GOP Kills DREAM Act

Politics • Views: 24,589

The Republican Party continues playing obstructionist politics with important issues, pandering to the nativist right wing base by blocking the DREAM Act.

The so-called Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would have affected immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children under the age of 16 and have lived in the country for at least five years. Other requirements include graduating from high-school or obtaining a General Education Development diploma and demonstrating “good moral character.”

Even then, only a six-year conditional status would be awarded.

Jump to bottom

129 comments
1 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:46:58am

I can’t see any rational reason to oppose the DREAM Act. The people who would take advantage of it are exactly the kinds of immigrants we want to become US citizens. What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

2 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:48:49am

re: #1 Charles

The DREAM Act was originally proposed by GOP member Orrin Hatch.

Their opposition to it, I’m afraid, can only be explained in terms of xenophobic, anti-immigrant rhetoric, appealing to those who fear immigration.

3 Lidane  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:50:00am

re: #1 Charles

What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

The DREAM Act benefits brown people and dirty foreigners who speak something other than English. That alone makes it anathema to the 2010 GOP.

4 jaunte  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:52:26am

The GOP, proudly building a permanent Democratic voting bloc.

5 SpaceJesus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:54:18am

doesn’t the dream act also grant citizenship to those who have served? after a couple years?

6 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:54:48am

re: #4 jaunte

The GOP, proudly building a permanent Democratic voting bloc.

Which is absolutely idiotic. The Latino community is a huge growing voting demographic, and would be a natural fit in some ways for the GOP if they would reach out.

7 Lidane  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:54:55am

Glenn Beck on the DREAM Act:

Beck: ‘If You Are…A White American Citizen, You Are Pretty Much Toast’

That is the current GOP in a nutshell.

8 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:55:55am
GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama branded the bill “an immediate reward for the illegal entry, and there is no serious plan to stop the illegal flow—indeed, the legislation incentivizes it.”

There is nothing “immediate” about it, and I can’t see how it’s going to “incentivize” people to make arrangements to have been brought here in the past. And how can he say “there is no serious plan to stop the illegal flow” when the Border Patrol has been doubled and 700 miles of fence have been built?

9 Big Steve  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:56:36am

I believe there is a little more to this. Technically the Democratic leadership in the Senate withdrew the bill. Since the Senate has and will retain more Democrats than Republicans, they could have brought the bill forth and let the Republicans stop it by filibuster and expose the GOP intransigence. In withdrawing the bill it is clear that they don’t have all the Democrats in the Senate supporting the bill either.

10 recusancy  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:57:32am

re: #9 Big Steve

There aren’t 60 dems in the senate.

11 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:57:57am

re: #7 Lidane

Glenn Beck on the DREAM Act:

Beck: ‘If You Are…A White American Citizen, You Are Pretty Much Toast’

That is the current GOP in a nutshell.

Sure, Glenn. Giving a little bit to some hardworking people makes me ‘toast’.

12 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:58:24am

re: #9 Big Steve

I believe there is a little more to this. Technically the Democratic leadership in the Senate withdrew the bill. Since the Senate has and will retain more Democrats than Republicans, they could have brought the bill forth and let the Republicans stop it by filibuster and expose the GOP intransigence. In withdrawing the bill it is clear that they don’t have all the Democrats in the Senate supporting the bill either.

Oh… that’s a silly comment… that has nothing to do with anything…

13 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:59:04am

re: #9 Big Steve

No, they couldn’t. They don’t have enough Democrats to break a filibuster.

14 jaunte  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:59:12am

re: #7 Lidane

Maybe if he had gone to college, he would know more about applying for in-state tuition.

15 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:59:49am

from a wingnut blog:

This is a good first step - the GOP blocked a Democratic effort to give $250 to Social Security recipients to replace the money that they didn’t get from having a COLA increase this year. Since inflation was so low, there was no need for a cost of living increase and The seniors got an extra-large bonus in 2009 because of a short-term spike in gas prices, but the Democrats weren’t interested in letting a little reason like that stand in their way.

Michelle Malkin has more on how the extensions on unemployment benefits are affecting small businesses.

how long will 40 million americans on social security and 8 million unemployed americans take the back of the hand from the GOP and yet still vote for them?

16 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:01:07am

re: #1 Charles

I can’t see any rational reason to oppose the DREAM Act. The people who would take advantage of it are exactly the kinds of immigrants we want to become US citizens. What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

i think it’s some kind of personality disorder, myself

17 recusancy  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:01:55am

re: #15 engineer dog

from a wingnut blog:

how long will 40 million americans on social security and 8 million unemployed americans take the back of the hand from the GOP and yet still vote for them?

Sadly, till they die off.

18 Ojoe  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:03:44am

re: #11 SanFranciscoZionist

Famous toast song.

19 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:10:58am

I’d love to interview Americans and ask them to explain how people can get citizenship in the US. I bet most have no goddamn clue.

20 recusancy  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:14:30am

re: #5 SpaceJesus

doesn’t the dream act also grant citizenship to those who have served? after a couple years?

Yup.

21 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:16:36am

Heh. And that ‘liberal’ media piece, CNN, has the headlines that the Democrats kill the DREAM bill. What a sorry state reporting is in.

