Are There Valid Criticisms To Be Made of Sanctuary and Amnesty Policies?

Over at RI Future yesterday, Matt Jerzyk wrote…

When the immigration debate becomes about “them” and the “them” is largely determined by race and ethnicity, then racism is a clear component of the debate.
But how about the definition of “them” in other areas of public debate? In a post from just two days earlier, Paul Bovenzi is certainly more than comfortable with defining his view of “them” largely in terms of race…
Last I checked, the White, Conservative, Male still had a firm (and disproportionate) grasp on the power and wealth in this country, so why is he so terribly unhappy?
One more thing about the White, Conservative Male – he is also a top notch complainer!
So if you buy into Mr. Jerzyk’s premise, unless a highly suspect double standard is to be applied, it seems that racism has to be considered a “clear component” of Mr. Bovenzi’s argument too.
QED.
Look, what’s really happening here is that the special interest groups who favor sanctuary and amnesty with respect to illegal immigration have hit a wall in persuading the general public that ignoring immigration laws is sound public policy. Unable to persuade, they’ve taken to trying to de-legitimize criticism of their policy positions, in the hopes that those who disagree with them can be bullied into silence.

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joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Well,it’s not rocket science.Labelling people who oppose you as extremist,racist,etc makes what they say “invalid”.I don’t know who Paul Bovenzi is,but I read his blog entry on RIF and it was kind of bizarre.Does this man feel the necessity for a guilt trip?I have certainly done things I regret and most people do.But to have guilty feelings over things which you had no part in creating is either a mental health issue or a phony ploy.
Matt Jerzyk is a challenging guy to debate because he always has an answer ready-it might not be the right one but he doesn’t lose his focus.
He asked me in a response below to give a yes or no answer to a complicated question.If the roles were reversed and I were to ask him something similar I would never get a yes or no.He likes to explain his way of getting to a particular point of view as much as I do,or anyone else who writes on blogs for that matter.
Rejecting,denouncing,repudiating,etc,etc ad nauseum are the new buzzwords in debate,replacing observation and careful evaluation.
Lest anyone call me a hypocrite,I have certainly tried to discredit people I disagree with by calling them some dreogatory names.Maybe I should clean up my act a little,but Charley Bakst will always be a Schnorrer.

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

Quite simply, the racist card is failing them too. 75% of the populace in this state is against illegal aliens and they certainly can’t ALL be racists but ALL of them are offended at being portrayed as such.
The pro-illegal crowd is a fixed constituency that cannot grow. They’ve alienated themselves into a corner. They’ve insulted those that they seek to persuade.
Right now the only saving grace of the amnesty crowd is that BOTH Presidential candidates favor the “Come on in!” policy.

rhody
rhody
16 years ago

God save we the oppressed white males.
Denied the fruits of affirmative action, we have to beg for the scraps of the old-boy network.
We don’t even have the hockey rinks to ourselves anymore.

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

I’m going to move into Rhody’s place against his will for a while.

Matt Jerzyk
Matt Jerzyk
16 years ago

Andrew – you must not have read my comments in the post below. i said that YES THERE ARE ANTI-IMMIGRATION ACTIVISTS WHO OPPOSE IMMIGRATION ON GROUNDS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE RACISM OR XENOPHOBIA. but my question to you and Joe and others – still gone unanswered – is why you and AR have not to date – criticized those people in your movement (against immigration) who ARE racist and xenophobia and who give all of you a bad name as a result.
Will you PUBLICLY stand up and criticize those who are using race and ethnicity and white supremacy as a reason for opposing immigration??
I hope so.

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

Matt,
Who are these people that you speak of? I’ve never met anybody who said “I hate the damn ‘spics.” Am I supposed to ask everyone that’s opposed to illegal aliens WHY they’re opposed? Is there supposed to be a litmus test? A thought police? Who would be in charge of such a process of disqualifying people from the discussion?
And can we get you to publicly distance yourself from anyone on the pro-illegal alien side that belongs, even REMOTELY, to La Raza and other pro-‘take back America from the gringos’ organizations?

