I remember discussing immigration reform with members of La Raza in the early 1970s. I would have never dreamed that, forty years later, the issue remains unresolved. After bending over backwards to reach a compromise with Republicans far too much for far too long, Barack Obama has taken a limited but positive step, albeit a temporary one, to move in the right direction towards reform.
…The Obama administration announced Friday it would halt the deportation of some young illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children. Here is a nuts-and-bolts guide to the policy shift.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, an individual must have come to the United States before age 16 and must have continuously lived in the country for at least five years. He or she must be living in the U.S. today and must be 30 or younger. The person must also be in school, have a high school diploma or a GED, or be a member of the military or an honorably discharged veteran. Anyone convicted of a felony, serious misdemeanor or multiple misdemeanors or who otherwise poses a threat to national security is not eligible.
How many people will be eligible?
The administration estimates that 800,000 people will be affected by the policy change. Some estimates climb higher; the Pew Hispanic Center says the new guidelines could benefit as many as 1.4 million people.
Does this provide a path to citizenship?
No. The policy only allows for two years of "deferred action," meaning that deportation would be delayed for that period. After two years, a person could apply for a renewal, which would extend the deportation freeze for another two years. Only Congress can establish a path to citizenship…
Inserted from <LA Times>
For the complete text of Obama’s speech, click here.
Unfortunately, the event was marred by heckling from a Republican journalist.
As Mr. Obama was making a statement from the Rose Garden about a new immigration policy on Friday afternoon, a reporter from The Daily Caller, a conservative news Web site, repeatedly raised his voice and tried to interrupt. The reporter, Neil Munro, tried to ask whether the policy — intended to help young illegal immigrants get work — was good for legal American workers.
“Excuse me, sir,” Mr. Obama said when Mr. Munro initially spoke up. He put his hand in the air and raised a finger, as if to say “wait.”
“It’s not time for questions, sir,” Mr. Obama continued. “Not while I’m speaking.”
A few minutes later, Mr. Obama referenced the incident by saying, “And the answer to your question, sir, and the next time I’d prefer you let me finish my statements before you ask that question, is this is the right thing to do for the American people.”
Mr. Munro then apparently interrupted again…
Inserted from <NY Times>
When GW Bush was President, no reporter ever acted so disrespectfully toward him. Unless the Daily Caller apologizes publically and severely disciplines Munro, their access to the Obama administration should be revoked.
Michael Eric Dyson covered this story in two segments. In the first, he discussed the policy with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and activist Chuck Rocha.
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In the second, he covers Republican disrespect with Joe Williams.
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With Republicans behaving so antisocially, they make it clear that no compromise with them is possible.
Of course, to resolve this issue, America needs to adopt a solution that provides a path to citizenship for immigrants that are here, does not split up nuclear families, and provides for temporary work permits for migrant workers. Republicans oppose this, because immigrants’ illegal status leaves them vulnerable to economic abuse by criminal corporations and the 1%, who exploit them as servants. Republicans must be deported from political office everywhere.
10 Responses to “Si, Si Obama!”
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Pres. Obama's Executive Order instituting a mini "Dream Act" is a Game Changer! It wisely boxed in Rmoney, and stole any thunder Marco Rubio was hoping for with his proposal. But immediately David "Raps-With-Rove" Gregory (God, I hate that man) called it "Blatant political ploy." Maybe so, but in this case good policy made for good politics. There has never – NEVER – been a President interrupted by a fellow American during either a State of the Union or formal statement at a press conference … until Pres. Obama (he's black, don't you know). But thanks to Joe "You-Lie" Wilson and weaselly Neil Munro, it's now happened twice. (The guy who threw his shoes at Bush was NOT an American.) Here's a portion of the White House transcript of the exchange wherein Munro embarrassed himself by TWICE interrupting Pres. Obama.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/full-exchange-between-obama-daily-caller-reporter?ref=fpblg Over at DemocraticUnderground, they have a post where someone provided a cutout of "reporter" Munro (who had NO paper out, NO pen out, NO recording device and stood like the idiot he is with his hands in his pants apparently playing pocket pool) that people can PhotoShop into humorous historical settings and then provide funny captions. Some of them are hilarious! http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002815391
Nameless I agree completely! Loves those captions!
With Republicans behaving so antisocially, they make it clear that no compromise with them is possible.
I thought this more than clear long before this ugly incident ; There is nothing too low for them to pull out of the dirt and try–
Phyllis, I agree that it was clear before. Now it's just more obvious, always a good idea with US voters.
Since the Republican House is going to do nothing, I hope the president continues to proclaim what he can do without them. They might get serious about compromise and legislation, if Obama is going to do what they don't like anyways. Don't bet your house on it.
The Daily Caller (not just Mr. Munro) should have their White House press passes revoked. Tucker Carlson (of the Daily Caller) defended his reporter's behavior. Even Sam Donaldson (Mr. scream at President Reagan) condemed Munro's actions.
If I may say, Munro is an uncooth, jack ass. Hope that doesn't break any of your rules.
I find your concern for Rules quite refreshing, But if I may be so bold as to make just a few, wee, tiny, itsy-bitsy editorial modifications to your Comment:
LMAO!
Steve, I agree. Regarding our rules here, it's OK to slam a public figure, but we treat each other civilly.
"When GW Bush was President, no reporter ever acted so disrespectfully toward him. Unless the Daily Caller apologizes publicly and severely disciplines Munro, their access to the Obama administration should be revoked." — This Neil Munro is not a reporter. He is nothing more than a disrespectful, racist Republican/Teabagger toadie who should lose his job (but I know he won't) and he and the Daily Caller should both lose their press credentials.
Battle Ax Brewer from Brewerstan referred to Mr Obama's actions as "pandering to a certain population … and very, very political" which she is very familiar with as she panders to the Klu Klux Kristians (fanatical right wing evangelical supply-side pseudo Christians) — talk about 'projection'!
Karl Rove — "a political and cynical act" — Very funny since Saint Ronny, the jellybean Republican president, espoused the same policy! Must say when that came on, I actually laughed out loud!
I must agree with Michael Eric Dyson and Joe Williams when they referred to these disrespectful acts over the past 3.5 years as being racially motivated. There is no other way to describe it as no other president has received this level of public heckling and disrespect, and Mr Obama is the first African American president.
Personally, I think that this is great, and while a law might be preferable as Rmoney indicated, there is no chance that this recalcitrant Congress would pass such.
Vote Democrat 2012!!!!! Vote Obama/Biden 2012!!!!!
Agree. The Daily Caller is backing him up.
Of course the Death Anger and Rover Rat would respond like that.
Agree!