Scalia plays politician; Romney plays possum

In another sign of just how screwy things have gotten, Mitt Romney, the GOP nominee for president, steadfastly refuses to get involved in the political debate about immigration. He refuses to offer his own ideas about a national immigration strategy*, and he won’t voice an opinion on President Obama’s controversial decision not to deport illegal aliens who were brought here as young children.

But worry not: A supposedly nonpolitical Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia, is eager to jump into the political fray where Romney is too meek to tread. In his radical dissent to today’s ruling on the Arizona immigration law, Scalia argues that Arizona and the other 49 states have the right to exercise “what most would consider the defining characteristic of sovereignty: the power to exclude from the sovereign’s territory people who have no right to be there.”

“Even in its international relations, the federal government must live with the inconvenient fact that it is a Union of independent states, who have their own sover­eign powers,” Scalia writes.

Just as remarkably, Scalia used his dissent to lambaste Obama’s decision regarding children of illegal immigrants, slyly referring to “the Executive’s unwise targeting” of available resources to combat illegal immigration.

“The husbanding of scarce enforcement resources can hardly be the justification for this, since the considerable administrative cost of conduct­ing as many as 1.4 million background checks, and ruling on the biennial requests for dispensation that the non-enforcement program envisions, will necessarily be deducted from immigration enforcement,” Scalia complained.

Scalia plays politician; Romney plays possum.

­

———-

*Note: Here’s the official Romney response to today’s ruling:

“Today’s decision underscores the need for a president who will lead on this critical issue and work in a bipartisan fashion to pursue a national immigration strategy. President Obama has failed to provide any leadership on immigration. This represents yet another broken promise by this president. I believe that each state has the duty — and the right — to secure our borders and preserve the rule of law, particularly when the federal government has failed to meet its responsibilities. As Candidate Obama, he promised to present an immigration plan during his first year in office. But four years later, we are still waiting.”

– Jay Bookman

726 comments Add your comment

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 25th, 2012
3:03 pm

Bruno – not a fan of sooth am I, he’s a kook

Peadawg 2:55 – I second tbs, good call. Adam is full of nuggets of wisdom. Those nuggets tend to make good fertilizer.

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:03 pm

“Well, I’ve met alot of possums in my time.”

Too bad you haven’t met many satirists.

UNCLE SAMANTHA

June 25th, 2012
3:03 pm

Mark in Midtown

Voting Present? That old canard.

I think it’s safe to say you know absolutely nothing about the senate rules in IL….

Mr. Silly Pants

HEY GRANNY…….. HE’S TALKING ABOUT THE U.S. SENATE………. NOT ILLINOIS

THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE

Dekalb comments

June 25th, 2012
3:03 pm

@ A dad 2:51

You reveal your racial orientation with your post. A grease monkey is a term used for someone who tinkers with mechanics, the ordered design of a machine. I suggest Scalia is tinkering with the Constitution in a way inconsistent with the design of that instrument.

He is by far not an originalist. He uses that as cover for some of his most egregious decisions but then conveniently abandons it when that doesn’t suit his needs.

He definitely needs to move on….the nation can hardly afford the damage he will do to the body politic.

Peadawg

June 25th, 2012
3:04 pm

“The dream act is not sn immigration plan”

Really? Allowing those who get a college degree or serve 4 yrs in the military while not having a criminal history to become citizens…isn’t an immigration plan? What would your plan be, Jm? Go home and get in line?

Paul

June 25th, 2012
3:04 pm

A dad

Actually, I can see why some profs (and teaching assistants and others) would do that: to get the students thinking about the ‘why’ of the decision, to evaluate the relative strengths of an argument, majority or no.

But I see your point, for some profs it just comes across as ‘this is why I agree with these justices and why they are brilliant.”

Soothsayer

June 25th, 2012
3:05 pm

“not a fan of sooth am I, he’s a kook’

Coming from Jm, there is no higher compliment! THANKS!

Adam

June 25th, 2012
3:06 pm

Bruno: Wickard v Filburn determined that by not being in the market, you are still in the market. In other words, if you set yourself up outside of a market that crosses state lines in any form, by, oh say not buying health insurance, then you are actually removing yourself from a market you would have otherwise participated in, driving the COSTS up for everyone else. Which was exactly the point of having a mandate. A mandate that wasn’t “unconstitutional” until Democrats supported it and passed it, by the way.

There is a reasonable case to be made that precedent had already been set by that case alone.

Bruno

June 25th, 2012
3:07 pm

WTF are you talking about? What have I ever posted that has insulted your GF with sexual language or otherwise?