Citizen Critic
Citizen Critic
16 years ago

Of course, the biggest racists are those would raise race as a canard when their other real arguments were defeated/ exhausted.
I wonder if Matt Jerzyk would criticize the French as racists if they opposed groups moving into their country and forcing them into bilingualism or raising their taxes?
I wonder if Matt Jerzyk would criticize RI politicians of the Democrat or Progressive flavor if they became crooks? Let’s say the RI General Assembly were taken over by crooks, the leaders were crooks, and there was even a federal investigation over it –how many calls for their resignation would you read over at RIF?
How about it, Matt?

JP
JP
16 years ago

It seems redundant, but it should not escape readers that Jerzyk is conveniently changing the language to “ANTI-IMMIGRATION” and not including “illegal”.
To do what he proposes – denounce groups that have a shared view even if for different desired outcomes – would just wreak of “hey, I have black friends”.

Frank
Frank
16 years ago

The racists Matt is talking about must be groups such as the KKK. I think most here would agree, without the aforementioned formal criticism, that the KKK has no place in this discussion.

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

Sure, Frank. But what Matt and his ilk like to do on this issue is say “FAIR is anti-immigration and RIILE is anti-immigration. FAIR is a racist group, ergo RIILE must also be a racist group because both groups are anti-immigration.
It makes as much sense as if you were to say “Environmentalists are against cars and are Democrats. The UAW are also Democrats. Ergo the UAW is against cars.”

Monique
Editor
16 years ago

“Will you PUBLICLY stand up and criticize those who are using race and ethnicity and white supremacy as a reason for opposing immigration??”
I haven’t run into any. But I am glad to publicly condemn racism and anyone who believes in the supremacy of any race, whether in the context of illegal immigration or of any matter.
My turn now. I challenge you, Matt J. Of the people who has been publicly speaking about this issue – on the radio, in newspapers, on blogs, commenting anonymously on blogs – please provide the list of people who have stated that they are opposed to immigration.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Matt-I answered your question.i know you’re about to embark on a law practice,and knowing your public persona,I would guess you’d really like taking depositions and cross-examining witnesses-I was getting cross-examined by good attorneys before you were born and you cannot always get the answer you want.As a matter of fact,most attorneys won’t ask a question they don’t already know the answer to.
a young attorney did that to me once in US District Court here and it cost her client an additional 5 years in prison.
you can’t define who or what you think is racist and then demand that someone agree with you.
Racist groups are easily identified in most cases by their encouragement of vigilante actions.Picketing is not a right reserved to the left.(hmmm?).
If you think I would spend 2 minutes in an environment where anti-Hispanic or anti-Black rhetoric was acceptable,you really don’t know anything about me.When individuals do something extremely offensive on their own volition,they are responsible,period.You’re a Democrat,so is your friend Dave Segal-are you guys responsible for the behavior of people like John Celona or Billy Irons?i doubt it very much.”YES or NO!” works well on Law & Order,but not so much in real life.(Exception:when you are questioning your kids about “how did this get broken?”)

Greg
Greg
16 years ago
joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

I have checked the FAIR website for the first time.I went to the links section and I didn’t notice any for American Patrol,a frankly vigilante minded confrontational group-I didn’t even see a link to the Minutemen,which is a pretty edgy outfit,but hard to define as white supremacist since the honcho is an Afro-American.No links to a scumbag site like Stormfront either.There were a few links to groups which might merit further examination as to their motives,but nothing jumped right out.
How about La Raza?The Race?Nice handle for a group.There isn’t a Hispanic race to begin with-David Ortiz,Alberto Fujimori,Erik Estrada,and Gloria Estefan are all Hispanic and represent four different racial backgrounds.Hispanic is a language linked group of cultural entities related to one another in some degree.
La Raza is a cultural or ethnic supremacist/separatist organization,isn’t it Matt?Yet Presidential candidates go before it just like they do AIPAC or the NAACP.I am sick of pandering to groups defining themselves by race,ethnicity,religion,etc.unless the appearance by a candidate is in connection with a specific non-political cultural or historical event.
I would hate to see this country become a patchwork of mutually suspicious groups like such garden spots as Belgium,Northern Ireland,or the former Yugoslavia.