22 SpaceJesus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:18:19am

re: #20 recusancy

“support our troops! oorah!…(unless they’re brown)…(or gay)…(or both)”

-conservatives

23 nines09  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:18:19am

Unless you have a name like Cochise, your family is originally from somewhere else. So if a child is born of illegals, they do exactly what now? Serve? Contribute? Or just disappear?
The GOP is not for just anyone. No…….

24 lawhawk  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:19:36am

re: #19 Obdicut

I’d love to interview Americans and ask them to explain how people can get citizenship in the US. I bet most have no goddamn clue.

I bet most wouldn’t be able to pass the naturalization tests (which require an understanding of US history).

25 recusancy  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:22:43am

re: #21 Obdicut

Heh. And that ‘liberal’ media piece, CNN, has the headlines that the Democrats kill the DREAM bill. What a sorry state reporting is in.

Well their top headline right now is about a little girl who likes star wars, so, yeah.

26 recusancy  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:25:02am
27 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:26:34am
28 b_sharp  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:29:09am

re: #24 lawhawk

I bet most wouldn’t be able to pass the naturalization tests (which require an understanding of US history).

Well you see, first God declared that as long as you’re white, this land is your land, then the founders decreed, as long as you’re Christian, this land is my land, so this land was made for you and me.

29 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:31:08am

re: #28 b_sharp

Well you see, first God declared that as long as you’re white, this land is your land, then the founders decreed, as long as you’re Christian, this land is my land, so this land was made for you and me.

you’ve probably heard of the GOP version:

“this land is my land, this land is my land… this land was made for me and me”

30 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:34:13am
31 Kronocide  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:34:34am

re: #26 recusancy

Please, won’t somebody think of the bigots!

What about the Freedom of Oppression clause in the Constitution!

32 Varek Raith  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:35:09am

re: #30 Killgore Trout

WikiLeaks-Related Cyber Attacks Probed by Justice Department, Holder Says
Round ‘em up and shut them down.

WE ARE ANONYMOUS!
WE ARE….IN DIP SHIT!
MOM!!!

33 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:35:23am

…and here’s what the freepers have to say about it:

The DREAM Act is the same recycled, amnesty policy, and now spending policy, that does not address deadly and drug infested, criminal activity occurring at U.S. borders today and every day, nor does it address the incredible costs to the tax payers who will in-turn pay for the education, welfare, and medical care of children of illegal immigrants.

it’s those evil illegal children again

34 Talking Point Detective  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:36:44am

re: #1 Charles

I can’t see any rational reason to oppose the DREAM Act. The people who would take advantage of it are exactly the kinds of immigrants we want to become US citizens. What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

Obviously, Obdicut is not a “real American.”

Real Americans want undocumented immigrants to remain uneducated and barred from federal funds to get educated, because if there’s one thing we don’t want, it’s those people with accents becoming more productive members of society.

Everyone knows that as people acquire more education, they are less likely to rely on public resources, and if there’s one thing that the GOP has made clear, it’s that they don’t want fewer people to rely on public resources.

35 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:38:54am

re: #32 Varek Raith

WE ARE ANONYMOUS!
WE ARE…IN DIP SHIT!
MOM!!!

The irony is hilarious. I just watched this interview….
Wikileaks activist: ‘Anonymous’ member, ‘Coldblood’
This “transparency activist” using an internet nic and made them blur out his face. At the end end gives his tortured logic for attacking companies who refuse to engage in illegal activities. It’s just absurd.

36 SpaceJesus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:41:27am

If you have any questions about the legal issues of the wikileaks thing, Congress’s legal advisory team has apparently released a memo on it

[Link: www.fas.org…]

37 Kronocide  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:46:09am

SWAT teams across the nation are refining their tactics for infiltration of garage/bedroom conversions, basements, and ohanas across this nation.

Shall we start the profiling now?

30something, lives with parents: check!
Online Gamer: check!
Works for computer company: check!
Angry, many attempts to ‘win internets:’ check!
Excessive prOn surfing: check!
RonPaul!: check!

38 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:46:11am
39 Opal  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:46:28am

re: #4 jaunte

“The GOP, proudly building a permanent Democratic voting bloc.”

Exactly! This is good political jockeying right now while Republican voters are still ticked off at brown people, but young people like my daughter-in-law whose parents entered this country in the 1970’s from Honduras, aren’t looking favorably on this. Then again, her parents are “conservative,” so maybe this slight can be forgiven by 2012.

40 Kragar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:47:40am

re: #37 BigPapa

SWAT teams across the nation are refining their tactics for infiltration of garage/bedroom conversions, basements, and ohanas across this nation.

Shall we start the profiling now?

30something, lives with parents: check!
Online Gamer: check!
Works for computer company: check!
Angry, many attempts to ‘win internets:’ check!
Excessive prOn surfing: check!
RonPaul!: check!

Only 3 of 6, so good to go.

41 Varek Raith  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:48:48am

re: #40 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Only 3 of 6, so good to go.


Let me guess…


Online Gamer: check!
Works for computer company: check!
Excessive prOn surfing: check!

Am I close???

42 Kragar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:53:16am

re: #41 Varek Raith

Let me guess…


Am I close???

Bloody Sith.

43 darthstar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:53:50am

Hey everyone…I just want to poke my head in to thank the Governors of Wisconsin and Ohio for sending their stimulus monies to California. New Jersey, Texas…if you’re not going to use your money either, then please forward that along at your earliest convenience. We like jobs in California…and getting some high speed rail lines in would make commuting across this big fucking state somewhat bearable.