You called her a “ho” several times a few Fridays ago, causing Jay to warn you and to pull your posts. Then you cane out with this gem on Saturday.

http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/06/22/a-musical-soundtrack-to-a-spiritual-journey/?cp=12#comment-990432

All I can say is that you’re a real man hiding behind your keyboard on a blog.

TaxPayer

June 25th, 2012
3:07 pm

Romney has already assured us that if elected he will use his business skills to fix what ails us. He’s going to cut federal revenues and load us down with more debt and charge US consulting fees until the fed makes a profit or sinks, at which time he will sell US off for pennies on the dollar and use the proceeds to fund his next business venture overseas.

Doggone/GA

June 25th, 2012
3:07 pm

“especially the ladies here, to know what a total POS he is.”

Most of us know already. He hasn’t gone that far with me…yet…but he did claim “victory” the other day in something that wasn’t even any kind of contest. I’ve noticed that he seems to be more extreme…and I did advise him to sleep it off, but he didn’t take too kindly to that advice.

Mr_B

June 25th, 2012
3:08 pm

Mr. Romney continues to demand “leadership” from his opponent, but refuses to say in which direction he personally would lead.

In 50+ years of watching and participating in Presidential elections, I cannot recall a cycle in which either party has put forward so few actual ideas as this year’s Republican party. So far, the only thing I’ve actually Mr. Romney propose is that we elect him president instead of Mr. Obama. Not much of a platform.

They BOTH suck

June 25th, 2012
3:09 pm

Jm @ 3:03

I’m going to reluctantly vote for the guy, but if he said it, it is fair game. That goes for any politician.

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:09 pm

“Oh, and on Scalia: law school professors will undoubtedly hate him, as they will have to come up with new lesson plans to fill the hours previously devoted to discussing the question “Do justices decide cases based upon their ideology and then construct a legal justification to support it?”

They probably ought to concentrate more on the Constitution itself rather than case law. If they did, then someone like Obama (who graduated from Harvard) would not have confused it with the Declaration of Independence.

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:09 pm

“Oh, and on Scalia: law school professors will undoubtedly hate him, as they will have to come up with new lesson plans to fill the hours previously devoted to discussing the question “Do justices decide cases based upon their ideology and then construct a legal justification to support it?”

They probably ought to concentrate more on the Constitution itself rather than case law. If they did, then someone like Obama (who graduated from Harvard) would not have confused it with the Declaration of Independence.

Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette

June 25th, 2012
3:09 pm

HEY UNCLE SAMANTHA

IF THAT’S THE CASE HE KNOWS EVEN LESS THAN WE THOUGHT AS THAT NOT AN OPTION IN THE US SENATE

the mind IS a terrible thing to waste, so please send yours to the local recycling center.

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 25th, 2012
3:10 pm

Peadawg 3:05

Dream act covers kids.

Comprehensive immigration reform: all illegal aliens, border beef up, reform of quotas, reform of the paperwork morass required to immigrate

Dream act is not a bad first step, but real immigration reform is much more

Furthermore, I think all illegal aliens should be given a green card, but are at the back of the line for citizenship except thru military service

Soothsayer

June 25th, 2012
3:10 pm

Bruno, one more time: what does any of that have to do with your GF?

Bruno

June 25th, 2012
3:10 pm

Most of us know already. He hasn’t gone that far with me…yet…but he did claim “victory” the other day in something that wasn’t even any kind of contest. I’ve noticed that he seems to be more extreme…and I did advise him to sleep it off, but he didn’t take too kindly to that advice.

I appreciate the back up, Doggone. Yep, he’s a real man, insulting women he’s never met on an anonymous blog.

Recon 0311 2533

June 25th, 2012
3:10 pm

Once again Jay’s way off the mark. Perhaps because he thinks that this Supreme Court ruling is somehow a huge victory for Obama. It was not. Romney is correct in pointing out that Obama has done virtually nothing for immigrants generally, he’s only pandering to a segment because he’s well aware that he can potentially lose in November. You can’t say that Romney is playing “Possum” on this issue when he’s been saying since Obama’s latest bypass of Congress that he’s produced only a superficial temporary bandage. Rubio was actually working toward a bipartisan agreement that was similar to Obama’s desperation ruling by fiat. As for Scalia, he’s absolutely correct. What you had was Kennedy and Roberts deciding based on the Constitution that the Fed’s trump the State of Arizona on immigration law. That doesn’t mean that the Obama administrations failure to enforce existing immigration law was ruled to be correct. Of course you had the left wing stooges on the court going along with the Obama administration as I’m certain they will on the upcoming health care ruling.

