Texsox

QUOTE(samclemens @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 08:07 AM) ah, the classic "not in my back yard". it transcends all political boundaries. I'm starting off May by agreeing with Sam IMNSHO, this is more about wealth and privilege than political viewpoint.

With this great start, we are exactly 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place Detroit. So while congratulations are in order, let's not annoint this team just yet. Put it in perspective. Plus, at any given time 1/3 of the players are playing great, 1/3 are struggling, and 1/3 are on their way to either of the above groups. I think this time is better than last years, but talent alone doesn't win divisions and world series, luck, health, etc. are all necessary

Why do anything to encourage patriotism? Better they cheer and yell then sing the words in their own language.

What I was trying to say is, the best solution may change, as you stated, based on the number of workers. Having undocumented workers makes counting them impossible, and therefor makes the "correct for America" policy more difficult. I'm not certain if there is a difference in the solution between 8 and 12 million, it's still a lot of workers. Now a difference between 2 and 15 million would start to expose some differences. And of course the unemployment rate of these workers could also be a factor. One possible explaination is many of these jobs are seasonal and project dependent. Farm workers are following the crops, construction workers are following the housing booms, etc. Perhaps this highlights another reason that documented workers do not desire these jobs because of the uncertainty of steady employment. If you were a lawmaker, and facing this decision, which numbers would you use? There are times when these people really earn their money, this is one of them. And to answer your question, IF there are 12,000,00 and only 7,000,000 are working, AND the other 5,000,000 aren't children who can't work, parents the workers are taking care of, etc. In other words, IF these 5,000,000 are able bodied individuals who can not find work, then we need to make certain they are not receiving government benefits they did not contribute to and our next immigration policy needs to address a 40% unemployment rate. We can not and should not allow people to come to this country, legally or illegally, just to collect public aid and other benefits. They should been gainfully employed, or, demonstrate the ability to support themselves. (if someone wants to marry a foreigner, and they have the resources, that person should not have to work. If someone wishes to retire here, and has the means, they should be allowed to.)

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 1, 2006 -> 09:01 AM) Hmmm... VICTIMS! VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN SUCCESS! I bet they're retired because they got so wealthy and fat off us rich-ass Americans who wanted to pay "cheap" labor.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:55 AM) So exactly how misrepresented is the story of the poor Mexican who just wants to work here? The numbers thrown at us say 11-12 million people here working trying to scrimp and save some money. The US's statistics are saying in the whole work force only 7.2 million people are working illegally, which means something in the area of 60% of the illegal aliens could even be working. Then if you combine that with the people Tex is referring to who overstay work visas from other countries, and we could be looking at a whole lot less of the population specifically from Mexico and Central America who are in the US and actually working... Could the story of being here and doing the jobs that no American wants to do just be a myth? How do you explain the other at very least 4 million people who are here not working? First off, the premise may be wrong and highlights one undisputed fact, having people here we don't know about, and aren't included in the census, makes a fair public policy difficult to reach. If the 12,000,000 was based on counting the ears of workers and dividing by two, and now there are less workers, perhaps the entire population could be much less. Maybe there are only 7,000,000 illegals? As the number gets smaller and smaller, does it mean we should take the issue less and less seriously?

QUOTE(DePloderer @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:40 AM) Thanks, as we'll be arriving a couple of days before the game (Sat) we'll want to take in a few of the major sights and sounds of Chicago. That hotel looks reeeeal nice though. You have to love old Hotels. Some of the rooms are tiny, based on modern designs, and remember it is about 100 years old. Check their packages, I was usually good at finding deals. But I would schedule my stays around the deals. And, if travelling to Milwaukee the Pfister Hotel is another favorite. I see they have closed the English Room, which was a very nice restaurant.

In related news, people are actually talking about Brantley today, much different than if he said Pooholes.

Just a reminder that that the YNOT Picks need to be in quick today. Kalapse has posted the questions. Linked Here And this would be a good time for a to Kalapse for taking on this contest. Thank you.

To make your trip better, before slamming the lid on the bonnet, you should learn to speak English like a good American, not that stuff you speak over there

QUOTE(DePloderer @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:28 AM) I am now trying to find a hotel. Not knowing Chicago at all, I don't know which area to choose. Can anyone help? The choices seem to be; DOWNTOWN Loop Near North North Michigan Ave River North South/South loop Lincoln Park/Lakeview. What is the best way to get around Chicago, we'll be coming in from O'Hare. Bus? Rail? Can we get a family pass for a few days? What are you going to be doing, and that will determine where you want to stay. Downtown is always a nice touch. I love the Palmer House

BTW, I'm showing support by wearing my Esteban Loiza jersey today

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:14 AM) While this boycott/protest/rally/crime orgy thing annoys the crap out of me, I have to say I don't feel too badly for companies suffering without their illegal immigrant hires. They are in the wrong as well. It's not just illegals walking out, it's the people who support the illegals.