Citizen Critic
Citizen Critic
16 years ago

Isn’t Matt Jerzyk’s attempt to taint all opponents of ILLEGAL immigration with the racist label –a form of racism itself?
Racism is about actions and policy that discriminate on the arbitrary criteria of race, skin color, ethnicity, etc.. If largely white opponents criticize ILLEGAL immigration on proper grounds, but, are wrongly accused of being racists, isn’t that a form of racism?
Aren’t Jerzyk’s attempts to improperly focus on a few bad apples a smear against the overwhelming tide of fair and decent minded people who oppose ILLEGAL immigration for the right reasons?
Jerzyk seems to have learned the leftist playbook well.

Matt Jerzyk
Matt Jerzyk
16 years ago

I’m still waiting…
But since “all anti-immigration activists could NEVER be racists” according to the commentary above…
lol
…let me provide some SPECIFIC examples that you can either ACCEPT as part of your movement or REJECT due to racism and xenophobia.
Example #1:
That line frequently blurs, however, when Gorman and fellow RIILE members predict that a current influx of “Spanish-speaking people” will lead to a Hispanic majority that will turn the United States into “a Spanish-speaking country,” if nothing is done to curb illegal immigration.
Gorman and other RIILE members said that most of the illegal — and legal — immigrants coming from South America and Central America, are “largely uneducated” and “refuse to assimilate.”
“They want to maintain their own language, maintain their own culture, and put their South American flags above the American flag. That’s what people are so upset about,” said Gorman.
“I think our culture is going to go away … The Irish didn’t force meat and potatoes on you. The Italians didn’t force spaghetti and meatballs on you. But that’s what’s happening. They want us to take on their culture.”
And Example #2:
The group, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR):
* is the creation of a man who operates a racist publishing company and has compared immigrants to “bacteria;”
* has employed members of white supremacist groups in key positions;
* has promoted racist conspiracy theories; and
* has accepted more than $1 million from the Pioneer Fund, a racist foundation devoted to eugenics and to proving a connection between race and IQ.
Accept?
or
Reject?

Citizen Critic
Citizen Critic
16 years ago

Matt,
Example #1 –accept. Bilingualism hasn’t helped unify Quebec and hasn’t worked in many other countries. Assimilation is what built our country and mad eit great. Have you ever heard of the “Melting Pot” in American culture? Socialism/ communism hasn’t worked in any country in history, so uneducated and poor people just need to work their way up just like everyone else. And stop taxing the middle class to death, which is killing the American Dream. That’s what freedom is all about, it is the “pursuit” of happiness, it is not the guaranteed cradle-to-grave/ welfare/ nanny state handouts that have turned RI into a hell hole from which many people, including myself, have fled.
Example #2 –reject.
You can find undesireables on both side of this issue, and on most issues.
One question is: why are you focusing on this small fringe group on one side, and not on the lunatics on the other side as well?
Most important: why sidetrack, distract, and taint the matter? Why focus on such a small part of a large issue? Why not focus on the 75% of the population which justifiably wants an end to illegal immigration?
Why not focus on the real issues instead?
Is your position really *that* weak?

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Citizen Critic-excellent point about the French(in France)-European countries like to lecture the US about racism,but just check out the following observation: the Uk has a lrge non white population,and not just Muslims by any means-there are Black people from Africa and the West Indies and their descendants,who of course are UK citizens;France has a large number of Black citizens due to migration from their former African and Caribbean colonies and current “overseas departments”;belgium has a lsrge contingent of citizens from Congolese,Rwandan,and Burundian origins.
Let’s not forget the liberal Netherlands with many citizens of Indonesian,Curacaoan,and Surinamese background.have any of these countries had a Black man or woman as the leading candidate for national office?Hell,no.Or even as Forign Minister(equal to Secretary of State)-again,no.Maybe a deputy in parliament here and there but that’s about it.
I think our nation is moving beyone racism faster than amost others in spite of ongoing problems that we still wrestle with.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Citizen Critic-excellent point about the French(in France)-European countries like to lecture the US about racism,but just check out the following observation: the Uk has a lrge non white population,and not just Muslims by any means-there are Black people from Africa and the West Indies and their descendants,who of course are UK citizens;France has a large number of Black citizens due to migration from their former African and Caribbean colonies and current “overseas departments”;belgium has a lsrge contingent of citizens from Congolese,Rwandan,and Burundian origins.
Let’s not forget the liberal Netherlands with many citizens of Indonesian,Curacaoan,and Surinamese background.have any of these countries had a Black man or woman as the leading candidate for national office?Hell,no.Or even as Forign Minister(equal to Secretary of State)-again,no.Maybe a deputy in parliament here and there but that’s about it.
I think our nation is moving beyone racism faster than amost others in spite of ongoing problems that we still wrestle with.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

