mr_genius

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 07:50 PM) I smell a sweep tonight. I made a ton of calls to Louisiana and I did not get one Hillary supporter. Nebraska and Washington are blowout wins for Obama. Obama leads in exit polls out of Louisiana.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 06:12 PM) I don't like that MI and Florida aren't currently getting counted, but man, her campaign is really starting to look bad in how they keep pushing this. If you think thats bad, just imagine if Obama wins the most delegates, but the super delegates go Hillary. cooontroverssyyyyyy

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 10:15 AM) Mike Huckabee is officially staying in the race, per his speech this morning from CPAC. I know Obama gets a lot of love for his speech making ability, but Huck can work a room just as well, if not better than Barack. He really can. He has quick wit and does well in debates, and gives a great speech. The guy is solid campaigner, his ratio of delegates per dollar spent is very impressive. I think Huckabee really surprised a lot of people, including me, with his political skills.

Uh, if he thought they were unconstitutional he should have voted against them.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 7, 2008 -> 12:10 PM) The Senate Republicans successfully filibustered the Senate version of the Economic stimulus package last night, supposedly because it had the gall to add in about $44 billion or so over 2 years in changes like additional unemployment benefits and help with heating for the poor. There were also a few goodies stuck in to placate a few Republicans at the changes. The interesting thing about it? The final vote was 59-40 (Harry Reid changed his vote so that he could bring it back to the floor later if necessary so it tallied 58-41). Every one of the Presidential Candidates in the Senate returned to Washington for the vote. But, you may be asking...59+40 is 99. Who didn't vote? Was it the guy who had a stroke about a year and a half ago? Was Larry Craig in the bathroom? What happened? Turns out, it was that steely eyed missile man and straight talker, John McCain, who missed the vote. He flew back to Washington for the vote, and didn't vote. Seems he didn't want to risk being able to be tarred by a vote that was remotely controversial in the general election campaign. A true story of courage. One worthy of remembrance. As compared to Obama's 'no votes' during his political career? ps. and by 'no vote' I mean he didn't vote, abstained. not that he voted 'no'.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 7, 2008 -> 04:10 PM) McCain was booed when he brought up immigration. But hey, at least there was loud cheering after the boos. Cheering much louder and longer than the boos. He knows a lot of Republicans didn't like the deal, but a lot think it was fair and a step in the right direction. It's definitely better than what we have now (nothing). Another thing for Republicans to keep in mind; if the Dems have the Senate, the House, and the Presidency... that bill will look real good compared to what the Dems will get through. Remember, even Lord Neo-con (GW) was going to sign it.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 7, 2008 -> 11:58 AM) Agreed. The party is fractured. I disagree that's it's questionable if conservatives are a majority. The conservative base was divided between Romney and Huckabee, while McCain swept up all the moderates. McCain did get more delegates than Romney and Huckabee combined. But yea, Conservatives are the base of the party. I guess the split comes with neo-cons, conservatives, and maybe evangelicals (a lot of them are unhappy with the corporate 'greed' as they see it in the GOP).

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Feb 7, 2008 -> 11:56 AM) You don't think Romney wouldn't shift his 250 delegates or so in the direction of a guaranteed VEEP nod? Not going to happen. McCain would probably still win. I think the GOP wants the primaries over with, probably have a McCain/Huckabee ticket.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Feb 7, 2008 -> 11:41 AM) Big difference. Romney is suspending. Which means he keeps his delegates. Romney could suddenly prove very valuable to a Mike Huckabee trying to become the nominee. If Huckabee can extend his reach somewhat, we could have a kingmaker. So now Romney is going to give his delegates to the guy who he thinks has been a spoiler, ruining his presidential run? that would be kinda funny.

