License for political battle

"The after-effects of Hillary Clinton's wavering answer on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants continue to reverberate."

Wishful thinking, Swamp. Wishful thinking...

Immigration as a crisis issue was fabricated by the Republicans in order to stir up some fear going into the 2006 elections. It blew up in their face. The Democrats don't need to rush to act. This is a longterm systemic issue not a crisis, and it requires longterm systemic solutions such as revamping NAFTA so Mexicans aren't forced off their farms and out of their villages and come north to look for jobs to support their families.

Biggdawg, i's reality. In many polls, the issue of illegal immigration comes out on top for many Americans.

And doublespeak generally does not over well with many voters. It's one reason Hillary is disliked by half the country.

Evading the archived memos question also will hurt the Queen B with intelligent-minded voters. Perhaps she should send Sandy Burglar to get them. Scratch that. He'll just destroy them.

Evading the archived memos question also will hurt the Queen B with intelligent-minded voters. Perhaps she should send Sandy Burglar to get them. Scratch that. He'll just destroy them.

Posted by: John D | November 1, 2007 2:06 PM

Lil Johnny Drooler,

The Wingnuts (you) have spent the last 15 years trashing the Clinton family, you've got NOTHING left, no swiftboat surprises....NOTHING.

The Dems are dying for you nutty Wingnuts nominate Rudy Gigoloiani, for one thing Rudy has a little immigration problem of his own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkBkuuxdPSo&NR=1

If you think Rudy isn't going to get blasted you're deluding yourself:
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/17536-nyc-councilman-calls-for-investigation-of-giuliani-s-performance-re-9-11?play=1

Karma is B%*!#, Johnny.

Poor Eliot Spitzer. 1st he announces a policy that will benefit only those who can't legally vote for him while setting off a political firestorm with 72% of New York Staters against the Plan. Then he tries to save face by announcing NY will offer 3 different licenses. Now the ACLU, previously one of the few Spitzer supporters, accuses Eliot of selling out to REAL ID. Then Eliot's plan causes the Democratic presidential frontrunner to trip and fall over her poorly worded response when asked her opinion; this leading of course to 1 massive political pile-on by Reps. & other Dems. contenders alike, elevating "driver's licenses for illegals" to a presidential campaign issue". Just illustrates the old adage-when you try to please all of the people, you will end up pleasing none of them.

"SPITZER FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE"

FINALLY A GOVERNOR TAKES THE STANCE AS A GOVERNOR AND TAKES A STANCE ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH HAVING PEOPLE WITH THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION EVEN IF THEY ARE IMMIGRANTS. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. FORGET THE MASSES THAT GET UPSET. AT LEAST THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM THAT THEY DO NOT EVEN KNOW MAY HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE AND THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION INSTEAD OF THINKING ABOUT RUNNING AND LEAVING YOU STANDING THEIR DYING AND NO PROPER CLOSURE.

CLINTON WILL DO THE RIGHT THING, EXECUTIVE ORDER THE DREAM ACT, AND ALLOW AMERICA TO MOVE ON WITH A STRONGER ECONOMY, A STRONGER SOCIAL SECURITY OUTCOME, AND INFLUX OF MONIES INTO MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST RACIAL HYPOCRACY THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO FIND COMFORT IN LETTING GO.

IT'S NOT AN OPTION FOR PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN AMERICA. WE DID IT BEFORE WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.

Why aren't we talking about punishing HEAVILY car dealers and anyone who sells a vehicle to anyone who does not have a valid drivers license?

The Dangerous Face Of The Xenophobic Rightwing Lunitic Fringe.

The following is from a Public Justice news release:

Francisco Castaneda, the Salvadoran immigrant who earlier this month told a House subcommittee his tragic story of medical neglect at the hands of federal immigration officials, today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Government, the State of California and several federal officials.

Mr. Castaneda suffered egregious neglect while in detention from December 2005 to February of this year. Lesions on his penis were ignored for so long that a cancer metastasized and, earlier this year, Mr. Castaneda’s penis was removed in an effort to save his life.

The Defendants’ refusal to provide CASTANEDA reasonable and
humane medical care while he was in custody was tantamount to torture. He was forced to endure one of the most painful, terrifying, and humiliating experiences imaginable. CASTANEDA continually pleaded for the biopsy recommended by California medical providers, federal medical providers, and outside specialists selected by the federal government, but was denied this simple and inexpensive diagnostic test. As a result, he was denied medical treatment that would have prevented his penile cancer from spreading and becoming terminal.