44 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 11:56:56am

re: #43 darthstar

Hey everyone…I just want to poke my head in to thank the Governors of Wisconsin and Ohio for sending their stimulus monies to California. New Jersey, Texas…if you’re not going to use your money either, then please forward that along at your earliest convenience. We like jobs in California…and getting some high speed rail lines in would make commuting across this big fucking state somewhat bearable.

That damn idiot Walker won’t be happy till Wisconsin is a third world hell hole…

You know, like Mississippi?

/only a little.

45 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:02:31pm

re: #36 SpaceJesus

If you have any questions about the legal issues of the wikileaks thing, Congress’s legal advisory team has apparently released a memo on it

[Link: www.fas.org…]

Good link. Thanks for posting it.

46 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:03:53pm

Just heard about this on my radio…

Protesters attack car containing Prince Charles

Angry protesters in London have attacked a car containing Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

An Associated Press photographer saw demonstrators kick the car in Regent Street, in the heart of London’s shopping district. The car then drove off.

The prince’s office had no immediate comment.

Protesters angry at a huge tuition fee hike are fighting with police and smashing windows in London.

47 gamark  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:04:07pm

re: #9 Big Steve

I agree. The only reason I can think of for the dem senate to withdraw the bill is that didn’t even have enough votes to move it forward to the point where the repubs would have to filibuster. Or maybe they didn’t want to waste time with it knowing it was a lost cause. But in that case, they leave themselves a much weaker argument that “the republicans blocked it” because in fact they stopped it themselves.

48 Kragar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:05:42pm

re: #36 SpaceJesus

If you have any questions about the legal issues of the wikileaks thing, Congress’s legal advisory team has apparently released a memo on it

[Link: www.fas.org…]

Good one.

49 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:06:12pm

Once again the GOP goes out of their way, quite readily, to alienate themselves from Mexican-Americans, Latinos and other immigrant groups in this country.

So, with this, tin foil lunatic Ron Paul heading the House subcommittee that oversees the Federal Reserve, let’s add another one to the list:

GOP blocks legislation to award seniors $250
(AP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday thwarted Democratic efforts to award $250 checks to Social Security recipients facing a second consecutive year without a cost-of-living increase.

President Barack Obama and Democrats have urged approval of the one-time payment, saying seniors barely getting by on their Social Security checks face undue hardships without the COLA increase.

50 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:06:40pm

re: #47 gamark

It’s really not a weak argument when the GOP has stated they’re filibustering it. They already filibustered it in the defense bill, too.

51 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:08:09pm

The people of your century no longer require the service of composers

- frank zappa

hah

i really enjoy this feature charles has put on the page with the auto-quotes from our old late lamented uncle frank

52 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:08:59pm

Why attackers can’t take down Amazon.com

Amazon (AMZN, Fortune 500) has spent years creating and refining an “elastic” infrastructure, called EC2, designed to automatically scale to handle giant traffic spikes. The company has so much spare server capacity, in fact, that it runs a sideline business hosting other websites. Its customers include the New York Times, Second Life, Etsy, Playfish, the Indianapolis 500 and the Washington Post.

53 engineer cat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:09:37pm

“filibuster”

a form of government that has superseded the older, outdated, “democracy”

54 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:09:51pm

re: #52 Killgore Trout

Heh. It’d be a gas if Amazon kept hosting wikileaks but simply routed all the DDOS attempts to the servers hosting Wikileaks.

55 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:10:39pm

OT Hmmm…

Revolution Muslim leader changes tune

New York (CNN) — He might not be a household name, but Yousef al-Khattab and his Revolution Muslim extremist group have been pivotal in inspiring a wave of homegrown American jihadists over the past three years.

Born Joseph Cohen, this American Jew lived in Israel before converting to Islam. He espoused a radical version of the religion that he preached online and at public rallies.

In a CNN interview last year, he professed his undying love for Osama bin Laden, saying “I love him more than I love myself.”

Today, al-Khattab seems to have changed his tune.

He admits that his now defunct Revolution Muslim website became a “bug light for Muslim misfits.”

And he says he regrets that his message was taken by some as a justification to attack civilians.

“It was an idiotic thing, looking back on things now,” al-Khattab said.

He says terrorists who attack civilians anywhere in the world are “disgusting.”

Continues.

Well, that’s good. Watch the video.

56 webevintage  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:10:59pm

re: #1 Charles

I can’t see any rational reason to oppose the DREAM Act. The people who would take advantage of it are exactly the kinds of immigrants we want to become US citizens. What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

Dude, the TeaGOP hates them brown people…even the ones who are willing to join the military.

57 Spocomptonite  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:11:52pm

Well, of course the GOP wouldn’t support the DREAM Act. They don’t want their giant border fence to have a legal gate that non-white people could still get through.

58 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:13:46pm

re: #49 Gus 802

Once again the GOP goes out of their way, quite readily, to alienate themselves from Mexican-Americans, Latinos and other immigrant groups in this country.

So, with this, tin foil lunatic Ron Paul heading the House subcommittee that oversees the Federal Reserve, let’s add another one to the list:

GOP blocks legislation to award seniors $250
(AP) – 1 day ago

I’m flabbergasted. Seniors are their last constituency. The only thing they have left after that is Limbaugh. I can’t wait to see how they’re going to alienate him.