Huckabee is doing really well

How? Increased border survalience, even a wall if that is shown to help. Stop employers from hiring illegals. If they can't get financial compensation for being here, they won't come here. Have a 'as tamper proof as humanly possible' ID for guest workers. Have a system that is easy for employers to check employees work status. When? now. This will give the authorities the resources to apprehend illegals and send them back. It removes the sanctuary cities excuse of "well, we just can't afford to send illegals who commit crimes back to wherever they are from". What else shoudld we do? Hire cops who work for free to arrest them? Actually, it is a big deal. It's a lot easier to catch employers running illegal operations when you have a database to check these guys with rahter than paperwork. You can cross reference someone to make sure a SS ID isn't being used in 5 locations across the country at the same time. Easier to track fraud. they won't do anything on their own. isn't it the "true conservative" way to bribe foreign governments anyways? haha ok. So what, someone pays a big fine, has to PROVE they have a job, and they must pay taxes, they CANNOT have any type of arrest record, must learn english, then they are illegible for a visa. As opposed to what plan? What other plan you going to get through congress? This plan is more harsh than Reagan's amnesty immigration plan. I guess there is always the " expect the perfect plan with no compromise and then get nothing strategy." Things will only get worse and worse over time.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 04:39 PM) I just GAVE you examples. What the hell do you want? Re: you saying to me that most of my posts look like "xxxxxxxxxxx", pot, meet kettle. You realize that at this point in time in our country, you cannot just build 12 million or MORE people into our social welfare program, right? McCain: "oh oh oh let's fine these people and then give them citizenship". (rotates index finger, big whoopie doo doo). It's AMNESTY. Make them all go home and come back the right way through a guest worker program. I'm fine with that. The truth is I don't support ANY of these assbags, because they are all full of s***. ALL OF THEM. McCain is a jackass who stabs the Republican party every time he can for personal gain. John McCain is WHO I call a Re-pube-lican. He's a sellout. McCain Kennedy Title I: Border Security * Requires the development of various plans and reports evaluating information-sharing, international and federal-state-local coordination, technology, anti-smuggling, and other border security initiatives * Establishes a Border Security Advisory Committee made up of various stakeholders in the border region to provide recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security regarding border enforcement * Encourages the development of multilateral partnerships to establish a North American security perimeter and improve border security south of Mexico Title II: State Criminal Alien Assistance * Reauthorizes the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program that provides reimbursement to state and local governments for incarcerating undocumented aliens convicted of crimes * Allows for funding to pay for additional criminal justice costs associated with undocumented immigrants charged or convicted of crimes Title III: Essential Worker Visa Program * Creates a new temporary visa to allow foreign workers to enter and fill available jobs that require few or no skills (the H-5A visa) * Applicants must show that they have a job waiting in the U.S., pay a fee of $500 in addition to application fees, and clear all security, medical, and other checks * Requires updating of America's Job Bank to make sure job opportunities are seen first by American workers * Initial cap on H-5A visas is set at 400,000, but the annual limit will be gradually adjusted up or down based on demand in subsequent years * Visa is valid for three years, and can be renewed one time for a total of 6 years; at the end of the visa period the worker either has to return home or be in the pipeline for a green card * Visa is portable, but if the worker loses his job he has to find another one within 60 days or return home * Ensures that employers hiring temporary workers abide by Federal, state and local labor, employment and tax laws * Prohibits the hiring of temporary workers as independent contractors * Protects temporary workers from abuse by foreign labor contractors or employers. * Gives temporary workers and U.S. workers remedies for violations of their rights * An employer can sponsor the H-5A visa holder for a green card, or after accumulating four years of work in H-5A status, the worker can apply to adjust status on his/her own * Sets up a task force to evaluate the H-5A program and recommend improvements Title IV: Enforcement * Creates a new electronic work authorization system that will ultimately replace the paper-based, fraud-prone I-9 system, to be phased in gradually * When operational, the system will be applied universally and cannot be used to discriminate against job applicants * Individuals will have the right to review and correct their own records; data privacy protections are in place * Immigration-related documents and US-VISIT will be upgraded to require biometric verification of travelers * The Department of Labor will have new authority to conduct random audits of employers and ensure compliance with labor laws; also includes new worker protections and enhanced fines for illegal employment practices TITLE V: Promoting Circular Migration Patterns * Requires foreign countries to enter into migration agreements with the U.S. that help control the flow of their citizens to jobs in the U.S., with emphasis on encouraging the re-integration of citizens returning home * Encourages the U.S. government to partner with Mexico to promote economic opportunity back home and reduce the pressure to immigrate to the U.S. * Encourages the U.S. government to partner with Mexico on health care access so that the U.S. is not unfairly impacted with the costs of administering health care to Mexican nationals Title VI: Family Unity and Backlog Reduction * Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not counted against the 480,000 annual cap on family-sponsored green cards, thereby providing additional visas to the family preference categories * The current per-country limit on green cards is raised slightly to clear up backlogs * Income requirements for sponsoring a family member for a green card are changed from 125% of the federal poverty guidelines to 100%, and other obstacles are removed to ensure fairness * The employment-based categories are revised to provide additional visas for employers who need to hire permanent workers, and the annual cap is raised from 140,000 to 290,000 * Immigrant visas lost due to processing delays are recaptured for future allotments Title VII: Adjustment of Status for H-5B Non-Immigrants * Undocumented immigrants in the U.S. on date of introduction can register for a temporary visa (H-5B), valid for six years * Applicants have to show work history, clean criminal record, and that they are not a security problem to be eligible for a temporary visa * They will receive work and travel authorization * Their spouses and children are also eligible * In order to qualify for permanent status, workers will have to meet a future work requirement, clear additional security/background checks, pay substantial fines and application fees ($2000 or more per adult) as well as back taxes, and meet English/civics requirements Title VIII: Protection Against Immigration Fraud * Attempts to eliminate the exploitation of immigrants by notarios or other unlicensed immigration law practitioners by imposing new legal requirements on such individuals * Allows immigrants defrauded by unauthorized legal representatives to file actions against their perpetrators Title IX: Civics Integration * Creates a public-private foundation under the USCIS Office of Citizenship to support programs that promote citizenship and to fund civics and English language instruction for immigrants * Provides for new money to fund civic and English language instruction for immigrants Title X: Promoting Access to Health Care * Extends the authorization of federal reimbursements for hospitals that provide emergency care to undocumented immigrants; includes H-5A and H-5B workers in the program Title XI: Miscellaneous * Distributes the fees and fines paid by H-5A and H-5B workers among the DHS and DOS for processing, DHS for border security efforts, DOL for enforcement of labor laws, SSA for development of the employment eligibility confirmation system, hospitals to pay for uncompensated health care, and the USCIS Office of Citizenship for civic integration and English classes * Requires the dissemination of information related to the provisions of this legislation * Includes anti-discrimination protections that cover all workers, including H-5A and H-5B visa holders And what the hell do you want to do? that doesn't look like this Uber Amnesty program you keep screaming about. Like I want 12 million illegals mooching off the US entitlement programs, I don't even want US citizens doing it. Make some cuts those programs.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 04:32 PM) shut it man! that's like opening up the ark of the covenant without raybans on! whatever it's just funny how these neo-cons think they are "conservatives". yea, 10 trillion dollar deficit, nation building, massive pork spending, all conservative. yea right. It's just radical nonsense, with false claims of being conservative.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 04:10 PM) A-M-N-E-S-T-Y (any way you slice it, it's A-M-N-E-S-T-Y, you jackass) Being against the tax cuts, before being for them. McCain-Feingold (the biggest piece of s*** legislation in a long time) The "gang of 14" - what a f***wad. McCain-Kennedy (, a CONSERVATIVE???) I'll just START there, and there's lots of other examples. And f*** the "he's just showing leadership"... bull f***ing s***. haha, you do realize that the immigration bill McCain was for is a WAY harsher than Reagan's amnesty of illegals right? I thought Reagan was the true conservative all Republicans should aspire to be? So you want basically want a president that refuses to work with the Democrats. Even if there is a compromise to give both sides some things that they want. And who do you support, may I ask. Most of your posts look like this "f*** s*** idiot, a@# f***, pee pee poo, c***. " bla bla bla. I know you think everyone is a 'pube' or a 'f*** a** c***' but besides that you give little information.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 03:57 PM) McCain damn sure isn't a Reagan conservative. He's disgustingly too liberal to call himself a Republican. What do you think his most liberal political issue is? What specifically makes him a liberal?

