Thoughts on Egypt & Libya

Hooray for freedom! It is what every human heart yearns for and everyone aspires to reach. Here in the United States we are blessed with such freedom. Most of the world has nothing even close. It is our duty, as the most free and blessed humans ever, to help our fellow man gain his freedom.

This is what we have done throughout our history. All over the place. Most recently, we helped people in Afghanistan and Iraq overthrow their tyrannical, evil governments.

The fight for freedom does not end simply because bad people are removed from power. There will always be bad people---in every single country or region---and they will always try to take power back. Sometimes they continue using guns and bombs and doing bad things to citizens. Sometimes they manage to get themselves elected legally and then take and keep power and oppress the people who foolishly elected them.

Even here in the United States we continue fighting for our freedom. We mostly do it in a more civil and respectful way, but people try to take our freedoms away every day.

I'm very glad for the people of Egypt, who said "NO MORE" to "their" government. I pray that they continue to work for a true and open democracy.

I am also praying for the people of Libya, who are currently trying to tell "their" government "NO."

What really makes me mad is all the people out there on the internet, breathlessly gushing on and on about these efforts and freedom and posting quotes from movies and books and raving on and on about how humans yearn for freedom, when a few years ago, President Bush was giving speech after speech about man's yearning for freedom and was ACTUALLY SUPPORTING AND FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM ROUND THE GLOBE, and these same people derided him, said he was speaking nonsense, that not all humans want freedom, that efforts to aid those seeking freedom were pointless. Hypocrites. Open your eyes and shut your mouths. Now you want the US to say and do all sorts of things (except, apparently, actually act with force when needed) and you go about paraphrasing President Bush who you called things like "Bushitler" and burned in effigy.

How do you compare the honorable and wonderful man President Bush is with men like Hitler and the "leaders" of these nations? Your viewpoints are completely skewed and, frankly, you have no right to speak on freedom at all. Please shut your mouths and let the real grownups, who have always supported freedom, continue on and perhaps you will learn a thing or two about reality.

A "most important bilateral relationship"

I do hope this is a sign that we will continue on in our friendship with Great Britain.

AP: New British prime minister at Camp David---

WASHINGTON - Prime Minister Gordon Brown traveled to the United States on Sunday, saying he planned to use the official visit to strengthen what Britain already considers its "most important bilateral relationship."

"It is a relationship that is founded on our common values of liberty, opportunity and the dignity of the individual," Brown said in a statement. "And because of the values we share, the relationship with the United States is not only strong, but can become stronger in the years ahead."

Read the rest of the article here. It goes into the Bush-Blair relationship, what the Bush-Brown relationship might be like, and issues such as Iraq.

Libby's Sentence Commuted

AP: Bush commutes Libby prison sentence---

WASHINGTON - President Bush commuted the sentence of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term that Bush said was excessive. Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case.

That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison."

Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush said his action still "leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby."

Why not a full pardon?

Don't Mess with the US

Victory! We did it!

Thankfully, the Amnesty bill has been voted down:

WASHINGTON - The Senate drove a stake Thursday through President Bush's plan to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, likely postponing major action on immigration until after the 2008 elections.

"Unlawful immigrants"??? That's sort of like saying "unlawful life-removers" (aka murderers). Call a spade a spade: these people are, legally, illegal aliens, not immigrants, not "undocumented workers," not "unlawful immigrants."

And, actually, the Senate didn't drive a stake through the Amnesty. We the People did that.

It was a victory for Republican conservatives who strongly criticized the bill's provisions that would have established pathways to lawful status for many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. They were aided by talk radio and TV hosts who repeatedly attacked the bill and urged listeners to flood Congress with calls, faxes and e-mails.

Excellent work, Americans!

After the stinging political setback, Bush sounded resigned to defeat.

"Legal immigration is one of the top concerns of the American people, and Congress' failure to act on it is a disappointment," he said after an appearance in Newport, R.I. "A lot of us worked hard to see if we couldn't find common ground. It didn't work."

Yes, We the People are concerned about legal immigration, but this Amnesty had nothing to do with that, and our top concern (in the realm of immigration) is illegal immigration, illegal aliens, and the amnesty that the President and our other elected "representatives" were shoving down our throats.

