The D.R.E.A.M. Act is dead.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

So these (up to) 29 years old illegal alien "children" encompassed in the failed DREAM Act get you emotional? At what point do you stop giving a free pass to "children"? What about the "children" being smuggled into the USA tonight? What about next week, next month, next year, etc.?

If you didn't get it already, these "children" are being used as props by the usual suspects to cast a wider net of inclusion. At what point does this madness stop?

After personally witnessing the bloviating from the usual crowd in the first 1986 "one time only" illegal alien amnesty I'm somewhat jaded, skeptical, and unsympathetic.

D@mn straight !

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

So these (up to) 29 years old illegal alien "children" encompassed in the failed DREAM Act get you emotional? At what point do you stop giving a free pass to "children"? What about the "children" being smuggled into the USA tonight? What about next week, next month, next year, etc.?

If you didn't get it already, these "children" are being used as props by the usual suspects to cast a wider net of inclusion. At what point does this madness stop?

After personally witnessing the bloviating from the usual crowd in the first 1986 "one time only" illegal alien amnesty I'm somewhat jaded, skeptical, and unsympathetic.

No, directly calling children criminals does however. If you look back, I haven't fully voiced support for the Dream Act.

Edited December 24, 2010 by Sousuke

[sachinky 465]

I think having gone through this process has skewed your perspective.

Well, that's a pretty obvious statement to make. The man with an illegal Mexican spouse/child in the country has a 'skewed perspective.' The illegals voicing their full support for the bill--certainly they aren't the ones with a balanced perspective either. Of course, our world-views are shaped by our experiences. When I was in college, I was pretty 'meh' about illegal immigration. It wasn't anything that concerned me directly, in fact, I remember being terribly amused about the vitriolic debates that'd take place in Politics class. Now it does (affect me directly) and I feel like I have a strong and informed opinion about it. One that I am entitled to, having undergone the process. And I'd wager that most legal immigrants feel pretty strongly against an amnesty, of any sort.

It's not about 'walking on coals' or such. It's not as if I suffered a great deal--sure, the waiting and the time apart was a PITA but our case was a relatively smooth and easy one -- nothing compared to some of the horror stories on VJ. For me, it's about right and wrong. Legal and illegal. Fair and unfair. Those are things that are pretty black and white to me.

The main reason for my opposition to the DREAM Act is the fact that it would be counter-productive. It tells other poor Latino families that as long as they just get their foot across the border things will be alright. That their children will at least have a shot at a better future, even if they, themselves, don't. The USA goverment will, in another fit of bleeding-heart-idiocy, pass another similar act in a another decade or so--all they have to do is wait it out. It simply encourages law-breaking behavior and induces illegal immigration. When or where does it end?

I know plenty of people who are against this Act -- they are natural born USCs and it isn't as if they have non-citizen family members to skew their perspective. I am fairly curious to see your explanation for some of the others (on this thread, for example) who have voiced their disagreement with this Act. Are they all bitter and resentful, too? Don't tell me they're all racists and baby-haterz.

Edited December 24, 2010 by sachinky

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Well, that's a pretty obvious statement to make. The man with an illegal Mexican spouse/child in the country has a 'skewed perspective.' The illegals voicing their full support for the bill--certainly they aren't the ones with a balanced perspective either. Of course, our world-views are shaped by our experiences. When I was in college, I was pretty 'meh' about illegal immigration. It wasn't anything that concerned me directly, in fact, I remember being terribly amused about the vitriolic debates that'd take place in Politics class. Now it does (affect me directly) and I feel like I have a strong and informed opinion about it. One that I am entitled to, having undergone the process. And I'd wager that most legal immigrants feel pretty strongly against an amnesty, of any sort.

How does this piece of legislation affect you directly? You're already here, right?

It's not about 'walking on coals' or such. It's not as if I suffered a great deal--sure, the waiting and the time apart was a PITA but our case was a relatively smooth and easy one -- nothing compared to some of the horror stories on VJ. For me, it's about right and wrong. Legal and illegal. Fair and unfair. Those are things that are pretty black and white to me.

Ok.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

The main reason for my opposition to the DREAM Act is the fact that it would be counter-productive. It tells other poor Latino families that as long as they just get their foot across the border things will be alright. That their children will at least have a shot at a better future, even if they, themselves, don't. The USA goverment will, in another fit of bleeding-heart-idiocy, pass another similar act in a another decade or so--all they have to do is wait it out. It simply encourages law-breaking behavior and induces illegal immigration. When or where does it end?

