Thursday didn't go much better, at first. The 4:55 teleconference was an hour late getting started. There were minor technical 'glitches' that quickly got straightened out, and some of the locations were unable to receive a clear picture on their giant-screen Tvs. But, as all the kinks were worked out, things finally seemed back to normal. Whatever caused yesterday's power failure was evidently repaired.
An Oriental woman who introduced herself only as Leanna, anxiously started talking in front of the camera. Like many of the other speakers, Leanna had a small microphone attached to the lapel of her cream-colored jacket. Above the microphone was a lime-green O.U.T.R.A.G.E. button. "I was born in China," she explained, "but became a U.S. citizen when my mother married a World War II veteran and we came to America. Most of my childhood was spent in western Pennsylvania; I now live in Colorado with my husband; our three children are all grown and have moved away; my one son is a WalMart executive in China. My two daughters are both married and live on the east coast.
Historically, America has opened its arms to people from all countries, of different races and different faiths. Immigrants built America, and immigrants must continue to be welcomed into our country. The Bush administration, in collusion with a contempible U.S. Congress, tried for the past several years to deal with immigration laws - but only on a political level. What they tried to achieve for political expediency was ineffectual - and fraudulent. Building a wall along the Mexican border did not stop illegal immigration. Desperate people blew holes in the wall, tunneled underneath it, scaled it at the most vulnerable points, and risked gunfire from U.S. Border Patrol and Armed Guard units. As with most actions taken by the Bush administration, it failed miserably. Many people died. Much animosity festered on both sides of the border. More illegal entry came from the U.S.-Canadian borders, which were less 'protected'.
The Bush administration wasted millions of U.S. dollars on a program that wasn't well-planned, and didn't work. Immigration became the next big joke, second only to Homeland Security. We respectfully propose a more suitable immigration resolution which could be turned into federal law with the approval of you, the People." Her jet-black hair contrasted sharply with the light-colored blazer she wore over a bright green open-collared shirt.
ARTICLE XV. RESOLUTION: A FAIR AND EQUITABLE IMMIGRATION POLICY
"This country, more than perhaps any other, owes its prosperity - and future - to immigrants. However, fair and equitable guidelines must be implemented to ensure that immigrants enter the United States legally and appropriately. It is unjust to allow desperate people to enter our country without proper provision. It is also unfair to allow these people to enjoy the benefits of life in America without sharing in the costs of such benefit. Illegal immigrants have at times been terribly exploited by shady and unscrupulous employers, including - on occasion - government employees and political appointees.
This proposal is modest in its scope, changing litte from current immigration laws and policies. In order to enter the United States of America, an immigrant must:
1. Enter the country at one of the designated border patrol 'entry offices' strategically located along the U.S./Mexican and U.S./Canadian borders. Entry offices will also be erected in Alaska and Hawaii. At that entry office you will be assigned an official visa allowing you to remain in the country for a designated period of time. Anyone not in possession of an official visa will be immediately deported upon being apprehended. This official visa will also serve as a temporary work permit which will allow you to apply for work and - when hired - have legitimate taxes and other deductions taken from your paycheck in accordance with current federal and state labor laws.
2. As part of your application for entry into the United States, you must state what skills, education, or experience you have that might assist you in obtaining suitable employment. If you have no job skills, or if you don't intend to become gainfully employed, you must demonstrate a visible means of support (staying with relatives,living off savings, etc.).
3. You must demonstrate an ability to speak at least basic English, or agree to enroll immediately in a class or course where you can learn the English language, at least in such sufficiency that it allows you to work and conduct routine business.
4. You must agree to attend citizenship classes. Once you have graduated from such a class, you will be eligible to apply for permanent citizenship in the United States of America.
5. If you are apprehended as a suspect in any criminal activity, you are subject to immediate deportation. If you are tried and convicted in a U.S. court, you will be required to serve your full sentence in a U.S. prison.
6. All immigrants wishing to enter the U.S.A. are subject to a comprehensive background check.
7. Regular, consistent reporting to the Immigration Office is mandatory. You must report any change of address, change of marital status, or change of employment immediately. Failure to do so will result in immediate deportation.
8. After a designated period of time, your official visa will expire; at that time, you must demonstrate your ability and intent to become a U.S. citizen, return to your former country of residence, or apply for an extended official visa.
9. You will be required to file a federal income tax return. Failure to do so will result in immediate deportation.
10. You must agree to enroll your children in appropriate schools, file appropriate personal property taxes, obtain a legal U.S. driver's license (if you intent to drive), and adhere to all community regulations, as well as all local, state and federal laws. Failure to do so will result in immediate deportation.
Naturally, this resolution might require some "fine-tuning" or revisions. We expect that. The intent of this non-binding resolution is to allow the citizens of the United States to submit - by popular vote - their agreement to a fair and equitable immigration policy. We urge your support for this resolution, subject to modifications that will be determined by an independent committee of common citizens prior to the resolution being considered for legislative possibility. Thank you."
As the camera routinely panned the crowd of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members, it was apparent that most people seemed pleased with the progress that was being made. Fifteen resolutions had been presented in sixteen days. In all cases, the majority of the popular vote favored each resolution, subject - of course - to some alterations. The important thing was these resolutions were being presented and voted on by people other than politicians. It was a stark reminder of the blood shed that had taken place just three weeks ago. The two-line message appeared briefly. The videoscreens faded to black. Tomorrow would be another day...another resolution...another opportunity to justify the pogrom that O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had inflicted on America.
