Texsox

How about a cost benefit analysis. What is this costing us, versus fixing the immigration laws? Why spend billions enforcing a law that may need to change? Terrorists may get in? Tourism, educations, HiB Visas, all allow people to arrive in this country. If you are intent on flying planes into buildings or blowing up a building, do you really think you will need to walk across the desert to do it? Stealing jobs? Can we learn from our past mistakes? http://www.ndsn.org/july97/goats.html

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2006 -> 07:20 AM) The cruise worked out after all eh? Hit on some old ladies for me He's such a handsome man, and a smooth dancer, Bringing someone or traveling alone?

QUOTE(YASNY @ May 2, 2006 -> 07:42 AM) I heard Rush say, no ... emphasize, that there was no admission of guilt. In a legal sense he didn't. So I guess you could believe he was not addicted, or just to perscription level amounts, never bought more than one Doctor would perscribed, attended rehab, and then accepted a fine, supervision, and all the other terms of the plea, because it would be best for everyone involved. Maybe Rush is the type of person that would accept all that instead of fighting baseless and untrue accusations to the finish. I sense otherwise. I choose to believe that was a negotiation point which helps Rush down the road and doesn't hurt society. If the goal of these laws are to protect the person from themselves, admitting guilt in the legal sense doesn't make a difference.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 2, 2006 -> 06:46 AM) As usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle of the Hannity rant and the MSM. Exactly, I just feel sorry for people that hang onto Hannity's, or anyone's every word, and believed this hook, line, and sinker. I was embarrased listening to Hannity. Rush is as human as they come. The truth is far better than Hannity's spin. The fact Rush became addicted to the most addictive pharmaceuticals made, shouldn't surprise anyone. His actions from the moment of addiction through yesterday is exactly what 99.9% of the population would have done. The only things unique to Rush and his profession is the Doctor's first choice, surgery through the vocal cords, doesn't seem like a great option to me either. The surgery that didn't, according to Hannity, provide the relief Rush was needing, happens to mortals as well. At some point in the future I hope Rsh sends a nice check to the housekeeper who ratted him out, she may have saved his life. Along those lines, he may have benefitted from his role as America's conservative voice and the most powerful man in radio. If this was a Hollywood celeb type person, there wouldn't have been the public pressure to come clean. It seemed everyone in Hollywood knew Belushi was an addict, Do we really care that Whitney Houston is a crack whore*? But America cared that Rush was a druggie. His supporters prayed for him, his detractors also prayed, some perhaps not in a Christian way. *tabloid stories

Southsider shared his personal observations from yesterdays rally, oh how I wish I were there. Of all the coverage I watched, the commentary I read, his was my favorite. It is nice to know reporters beliefs when reading their reports. He spoke of the mood and the feeling this was more a party than a demonstration. Not seeing the passions, he expected. I believe for many in the crowd, it was a support thing, and yes they would have less passion, but a party to feel good about being in America isn't a bad thing. In fact, I was sitting here earlier, thinking about how lucky we are to be born in America, and living here in 2006. That is the biggest lottery win of all. We have experienced peace on the domestic front for over a century. Economic stability and growth, advances in medicine here first, White Sox win a WS. Then I wonder how many here would . . . Give up their family and friends, their hometowns, their heritage and birthrights, to walk hundreds and thousands of miles across hills, valleys, mountains, and deserts. Trudging daily through rain, snow, freezing temperatures and blazing heat, always in the elements. Alternatively, investing their meager resources and being stuffed in a truck trailer or shipping container, hoping not to be caught, hoping to live to see sunshine. Moreover, let us not forget those that have a legal opportunity to cross the waters and land on our shores. Doctors giving up their practice to train to be nurses, business owners taking entry level programming jobs, tool and die makers trusting the American Dream. They arrive, most not speaking the language, unfamiliar with the customs, traditions, and laws. Trying to navigate, negotiate, and survive. Immigrants run into the dark side of America first. The hate, crime, poverty, over crowding, discrimination, and criminals out to make a buck at the immigrants expense. Learning to trust must be difficult. Most are grabbing the American Dream. Believing that if they work hard enough, sacrifice enough, that American is the most level playing field life can offer. Despite our shortcomings, the taxes, OSHA, laws and regulations, and anything else as Native Born Americans we want to use as an excuse, you can make it here. We hear stories of these immigrants wanting a better life, not for themselves, but for their kids. They speak of the education system, health care, and most of all opportunity, opportunity, and opportunity; if one works hard enough, and is dedicated enough, they can make it. They feel it in their bones, while we are taking it for granted as our birthright. No matter your position on immigration and immigrants, our country could do well by embracing once again, the spirit of the immigrant. The burning desire to improve our lot, which will make America better for all of us. I believe we advance further and faster by raising the bottom not moving the top higher.