59 reloadingisnotahobby  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:13:58pm

So ..I take it you all have read the the Bill???
In it’s entire text….as presented for vote?
I’m not so sure this is bad thing until I HAVE!
Which…I’m sure as Bills go…will take some time!

60 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:15:10pm

re: #58 wrenchwench

I’m flabbergasted. Seniors are their last constituency. The only thing they have left after that is Limbaugh. I can’t wait to see how they’re going to alienate him.

Yeah, for a wopping 250 bucks!

61 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:16:23pm

re: #59 reloadingisnotahobby

What was the last bill you read the entire text of?

62 webevintage  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:16:40pm

re: #49 Gus 802


GOP blocks legislation to award seniors $250


And progressives/liberals are in a snit because the President is willing to compromise with the Republicans? How else can anything get done?
I’m surprised he seems to be one of the few democrats in Washington who can read the writing on the wall after the Senate was unable to get the House middle class tax cut bill past a cloture vote on Saturday.

63 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:16:40pm

You know. Anderson Cooper should be awarded cable news journalist of the year. He turned out to be very good.

64 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:17:29pm

re: #58 wrenchwench

I’m flabbergasted. Seniors are their last constituency. The only thing they have left after that is Limbaugh. I can’t wait to see how they’re going to alienate him.

Any money that comes from the government in any way (even as Social Security payments or unemployment insurance, which users pay for up front) is seen as a “goverment handout” and modern conservatives are opposed to anything that diminishes our rugged self-reliance.

65 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:18:21pm

re: #63 Gus 802

Yep. And he’s one of the few with the courage to actually ask factual, challenging questions.

A lot of others ask challenging questions, but they’re full of crap.

I’d love to see Cooper and Maddow teaming up on a show. Or fuck it, running a news network.

66 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:18:56pm

re: #55 Gus 802

OT Hmmm…

Revolution Muslim leader changes tune

Well, that’s good. Watch the video.

What this means: he has probably been outed as an informant in some Wikileaks document.

67 reloadingisnotahobby  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:19:24pm

re: #61 Obdicut

What was the last bill you read the entire text of?

That my friend is the point!
Just the little I’m aware of this bill would cost 100’s of millions just to administer…long before one “Anchor”baby would receive a dimes worth of benefit.

68 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:19:42pm

re: #65 Obdicut

Yep. And he’s one of the few with the courage to actually ask factual, challenging questions.

A lot of others ask challenging questions, but they’re full of crap.

I’d love to see Cooper and Maddow teaming up on a show. Or fuck it, running a news network.

I’d prefer to see Cooper remain on his own. I don’t think he would be a good match with Maddow since they have two different styles. The format he has now is a winner.

69 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:21:22pm

re: #66 Alouette

What this means: he has probably been outed as an informant in some Wikileaks document.

Maybe. Or wanting not to end up in prison. Still better than the Yousef al-Khattab we’ve seen in the past. Time will tell.

70 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:21:29pm

re: #67 reloadingisnotahobby

I’m sorry, but my point is that your criticism of this bill would be a criticism of all bills. So do you think that the congress should not pass any legislation whatsoever?

71 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:21:54pm

re: #68 Gus 802

Yeah, you’re probably right. I’d like to see some network emerge though that was run by someone with a journalistic soul, and not a cash register.

72 iossarian  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:22:21pm

re: #67 reloadingisnotahobby

That my friend is the point!
Just the little I’m aware of this bill would cost 100’s of millions just to administer…long before one “Anchor”baby would receive a dimes worth of benefit.

Hundreds of millions. My goodness, that’s a lot of money.

On the other hand, the Bush tax cuts that the GOP wants to extend will cost $700B over the next ten years.

So, when there are millionaires to suck up to, the GOP is quite happy to spend.

But, when there are brown people to be screwed, it’s suddenly penny-pinching time.

73 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:22:27pm

BTW George H.W. Bush and Condi Rice both support START. I haven’t looked for their opinion pieces yet.

74 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:25:46pm

GOP Latino group calls on Republican senators to support DREAM Act
By John Tomasic 12/9/10 9:06 AM

Latino advocacy group Somos Republicans is calling on GOP Senators to support the youth-immigrant DREAM Act when it comes up for vote Thursday and warns lawmakers that voting against the bill will have electoral consequences. The group points out that Florida’s Cuban population led the charge to defeat Al Gore in 2000 based on what they saw as his mishandling of the flashpoint Elian Gonzalez affair that year. The group writes that the DREAM Act is a similarly defining issue for Latino voters…

They don’t even pay any attention to their own GOP Latino groups. All they have now is that token Marco Rubio for them to claim “they’re in tune with Latino conservatives.”

75 darthstar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:25:59pm

re: #44 wlewisiii

That damn idiot Walker won’t be happy till Wisconsin is a third world hell hole…

You know, like Mississippi?

/only a little.

I think it’s totally appropriate for the administration to openly mock these assholes when they complain about losing stimulus money.

76 darthstar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:26:54pm

re: #61 Obdicut

What was the last bill you read the entire text of?

The five dollar bill.

77 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:28:07pm

Latinos Are Fleeing Republicans, Not Flocking to Them

A few conservative talking heads are pointing to the slight increase in Latino support for Republicans in the 2010 election as evidence of growing support for the GOP among Latinos. Careful scrutiny, however, reveals that this assertion is nothing more than spin. Republican support among Latinos is actually at one of its lowest points due to the fact that Republicans have done a good job at alienating the Latino community in the last few years.