And, to the contrary, we are in no way disappointed that Congress failed to pass this travesty of an amnesty, but rather euphoric that we have been victorious.

The bill's Senate supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate and clear the way for final passage of the legislation, which critics assailed as offering amnesty to illegal immigrants. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate.

And how did our "representatives" vote?

From the beginning, the bill's most forceful opponents were southern Republicans. GOP Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Jeff Sessions of Alabama led the charge, often backed by Texan John Cornyn.

Two southern Republicans — Lindsey Graham, S.C., and Mel Martinez, Fla., who was born in Cuba — supported it.

Also crucial to the bill's demise was opposition from three Democrats recently elected from GOP-leaning states: Jon Tester of Montana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Jim Webb of Virginia.

All the Democratic presidential candidates in the Senate voted to end debate and advance the bill. Among the Republican candidates, only Sen. John McCain of Arizona voted to keep the measure alive. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., at first voted with McCain, but switched his vote when it was clear the bid to end debate would fail.

Wow, Senator Brownback, way to go with the flow. Nothing wishy-washy or indecisive about him. His new nickname is Senator Switch-back. Fits, doesn't it?

UPDATE: The people at Hot Air created this great ad:



Here is the cloture vote roll.

We should take time to celebrate, but then we need to make sure that this Amnesty stays dead and that our laws and borders are enforced.

This just goes to show that We the People are invested in our government, that we care what happens in our country, and that we have the power to make changes. The lesson to all in Washington, D.C. ought to be: DON'T MESS WITH THE US. WE are the United States. WE are the ones in charge. WE are the ones who will decide what happens here. And no one better try to force such a travesty on us against our will. We won! Thank God!

On a humorous note: I love this e-mail sent to NR editor Rich Lowry. Hilarious!

More from:
Michelle Malkin
Hot Air
Amanda Carpenter at Townhall.com
Today in History by Mark Krikorian (at The Corner)
Cop The Truth: Immigration Bill Bleeds Out on Senate Floor

From Bear Creek Ledger: A Little Music to encourage our Senators to vote no on cloture today

Here's a couple songs to get y'all in the mood for today:
Illegals…..the song by Dan Demay
Press 1 for English

The CAII members have been a very prolific bunch in the last day:
CAII Alert for June 26, 2007
Gwinnett County Georgia Fights Back
How the Presidency and America Will Be Changed by Immigration Fraud
President Eisenhower Put Americans First and Closed the Borders
Showdown In San Antonio-Hey Johnny We Are Coming
`Amnesty' fake papers pledged in wiretap
The Sellout Of America
George Voinovich on Sean Hannity: Arrogant, Imperious, and Ignorant
As True Today As In 1907
Amnesty Fence-Sitter Blackberry Addresses (Staff Included)
Senate Will Attempt to Invoke Cloture Again Today

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate.

House Conservatives Warn Bush

At least someone in DC is still sort of listening.

Washington Times: House conservatives warn Bush of immigration's cost---

Conservative leaders among House Republicans say that President Bush's upcoming showdown with them on immigration could threaten support for the Iraq war as well as for the president's other top policy goals.

"The White House should keep in mind that if they have a direct confrontation with House Republicans on [immigration], it could affect the vote on the Iraq appropriation in September," said Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican. "It will not affect me. I intend to stand by the president. But I do think it is something they should keep in mind for other Republicans who are borderline."

Rep. Adam H. Putnam, Florida Republican, warned that a lackluster immigration bill could do "irreparable harm" to House Republican support for the president.

"If the president makes it clear he'll sign any immigration bill that gets to his desk, no matter what it looks like, then it certainly will do more harm than good," said Mr. Putnam, who as chairman of the House Republican Conference is the third-ranking House Republican.

Mr. Putnam said that a speech by Mr. Bush in Glynco, Ga., last month — which the president's conservative base perceived as harsh criticism of its opposition to the immigration bill — was a "major step backwards."

It's Coming Back!

We knew it wasn't dead.

Fox News: Majority Leader Reid Close to Reviving Senate Immigration Bill---

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will approve a new deal on immigration on Thursday and move to bring the once-dead legislation back to the Senate floor next week, Democratic sources told FOX News.

