for another monthlong border watch in April.

Jim Gilchrist, the head of the group, said on its Web site they hoped for as many as 7,000 volunteers to take part in the activity, with perhaps 1,000 volunteers to deploy in southern Arizona.

The group has drawn criticism from some who say its actions are a threat to immigrants, but they insist they only want a secure border. Their site states the group has, "No affiliation with, nor will we accept any assistance by or interference from, separatists, racists, or supremacy groups or individuals, no matter what their race, color, or creed."

Bush is right. Congess should switch to an impeachment debate, because our President is not fullifulling his sworn duty and is a traitor to the Constitution.

Originally Posted by concernedmother

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush is calling for a "civil debate" over immigration policy -- a debate that respects people of all backgrounds.

In other words, put the intrests of foreigners (and Globalists) ahead of the intrests of the American people. I wonder how much respect Bush would have to 20 million Americans that stopped paying income taxes "in order to have a better life".

Wouldn't that be funny with tax day a few weeks away. Millions of Americans saying--"nah--we want a better life for our families so we're not going to pay taxes this year. It's the only way we can compete in this global economy you're building."

I refuse to watch or listen to Bush ever again. I'm so fed up with what what comes out of his mouth it turns my stomach.

I'm all for "withholding taxes" on April 15. What would happen if everybody filed extensions? Who'd take care of the illegals? They'd just add a few billion dollars to the deficit.

If Bush were truly interested in having a "civil" debate over this issue, why then does he openly call border control advocates "vigilantes". Why does he call advocates of enforcement of the law "anti-immigrant" when the issue is not immigration, it is illegal migration. Why does he intentionally fuel charges of protectionism, xenophobia and racism when the discussion should be about rule of law that is blind to race. Bush has done more to lower the level of debate on this and many other issues to what is often a very uncivil level than any other President I know of.

Originally Posted by legal4mykidsfuture

If Bush were truly interested in having a "civil" debate over this issue, why then does he openly call border control advocates "vigilantes". Why does he call advocates of enforcement of the law "anti-immigrant" when the issue is not immigration, it is illegal migration. Why does he intentionally fuel charges of protectionism, xenophobia and racism when the discussion should be about rule of law that is blind to race. Bush has done more to lower the level of debate on this and many other issues to what is often a very uncivil level than any other President I know of.

Amen