Peadawg

June 25th, 2012
3:12 pm

“Dream act covers kids.”

I thought it was anyone who gets a college degree or serves 4 years?

Mama Says

June 25th, 2012
3:12 pm

Jay,

you are good I will give that to you.

Scalia did say what you said but you left out the part where he said if the United States Government will not enforce the laws that are written (about immigration ) then the states have no choice but to do so……..

mighty but editing mistake.

just putting it into th eproper context.

You libs somethimes forget that illegal immigration is ILLEGAL and that Obama is not enforceing the laws

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:12 pm

“So far, the only thing I’ve actually Mr. Romney propose is that we elect him president instead of Mr. Obama. Not much of a platform.”

LOL…as opposed to re-electing Obama because he is a better choice than Romney (I guess the Hope and Change message isn’t resonating too well this time around)?

Paul

June 25th, 2012
3:13 pm

Towncrier

“They probably ought to concentrate more on the Constitution itself rather than case law.”

Case law is what illuminates the Constitution. It is what says “this is what the Constitution says in this situation.”

One cannot to thru a constitutional law course without being able to cite the parts of the constitution applicable to the case. Or many other course, for that matter.

ty webb

June 25th, 2012
3:14 pm

I guess the President’s new found support of states’ rights/sovereignty ends at gay marriage.

Jefferson

June 25th, 2012
3:14 pm

Romney CANNOT win without minority support.

Bruno

June 25th, 2012
3:16 pm

Oh, and Bruno, I can’t think of a single, solitary person that missed you last night.

And, BTW, it looks like your “buddy” Redneck Convert isn’t quite as popular as you figured either. 121 FNM posts for RC’s tribute vs nearly 400 for Bruno’s tribute in the same time period.

JamVet

June 25th, 2012
3:16 pm

No way in the Christian hell does Willard get 35% of the Latino vote. And he absolutely needs that to win.

Bad news, neocons. This race was over before it ever started. But watching the severely conservative squirmfest the rest of this summer and fall will be great entertainment.

Highlighted by the Whites Only Convention in Tampa.

Better than the sitcoms…

Keep Up the Good Fight!

June 25th, 2012
3:17 pm

Rubio was actually working toward a bipartisan agreement that was similar to Obama’s desperation ruling by fiat.

Hmmm, now where is that list of Dems that Rubio was so close to agreement with? And what exactly was being discussed in this fictional “bipartisan” agreement.

And what fiat?

Someone needs to turn off Fox Nonsense.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:18 pm

Mama Says — “You libs somethimes forget that illegal immigration is ILLEGAL”

It’s about as illegal as driving without your license. Please get up to speed on what the laws actually say.

“and that Obama is not enforceing the laws”

Every court in the land recognizes the phenomenon of prosecutorial discretion, and that’s exactly what his policy is. Besides that, ICE was already doing the *same thing* for a year or more before the President made it official.

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:19 pm

Now now Jay… Last week I gave you a link so you can actually read and educate yourself on Romney s plan. I guess you like most libs ignore concrete facts Romney has put forward about a comprehensive plan that will secure America’s borders along with giving law abiding immigrates a path to citizenship… You people are a sad lot…

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:20 pm

Hey Jay have you filled out the survey from Debbie Downer yet???

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:20 pm

Bruno — “You called her a “ho” several times a few Fridays ago, causing Jay to warn you and to pull your posts. Then you cane out with this gem on Saturday.”

That’s very disturbing and troubling. Thank you for calling attention to that.

Recon 0311 2533

June 25th, 2012
3:20 pm

Keep you need to keep up.

Keep Up the Good Fight!

June 25th, 2012
3:21 pm

JHM, I am with Granny. I am furious Obama is not enforcing the laws. Bush and Cheney should be prosecuted for war crimes. I mean the right does care about enforcing all laws, correct?

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:22 pm

“I suggest Scalia is tinkering with the Constitution in a way inconsistent with the design of that instrument.”

Well, that is like saying Tom Smith stole from a furniture store in the midst of a city wide riot. As I keep saying, the fact is that the Constitution has been in the process of being subverted by all three branches of the federal government since almost the beginning, starting perhaps with Hamilton’s establishment of a national bank.

“He is by far not an originalist. He uses that as cover for some of his most egregious decisions but then conveniently abandons it when that doesn’t suit his needs.”

How would you define originalism and do you favor it (why or why not)?

“He definitely needs to move on….the nation can hardly afford the damage he will do to the body politic.”