Interesting.

Do you know that's part of our rich US culture? The fact that thousands of migrants brought their children here for a better life?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I know plenty of people who are against this Act -- they are natural born USCs and it isn't as if they have non-citizen family members to skew their perspective. I am fairly curious to see your explanation for some of the others (on this thread, for example) who have voiced their disagreement with this Act. Are they all bitter and resentful, too? Don't tell me they're all racists and baby-haterz.

Some of them are.

Most of them though are just like their ancestors. Afraid of the current waive of migrants. We've hated the Chinese coming over; the Europeans; the Asians. We've even hated your people - that's how we came up skilled worker quotas.

[sjr09 155]

How does this piece of legislation affect you directly? You're already here, right?

What an ignorant statement, your lacking knowledge or education on this specific remark!

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

What an ignorant statement, your lacking knowledge or education on this specific remark!

Pardon?

[sachinky 465]

How does this piece of legislation affect you directly? You're already here, right?

I'll just assume you're being facetious here and go ahead and ignore this remark.

[sachinky 465]

Interesting.

Do you know that's part of our rich US culture? The fact that thousands of migrants brought their children here for a better life?

Yes, as a student of history, I'm well aware of that. I'm also of the opinion that randomly applying events and attitudes from the past to a modern context is futile. Slavery is also a part of US history. What worked in the early 19th or 20th century isn't necessarily going to fly in today's world.

[sachinky 465]

Some of them are.

Most of them though are just like their ancestors. Afraid of the current waive of migrants. We've hated the Chinese coming over; the Europeans; the Asians. We've even hated your people - that's how we came up skilled worker quotas.

Could be. But in the five years that I've been here and traveled the length and breadth of this country I have, NEVER, to this day, felt any sort of this 'hatred' that you speak of. Instead I've been graciously embraced and made to feel very welcome here.

Of course, that could be because I bother to speak the dominant language, I make reasonable attempts to assimilate into the American way of life. I chose to respect the laws of the land -- even the ones that I found kind of stupid such as no drinking under the age of 21. I understand fully well that I'm a guest here, this is not my 'home.' I don't march in the streets with fellow Indians flying Indian flags and demanding my 'rights.' I have nothing against Mexicans or Hispanics but this is simply my opinion as to why this wave of migrants may just be more 'hated' (to use your word) than the others.

Look, at the end of the day, it would nice to let in any and everyone who wanted to come to the US. However, that is neither realistic nor practical. As far as I'm concerned, this has nothing to do with 'race' -- I don't think that being 'hard-working' or 'looking for a better life' should be an excuse for breaking the law, no matter what race you are. There are plenty of hard-working people in Bangkok and Calcutta who would give their right arm to be in the US -- should they be given a free-pass as well?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I'll just assume you're being facetious here and go ahead and ignore this remark.

No I wasn't being facetious.

Unless any future legislation affects removal of conditions or qualifications for citizenship, US immigration policy does not affect you directly. It doesn't affect most Americans. Which is why there is so much ignorance about why so many are here illegally.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Could be. But in the five years that I've been here and traveled the length and breadth of this country I have, NEVER, to this day, felt any sort of this 'hatred' that you speak of. Instead I've been graciously embraced and made to feel very welcome here.

It is true. If you google deep enough, you'll find the history of US immigration in the thesis of grad students and the social events that precipitated that legislation.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Of course, that could be because I bother to speak the dominant language, I make reasonable attempts to assimilate into the American way of life. I chose to respect the laws of the land -- even the ones that I found kind of stupid such as no drinking under the age of 21. I understand fully well that I'm a guest here, this is not my 'home.' I don't march in the streets with fellow Indians flying Indian flags and demanding my 'rights.' I have nothing against Mexicans or Hispanics but this is simply my opinion as to why this wave of migrants may just be more 'hated' (to use your word) than the others.

sachinky, I live in a small city. I can't go out on any given day when I don't see a different woman of your culture dressed in traditional garb. If I see her with her husband, She is likely not speaking English. So good for you that you have assimilated. I don't hate you or the other lady. Nor think that I am better than them.

[^_^ 5,021]

What in the world are Indian people doing in West Virginia????