Details of the immigration compromise remain to be finalized, but top Democratic sources say Reid has closely monitored the behind-the-scenes dickering over policy changes and a finite list of amendments due for consideration. Based on the latest updates on the policy and amendments, Reid will approve the compromise and move late Thursday to put the bill back on the calendar for Senate consideration in the middle of next week.

"He's going to bless it and he's going to get the Senate back in the business of dealing with immigration," said a source in the Democratic Senate leadership.

The principal change to the bipartisan immigration compromise that Reid shelved last week is the addition of $4.4 billion in added border security spending. That money will be added to the base bill to return to the floor. Any other changes to the immigration bill will have to be made through the amendment process.

Oh, joy!

And, of course,

Earlier in the day, President Bush agreed to the plan in hopes of winning over fellow Republicans.

"We're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept," Bush said in a speech to the Associated Builders and Contractors.

I will not be bought. I will not change my opinion on this matter just because they promise to add money to enforce the border security.

GOP sources tell FOX News that the new bill has enough support from Republicans for Reid to prevail on a procedural vote to get the bill to final passage.

As Michelle Malkin notes,

It's do or die time, people.

The GOP elites have chosen. If you have an objection, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Speak up now! Let them know we aren't stupid and that we aren't going to fall for false promises of enforcement.

More at Hot Air.

And don't forget to read "The best way to restore trust", from some anti-Amnesty Senators.

Let the Amnesty Crowd know you aren't going to stand for this:
The Senate
The White House
The House (Let them know they can expect lots of angry calls & e-mails if they fall in line with this shamnesty.)

"The best way to restore trust"

More on the Immigration Amnesty bill from Michelle Malkin and Hot Air.

From Michelle: Kill the Bill: Exposing the dirty deal
Update- Senators to Bush: Enforce the laws first

From Hot Air: Video: Sessions to Bush — “Back off”---Excellent.

Here is the letter from 9 Republican Senators, telling President Bush: Enforcement First!

Border Security Can Be Implemented Without Senate Bill

June 12th, 2007 - Today, nine U.S. Senators wrote a letter to President Bush urging him to fulfill the border security provisions listed in the Senate immigration bill whether the legislation passes or not. Each border security trigger in the bill can be implemented under current law without any need for new legislation from Congress.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. President:

We respectfully ask that your Administration enforce the border security laws that have already been authorized by Congress regardless of whether the Senate passes the immigration reform bill. The bill assumes that several critical border security benchmarks can be achieved within 18 months. These security triggers are already authorized under current law and can be completed without the immigration bill. We believe these enforcement measures are vital and should not wait until Congress passes additional immigration reforms.

Securing the border is the best way to restore trust with the American people and facilitate future improvements of our immigration policy.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R – South Carolina), Tom Coburn (R – Oklahoma), Mike Enzi (R – Wyoming), David Vitter (R – Louisiana), Jim Inhofe (R – Oklahoma), Jim Bunning (R – Kentucky), Charles Grassley (R – Iowa), John Ensign (R – Nevada) and Jeff Sessions (R – Alabama).

The Senate immigration bill calls for the following security benchmarks to be completed as a “trigger” before other parts of the bill go into effect. Bill proponents claim these provisions can be implemented within 18 months. All of them can be implemented under current law:
• Bill Trigger #1 – 18,000 agents border patrol agents;
--- This is already scheduled under current law: Customs and Border Patrol Press Release 8/4/2006: “In May, President Bush announced his commitment to hire an additional 6,000 agents by the end of 2008, bringing the Border Patrol’s total strength to 18,000 agents.”

• Bill Trigger #2 – 200 miles of vehicle barriers, 370 miles of fencing, and 70 ground-based radar and camera towers, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles;
--- This requires less than is already required under current law. The Secure Fence Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in 2006, already requires 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along Southwest border, mandates DHS achieve operational control over entire border through “virtual fence” that deploys cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and integrated surveillance technology.

• Bill Trigger #3 – End “catch and release” and provide ICE 27,500 beds for immigration detainees;
--- According to DHS, both of these triggers have already been accomplished. DHS Press Release 10/30/2006: “Ended ‘Catch-and-Release’ Along the Borders: In 2006, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE re-engineered the detention and removal process to end this practice along the border… ICE also increased its detention bed space by 6,300 during the fiscal year 2006, bringing the current number of funded beds to 27,500 immigration detainees.”