An Oriental woman who introduced herself only as Leanna, anxiously started talking in front of the camera. Like many of the other speakers, Leanna had a small microphone attached to the lapel of her cream-colored jacket. Above the microphone was a lime-green O.U.T.R.A.G.E. button. "I was born in China," she explained, "but became a U.S. citizen when my mother married a World War II veteran and we came to America. Most of my childhood was spent in western Pennsylvania; I now live in Colorado with my husband; our three children are all grown and have moved away; my one son is a WalMart executive in China. My two daughters are both married and live on the east coast.
Historically, America has opened its arms to people from all countries, of different races and different faiths. Immigrants built America, and immigrants must continue to be welcomed into our country. The Bush administration, in collusion with a contempible U.S. Congress, tried for the past several years to deal with immigration laws - but only on a political level. What they tried to achieve for political expediency was ineffectual - and fraudulent. Building a wall along the Mexican border did not stop illegal immigration. Desperate people blew holes in the wall, tunneled underneath it, scaled it at the most vulnerable points, and risked gunfire from U.S. Border Patrol and Armed Guard units. As with most actions taken by the Bush administration, it failed miserably. Many people died. Much animosity festered on both sides of the border. More illegal entry came from the U.S.-Canadian borders, which were less 'protected'.
The Bush administration wasted millions of U.S. dollars on a program that wasn't well-planned, and didn't work. Immigration became the next big joke, second only to Homeland Security. We respectfully propose a more suitable immigration resolution which could be turned into federal law with the approval of you, the People." Her jet-black hair contrasted sharply with the light-colored blazer she wore over a bright green open-collared shirt.
ARTICLE XV. RESOLUTION: A FAIR AND EQUITABLE IMMIGRATION POLICY
"This country, more than perhaps any other, owes its prosperity - and future - to immigrants. However, fair and equitable guidelines must be implemented to ensure that immigrants enter the United States legally and appropriately. It is unjust to allow desperate people to enter our country without proper provision. It is also unfair to allow these people to enjoy the benefits of life in America without sharing in the costs of such benefit. Illegal immigrants have at times been terribly exploited by shady and unscrupulous employers, including - on occasion - government employees and political appointees.
This proposal is modest in its scope, changing litte from current immigration laws and policies. In order to enter the United States of America, an immigrant must:
1. Enter the country at one of the designated border patrol 'entry offices' strategically located along the U.S./Mexican and U.S./Canadian borders. Entry offices will also be erected in Alaska and Hawaii. At that entry office you will be assigned an official visa allowing you to remain in the country for a designated period of time. Anyone not in possession of an official visa will be immediately deported upon being apprehended. This official visa will also serve as a temporary work permit which will allow you to apply for work and - when hired - have legitimate taxes and other deductions taken from your paycheck in accordance with current federal and state labor laws.
2. As part of your application for entry into the United States, you must state what skills, education, or experience you have that might assist you in obtaining suitable employment. If you have no job skills, or if you don't intend to become gainfully employed, you must demonstrate a visible means of support (staying with relatives,living off savings, etc.).
3. You must demonstrate an ability to speak at least basic English, or agree to enroll immediately in a class or course where you can learn the English language, at least in such sufficiency that it allows you to work and conduct routine business.
4. You must agree to attend citizenship classes. Once you have graduated from such a class, you will be eligible to apply for permanent citizenship in the United States of America.
5. If you are apprehended as a suspect in any criminal activity, you are subject to immediate deportation. If you are tried and convicted in a U.S. court, you will be required to serve your full sentence in a U.S. prison.
6. All immigrants wishing to enter the U.S.A. are subject to a comprehensive background check.
7. Regular, consistent reporting to the Immigration Office is mandatory. You must report any change of address, change of marital status, or change of employment immediately. Failure to do so will result in immediate deportation.
8. After a designated period of time, your official visa will expire; at that time, you must demonstrate your ability and intent to become a U.S. citizen, return to your former country of residence, or apply for an extended official visa.
9. You will be required to file a federal income tax return. Failure to do so will result in immediate deportation.
10. You must agree to enroll your children in appropriate schools, file appropriate personal property taxes, obtain a legal U.S. driver's license (if you intent to drive), and adhere to all community regulations, as well as all local, state and federal laws. Failure to do so will result in immediate deportation.
Naturally, this resolution might require some "fine-tuning" or revisions. We expect that. The intent of this non-binding resolution is to allow the citizens of the United States to submit - by popular vote - their agreement to a fair and equitable immigration policy. We urge your support for this resolution, subject to modifications that will be determined by an independent committee of common citizens prior to the resolution being considered for legislative possibility. Thank you."
As the camera routinely panned the crowd of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members, it was apparent that most people seemed pleased with the progress that was being made. Fifteen resolutions had been presented in sixteen days. In all cases, the majority of the popular vote favored each resolution, subject - of course - to some alterations. The important thing was these resolutions were being presented and voted on by people other than politicians. It was a stark reminder of the blood shed that had taken place just three weeks ago. The two-line message appeared briefly. The videoscreens faded to black. Tomorrow would be another day...another resolution...another opportunity to justify the pogrom that O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had inflicted on America.
posted by Bushwacker! at 8:40 AM
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