That same thing could be said by others of a number of justices, past and present (you know, like the ones who ruled segregation was Constitutional in 1896).

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:22 pm

Joseph — “Now now Jay… Last week I gave you a link so you can actually read and educate yourself on Romney s plan.”

I can’t find it on his website. Can you point it out for me, please?

http://www.romney2012.org/

Keep Up the Good Fight!

June 25th, 2012
3:22 pm

Recon, you need to use that material that is suppose to be between your ears to know the truth. Swallowing every nonsense point from Fox does not bode well for your future. ;)

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:23 pm

Joe Hussein Mama:

Glad you bookmarked it… Now read and learn what our next President plans to do…

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:24 pm

Joseph — “Glad you bookmarked it… Now read and learn what our next President plans to do…”

I can’t find the immigration plan you spoke of. Where is it, exactly?

http://www.romney2012.org/

:)

GT

June 25th, 2012
3:24 pm

Dekalb comments; excellent. And of course the illegals benefit the economy much like slave labor did in the south, which it became entirely too dependent on. What will happen though in the future, these immigrates will surpass the slave level by desire and education. They have the Catholic churches, that still believe in a good education. This class will rise and this country will benefit.

DBCOOPER

June 25th, 2012
3:25 pm

Bookman plays ‘newspaper person’

Erwin's cat

June 25th, 2012
3:25 pm

Obama did not introduce the drean act…he just stopped possible deportation of a particular segment of illegals..he offers no path to citizenship…to quote the President

“This is not amnesty. This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It’s not a permanent fix,”

It’s a temprary bandaide to get votes

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:25 pm

KUTGF — “I mean the right does care about enforcing all laws, correct?”

You forgot to close your tags.

/snark

There ya go. ;)

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:25 pm

Joe Hussein Mama:

Its in English though so you may have trouble with it…

http://www.mittromney.com/issues/immigration

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:26 pm

I just went to Google…typed…www.mittromney.com and then clicked on “Issues”…”Immigration”…and poof…there it was….Mitt Romney’s stated position on Illegal Immigration.

Jay and Friends…do you need help on Al Gore’s World Wide Web and looking up thingamabobs on the ‘puter?

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 25th, 2012
3:26 pm

Peadawg 3:12- u have to have arrived in the US as a minor

AND

Have lived in the US for the last 5 years

Meaning no one over 23 years old tops would qualify

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:27 pm

What exactly is Obama’s plan on immigration???

Peadawg

June 25th, 2012
3:27 pm

Joe Hussein Mama
June 25th, 2012
3:22 pm

Well, that’s the wrong website for one. You may want to start here: http://www.mittromney.com/

:lol:

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:28 pm

Oh got it.. Amnesty so hopefully he can turn out m,ore illegal votes…

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 25th, 2012
3:29 pm

Peadawg, actually revise previous

Looks like the original version contemplated anyone up to 35 years old

As long as you arrived as a minor (and graduated high school here in the US)

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:29 pm

Honestly libs. Go to Obama’s website and hit the drop down box for issue’s. Immigration is nowhere to be found….

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:29 pm

Keep up the lies Jay…you are pathetic.

From my ‘puter…

America is a nation of immigrants. We are not a nation bound by ethnicity, but one bound by the pristine idea that all people are endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is why our ancestors came to America and why so many today wait in line to come to our shores. Welcoming newcomers who share our ideals and work hard to secure a better life for themselves and their families is part of our heritage. A strong legal immigration system is an integral component of what makes America exceptional.

But today, our immigration system is broken.

A porous border allows illegal immigrants to enter the United States, violent cartel members and terrorists possibly among them. Certain states and municipalities grant benefits to illegal immigrants that act as magnets that draw illegal immigrants across the border. At the same time that unskilled workers are able to come here illegally, we do not grant enough visas to high-skill job creators and innovators seeking to come here legally. The system requires us to send away the great majority of the over 300,000 foreign students who are earning advanced degrees at U.S. universities. And it is too difficult for businesses to secure visas for foreign workers to make up for labor shortages and gaps in skills.
Obama’s Failure

President Obama has failed to solve our immigration problems. Indeed, he has failed even to address them. As a candidate for president, he promised to tackle immigration in his first year in office. He broke that promise, and has since only made our problems worse.

President Obama has done nothing to improve our visa system to bring in more high-skill job creators and innovators. Our system still turns away even those foreign students whom we educate here and to whom we grant advanced degrees.