• Bill Trigger #4 – Secure identification documents with photo and biometric information and operational employment verification system to determine work eligibility
--- The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in 2005, already requires secure identification documents with photo and biometric information.
--- The Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2007, passed by Congress and signed into law in 2006, already provides $113 million to fully expand the Basic Pilot / Employment Eligibility Verification (EEV) system to be a national employment database.

Other Border Security Provisions of Current Law
• Achieve and maintain operational control over the entire international land and maritime borders of the United States as required under the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-367)

• Fully integrate all databases maintained by DHS which contain information on aliens as required by section 202 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1722).

• Fully implement US-VISIT program to record the departure of every alien departing the United States and match records of departure with the records of arrivals in the United States as required by section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1221 note).

• Enforce the provision of law that prevents States and localities from adopting ``sanctuary'' policies or that prevents State and local employees from communicating with DHS as required by section 642 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1373).

• Fully operational equipment at each port of entry and uses such equipment in a manner that allows unique biometric identifiers to be compared and visas, travel documents, passports, and other documents authenticated in accordance with section 303 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1732).

• An alien with a border crossing card is prevented from entering the United States until the biometric identifier on the border crossing card is matched against the alien as required by section 101(a)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(6)).

• Any alien who is likely to become a public charge is denied entry into the United States pursuant to section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)).

Let's All Be Illegals!

Apparently the White House has forgotten who the American people are . . . and who the illegal foreign aliens are.

From the AP:

WASHINGTON - Even as it bowed to complaints about vacation-ruining passport delays, the Bush administration insisted Friday it is pressing ahead with restrictions next year that could mean even bigger travel headaches.

Responding to protests, the State Department and the Homeland Security Department said they would temporarily relax a rule requiring passports for air travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
[. . .]
The application surge is the result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, in effect since January, which required U.S. citizens to use passports when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by air.

There are so many applications that the State Department is very, very, very backed up on passports. Even though they knew this was going into effect. Brilliant bunch of people there.

And, worse:

Despite that [. . .], security officials said they would proceed, as of January, with a requirement that passports be presented at all U.S. sea and land border crossings. Homeland Security plans to offer a draft in two weeks that spells out how the new rule would be implemented, said spokesman Russ Knocke.

(emphasis added)

How do you like that? We might as well all become illegal aliens. They obviously can move freely through our borders, through our society, but we Americans can't!

Several members of Congress were incredulous, and pledged to force a change in the January deadline.

"They have got an awful mess that they can't handle and they're going to have to put this whole notion off for another year," said Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., whose district lies along the U.S.-Canadian border. "If there is a mistake to be made, I'm sorry to say DHS will make it."

I couldn't agree more! And the biggest mistake is confusing American citizens with the illegal aliens! We aren't the criminals. We aren't the ones sneaking across the borders. We aren't the ones who should have to deal with all of this.

Maura Harty, the assistant secretary for consular affairs, acknowledged the department did not adequately anticipate "the American citizens' willingness and desire to comply" with the rule "in the timeframe that they did."

Last year, the agency processed 12.1 million passports. This year, officials expect to process about 18 million, she said. The department received 1 million applications in December, 1.8 million January and 1.7 million in February.

And look at that: last year they processed 12.1 million passports. This year, probably 18 million. The number of illegal aliens in this country is as low as 12 million and probably higher than 18 million. Why can't we process that many right out the door?

But the mess only gets bigger (not even considering how big of a mess DHS will have if the Amnesty is revived and passed):

Harty said the department had hired 145 people last month to work on the backlog and would hire 400 more this quarter. Target turnaround times for passports were bumped up from six to 10-12 weeks after the surge, but 500,000 applications have already taken longer, she said.

Those numbers pale in comparison to what lies ahead.

According to government estimates, about 6 million Americans will need formal documents to travel to the Caribbean, Canada or Mexico by air or sea. The estimated need for land crossings is more than four times that: 27 million Americans over the next five years. Those numbers do not include the regular year-to-year demand for passports.

The State Department is still working on creating a cheaper passcard alternative for land crossings.

Isn't this fabulous?

I really just can't get over the fact that DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and President Bush have been trying to reward illegal aliens with citizenship, not seeming to understand that there are probably terrorists in that group, but want to force more requirements on American citizens. I just want to scream sometimes. I don't want to pay for a passport in case I want to go to Canada (cause I'm never going to Mexico).

