tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839254926570278017.post1254303254817661400..comments2024-03-17T00:16:26.914-07:00Comments on the good. the bad. the ugly.: can we ever please (or displease) a "miseducated" audience?bethany (dreadlock girl)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02565178664993925800noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839254926570278017.post-4269504140385221752008-03-22T11:01:00.000-07:002008-03-22T11:01:00.000-07:00Basically from what I've heard, Bush and McCain an...Basically from what I've heard, Bush and McCain and a bunch of democrats were trying to get immigration reform through congress that would allow latinos (and I guess those from other countries too) who had been in the country for a certain number of years to get in line to become citizens. I think the bill called for them to have to pay a fine too (to make up for having crossed illegally). If I remember right, it was about $1000. They were also trying to set up a much larger guest worker program then we currently have since a lot of latinos would rather live in Mexico or Guatemala or something and just come up seasonally for work, but since we've tightened the borders, they haven't been able to go back and forth as easily. Well, not enough people in congress supported the bill, and the president had already lost a lot of support even in his own party. The two sides couldn't reach a compromise, so not much changed, but at least they didn't pass some really harsh legislation either. So in my view, it's congress that dropped the ball, not the president.<BR/><BR/>As far as the tight border control, I'm not really sure what to think. When I lived in Tecate we used to just step over a knocked down barb-wire fence about a half mile east from the official border crossing. You'd see "migra" driving around (imigracion), but they were pretty easy to avoid. So that seemed kind of dumb, like why even have a border? I sort of think it would be better if we could move toward more open borders in general (not just the U.S.-Mexican one), but that's probably a point we need to move toward gradually since there are still serious issues with drug-trafficking and the potential for terrorism. I do think the wall is offensive, kind of like the Berlin wall, or the Israel-Palastine wall, but a fence would be okay right?<BR/><BR/>By the way we're coming up to Corvallis today to help out my mom with some stuff, and we might stay over for church tomorrow, so it would be great to see you guys if it works out. I don't have your number, but mine is 515-5932 if you or Brad want to give me a call.Joe Culbertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511783050983085403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839254926570278017.post-63583944789544779672008-03-16T11:27:00.000-07:002008-03-16T11:27:00.000-07:00thanks joe, for your comment!! To answer your ques...thanks joe, for your comment!! <BR/><BR/>To answer your question, even I am a super-ultra pro immigration person. I am glad that he is making some steps to try and do things, but I just don't feel it is enough.I may be completely wrong about this since maybe he IS doing tons more than I have heard about. I am (and have been) very involved with the Latino population and there are many changes that need to be made. What he has done so far is to ask that people be given papers, who have been here for a certain amount of time. I completely agree with that deal, but I think that there is so much more that should be done for this people, I am not sure how...I guess that they are just on my heart in a strong way. <BR/><BR/>So, yes...I agree with you about immigration, I am glad to say.<BR/><BR/>Let me know if you know any more of the good changes that he has made...I guess I saw the super-tight border control as being offensive...what are your thoughts??<BR/><BR/>thanks again for your comment. I always like to learn more about what I say I don't like (politics!)...hehe.<BR/><BR/>In Spain they say: "If you don't talk, religion and politics...what else is there!?!?!"bethany (dreadlock girl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02565178664993925800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839254926570278017.post-22994885092429782572008-03-16T10:46:00.000-07:002008-03-16T10:46:00.000-07:00Hi Bethany. I figured since noone else had comment...Hi Bethany. I figured since noone else had commented, I would. Of course, you're right about the president's commitment to Africa. In fact, sub-saharan Africa is one of the only places where most people still like him. I still agree with him on a lot of things, like that we should stay in Iraq for a while still (though probably at lower troop levels). I think his biggest failing is just being unable to admit his own mistakes. If he were to say, we were naive and unprepared when we invaded Iraq, but now that we're there we need to stick it out, I think that would help for a lot of people.<BR/><BR/>When it comes to policy, I disagree with his calls for "clean coal" which I've recently heard is proving impractical, and for a return to nuclear energy, which would cost so much, and take so long to get operational, that it's not a good use of money intended to lower pollution. I've also been really disappointed to find out that he let Dick Cheney authorize interrogation techniques that amount to psychological torture, and that he still won't denounce them.<BR/><BR/>I'm wondering what you didn't like about his immigration policy, though? Along with John McCain, he's the only other Republican I've heard that wants to provide a path to citizenship for otherwise law-abiding latinos living and working here, while also creating a big, legal guest worker program.<BR/><BR/>I know you say you're "not political":) but I'm just often puzzled by my friends' views on immigration.<BR/><BR/>-JoeJoe Culbertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511783050983085403noreply@blogger.com