President Obama has utterly failed to secure the border. And instead of taking a strong stand on illegal immigration, he has ordered immigration officials to enforce immigration laws “selectively,” leading to the dismissal of many deportation cases. At the same time, his Department of Justice has sued to stop states from assisting the federal government in enforcing immigration laws.
Mitt’s Plan

Mitt Romney believes that legal immigration is a boon to America. He will strengthen our immigration system so that it benefits the U.S. economy, ensures our security, bolsters the rule of law, and carries on America’s tradition as a nation of legal immigrants.

Attract the Best and Brightest

To ensure that America continues to lead the world in innovation and economic dynamism, a Romney administration would press for an immigration policy designed to maximize America’s economic potential. The United States needs to attract and retain job creators from wherever they come. Foreign-born residents with advanced degrees start companies, create jobs, and drive innovation at an especially high rate. While lawful immigrants comprise about 8 percent of the population, immigrants start 16 percent of our top-performing, high-technology companies, hold the position of CEO or lead engineer in 25 percent of high-tech firms, and produce over 25 percent of all patent applications filed from the United States.

Raise visa caps for highly skilled workers
Grant permanent residency to eligible graduates with advanced degrees in math, science, and engineering

A Strong Stand Against Illegal Immigration

Mitt Romney will protect legal immigration and the 4.5 million who are waiting in line to enter the United States legally by taking a strong stand against illegal immigration. He believes that illegal immigration must end and has a proven track record of advancing that goal.

Secure The Border

Mitt Romney will complete a high-tech fence and provide the necessary number of border patrol to finally secure our southern border.

Turn Off The Magnets

Mitt Romney opposes all “magnets” that entice illegal immigrants to come to our country illegally and stay here. He will establish a tamper-proof employment verification system like E-Verify that will enable employers to hire only those legally permitted to work and deny jobs to those here illegally. This will turn off the jobs magnet that attracts so many unskilled workers to cross the border illegally or overstay their visas.

Mitt also opposes all other magnets. As governor, he vetoed in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants and opposed driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.

Enforce The Law

Mitt Romney believes in the rule of law and will fully enforce federal immigration law. As governor, he authorized state police to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement.

Oppose Amnesty

Mitt Romney opposes amnesty because he believes that it acts as a magnet encouraging illegal immigration. The last amnesty law passed in 1986 granted legal status to 2.7 million illegal immigrants. In the decades since, the illegal immigrant population has quadrupled. Mitt believes that an amnesty should not be permitted to happen again. Illegal immigrants who apply for legal status should not be given any advantage over those who are following the law and waiting their turn. Mitt absolutely opposes any policy that would allow illegal immigrants to “cut in line.

Peadawg

June 25th, 2012
3:29 pm

Jm – Thanks for the clarification. I do still think it’s a good start for the kids who had no control over what their parents did.

“It’s a temprary bandaide to get votes” – Agreed

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:29 pm

“Case law is what illuminates the Constitution. It is what says “this is what the Constitution says in this situation.”

Only because of the very dubious Marbury ruling in 1803 after the Senate decided two years earlier they would only impeach justice for “indictable” offenses. Judicial review was a concept considered and discussed during the ratification process (it was even at one point argued to be a power of the executive but was turned into a veto instead), but it was rejected as a role for the SCOTUS (which was conceived to be the weakest of the three branches).

2nd Amendment Supporter

June 25th, 2012
3:32 pm

“121 FNM posts for RC’s tribute vs nearly 400 for Bruno’s tribute in the same time period.”

Looks like someone is trying real hard to compensate for what they lack. Just saying.

That Black Guy

June 25th, 2012
3:33 pm

Doggone, from downstairs.

Doggone/GA

June 25th, 2012
1:55 pm
“There should be NONE of it overturned. Illegal invaders are NOT citizens and thus shouldn’t be covered under the Constitution.”

The Constitution is not limited to just citizens, except where specifically mentioned
______________________________________________________________
Is it me or have you noticed some of those who constantly reference the constitution have no idea what IS/IS NOT in it or how it is applied?

Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!

June 25th, 2012
3:33 pm

“What exactly is Obama’s plan on immigration???”

You are right, Joseph, amnesty…and then the votes won’t be illegal. Just think…all it will take is a little amnesty to stop all that rampant voter fraud…

Good plan, Mister President. Give them amnesty and let them all become democrats… The GOP’s worst nightmare! :lol:

Mighty Righty

June 25th, 2012
3:33 pm

But worry not: A supposedly nonpolitical Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia, is eager to jump into the political fray where Romney is too meek to tread. In his RADICAL DESENT
to today’s ruling on the Arizona immigration law, Scalia argues that Arizona and the other 49 states have the right to exercise “what most would consider the defining characteristic of sovereignty: the power to exclude from the sovereign’s territory PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO RIGHT
to be there.”