I really just can't wrap my mind around it. They are trying to improve border security. To do so, they are requiring American citizens to have passports to cross, but people who came here illegally, basically as invaders, are being rewarded for doing so. Does that mean I should just say "Screw it, I'm going over and back without a passport?" Does that mean they will allow me to get away without paying fines, facing jail time or being deported? Does that mean I don't have to pay taxes?

Sounds like a great deal. Let's all be illegals!

Where's the Fence?

Hilarious.



Visit WheresTheFence.com and show your support.

And, sign the petition.

Curtsy to the great Mark Krikorian at The Corner.

And great post by The Great One (aka Mark Levin) at The Corner, as well, titled What's Legal Immigration, Anyway?.

"It's got to be named for what it is"

Peggy Noonan was on Judge Napolitano and Brian Kilmeade's radio show today (Kirsten Powers filling in for Brian), talking about her excellent column on this amnesty.

You can hear it here. Do listen to the whole thing. It isn't very long, but Peggy is right on.

Curtsy to Hot Air.

The White House Has Broken With Us

Excellent column by Peggy Noonan over at the WJS Opinion Journal.

Here is a portion that I especially liked:

What political conservatives and on-the-ground Republicans must understand at this point is that they are not breaking with the White House on immigration. They are not resisting, fighting and thereby setting down a historical marker--"At this point the break became final." That's not what's happening. What conservatives and Republicans must recognize is that the White House has broken with them. What President Bush is doing, and has been doing for some time, is sundering a great political coalition. This is sad, and it holds implications not only for one political party but for the American future.

The White House doesn't need its traditional supporters anymore, because its problems are way beyond being solved by the base. And the people in the administration don't even much like the base. Desperate straits have left them liberated, and they are acting out their disdain. Leading Democrats often think their base is slightly mad but at least their heart is in the right place. This White House thinks its base is stupid and that its heart is in the wrong place.

(emphasis added)

And, it continues . . .

For almost three years, arguably longer, conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome. You don't like endless gushing spending, the kind that assumes a high and unstoppable affluence will always exist, and the tax receipts will always flow in? Too bad! You don't like expanding governmental authority and power? Too bad. You think the war was wrong or is wrong? Too bad.

But on immigration it has changed from "Too bad" to "You're bad."

The president has taken to suggesting that opponents of his immigration bill are unpatriotic--they "don't want to do what's right for America." His ally Sen. Lindsey Graham has said, "We're gonna tell the bigots to shut up." On Fox last weekend he vowed to "push back." Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff suggested opponents would prefer illegal immigrants be killed; Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said those who oppose the bill want "mass deportation." Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson said those who oppose the bill are "anti-immigrant" and suggested they suffer from "rage" and "national chauvinism."

I think that sentence I emphasized is especially important. We must recognize that we have not changed and moved away from the White House and the President's views, the White House and President Bush (and a number of our elected "reps") have broken away from us.

And worse, rather than simply agreeing to disagree, they have chosen to insult us, to treat us like we are the ones who came illegally into this country and are demanding gold watches.

We must not stand for this. Let the White House and the President and Congress know what you think. We can make a difference.

"A Grass-roots Donors' Rebellion"

Via Drudge---

Washington Times: RNC fires phone solicitors---

The Republican National Committee, hit by a grass-roots donors' rebellion over President Bush's immigration policy, has fired all 65 of its telephone solicitors, Ralph Z. Hallow will report Friday in The Washington Times.

Faced with an estimated 40 percent fall-off in small-donor contributions and aging phone-bank equipment that the RNC said would cost too much to update, Anne Hathaway, the committee's chief of staff, summoned the solicitations staff last week and told them they were out of work, effective immediately, the fired staffers told The Times.

Good for us.

There has been a sharp decline in contributions from RNC phone solicitations, another fired staffer said, reporting that many former donors flatly refuse to give more money to the national party if Mr. Bush and the Senate Republicans insist on supporting what these angry contributors call "amnesty" for illegal aliens.

"Everyone donor in 50 states we reached has been angry, especially in the last month and a half, and for 99 percent of them immigration is the No. 1 issue," said the former employee.

