Texsox

Wow, Jesse, Hannity, and Rush all agree.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 01:23 PM) Making a living, supporting themselves and their families...it just doesn't seem very criminal to me. And they are preyed on by landlords, farmers, ranchers, shop keepers. No one likes the system. Not the people who risk their lives crossing wilderness areas with little water for $5.00 per hour, the people who employ them, or the people who buy the cheap food that the illegals produce. The system needs to be fixed, but the fix is not paying field labor $21,000 per year. Which is the median income that most agriculture experts pick as the salary needed to get Americans to take these jobs. McDonalds pays close to that for indoor, year round work.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 01:20 PM) All of them. Being in the USA illegally is a felony. BTW, anyone want to guess how much we spend flying people back to their home countries when they are deported? Families that get stranded up north late in the season will just turn themselves in and take the US supplied transportation back home. :headshake

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 01:16 PM) If you actually go back and read what I posted, I am very much in favor of streamlined immigration and/or a big expanded guest worker program. I have no problem with legal means being utilized. I do have a problem going for my tax dollars supporting felonious activity. Why should we reward illegal activity, that doesn't make any sense. Especially when the jobs they are taking are most likely being taken away from from new immigrants who have historically worked the least desirable jobs. What kind of reward is following the law then? What kind of message are we sending? The difference with the traditional jobs that the illegals take is that these are largely seasonal and temporary in nature. A guest worker program that allows them to return to their country of origin is better for our economy. These nomadic, temporary jobs, are really almost third world in nature. We should be thankful we have people so close and so willing. The VISA programs also need to be changed. Two different issues, and ones I am so accustomed to, I apologize for not being clearer. As far as rewarding the behavior, see above. No one wants to send dad back who is here illegally and leaving behind mom and the babies with no means of support. That's a drain as well. Never an easy issue. The Family Values party especially has to struggle with that.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 01:11 PM) I hope you mean that illegal immigrants should be able to work jobs they are most qualified for and not just relegated to the manual labor than most people want... I'll assume you did. The last time we placed people into field work while only providing the bare essentials... Actually a guest worker program could target only industries with a verified need for the labor. It is similar to our H1A technical visa program that limits the number of tech visa offered. Currently we only protect the higher wage jobs with this type of program. So we could have our cake and protect jobs at the same time. And I agree with Southsider, some of the GOP Amnesty programs beginning with Reagan and on up with Bush seem to reward the wrong behavior. I guess we don't have the stomaches to split fathers from their children, moms from their babies, brothers from their sisters. I guess the GOP is family friendly

QUOTE(ChiSoxyGirl @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 11:32 AM) The whole thing looks really nice and classy. I *loved* the bridesmaid dresses--it's such a nice cut that it looks like it'll be very flattering on anyone... you are such a girrrl

QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 10:50 AM) Thanks! We haven't picked his out yet, but because he would only be wearing it now and then (working on presses and cars with a wedding ring in't a good idea lol), he wants a simple band with a celtic design. Not certain why he would want a wedding ring like this to each his own, I guess . . .

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 11:19 AM) Have you seen him lately? He has a receding hairline, BIGTIME. matches his record sales . . .

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 12:52 PM) Its not just someONE. If it were someONE, no one would really care. How many MILLIONS of people are here illegally from Mexico and the rest of Central and South America? How many Canadians are here illegally. You can't discount the problem by minimizing it. And is it really costing the US tax dollars? If you want to be technical about it, the loss of income taxes not paid by undocumented workers has to be a huge drain on our economy, not to mention the social services that are being provided to people while committing an illegal activity. Those monies could easily be going to US citizens to provide them better health care, education, social security, better roads, heck anything you want. Australia, Europe and the rest aren't struggling with illegal immigrants from Mexico, so they are much more apt to let them in their country. Try being an African of some sort and getting into Europe, and you'll find just as much zenophobia exsists. You are missing my point. Canadians wanting to take an extended vacation in the US are treated different than Mexicans. That doesn't seem fair. Which will harm the economy more, $2.00 gas or a 15% increase in the food bills? Like it or not, or agricultural economy is running strong because of illegal labor. We need to find a way to utilize this labor pool in a legal manner, not try and just cut off the border and do without. That it terribly short sided.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 12:41 PM) Legal immigration is different because of the amount of illegal immigration. It isn't a concern on the northern border, so the rules don't need to be as stringent. Heck if you want an anaolgy, that's some states require helmets on motorcycles, but not in cars. They are both motor vehicles, but the different dynamics require different things. A family from Canada can spend 6 months travelling the US and a family from Mexico only 90 days. Because if illegal immigration? What? So if someone from a country commits a crime, we punish the whole country? BTW, it's costing American business billions in tourism dollars as wealthy Mexicans travel to Australia, Europe, and other destinations.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan56789 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 09:28 AM) http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gaged

QUOTE(whitesoxfan56789 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 09:28 AM) http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gaged Awesome. Frickin' awesome