What Terry Gorman is saying,Matt,is that he doesn’t want people from Latin America becoming a separate enclave here,cut off from normal relatuionships with the larger population-knowing Terry as I do,I think it is fair to call him a proponent of the melting pot approach,hardly a racist sentiment.He puts it in forceful terms,but you’re no shrinking violet either.And you know what?Assimilation happens with virtually every immigrant group.Maybe that’s why we don’t have a pervasive homegrown Muslim terrorist movement here like they do in the UK and Spain.
As far as the Pioneer Fund,you may be right on that,but do they currently influence thinking in FAIR?

donroach
donroach
16 years ago

Matt,
I’m still waiting for a straight answer from you on the subject of immigration. That you’ve taken the time to try to obfuscate the issue by focusing on a minority opinion intimating that it is a majority one is what I continually see from you everywhere on this issue. And not once have I seen where you address the real issues that rational citizens have with ‘amnesty’ programs.
It’s actually comical in a way. By trying to stereotype people who favor legal immigration as racists you only further marginalize your own position and lose ground. Why? Because common sense americans favor immigration. Most are descended from 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation immigrants themselves. So to here you call them ‘racist’ when many came here ‘legally’ is almost spitting in their face.
I hope that you and others debating like you will not so easily dismiss the opinions of rational everyday Americans who believe in the rule of law.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

I think we are getting people to “denounce” or “repudiate” persons or ideas to maintain their credibility.
I recall Mel Gibson,after his anti-Jewish tirade was being pressured to denounce his father(who is a real Jew-hating wingnut)in public.No one should be asked to publicly repudiate(I HATE that word)their parent(s).This was part of the price of his getting back to being tolerated in Hollywood.
Obama was pressured on Rev.Wright and Bill Ayers.Well,I think he shouldn’t do it out of pressure,only if it suits him.
If Obama likes to associate with Bill Ayers he shouldn’t back down and accept the consequences of his choice.Throwing someone under the bus just to gain “acceptability”is the kind of crap that goes on in middle school.
Does this mean I like Mel Gibson-no,it means that we should maintain our true opinions openly.Even if we are running for office.
The communists used to employ “confess and denounce” tactics-so did the House UnAmerican Activities Committee.Ironic,no?
I guess my point is that no one should have to conform to a template to have their their point of view receive an evenhanded evaluation.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

This is perhaps the most racists thread I have ever seen on this blog. Of course this is about racism. Undocumented workers are only doing what every red-blooded white male would do. When faced with the economic reality of starvation, these proud undocumented folks left familiar surroundings to travel to a hostile and foreign land and do the jobs the sedentary population refused to do. Why? not because they are criminals, but because they heroically want to provide for their families. In the face of in humane attacks by the white male right wing – again, why? Because they look different than you do Justin, and Carroll, and Monique, they have different names, such as Juan and Jose and yes Grace.
This is about your unbridled hate and racism, why else would you deny the gift of the American dream?