The RNC spokeswoman denied that the committee has seen any drop-off in contributions.

They can deny it all they want, but We the People are angry and not going to give money to a party that wants to give amnesty. I will not give money to a party that wants, and actively pursues, amnesty. Not one red cent.

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate.

More Essential to American Security

This was highlighted over at the RNC Website, though it comes from 23 May: President Bush: Fight in Iraq is Essential to American Security. This is the text from Bush's speech at the Coast Guard Academy graduation.

My question is: does President Bush not realize that the Fight in America over illegal immigration and enforcing our borders is MORE essential to American Security?

And he's talking to the men and women who defend our borders on the sea:

As part of Operation Noble Eagle, the men and women of the Coast Guard are protecting more than 360 ports and more than 95,000 miles of coastline. Overseas, the Coast Guard is conducting maritime intercept operations in the Persian Gulf, patrolling the waters off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The men and women of the Coast Guard are serving with courage, and the American people are grateful to live behind your Shield of Freedom.

Soon you'll join your fellow Coasties in carrying out these and other missions. And this Academy has prepared you well for the new challenges you will face in this war on terror. During your time here, you've taken courses in terrorist tactics and counterterrorism strategies; you've studied radiation detection, remote sensing, and the handling of hazardous materials; you participated in military exercises that have prepared you for the threats of this new century.

You'll need all this training to help keep your fellow citizens safe. In this war, we face a brutal enemy that has already killed thousands in our midst, and is determined to bring even greater destruction to our shores. We're blessed that there has not been another terrorist attack on our homeland in the past five-and-a-half years. This is not for lack of effort on the part of the enemy. Since 9/11, al Qaeda and its allies have succeeded in carrying out horrific attacks across the world; al Qaeda leaders have repeatedly made clear they intend to strike our country again.

(emphasis added)

How about the possibility that terrorists have illegally come into the United States over the leaky, leaky southern border?

How can Bush go on and on about protecting our sea borders, but then refuse to acknowledge that we are under invasion by land? We can prepare all we want to for another terrorist attack on our homeland, but what good does it do if we have not only opened the door for the terrorists, but have also laid out a red carpet?

Does he not understand that the terrorists will use every opportunity to come here and hurt us? That would include coming over the very easily crossed southern border. That would include taking advantage of the amnesty that Bush is pushing.

He needs to wake up and understand that America's Security depends most especially on enforcing our immigration laws and making sure the border is just that---a border that differentiates between the great sovereign nation that is the USA and the messed up, messy, corrupt nation that is Mexico. We have enough problems of our own; we don't need to take on Mexico's and Mexico's citizens.

Time to care about America's Security.

Go listen to Laura Ingraham unload on the Amnesty that President Bush encouraging vigorously. She's great.

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate.

If it isn't that, then what is it?

Some people don't understand the meaning of the word AMNESTY.

It makes me want to scream!

Send This to the White House

Please watch this video about the border and the new Amnesty bill. Then, do as Michelle Malkin suggests:

Pass it on. Send it to the White House. And tell 'em to stop insulting the intelligence and integrity of those opposed to repeating another shamnesty disaster.

Video by Sout al-Kuffar@The Jawa Report.

EXCUSE ME?

WHO isn't doing what's right for America?

The answer would be President George W. Bush and the United States Congress.

But guess who the President is blaming?

US.

As in WE THE PEOPLE of the United States.

That's right (and he's wrong).

AP: Bush Attacks Immigration Deal Opponents---

GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they "don't want to do what's right for America."

Perhaps he ought to look in a mirror! WE want to do what is right FOR America. WE want to enforce our laws. WE want to retain our National Sovereignty and National Identity. WE want to make sure that the United States of America does not vanish from the earth.

To the contrary, President Bush and his Open Borders friends want to do what is wrong for America. They don't want to enforce our laws. They don't really care about our National Sovereignty and National Identity. They don't care if the USA vanishes from the earth, as long as people who have illegally entered our country are taken care of with our hard-earned money. They don't care that many, many, many people want to come here and are trying to do it the legal way, but are being slapped in the face by those who invade our borders and are being rewarded.

"The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place," Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.