The GOP is trying to salvage its reputation and brand among Latinos. Just last week Newt Gingrich hosted an outreach event bringing together conservative leaders to discuss their agenda. But these efforts are not enough to placate years of beating down on immigrants, including efforts to criminalize the immigrant community; denying birthright citizenship to children born in the United States; and promoting Arizona-like policies across the nation. And with unified opposition to the upcoming DREAM Act vote, Republicans continue to marginalize the Latino community.

Conservative Republicans argue that they made inroads among Latinos in the 2010 election because the GOP got 38 percent of the Latino vote. This represents an increase of 9 percent compared to the 29 percent of support among Latinos in 2008.

Continues.

78 Amory Blaine  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:28:52pm

re: #1 Charles

I can’t see any rational reason to oppose the DREAM Act. The people who would take advantage of it are exactly the kinds of immigrants we want to become US citizens. What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

They hate the American dream.

79 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:29:17pm

Don’t forget their darling Sharon Angle who blurted her big dumb mouth about Mexicans looking like Asians. Or something.

80 jamesfirecat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:31:32pm

Losing the dream act is bad… the only light at the end of the tunnel is that by losing it we may gain DADT repeal, assuming the GOP doesn’t find some other bone to pick with the Dem’s military appropreations bill….

81 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:34:11pm

More bad news for the GOP:
Colorado GOP loses Hasan
Prominent Muslim political figure fed up with party bigotry
By John Tomasic 12/9/10 7:30 AM

Muhammad Ali Hasan, a member of the wealthy and influential Colorado Republican Hasan family and a past state House and treasurer candidate, said he is switching parties. Speaking at the University of Colorado-Boulder on his experience growing up Muslim in the American West and later in conversation with the Colorado Independent, Hasan said he is ending his affiliation with the party for the bigotry he believes has shaped Republican politics over the last year. The FOX News regular and founder of Muslims for Bush said he met recently with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the controversial Democratic leader won him over.

Continues.

82 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:34:24pm

re: #79 Gus 802

Don’t forget their darling Sharon Angle who blurted her big dumb mouth about Mexicans looking like Asians. Or something.

They don’t, but there should be some “family” resemblance based on ancient common ancestors. Bering Land Bridge and all that.

I think I read somewhere they share a tendence towards Type A blood. Too lazy to look it up.

83 jamesfirecat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:35:48pm

re: #9 Big Steve

I believe there is a little more to this. Technically the Democratic leadership in the Senate withdrew the bill. Since the Senate has and will retain more Democrats than Republicans, they could have brought the bill forth and let the Republicans stop it by filibuster and expose the GOP intransigence. In withdrawing the bill it is clear that they don’t have all the Democrats in the Senate supporting the bill either.

And waist time that could be more productively spent getting the tax agreement taken care of along with DADT repeal and getting START signed?

Now is hardly the time for pointless political posturing.

The GOP voted to raise taxes on 95% of the American people unless the rich and then even the really rich (was there a practice vote on the tax staying the same for everyone below a million dollars) got a break as well.

That gives the Dem’s more than enough ammo to work with… assuming they’re willing to stop having a collective freak out in the trenches…

84 lostlakehiker  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:38:22pm

re: #1 Charles

I can’t see any rational reason to oppose the DREAM Act. The people who would take advantage of it are exactly the kinds of immigrants we want to become US citizens. What the hell is wrong with the GOP?

Not even any purely selfish reason? What fraction of the new citizens would vote Democrat?

Not even a crass political calculation: you torpedo my tax bill, going back on the negotiated deal, and this dies too?

85 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:39:39pm

re: #72 iossarian

So, when there are millionaires to suck up to, the GOP is quite happy to spend.

But, when there are brown people anyone else is screwed, it’s suddenly penny-pinching time.

Fixed

86 jamesfirecat  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:40:31pm

re: #84 lostlakehiker

Not even any purely selfish reason? What fraction of the new citizens would vote Democrat?

Not even a crass political calculation: you torpedo my tax bill, going back on the negotiated deal, and this dies too?

The latino population is going to grow in the US one way or another.

Better for the Republicans to allow that growth to happen and win a noticeable percent of it than to try and slow it down and get virtually none of it in the process.

As Micheal Steele himself would say, right now the GOP is the cow on the train tracks…

87 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:44:38pm

Blech. Just talked to the idiots at Capital One. What a waste of time. Paying for years some BS payment protection plan and then they say you have to be completely out of work. So, if you’re making 100 bucks a month forget about it. I can’t very well document stuff being self-employed. Plus I had some moron that sounded like she could work for the DMV on the phone.

Screw Capital One, Chase, and Bank of America. And fuck the GOP for making bankruptcy even harder.

88 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:45:25pm

The American Dream!

Quick, get the KY jelly.

This is going to hurt.

89 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:46:25pm

re: #86 jamesfirecat

As Micheal Steele himself would say, right now the GOP is the cow on the train tracks…


A brown cow?