Public Justice Staff Attorney Adele Kimmel said the lawsuit seeks to hold the federal and state governments accountable for abdicating their responsibility to Castaneda.

“We hope that, by exposing the federal government’s inhumane treatment of immigration detainees like Mr. Castaneda, we can help to change a system that is severely broken,” said Kimmel.

“Government officials imposed a death sentence on Mr. Castaneda, without the benefit of judge or jury, by their failure to provide a simple and inexpensive diagnostic procedure to rule out a life-threatening disease,” Doyle said. “This is a tragic case that could have been prevented by the exercise of basic human decency.”

He had been held in immigration detention from March 2006 until February 2007, almost a year, and several federal and outside medical professionals recommended the biopsy and treatment, yet it was never offered.

From the complaint:

Finally, after prolonged pressure from the ACLU National Prison Project,
the federal government scheduled CASTANEDA for a biopsy

John D, I don't disagree with what you're suggesting as to where the country stands on this licenses for illegal immigrants thing. In fact, I'm not at all sold on the idea, although I confess I haven't heard the case for doing this from Spitzer.

My only point is Swamp seems to be on a mission to tie this issue to Hillary and Hillary alone, when this is an issue for every other Democratic candidate save Dodd, the lone voice of clear opposition. This is not a point that distinguishes Hillary from Edwards or Obama as Swamp might infer. In fact, Hillary's hedging (or doublespeak as you say) on the issue makes her the least committed to the idea.

I would have preferred that she answered more forthrightly, but on the whole she has offered the least vague, most detailed-oriented responses of any of the other candidates during the Democratic debates with the possible exception of Biden. While some of the Republicans offer detail as well. For the most part I don't personally like what I hear.

The only canadate that will win next November is the canadate, ( currently unknown) that takes the hardest line on illegal immigration. It looks like Fred Thompson right now. For sure we can't trust Hillary. It is not beyond her to claim to stand against illegals, but as soon as she is elected, she will grant open borders for all the illegals and their families to come in. She will do this to ensure her base for the 2012 election.

God help us....

“Immigration as a crisis issue was fabricated by the Republicans in order to stir up some fear going into the 2006 elections. It blew up in their face.”

*****

Posted by: John E | November 1, 2007 1:31 PM

You know, John, for someone who claims to have lived in the east bay area in northern California, you sure are ignorant. California, alone, filed three (3) lawsuits against the federal government over the years because of its failure to enforce the immigration laws. Arizona, Florida and Texas also filed suits against the federal government for failure to enforce the immigration laws, and for reimbursement of costs incurred in providing social services to illegal immigrants. New Jersey sued the federal government for lack of enforcement. New York filed suit against the federal government to compel it to take custody of its immigrant inmates. These lawsuits got nowhere because the federal court’s have taken the position that the States have no right to demand the federal government does its duty to enforce the immigration laws on the books.

In addition, back in 1994, California passed a ballot initiative known as Proposition 187, in order to deny illegal immigrants social services, health care, and public education. It passed with 58.8% of the vote. However, it was overturned by a federal court on the ground that its provisions were preempted by federal law and because it denied “equal protection of the laws” with regard to education of immigrant children. Nevertheless, the measure prompted support for similar bills in Illinois, Florida, New York and Texas.

So, I don’t know where you’ve been, but immigration, as a hot-button topic, existed long before the 2006 election. A lot of people have been concerned about it since before the 1986 “amnesty” law that helped to churn up more trouble. The problem is that the federal government just doesn’t seem to listen when people complain.

So, please, don’t pelt us with this B.S. that immigration is an issue of recent fabrication by the Republican Party. It isn’t.

Posted by: mlimberg | November 1, 2007 5:56 PM

You think Grandpa Fred is going to win in 08? you better wake him up and tell him about that.

Why aren't we talking about punishing HEAVILY car dealers and anyone who sells a vehicle to anyone who does not have a valid drivers license?

Posted by: jethro | November 1, 2007 3:34 PM

What does this have to do with the cost of tea in China?

People don't need a driver's license to own a vehicle - at least, not in any State in which I've ever lived. The fact that they need to get someone else to drive it for them doesn't mean they can't own one.

However, people do need to be in the country legally in order to legally stay here. Why we would hand out driver's licenses to people who can't lawfully hold a job or walk the streets is a mystery to me. It would only encourage more people to illegally come or remain here.