JP
JP
16 years ago

these proud undocumented folks left familiar surroundings to travel to a hostile and foreign land and do the jobs the sedentary population refused to do
Mr Tetrault, while I struggle to type with my fists – which have clenched after reading your ignorant post – I have to ask when we can put to rest this idea of Americans refusing to do these jobs? Jobs like the Bianco factory in NB where the next day legal citizens had lined up to fill the positions? Or maybe janitorial services at the Garahee Judicial Complex??
Also, I noticed you used Latino names to characterize illegal immigrants. Interesting.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Bill-It’s nice to see what true open borders believers are really thinking.
Why don’t we just authorize illegal aliens to vote also?I am sure you’d be down with that.It’s obvious that you lack the common sense to understand that along with the individually harmless jobseekers come a lot of others who we shouldn’t want here,but I guess it’s a wasted effort to tell you that.
The public is waking up to the attitude you express and you are in a thankfully small minority.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Guys,
Mi Amigos, I have news for you. Undocumented American workers already vote. We have them vote in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, East Providence (big time) and Woonsocket. We almost got Charlie elected, clearly it was our organizing of undocumented Americans that got Ralph in. We will get Grace in too. As a reward, you will never see id cards being required to vote, unless of course Sen Levesque’s bill to give undocumented Americans drivers licenses becomes law.
And while it may be technically against some arcane election law, it is right the undocumented Americans should vote. They work hard, they obey the laws and they pay taxes – they have a RIGHT to vote. Sure, white folks like you don’t like it, but get used to it. We are here and we will not be denied.

rhodeymark
rhodeymark
16 years ago

Hey Bill – I really hope you get an opportunity to accidentally cut off an “heroic” member of MS-13 in traffic some day – like that poor fellow and his two sons in San Francisco.
Bill, it’s been demonstrated that “heroic” “undocumented” immigrants are performing a form of racist ethnic cleansing on African-Americans in Los Angeles, outraged?
Bill – why are Mexicans forced to forgo the legal immigration process due to starvation? They have an abundance of natural resources down there.
Bill – why do Mexicans treat their own illegal immigrants – Central & South Americans coming northward – so harshly?
Bill – why don’t you think having porous borders and “sanctuary cities” is a legitimate security issue?
Bill, I grew up, went to school and served a couple Navy tours in So Cal – I know what I am talking about – do you? I also guarandamntee that I have had more Mexican-American friends in my life than you have, so stuff it.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Rhodey
First of all great to hear there are no white gangs – opps forgot about those illegal immigrants in white supremacist gangs like the skin heads, and the illegal immigrant Sean McVey.
Second, also great to hear there are no crimes committed by African Americans against Koreans.
Third, great to hear conditions are so wonderful in Mexico that everyone is at full employment and there is plenty to eat for all – oops, not true, thats why Mexicans are forced here to feed their families, something you wouldn’t understand Gordo.
Fourth, great to hear Americans treat undocumented Americans so fairly – oops, you have Nazi programs like e-verify, and racists always looking to blame the undocumented for everything.
Fifth, great to hear we are doing such a good job protecting America from Mexican and Guatemalan terrorists – oop, last time I check it was the Saudi’s who attacked us on 911 – so much for your security argument.
Sixth, great to hear you grew up in California and served in the Navy making you an expert on all things about undocumented. Opps, you never had to face the choice of courageously striking out for a new life in a foreign land or face starvation in your fascist Navy!
You are clearly without any grasp on anything but your own racism.

Citizen Critic
Citizen Critic
16 years ago

Mr Tetrault,
This thread delivers! It is one of the best ever on Anchor Rising!!
You are the racist. We need to make no apology for opposing illegal immigration which is destroying our country.
You say illegals are fine upstanding citizens? Here are some facts for you:
*Illegals make up a big percentage of the prison population, especially in border states such as California and Arizona
*Illegals are much more likely to be on welfare than citizens
*Illegals drive up our health care costs and our taxes
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/3/27/114208.shtml

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Wow are you a lost angry white man or what!???
You say illegals are fine upstanding citizens? Here are some facts for you:
*Illegals make up a big percentage of the prison population, especially in border states such as California and Arizona
Yes, largely because of discrimination and because of racist attitudes of people like you. Look at how many undocument Americans are in prison in Northern border states – almost none!
*Illegals are much more likely to be on welfare than citizens
Because they are exploited by rich white business owners – we need a national living wage law, forget about minimum wage
*Illegals drive up our health care costs and our taxes
Simply not true! Undocumented Americans pay taxes and often the taxes they pay are pocked by rich white business owners.
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/3/27/114208.shtml

observer
observer
16 years ago

re: Bill Tetrault
Gentlemen, I think you are feeding the troll!