90 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:46:43pm

Anti-earmark Tea Party caucus member Lamborn used to be earmark crazy

Colorado Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn has come out strong this year against earmarks. He joined the Tea Party caucus dedicated to fighting government waste and he enthusiastically signed onto the GOP House pledge against earmarking, or the practice of tacking on projects to legislation in order to deliver tax money to favored constituencies and causes. Lamborn wrote an editorial for his hometown Colorado Springs Gazette against earmarks last Saturday, a feel good Thanksgiving treat for the Gazette’s conservative readers.

He left out the fact that he has been earmark crazy since he arrived in Washington in 2007.

According to records posted at Citizens for Government Waste’s “Pig Book” website, Lamborn has been a major dealer in pork. He voted for more than tens of millions in earmarks, mostly for defense projects, one of which has become infamous in anti-big government crowds as a particularly egregious waste of taxpayer money.

“The House Republican vote to end earmarks demonstrates that Republicans are serious about bringing accountability and transparency to spending in Washington,” Lamborn wrote for the Gazette. “I call on my Democrat colleagues in the House and Senate to get equally serious about reforming Washington and to pass their own earmark bans.”

Continues.

91 darthstar  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:47:53pm

re: #81 Gus 802

More bad news for the GOP:
Colorado GOP loses Hasan
Prominent Muslim political figure fed up with party bigotry

I thought people flocked to the GOP to embrace its bigotry. /

Now, if only forty or fifty House members would do the same…

92 Amory Blaine  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:48:30pm

re: #84 lostlakehiker

Not even any purely selfish reason? What fraction of the new citizens would vote Democrat?

Not even a crass political calculation: you torpedo my tax bill, going back on the negotiated deal, and this dies too?

The GOP is taking their calculated risk by alienating immigrants. That’s their position. It isn’t a fringe arrangement, it’s official GOP policy. I agree that the news citizens will vote Democratic because the anti science nutjobs coupled with the bigots is not a forward looking party. Their only hope to glean off votes from an educated immigrant would be those purely selfish reasons you mention.

93 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:48:47pm

GOP gets queasy over earmark ban

Indeed, many Republicans are now worried that the bridges in their districts won’t be fixed, the tariff relief to the local chemical company isn’t coming and the water systems might not be built without a little direction from Congress.

So some Republicans are discussing exemptions to the earmark ban, allowing transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and water projects. While transportation earmarks are probably the most notorious — think “Bridge to Nowhere” — there is talk about tweaking the very definition of “earmark.”

“It’s like what beauty is,” said Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.). “Everyone knows what a bridge to nowhere is, or an airport that lands no airplanes, or a statue to you — everyone knows that’s bad. It’s easy to say what an earmark isn’t, rather than what an earmark is.”

Continutes.

Hahahaha! Bullshit artists.

94 Amory Blaine  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:52:17pm

re: #93 Gus 802

GOP gets queasy over earmark ban

Hahahaha! Bullshit artists.

LOL They want to take power back from the “wasteful spending democrats” to continue their disastrous spending and tax cutting policies. How amusing.

95 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:55:19pm

re: #94 Amory Blaine

LOL They want to take power back from the “wasteful spending democrats” to continue their disastrous spending and tax cutting policies. How amusing.

It’s just like I predicted. Those good ol’ boy will have no choice but to keep bringing the bacon home. Now they’re going to create “exemptions” to what they will define as earmarks. What a joke. They might as well start saying things like “well it depends on what you mean by earmarks!” Heck, Mitch McConnell is a notorious earmarker.

96 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 12:55:57pm

I did not have earmarks with that woman!

97 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:05:23pm

re: #87 Gus 802

Here’s a great source for advice: [Link: www.nolo.com…]

This book is helpful: [Link: www.nolo.com…]

And perhaps it can be found at a library near you. It helps to know what your creditors cannot do to you. In a way, you are more in control than you might think. Use the threat of bankruptcy against them like a stick.

/I’m related to two lawyers (one of whom gave me terrible advice.) I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express, ever.

98 Gus  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:07:02pm

re: #97 wrenchwench

Here’s a great source for advice: [Link: www.nolo.com…]

This book is helpful: [Link: www.nolo.com…]

And perhaps it can be found at a library near you. It helps to know what your creditors cannot do to you. In a way, you are more in control than you might think. Use the threat of bankruptcy against them like a stick.

/I’m related to two lawyers (one of whom gave me terrible advice.) I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express, ever.

Thanks. Not much they can do other than taking me to court. I’ve been thinking about hitting the road.

99 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:07:33pm

Is there some technical reason that the US Congress cannot pass a piece of legislation unless it weighs as much as an Ayn Rand novel?

How about a simple procedural rule that all spending items have to be voted on individually? It would certainly keep them off the streets.

100 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:24:39pm

re: #98 Gus 802

Thanks. Not much they can do other than taking me to court. I’ve been thinking about hitting the road.

There’s always some merit to that option.

101 garhighway  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:28:13pm

re: #72 iossarian

But, when there are brown people to be screwed, it’s suddenly penny-pinching time.

The GOP: When you absolutely, positively need to screw over brown people. ©

102 garhighway  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:28:58pm

re: #88 Gus 802

The American Dream!

Quick, get the KY jelly.

This is going to hurt.

Santorum!

103 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 1:59:38pm

Bunch’o’racists. And if I’m exaggerating, then not by much.

104 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:10:05pm

re: #59 reloadingisnotahobby

So ..I take it you all have read the the Bill???
In it’s entire text…as presented for vote?
I’m not so sure this is bad thing until I HAVE!
Which…I’m sure as Bills go…will take some time!