If we had 12% unemployment, widespread terrorist attacks by Mexican illegals, etc. I could see getting concerned about punishment, fences, high tech survelliance, etc. But unemployment is low, has been for seemingly forever, for the most part, Mexico is a great ally, I just can't get worked into a call out the Minuteman, call the military to patrol the border, build the great wall, etc.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:16 AM) MY depends are dry, what about YOURS? I go with the cheaper generics unless I'm out drinking, then I need the extra security and capacity of depends

QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:00 AM) tex, I have a customer that is in the construction industry, can't get too muych more specific, that has about 70% of its labor force hispanic. According to my office contact, about half of those are probably illegal. She says they present papers and id, but some of them she can tell are fake (she has been doing this for a while). The lowest paid laborer in this company makes over $16/hour, with benefits. They do not all pick fruit. Sometimes in your arguements you seem to assume an all or nothing pose. Not all illegals pick fruit, nor do they all have $16/hour jobs. By the way, the company is basically shut down today since they don't have enough workers coming in to staff any of their job sites. Way to f*** the white workers! And the black workers! And anyone other than the hispanic workers! So then, why would a business owner risk fines and jail time to hire these illegals at $16 per hour? The owner could fire them today, since they are illegal, he wouldn't even have to pay unemployement or have his rate go up. BTW, how many here go to high schools with Ag programs? Construction trades? Vocational Centers? "Shop" classes?

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 1, 2006 -> 07:24 AM) Way to twist my point, as always. :headshake Your point was there are people willing to pick up your garbage. I agreed and pointed out we could, if we set our minds to it, have Americans doing those jobs. In fact, if we make it a National Priority we could probably have all these jobs covered, imagine . . . George W. Bush, "Tonight, I come before the American peoples and propose a bold initiative that will change American for future generations. It is my goal, by the end of this decade, to raise 12,000,000 custodians, yard workers, busboys, farm workers, and similar careers to stop the practice of immigrants taking these jobs. It will take a fundemental attitude change on the part of Americans everywhere. The American dream should be, after 12 years of our education system, our nation's children should be prepared for a minimum wage life, toiling and giving an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. Our nation's security depends on it. We can not have immigrants sneaking into this country to take these jobs. It is a small step from sneaking illegally into this country, to masterminding the bombing of a federal building, releasing posion gas on our subways, or other acts of terrorism . . ." Don't get your depends in a bunch, I'm joking.

Professional and Business Services, reports I've seen here theorize that these H1B Visa holders who have overstayed the Visas, and other infractions like that. So yes, there are some computer programmers, tool and die makers, etc in that mix. But for the most part, at least what the Economic Development Groups here are claiming, these aren't the sneak across the river types.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 1, 2006 -> 07:40 AM) Yea, cause that's all the illegals do. You must be racist. Anything to help those unemployment numbers. I haven't seen anyone making the argument illegals are accountants, Doctors, lawyers, etc. It usually is manual labor jobs, so I will accept that on face value.

QUOTE(samclemens @ May 1, 2006 -> 07:06 AM) the best thing about this rally is that illegals wont be working. this could force some employers to hire legal citizens, and hopefully, when the illegal returns to their job the next day, there isnt one waiting for him because it has been filled by a non-illegal. please god, let this happen everywhere on a huge scale. It would help Bush and those huge unemployment numbers. Or maybe legals will drop their better paying jobs for working in the outdoors picking fruit.

Video Here It's a quicktime file. Nice.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 1, 2006 -> 06:29 AM) Probably not. It's definitely apparent that "we need to help these poor, HARD-WORKING, unfortunate souls". :rolly BTW, gee, my trash is getting picked up this morning. And here all this time I just thought it was people who wouldn't want these jobs. What was I thinking? And I also find it hilarious all these stores that are closing around here today... they had "extended hours" Saturday and yesterday and they will tomorrow as well. Economic impact my ass. Again, :rolly There are people willing to take these jobs, for the most part, they just aren't born in America. But with some changes to our eduction system, I am certain we can produce more garbage collectors.

Welcome, I dislike you already I'll give you your first lesson here, green=sarcasm and kidding. Congrats on finding the right forum for this.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Apr 30, 2006 -> 05:20 PM) If you can't just drag them, you must have them locked. Right click, arrange icons, unclick the lock icons option. I did that, I wondered if there was a way to "auto-arrange" them to the right.