“Even in its international relations, the federal government must live with the inconvenient fact that it is a Union of independent states, who have their own sover­eign powers,” Scalia writes.

So Jay views a state keeping people out “who have no right” to be there a “radical” position. I submit the radical is Jay! With this view Jay would okay an invasion of any state by a foreign country so long as it is done a few thousand at a time and the invaders will vote for Obama who uses his office to not enforce our laws including our voting laws.

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:33 pm

Compare the two website for Romney and Obama. It looks as though a preschooler is Obama’s webmaster. Its laughable… But I will admit they will try and tag the crap out of you to donate… Whoever does that part does it well…

Mr_B

June 25th, 2012
3:34 pm

“LOL…as opposed to re-electing Obama because he is a better choice than Romney (I guess the Hope and Change message isn’t resonating too well this time around)?”

Like I said, TC, I’ve been around for a while now and I don’t put a lot of faith in ANYBODY’s “hope” or “change” or ” morning in America.” Change in American politics is incremental rather than revolutionary. Mr. Obama has a track record of supporting ideas in which I generally agree, avoiding foolish military adventures and acting like an adult in the realm of foreign affairs. Am I 100% satisfied with his performance? Of course not. But he does strike me as a honest man trying to play the cards he was dealt in the best interests of his country.

I have no idea what Mr. Romney wants, other than to be elected president.

Recon 0311 2533

June 25th, 2012
3:35 pm

Keep are you suggesting that other sources offer greater credibility such as MSNBC or perhaps the New York Times. I know you think that I, like you, should get the news and its interpretations from Jay.

Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!

June 25th, 2012
3:36 pm

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:29 pm

Straight from Mitt’s web site??

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:37 pm

Normal Free…Pro Human Rights Thug…And liking it!:

Actually amnesty is not the Republicans worst nightmare. Could be for this election cycle but think down the road. Hispanics are Conservative especially on social issues. The democrat party has floated so far to the left they would alienate Hispanics down road… But we need to go the comprehensive route obviously…

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:38 pm

“I have no idea what Mr. Romney wants, other than to be elected president.”

It’s ironic, but that is exactly what I have thought about Obama. Perhaps we can both agree they are politicians more than anything else. If for no other reason than nominating more conservative justices to the SCOTUS, I will vote for Romney.

CJ

June 25th, 2012
3:38 pm

Mitt Romney: “As Candidate Obama, he promised to present an immigration plan during his first year in office. But four years later, we are still waiting.”

Romney forgot to mention the reason that we’re still waiting. Senate Republicans blocked an up-or-down vote on Obama’s “immigration plan” passed by the Democratic House of Representatives.

Paul

June 25th, 2012
3:38 pm

Steve Atl

So did I. Just because there are words there does not mean they translate into a point by point proposal. Here’s what is written under “Immigration”:

“Mitt Romney believes that legal immigration is a boon to America. He will strengthen our immigration system so that it benefits the U.S. economy, ensures our security, bolsters the rule of law, and carries on America’s tradition as a nation of legal immigrants.

To ensure that America continues to lead the world in innovation and economic dynamism, a Romney administration would press for an immigration policy designed to maximize America’s economic potential. The United States needs to attract and retain job creators from wherever they come.”

So… you have a person from Ireland who wants to immigrate under a Romney administration. He asks you ‘what’s required for me to come in?” What do you say? That “the system is designed to maximize America’s economic potential”? Would the legislative proposal be written like that?

As far as illegals, how will he ’secure the border?” There’s a lot of open space along the norther tier.

How’s he going to make sure E-verify works? Will he raise taxes to pay for it?

He’s going to ‘turn off the magnets?”

What’s that mean?

Is he going to outlaw tomato fields?

Make illegal cleaning hotel rooms?

Shut down fast food restaurants?

Romney’s plan sure has all sorts of ominous implications!

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:38 pm

Crickets from Jay…he is working on another “T-SPLOST” or “Musical Journey” blog since this one is such a disaster for him and the libs.

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:39 pm

“But I will admit they will try and tag the crap out of you to donate…”

I don’t recall…do they allow PayPal?

JamVet

June 25th, 2012
3:39 pm

Mitt Romney does not oppose all “magnets” that entice illegal immigrants to come to our country illegally and stay here. He will not establish a comprehensive system to crack down on employers who hire those not permitted to work here legally. He will take no steps to prosecute the thousands and thousands of businessmen in every state who profit enormously from using illegal labor.