Courage??? Courage is standing firm in the face of anarchy, which is essentially what this bill will produce. These people who have illegally entered our country will not have to follow our laws or the rules, but rather will be rewarded and given whatever they want. Why stop at citizenship? Why don't we just give them all great houses, fast cars, and unlimited credit cards?

The fundamental question is, will our ELECTED "representatives," who are supposed to be doing our bidding, have the courage necessary to put the United States of America first? Or will they join the side of Open Borders?

He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that "makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America."

The "great immigrant tradition of the United States of America" is about legality, about patriotism to the USA, about assimilating and becoming AMERICANS, not about breaking in, taking over, and forcing us to become a part of Mexico, which is essentially what is happening.

And how exactly does giving those who illegally broke in citizenship make it more likely we will/can enforce our border? Are we putting the potential new citizens on Border Patrol? Are they going to be standing guard?

"A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don't think the government can fix the problems," Bush said.

"And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don't try to kill this bill before it gets moving," Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

The government can't fix problems! If you think it can, you must be a Liberal! The government really only ever creates bigger problems.

And why should we give anyone a chance to fix the problems with new laws? What is wrong with the old ones? If properly applied, they would certainly enforce our borders and people are treated with exceptional decency and respect, even those who have broken our laws and treated us with no decency or respect.

This just makes me sick. This illegal immigration rewards bill is being forced down our throats by the man we worked so hard to get into office. I am just about done with President George W. Bush and the Republican Party. Why should we continue to support someone who not only wants us to support a monstrosity of a bill but then insults us when we have questions and very legitimate concerns?

Show US some respect. We deserve more respect than anyone who has broken into our country.
I wash my hands of all this weirdness.

The Stupidest Article Ever?

I just read this article in my stupid local newspaper and had to come find it online and post a link because it is so incredibly stupid.

They are really scraping the bottom of the barrel on this one. What's next? A story about how he throws toothpicks out the window of his truck?

AP: Bush's seat belt usage not locked down

My local paper, the Socialist-Review has an even stupider headline: Does Bush regularly use seat belts?

WASHINGTON - President Bush encourages people to wear seat belts. Whether he routinely does so himself is not as clear.
[. . .]
Later, in his afternoon briefing, Snow was asked again to clarify Bush's personal policy.

"Well, it's always important to wear seat belts, especially when driving slowly on the ranch," Snow said.

He seemed to emphasize that Bush was driving slowly when he had no seat belt on.

Congratulations, Ben Feller, Associated Press writer, for such an article. Moron.

This article is sort of the runner-up: AP: Plan could jail illegal border crossers. Well, no kidding! After all, they have illegally crossed the border. And illegal means breaking the law, so . . .right.

AMNESTY

God save our country. If even "Conservatives" are allowing it . . . why do we bother with laws?

Drudge Headlines:

Deal Struck on Immigration...
BUSH HAILS...
Romney 'strongly opposes'...
McCain: 'Important step in moving forward'...
Sen. Graham: 'Last, best chance to pass immigration reform on our terms as a nation'...
Pelosi: 'I have serious concern'...

'THIS IS AMNESTY'

The Amnesty-Granter-in-Chief added his two cents:

President Bush said the proposal would "help enforce our borders but equally importantly, it'll treat people with respect."

What about respect for AMERICA? For AMERICANS? For LAWS and JUSTICE???

1776 or is it 1976?

As you may know, Queen Elizabeth II (I share a birthday with her) is on an official visit to the US. This is very adorable.

From Al-Reuters:

Bush noted the queen's long history of dealing with successive American governments, just barely stopping himself before dating her to 1776, the year the 13 British colonies declared their independence from Britain.

Elizabeth has occupied the British throne for 55 years and is 81.

"The American people are proud to welcome your majesty back to the United States, a nation you've come to know very well. After all you've dined with 10 U.S. presidents. You've helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 -- in 1976," Bush said.

Bush looked at the queen sheepishly. She peered back at him from beneath her black and white hat.

"She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child," Bush said as the crowd burst into laughter.

For details of the White Tie State Dinner, visit here. Of course, there were touches of Britain:

The centuries-old vermeil flatware and candelabras came from a London silversmith. A made-of-sugar replica of the queen's 1953 coronation rose graced the cake. English farmhouse cheeses accompanied the salad course.

Watch video from the dinner here.

Guest List here. Some very interesting names.

Dinner Menu here.