Do you normally read all bills in their entirety before forming an opinion on them?

105 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:13:03pm

re: #59 reloadingisnotahobby

So ..I take it you all have read the the Bill???
In it’s entire text…as presented for vote?
I’m not so sure this is bad thing until I HAVE!
Which…I’m sure as Bills go…will take some time!

HEY!…Maybe you would…be….better served? By hanging out at FREEREPUBLIC…? With all your extra ELLIPSES?!?!

106 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:13:32pm

re: #81 Gus 802

More bad news for the GOP:
Colorado GOP loses Hasan
Prominent Muslim political figure fed up with party bigotry
By John Tomasic 12/9/10 7:30 AM

Good for him, fuck the GOP

107 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:14:55pm

re: #104 SanFranciscoZionist

Do you normally read all bills in their entirety before forming an opinion on them?

I’m guessing he’s full of shit, and has never read a bill in his entirety in his life

These guys always lie

108 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:17:19pm

re: #67 reloadingisnotahobby

That my friend is the point!
Just the little I’m aware of this bill would cost 100’s of millions just to administer…long before one “Anchor”baby would receive a dimes worth of benefit.

The point is that you feel that you can have an opinion without having read the whole thing, but someone who supports it shouldn’t?

109 Usually refered to as anyways  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:27:43pm

re: #107 WindUpBird

I’m guessing he’s full of shit, and has never read a bill in his entirety in his life

These guys always lie

I’m getting confused, when you say ‘these’ are those these part of they?
Or are they a separate group entirely?

110 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:36:20pm

re: #109 ozbloke

I’m getting confused, when you say ‘these’ are those these part of they?
Or are they a separate group entirely?

guys that claim they always read the bills, in an internet forum where they’re obviously on the other side of the bill ;-) THOSE guys


“Is this them?” “Are these they!” “WHO TALKS LIKE THAT”

111 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:37:21pm

re: #109 ozbloke

To be sure, this particular fragrance of internet bullshit reared its head on LGF in the health care debate, where the very serious right wingers here were all like HAV EYOU READ THE BILL?!?!?! it’s all bullshit :D

112 Usually refered to as anyways  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 2:40:10pm

re: #111 WindUpBird

To be sure, this particular fragrance of internet bullshit reared its head on LGF in the health care debate, where the very serious right wingers here were all like HAV EYOU READ THE BILL?!?!?! it’s all bullshit :D

I was just playin with you, and yes the health care debate did fill a few threads.
Heady days those were.

113 stockman  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 3:11:16pm

re: #1 Charles
As written, the DREAM act (HR 1751) has the following language:
(2) WAIVER- Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the grounds of ineligibility under section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the grounds of deportability under paragraphs (1)(E) and (2) of section 237(a) of such Act, if the Secretary determines that the alien’s removal would result in extreme hardship to the alien, the alien’s child, or (in the case of an alien who is a child) to the alien’s parent.

Sect. 212 (a) (2) A,B,C deals with criminal behaviors, including multiple offenses, drug trafficking. The hardship language also is in the Senate Bill

Does anyone else see this as a sticking point in the bill?

114 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 3:24:30pm

re: #113 stockman

As written, the DREAM act (HR 1751) has the following language:
(2) WAIVER- Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the grounds of ineligibility under section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the grounds of deportability under paragraphs (1)(E) and (2) of section 237(a) of such Act, if the Secretary determines that the alien’s removal would result in extreme hardship to the alien, the alien’s child, or (in the case of an alien who is a child) to the alien’s parent.

Sect. 212 (a) (2) A,B,C deals with criminal behaviors, including multiple offenses, drug trafficking. The hardship language also is in the Senate Bill

Does anyone else see this as a sticking point in the bill?

I don’t.

Do you not trust the Secretary of Homeland Security to make exceptions? Do you think someone else should do it, or do you think there should be no exceptions?

115 stockman  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 3:30:18pm

I think this can be subject to abuse ( as can everything else); I can see why representatives would baulk at this type of language. The definition of “hardship” can be made so flexible as cover almost any situation. I see this as a big flaw in a bill ostensibly designed to address perceived inequities for undocumented striving students/ Armed Forces volunteers.

116 Kruk  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 3:37:15pm

re: #24 lawhawk

I bet most wouldn’t be able to pass the naturalization tests (which require an understanding of US history).

Well, duh! That test is pure liberal historical revisionism. It even implies the Civil War War of Northern Agression had something to do with slavery.

117 Kruk  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 3:44:42pm

re: #46 NJDhockeyfan

Just heard about this on my radio…

Protesters attack car containing Prince Charles

Heh. You know, not so long ago, attacking the heir to the throne would have cost you your head. (And if you were very lucky, they removed the one above the neck first).

118 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 4:23:02pm

re: #115 stockman

I think this can be subject to abuse ( as can everything else); I can see why representatives would baulk at this type of language. The definition of “hardship” can be made so flexible as cover almost any situation. I see this as a big flaw in a bill ostensibly designed to address perceived inequities for undocumented striving students/ Armed Forces volunteers.

I don’t think anybody failed to vote in favor of this because of the language you pointed out. I think they failed to vote for it because they fear the teabaggers screaming “Amnesty!!!11!” at them. Cowards.