YAS, we both know he would not have pled if there wasn't some fire with all the smoke. I thought he did admit guilt, but much of what I know is from Hannity, and he was trying to create a martyr.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 1, 2006 -> 01:19 PM) Kinky's, well, Kinky. May the God of your choice bless you. I'm still leaning towards Perry, I'm such a GOPerhead, but Kinky is starting to grow on me. I don't see any Dem on a statewide level getting me excited and Carol was too slimy in dodging the primary with this Indie bid. She's a (GOP) party animal and should have let her party decide, not do an end around.

An open letter to Mr. Hannity. Please don't make me turn off my brain when I listen. Today you said "This amounted to 40 pills, one prescription. If the prosecutor had more than this, this would be in front of a jury". Mr. Hannity, if that was all Rush did, you are right, Rush would have insisted on this being in front of a jury. Somewhere between 2,000, the original allegation, and 40 is the truth. Rush didn't become addicted by only having access to the correct dosage that a single Pysician prescribed. You claim Rush came forward, which was something we rarely see. In reality Rush was like everyone else in this position. He came forward, and sought treatment *after* he was caught. I do not blame him for this. After all, he looks human in the pictures I see. So like everyone, from celebrity to no body, he came forward after he was caught. You claim he was targeted because he's a conservative. He was target because he is a celebrity. Whitney Houston is a crack whore, Spears abused her baby, Robert Downey and others have all received the same treatment by authorities and the press. Rush was attacked because Americans love to build up and tear down celebrities. You repeated that Rush had a legitimate medical condition. Rush's crime wasn't taking that medicine in the prescribed dose, his crime was finding four Doctors to all prescribe the medication and he took way over the amount. We have this law to protect people from themselves. Based on the fact that Rush did not seek treatment until he was caught, I believe this law worked. With his plead, he must continue treatment and testing, again, this should be for his benefit. Bottom line a human was hooked on a dangerous and addictive drug. The medical and legal communities know the danger and put in laws to protect people from themselves. Like any addict, he did some things to feed his addiction which were illegal. He got caught. Like any celebrity, his legal and medical problems were played out for our base and voyeristic appetite.

I really can't believe it. I am surprised, and still prefer the party atmosphere as a reason to be there.

I was thinking about childhood celebrations of dancing around a may pole. I never thought about all the calories that can be burned off while pole dancing

Get those signatures in the mail! Greetings, faithful Kinky supporters: The time has come. Kinky needs every petition signature turned in to headquarters ASAP. There has been an outpouring of support from every corner of the state and signatures have been collected far and wide. Now is the time for them to come home so that we can process and prepare them for submission to the Secretary of State. Please make sure that you have attempted to verify the voter identification numbers for each signer and don't forget to have the signatures notarized before mailing them. We want every signature to count but those without notarization won't be valid. You can have this done in many places but the easiest is your local bank. Most banks and credit unions don't charge customers with an account. Just take a copy of our special affidavit which can be downloaded here: http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/vote/webpetition.pdf After you have looked up the voter IDs and had your packet notarized, please mail them to: Kinky Friedman for Governor Campaign 5010 Burleson Road Austin, TX 78744 Attn: John Jordan Volunteer support from the community has been incredible during this petition drive and it is because of y'all that it's going to be a success. We're looking forward to you making this entire campaign a success. Thank you! -Team Kinky

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ May 1, 2006 -> 12:01 PM) There's absolutely no way that only 60% are working... Depending on how they put together the numbers, it's very believable. 7,000,000 workers, let's say 5,000,000 are married and they each have 2 kids, that another 5,000,000 kids that are not working. Toss in a grandma and grandpa and the numbers could make sense. If we have 5,000,000 people here who immigrated just to collect public aid, I say start the buses and let's get their asses out of here.

I believe most (50% - 75%) are there for the party, and I don't mean Dems or Reps.

Each person probably has their own reasons, and I'm guessing, some of the reasons are, it beats working, it's a parade, a chance to get laid, have a couple beers, make a difference, be a part of something big

I always thought they didn't start selling SRO until the game was sold out. It would encourage people to "sneak" into seats if they did it prior to a sell out.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ May 1, 2006 -> 11:19 AM) Not entirely on the first part...as you increase distance, resistance goes up, so you simply cannot transmit the power that far. You don't have to. Less get's pulled from one area and it just kind of cascades. Dallas doesn't pull as much from St Louis, who doesn't pull as much from Cleveland, who doesn't pull as much from Boston, and viola. Capacity in helps no matter where. Now I wish every home also had a means to generate electricity. I've looked at various solar possibiites, with the bonus of "selling back" excess.

I found some isopropyl alcohol and that stops some of the itch. I must have been bit 20 times in less than a minute.