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 08:00 AM) And finally on the race issue, people are simply playing the race card ala Jesse Jackson, way too easily here. The comparison was made to Canada, and I ask how many illegal crossings were made on the US/Canadian border? The problem isn't the same, and doesn't need to be addressed the sameway. It has nothing to do with what country is invovled. Why is LEGAL immigration treated differently between Canadians and Mexicans? Canadians are allowed easier and longer visits than Mexicans.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 07:39 AM) There aren't any illegal border crossings in Downers Grove are there? When you see thousands of illegal aliens trying to cross the Tri State tollway en-masse then you can make that comparison. Where the hell are they going? Are you in favor of giving them a free pass if they can get to Illinois? Aren't they just as illegal in Illinois as in Arizona or Texas? What we need is equality for visitors from Mexico as well as Canada. Wealthy Mexicans spend a lot of money vacationing and shopping in the US. They should receive the same welcome that Canadians receive. Most of these people cross legally. BTW, Mexicans are given two levels of crossing approvals. One allows them within 40-50 miles of the border. This enables them to cross for shopping, visiting relatives and doing the touristy things. Mexico allows US citizens about the same level of welcome. It isn't until you cross into the interior that you need special documentation. Now for those terrible illegals we need to stop. What are they trying to do? Open up a Dental office? Sell stocks? Pass their CPA exam? Nope, they are looking for manual labor jobs that no one else wants. We should have a guest worker program. You think gas prices slowed our economy, wait until our food increases 15-25%. From the fields, to the produce sheds, to the packing plants, no one wants these jobs at the prevailing wages. Look at what sanitation crews earn picking up garbage, and think even higher wages until you have enough people to do that work. How much would it take for anyone here to spend 9 months out of the year, living out of your car, moving from town to town, following the harvest, bending over in the fields? Be grateful we have workers close by that are willing to do that. We also need to separate vigilantes from legal law enforcement and constructive means. We have a very large LEGAL Mexican-American population on the border. Why should they live in fear of a bunch of yahoos with sidearms, accosting them and questioning them? Most of these groups are not constructive. Can you tell a legal resident, a non-resident alien, and an illegal? Saying these guys can be effective is an insult to the highly trained Border Patrol agents that spend over 6-months in training before hitting the field. Out side of the CIA, the Border Patrol has the highest level of training of any law enforcement agency in the US. The best analogy I can give you is if the Latin Kings decided that there was too much violence at New Trier High School and they are going to start patrolling the school in full gang colors. That is the image these guys have with Americans who live on the border. These aren't the local PTA members on a neighborhood watch.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 07:03 AM) What did I say before. Their goal is to observe and report any illegal border crossings they see to the proper authorities. That's it. They're not going to round up anybody. They have already started in some cases. There are a few groups so not all can be branded with the same iron, but there are many reports of these guys riding right up on people, brandishing weapons, and demanding to know why they are there. Scary stuff. We wouldn't put up with it in Downers Grove, why in my neighborhood?

QUOTE(YASNY @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 03:42 AM) Wow. This can turn into some SERIOUS s***. Only if you like to eat fruits and vegetables.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 03:10 AM) Somebody is trying to bring attention to a problem, to get the focus of the nation on it. I don't know how someone can automatically jump to the conclusion that this is racially motivated. YASNY, how safe would you feel with a bunch of guys in pickups started patrolling your backyard looking for something illegal? Should they be allowed to detain US citizens? Should they be trained at all? There are better ways of handling this. Live on the border for a while and I'll tell you why we jump to the conclusion. We can spot these guys a mile away. What a surprise the groups are all white. Not a single black guy, not a single Mexican-American, not a single Asian, Not a single American-Indian, not a single Israeli.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 03:21 AM) Like I said before anytime someone speaks out against or proposes action to deal with illegal immigration they are immediately branded as racist by the left. I think that's just rediculous. Nuke, look at these guys. They talk about rounding up all the Mexicans. There are a lot of legal immigrants along the border. Are you saying it would be ok for these vigilantes to detain US citizens at gun point? How would everyone here like guys driving around your neighborhoods detaining anyone on your street? I guess all that training we provide to Border Patrol, Customs, and other law enforcement agencies isn't necessary. We'll just send these guys. As far as the racist comments, of course it doesn't apply in all cases, but visit one of their websites, look at the pictures, and make your own conclusion. Like I said, anytime some wacko group is doing something the GOPerheads like, they defend them no matter what. I think that's just ridiculous. (but hey, I've got a spell checker ) One of the factors between legal and illegal immigration between Canada and Mexico is we have different rules for each country. Canadians are allowed freer and longer access to the US. Which is one reason terrorists came in through Canada, not Mexico.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Mar 29, 2005 -> 01:13 AM) Haven't we been over this ground before? Yes, but this time it was a sideroad that led there. Small business (the ones not moving to China) has the ardest time getting affordable health care for their employees. The rates are outragous and one employee can sink your rates. Small business is our best hedge against globalization.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Mar 28, 2005 -> 08:46 PM) Ketchup on eggs?? Gravy on fries??? :puke ketchup only if salsa is unavailable. While the gravy would be better over some of my dutch oven biscuits, fries will work.

Actually I could like the Cubs, but I'll never like Cub fans. Too obnoxious. I would say, from when I was living in Chicago Bulls Hawks Sox Bears Now that I'm away from Chicago Sox

Perhaps because two Big Ten Teams are in the Final 4, one from either side and not from Indiana? punching my ticket to hell when we find out the real reason . . .

QUOTE(winodj @ Mar 28, 2005 -> 04:57 PM) Not everyone has health insurance available to them in the workforce. I can't afford my health insurance here so I go without. Some people don't or can't work. Some people choose not to. That's not the point though. In this case, its the loss of a benefit to state workers. In many cases, a lot of these talented people went to work for the state specifically because this kind of benefit was offered. Those same people who are working at companies that do not offer health insurance are also doing without, possibly their whole family. Why not work towards universal coverage so that all Americans have access?

QUOTE(winodj @ Mar 28, 2005 -> 04:58 PM) they tried to give her a communion wafer but she was physically unable to receive it. Because she is so dehydrated is what I heard. But Saturday the husband ordered her to not receive Communion. Are you saying it was because the husband was concerned she couldn't swallow it?