As someone who strongly supported Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor in the 2003 special recall election, and as someone who has endorsed and supports Schwarzenegger for re-election this year, I was extremely frustrated to read this quote attributed to the Governor today in several major newspapers, when he was questioned by opponents of illegal immigration at a campaign stop yesterday in La Mesa in San Diego County:
While I certainly am ‘mad’ at the federal government for not securing our borders, why in Earth would I NOT get mad at "anyone" trying to come into this country, if they are coming here in violation of the law? Such a statement has as its natural extention that there is no moral relevence between those who legally immigrate into America, following our nation’s laws, versus those who sneak/smuggle/trespass into America by flaunting or ignoring our laws.
Let me be very clear, I draw a very BIG distinction between someone who legally emmigrates to America versus someone who disgards our immigration laws. The first group of people are RIGHT and the second group of people are WRONG. The Governor himself showed his respect for this country by following all of the rules that we have set up for those who are citizens of other countries coming to this one.
**There is more – click the link**
July 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Thanks, Arnold. Thank you for further motivating those even slightly inclined to support you.
How about comdemning those who break the law AND encouraging them to go back and force change in their own country?
July 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I found offensive Arnold’s quote about the “intensity of prejudice” he’s experienced over the issue of illegal immigration.
It’s bad enough that Democrat leaders are constantly calling people racist for opposing illegal immigration. But now the governor is calling it “prejudice.”
I think some clarification is in order.
July 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Right on, Jon! And you too, Thomas Sowell, for telling it like it is! So far, NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING! that has come out of the Senate – including the latest KBHutchison/Pence bill – addresses the problem of insecure borders and the permissive approach towards illegal immigration. The original House bill still makes the only sense in all this and is the only approach I can presently support towards resolving the problem. As today’s news shows, strict enforcement DOES work and it’s a shame that those charged with ensuring it have let things get as bad as they are.
July 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Sorry, but the Tocqueville quotation is fake. See: http://www.tocqueville.org/pitney.htm
July 27th, 2006 at 12:00 am
So as not to be considered hypocritical, I trust you are boycotting California wine, California produce, and most restaurants in California… ;)
July 27th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hey Jon – did you see today’s Field Poll in the BEE?
It says your opinion is shared by about a third of the likely voters (white guys who think like you).
It says it’s not shared by 60% of the voters. In fact, some of those who share your opinion still would allow illegals now here to stay here and become Democratic
Voters (ah, i mean citizens). 80%
of the electorate agrees with this.
Why won’t these new citizens be Republican? Well, first they know you don’t want them. Second,
when they are citizens with the right to vote they may still take umbrage at your characteriziation of them as “law breakers”.
Third, most come here to work to improve the lot of their families. They would take umbrage to hear you call them responsible for the modern welfare state.
Finally, they might question your (and sowell’s) characterization of white Republican guys as the keepers of the flame of American Culture.
Corruption by burrito?