QUOTE(iamshack @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 04:01 PM) I'm intolerant towards what, is what I'm asking you? I am intolerant to people who are religious intolerants, or to people who are religious? people that are religious. lol

QUOTE(iamshack @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 03:56 PM) What does "intolerant stereotyping" mean? Is that stereotyping of people who are intolerant towards those who believe in other religions, or is that stereotyping of people who are religious as intolerant? I was suggesting that you, iamshack, may be intolerant. In the same sentence, I claimed you seemed to stereotype people.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 03:41 PM) Where are you getting this? I'm not sure how this response even came out of my post... Well, your response to "I have absolutely no problem with people who practice those religions in a way that doesn't affect, bully or harm others and their ideals." was that you think most religious people bully and harm others with their ideals. sounds like intolerant stereotyping to me. I don't believe in organized religion, at all, so this isn't really something that offends me. Still, I'm not going to make claims that most of them are out to bully and harm other people. Are they annoying sometimes? yea

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 02:51 PM) he seems like he's got convictions and convictions enough to follow through with them in the face of his own party at times. Of course he gained political capital with the left, but hey...a guy that works both sides and comes out looking smart and more popular than before is someone I can vote for. I'm not voting for "guy I'd like to babysit my kids"... I'm voting for "guy who has enough political know-how and smarm to out duel the other political BSers out there." I don't think Obama or the rest of the crowd can occomplish that like McCain can. i was watching CNN ( i think it was CNN) yesterday and they had a group of Obama voters in a focus group and they asked if anyone could name any of Obama's major accomplishments. no one said anything. it was kind of funny. then some lady was like "he's just so well spoken".

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 02:44 PM) really? can you even pick up the brush that you just used to paint that generalization? you just don't get it, do you. yes, it is ok for iamshack and people like him to bully his ideals on everyone....why? he is righteous and enlightened, he has EARNED the right to be intolerant.

good. they should make cuts across the board

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 02:36 PM) "What's it going to take for you to drive this car home today?"

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Feb 4, 2008 -> 02:36 PM) How can they look like idiots if you can't see them? Good point. Could also assist in stealing bases. I'm all for this.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 4, 2008 -> 05:59 PM) Isn't that President Bush?