Further he will never even mention this – the single greatest cause of illegals in this country – because there are too many Republicans making a mountain of illegal money off of this scam. From McDonalds to Walmart to Home Depot to you name it.

In other words he has no interest at all in turning off the illegal jobs magnet that attracts so many unskilled workers to cross the border illegally or overstay their visas.

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:40 pm

Hey Paul…go check out Obama’s site…nothing on Immigration…nada…zippo…maybe he was golfing or hanging out with Clooney when that part came up.

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:40 pm

CJ:

And where’s a link for that Obama plan. I’d like to read up on that…

Paul

June 25th, 2012
3:41 pm

Towncrier

Me: ““Case law is what illuminates the Constitution. It is what says “this is what the Constitution says in this situation.”

You: Only because of”

Now you’re just arguing you don’t like the law. because of a decision you don’t like from 200 years earlier.

We may not like how things evolved, or what is, but it does not change the fact the law is the law.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:42 pm

E. Cat — “Obama did not introduce the drean act…he just stopped possible deportation of a particular segment of illegals.”

No, he didn’t. Nothing in the policy forbids or bars deportation of any illegoso. It simply directs ICE to focus their efforts and resources on particular types and groups of illegosos.

This is the original policy, as articulated by a Director at ICE. It’s largely identical to what the President announced last week. Scroll all the way down and read the very last paragraph.

http://www.ice.gov/doclib/secure-communities/pdf/prosecutorial-discretion-memo.pdf

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:43 pm

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:43 pm

Joseph — “Joe Hussein Mama: Its in English though so you may have trouble with it…”

I’ll place my language skills in English and a few others up against yours any time, Joseph.

Now, if you’re going to be a jerk, I won’t read it at all. Apologize politely and I’ll read it.

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:44 pm

Just typed in a search for Obama’s comprehensive immigration plan. Drew a blank..

bman

June 25th, 2012
3:44 pm

If Romney were to say anything even relating to illegals in the country being “illegal”, he would be labeled a racist by nearly every media outlet in the nation.

Personally, I don’t understand any of it. If you do a slow-roll thru a traffic light & get caught, you pay a fine. If you get caught entering the country illegally, nothing happens.

How odd

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:44 pm

“Hey Paul…go check out Obama’s site…nothing on Immigration…nada…zippo…maybe he was golfing or hanging out with Clooney when that part came up.”

I guess if Romney’s debate coaches are smart, then they will advise Romney to induce “articulate” his plan and then ask why he has said published a word about it on his website before then.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

June 25th, 2012
3:45 pm

Mark imn Midtown – jay, are you saying that Romney engaged in the equivalent of voting “present”? Why when Romney does it does that all of a sudden bother you?

A senator can vote “Present” but a President or a Presidential contender really can’t. Senator’s don’t lead — Presiden’ts do.

DogGone – and nevermind that deportations are way UP under this admin. Doesn’t mean a thing.

Truth doesn’t matter — the only thing that matters is what some on the right can parrot from Faux News.

Recon 0311 2533

June 25th, 2012
3:45 pm

Romney says that we should make legal immigration more desirable and illegal immigration less desirable. I believe that as the criteria for comprehensive immigration reform makes a lot more sense than the Democrats position of making illegal immigration desirable.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:45 pm

Steve ATL — “Jay and Friends…do you need help on Al Gore’s World Wide Web and looking up thingamabobs on the ‘puter?”

No, you need help getting the joke. :D

Peadawg — “Well, that’s the wrong website for one. You may want to start here”

Excellent, I picked up a spare with my mad trollin’ skillz. :D

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:45 pm

“Personally, I don’t understand any of it. If you do a slow-roll thru a traffic light & get caught, you pay a fine. If you get caught entering the country illegally, nothing happens.”

Perhaps it is somehow tied to money…

Erwin's cat

June 25th, 2012
3:46 pm

JHM…thanks for the link..
yes “stopped” is an over reach
I should have said “discourages” instead of “stopped”

Dekalb comments

June 25th, 2012
3:46 pm

Steve @ 3:29 p.m.

Is the most original you can offer are citations from RMoney’s website? Those are purely political statements with absolutely no substantive proposals. He says he will establish a “fool-proof” system as opposed to E-verify. Can he qualify that statement? Is he suggesting a national ID card? The devil is in the details.