119 Usually refered to as anyways  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 4:25:58pm

re: #118 wrenchwench

I don’t think anybody failed to vote in favor of this because of the language you pointed out. I think they failed to vote for it because they fear the teabaggers screaming “Amnesty!!!11!” at them. Cowards.

Didn’t Republicans voted against this long before the tea party had a voice?
I suspect its homophobia.

120 Usually refered to as anyways  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 4:26:40pm

re: #119 ozbloke

PIMF
s/voted/vote/g

121 stockman  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 4:35:32pm

Well, reading the comments regarding the legislation on this thread, it’s easier to impute motives of racism regarding “little brown people” to its opponents than sober reflection that some portions of this bill are questionable. Personally, I suspect immigrants’ rights groups might, sooner or later, start shrieking that this bill is grossly discriminatory towards ALL “undocumented” residents, and that, once again, the USA is cherry picking those that may have societal value and letting those of lesser value continue to exist extralegally.

122 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 4:42:57pm

re: #121 stockman

Well, reading the comments regarding the legislation on this thread, it’s easier to impute motives of racism regarding “little brown people” to its opponents than sober reflection that some portions of this bill are questionable. Personally, I suspect immigrants’ rights groups might, sooner or later, start shrieking that this bill is grossly discriminatory towards ALL “undocumented” residents, and that, once again, the USA is cherry picking those that may have societal value and letting those of lesser value continue to exist extralegally.

US immigration policy has always favored immigrants it considers to be of more value to the US economy. I don’t know why you think immigrant rights groups are going to complain about this bill when they’ve been trying like hell to get it passed. And I don’t suppose you have a link to anything that you based that opinion on.

“Sober reflection” indeed.

123 stockman  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 5:03:06pm

No, that was just my supposition . But it is interesting that, as you say, while the US has favored legal immigrants, now the same discrimination is to be extended to illegal immigrants, de facto present in the US, some of whom may have more economic value than others, but the law will be applied unequally amongst the group. I suspect that if this passes, the right’s advocates will now lobby to have the same provisions of residency extended to all undocumented/illegal residents as a matter of equity. Just a guess on my part; do you think they will not attempt to address the plight of the less favored illegals this way?

124 wrenchwench  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 5:24:39pm

re: #123 stockman

No, that was just my supposition . But it is interesting that, as you say, while the US has favored legal immigrants, now the same discrimination is to be extended to illegal immigrants, de facto present in the US, some of whom may have more economic value than others, but the law will be applied unequally amongst the group. I suspect that if this passes, the right’s advocates will now lobby to have the same provisions of residency extended to all undocumented/illegal residents as a matter of equity. Just a guess on my part; do you think they will not attempt to address the plight of the less favored illegals this way?

I think you’re not making a lot of sense. Specifically here:

I suspect that if this passes, the right’s advocates will now lobby to have the same provisions of residency extended to all undocumented/illegal residents as a matter of equity.
125 stockman  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 6:22:16pm

If there is intent for immigrants’ rights groups to provide a path to legal status for all undocumented people, the DREAM act would serve as the wedge legislation that provides that path, even if only for a clearly defined minority. If that is an initial step, how do you think the rights advocates, who clearly intend that conditional permanent legal residency (read “amnesty”) is their aim, would attempt to address this inequality? The right says illegal is illegal: this legislation says some illegals are more legal than others.

126 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 6:48:36pm

re: #125 stockman

Illegal aliens. Creeping in. Booga booga. They’re under your bed.

127 mj99  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 7:39:01pm

re: #43 darthstar

I guess it would be too much to ask they just give the money back to the taxpayers? How about NOT spend it?

128 stockman  Thu, Dec 9, 2010 8:39:30pm

re: #126 Charles

Sheesh, Charles. More likely they’d be makin’ my bed. But that I do myself

129 Obdicut  Fri, Dec 10, 2010 12:57:41am

re: #125 stockman

The right says illegal is illegal: this legislation says some illegals are more legal than others.

Yeah. Specifically, it says illegal aliens who arrive as children and demonstrate, in a variety of ways, their loyalty and worth to this country, should be given a path to citizenship.

Oh noes.


This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

Create a PageThis is the LGF Pages posting bookmarklet. To use it, drag this button to your browser's bookmark bar, and title it 'LGF Pages' (or whatever you like). Then browse to a site you want to post, select some text on the page to use for a quote, click the bookmarklet, and the Pages posting window will appear with the title, text, and any embedded video or audio files already filled in, ready to go.
Or... you can just click this button to open the Pages posting window right away.
Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT
LGF User's Guide RSS Feeds

Help support Little Green Footballs!

Subscribe now for ad-free access!Register and sign in to a free LGF account before subscribing, and your ad-free access will be automatically enabled.

Donate with
PayPal
Cash.app
Recent PagesClick to refresh
Why Did More Than 1,000 People Die After Police Subdued Them With Force That Isn’t Meant to Kill? An investigation led by The Associated Press has found that, over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after police subdued them through physical holds, stun guns, body blows and other force not intended to be lethal. More: Why ...
Cheechako
22 minutes ago
Views: 22 • Comments: 0 • Rating: 0
A Closer Look at the Eastman State Bar DecisionTaking a few minutes away from work things to read through the Eastman decision. As I'm sure many of you know, Eastman was my law school con law professor. I knew him pretty well because I was also running in ...
KGxvi
3 hours ago
Views: 75 • Comments: 1 • Rating: 1