But weren't Republicans the majority party the entire time Bush was in office? Guessing at the numbers, I assume much of Dubyas involves the war on terror. Bush and Clinton didn't have to deal with a 9/11 type attack. I dislike graphs and charts like this without understanding exactly what it repesents.

Excuse me while I vent Mother f***ing, damn, s***, f*** f*** f*** fire ants. My foot was already hurting and a bunch of fire ants attacked from nowhere and now it itches like crazy and I can't find any of my fireant stuff. Mother f***ing little bastards.

I always wonder if this is a standard operating procedure for a President and that every other President in the past couple hundred years did this as well. It could be quiet because it is routine.

QUOTE(samclemens @ May 1, 2006 -> 10:58 AM) if the boycott has no impact on the economy, it will defeat the cause of the boycott today. the entire purpose of the boycott is to show how much of an impact "immigrant" (illegal) workers have on the economy and how important they are and why we have to grant them amnesty. if there is no impact on the economy, it will prove the complete opposite of what the boycotters are trying to prove. I wasn't certain what you were trying to "impact", I thought you meant impact on the immigration reform debate.

Dear Sam Clemons, When we were in the Senate together, John Kerry and I shared a lot more than a last name. We both came to public service after having served our country in Vietnam. And that experience caused us to make a fifteen year effort to bring peace to Cambodia, resolve the POW-MIA issue, write a road map to normalization with our former enemy, and follow that road map until a former prisoner of war returned as our ambassador in 1998. That diplomatic voyage was long and very contentious. It began with President George Herbert Walker Bush and ended with President Clinton. It was not possible without the courageous leadership of Senator John McCain and many other Vietnam veterans who served in Congress. It was angrily opposed by many and reignited many of the bitter, personal debates surrounding the war itself. It's among my proudest accomplishments. We were able -- Republicans and Democrats together -- to achieve a great foreign policy success at the site of our worst foreign policy mistake. We stood shoulder to shoulder for peace and reconciliation. Millions of Cambodians and Vietnamese are better off today because of it. For me this was an effort worthy of our sacrifices and reflects my strongest desire for America's destiny as a peace maker. For those who have fought in war, decisions about war and peace and how you send men and women to war become personal in a hurry. Wars -- even when we agree they are necessary -- are not the result of our successes; they are the result of our failures. Something more, though, was seared into both John and me by our Vietnam experiences. Half of the names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall are the names of Americans who died after the policy makers knew our nation was on the wrong course, after both political parties called for expeditious withdrawal. And yet the war dragged on for five more years. "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?" Thirty-five years ago, John Kerry asked that question as a recently returned Vietnam veteran testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He acted because he believed it was right to dissent from a war he believed was wrong -- and he was willing to endure the attacks of the Nixon Administration which hated John for saying what he believed. This testimony provoked more than partisan attacks. Even many of his fellow veterans were angry and some never forgave him. I remember this well because I nearly lost my first race for Governor because people thought I was John. Say what you want about the content of that testimony, it was an act of profound courage. And say what you want about that testimony, there is little doubt that Vietnam and the United States would have been spared tens of thousands of its youth had John's advice been taken. Ten days ago, in a powerful speech on Iraq and dissent at Boston's Faneuil Hall, John made it clear that those who disagree with President Bush's course in Iraq have a right and an obligation to challenge a President who they believe is wrong, a policy they believe is wrong, and a war in Iraq they believe weakens our nation. John stood up and defended the dissenters -- whether retired generals or our fellow Vietnam veteran Congressman Jack Murtha. In an age where those who speak out are too often vilified or worse, John spoke out about and acted on the real meaning of patriotism: having the courage to speak your mind, heart, and gut even when it's unpopular. I urge you to watch this vitally important speech and to forward it to as many people as possible. VIEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FANEUIL HALL SPEECH ON DISSENT AND IRAQ We're at a big moment here - one where each and every one of us must reject attempts to silence criticism of the rudderless course Washington has charted, one in which each of us must absolutely refuse to let soldiers and civilians die to save face for politicians unwilling to admit their mistakes or change course. I urge you to watch this speech and to join with John Kerry in speaking out and doing everything possible to make 2006 the year that we did what's right for our soldiers in Iraq, our nation's foreign policy values, and our national security. Sincerely, Senator Bob Kerrey

We are on an energy grid. Add electricity in West Texas and someone in Maine benefits. How come garbage dumps aren't located near wealthy communities? How come prisons aren't located near wealthy communities? There are all sorts of things that people don't want in their backyard, and in our society, they seem to always wind up in some poor person's backyard, not wealthy Democrats _or_ Republicans.

I'm confused by your choices, how can it have no impact and hurt the amnesty movement?