The reality is the President had to keep us from going off the economic cliff (which he prevented thanks to the stimulus bill, saving the auto industry, etc.). He has now taken the step to prevent us from deporting “innocent” participants in the whole immigration issue. These children did nothing wrong. Do you recall the remember the biblical admonition not to visit unto the children the sins of their parents?

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:46 pm

“I believe that as the criteria for comprehensive immigration reform makes a lot more sense than the Democrats position of making illegal immigration desirable.”

In truth, Recon, I think both parties have made it “desirable”.

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:46 pm

“I believe that as the criteria for comprehensive immigration reform makes a lot more sense than the Democrats position of making illegal immigration desirable.”

In truth, Recon, I think both parties have made it “desirable”.

East Lake Ira

June 25th, 2012
3:47 pm

So Mitt wants a big giant fence?

How’s he gonna pay for that? Can we see his proposed budget please?

Not vague statements, an actual budget with line item funding levels please.

Joseph

June 25th, 2012
3:47 pm

Joe Hussein Mama:

There’s really no point in an apology. If your an immigrant wanting to come here I figured your first language wouldn’t be English. That’s really the only folks who should be concerned with this right?

Paul

June 25th, 2012
3:47 pm

Steve Atl 3:40

Check out Obama’s site? You’re serious? I quoted from it and asked you what those ’specific proposals of his immigration plan” mean and that’s your response?

That’s a key indicator (”oh yeah?!!? Well….. what about Obama, huh?!!?”) that one cannot expand past the sound bites.

Maybe my comprehension’s off, but as you did not answer any of my questions about Mitt’s plan, perhaps, as you think his plan is clear and specific, you can help me out?

What will Mitt do with the illegals currently in country?

Is the correct answer “wait for them to self deport”?

carlosgvv

June 25th, 2012
3:47 pm

Jay, once you get beyond any personal dislike of Scalia, please tell us EXACTLY what he is saying here that is un-Constitional.

As for Romney, he has put himself between a rock and a hard place. He will just continue to come out with verbal mismash on imigration until the election.

Steve Atl

June 25th, 2012
3:49 pm

Need to Retitle the Blog…

“Obama plays politician and possum; Romney clearly states his views on Immigration at http://www.MittRomney.com

I am sitting here laughing at the lack of intelligence from the Left..

Peadawg

June 25th, 2012
3:49 pm

“So Mitt wants a big giant fence?”

And I’ll either dig under, use wire cutters with rubber grips, or get a bigger ladder. Puzzle solved. Next.

JamVet

June 25th, 2012
3:49 pm

Mitt also opposes driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Lets just all be good little neocons, pretend that they don’t drive cars now. This way they CANNOT buy auto insurance. Nor show proof that they have paid state taxes. It also increases the incentive to leave the scene of an accident before authorities arrive.

You guppies really think, that just like with the gays, your irrational non-pragmatism can drive them (get it?) underground.

Grow up and deal with the realities for once…

Towncrier

June 25th, 2012
3:49 pm

“Truth doesn’t matter — the only thing that matters is what some on the right can parrot from Faux News.”

Or what the left can parrot from Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, the HP, the Daily Kos, a number of talking heads on MSNBC and so on.

Ben Shockley

June 25th, 2012
3:51 pm

“Mitt Romney, the GOP nominee for president, steadfastly refuses to get involved in the political debate about immigration”

Well, except for when he said he supported the Arizona law….

Curious

June 25th, 2012
3:51 pm

What’s the position of Democrats, Republicans, or anybody on employers knowingly employing illegals?

What about those employers that don’t make a good faith attempt to verify status?

Recon 0311 2533

June 25th, 2012
3:51 pm

“In truth, Recon, I think both parties have made it “desirable”.

Towncrier, no disagreement there, however, the Republicans fall far behind the Dem’s in understanding how to manipulate that immigration path and make it pay off.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 25th, 2012
3:52 pm

E. Cat — “yes “stopped” is an over reach I should have said “discourages” instead of “stopped”

The way I read it, they’re not specifically looking for young illegosos who were brought here as small children. They’re looking primarily for older illegosos, who most likely intentionally and willfully came here without authorization.

Now, if they catch 55-year-old Tio Pepe and he’s got a dozen teenage illegoso relatives working for him in his lawnmowing and yard business, they might very well throw ‘em all back. But they’re not actively looking for the average teenage illegoso who just happens to be scraping by on mowing lawns.

Ben Shockley

June 25th, 2012
3:52 pm

“A supposedly nonpolitical Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia”

As opposed to supposedly nonpolitical Supreme Court justices like Kagan and Sotomayor, right?