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

It’s fun to watch him jump and dance for our amusement.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Laugh all you want ladies and gentlemen in your white sheets and hoods. We are clearly winning. Want some empirical evidence? Just look at all the gains the white supremist republican party makes on election day. I would be surprised if they return even 10 to the RI house or 4 for the RI senate. These are the same idiots that read your stupid blog – couch bound morons. In the words of the Democratic leadership, bend over we’ll drive!

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

The Tetrault incursion here is proof that Anchor Rising is an OPEN forum.No one is censoring him because he hasn’t made threats or other stuff that gets thrown off most blogs.I don’t think most of us would get a word in on any blog he ran.
I think the IWW meeting is starting any minute,so he might have to hurry over there.
This guy makes Matt Jerzyk look positively moderate.Matt is also a lot smarter-this fellow is so far over the edge that it’s hard to take him seriously.
Bill-one hint-assisting someone to make a false claim to US citizenship in order to vote is a felony(18USC2;18USC911)-I wouldn’t brag about it if I were actually engaged in it.Hardly an arcane law.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Bill-it’s “mis amigos”-can you even speak Spanish?

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Incursion? Thats what you call free speech? Wow, and you call me the racist.
Here is the reality of the world – a reality you are either unwilling or unable to accept. We will provide sanctuary to all who seek a better life. That, ladies and gentlemen is what America is all about – like it or not. You and the talk radio crazies are only a small pathetic and irrelevant factor. Your only hope is an even smaller and more pathetic RI GOP lead by a moron de tuti morons, Giovanni Ciccione and Dan York. We will come back in November with:
A Democratic President
A Democratic US House (with bigger majorities)
A Democratic US Senate (with bigger majorities)
A Democratic RI House (with bigger majorities)
A Democratic RI Senate (with bigger majorities)
In two years we will add a Democratic Rhode Island Governor such as Liz Roberts.
You will be even more irrelevant and pathetic than you are now, that ladies and gentlemen is the harsh reality, not some left wing ramble.
Lastly, Mis Amigos is plural. I a was speaking to one individual.
Who’s the moron now!

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

OK, I thought it was just a crackpot until he said that Liz Roberts would be the next governor. Now I realize that he’s a drugged-up idiot with a keyboard.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Read what you actually wrote before calling me a moron.
Your posts are an incursion-they are here as attacks undisguised as dialogue,but no one cares because you sound a little like the monster shouters who haunt Kennedy Plaza.
I retract my cautionary note about admitting to committing felonies on a blog:you have an obvious insanity defense.
We may get democrats in power,but if 75% of the people in a blue state like RI support the Governor’s Executive Order,you and your open borders friends are sucking tailpipes.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

That poll is absolutely a joke. If you could actually read you would see that so-called illegal immigration is way down on the list of what really matter to Rhode Islanders.
Unlike you Dan York and Matt Allen, Rhode Islanders are a caring and compassionate people, who understand the need for all people to be cared for.
When will you concede that you are just wrong? when?

JP
JP
16 years ago

Bill Tetrault is just a conservative Tyler Durden, trying to depict himself as a liberal in order to illicit outrage and motivation in other conservatives.
Frankly, I wish I thought of it. I smashed my monitor before I realized.

JP
JP
16 years ago

Illicit, incite – whatever.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Bill-I did study the poll results-and yes,only 4% of RI residents polled considered immigration the leading issue.I am not in that 4%.
The question of support for the Governor’s Executive Order is totally separate and 75% supported him.It’s like comparing your gas bill with your water bill.Two different issues.Just because an issue is not the leading one,doesn’t mean it is not thought about.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

This reminds me of the old Soviet Union. If you don’t agree with us comrade, you must be insane (or a conservative – same thing).
Wow, I have been called a lot of disparaging things but this is truly the first time I have been called a conservative!

Greg
Greg
16 years ago

I love how many of you ‘learned’ idiots have never learned how to deal with internet trolls.
HEY OLD DUDES! Just ignore him.
Sheesh.

Citizen Critic
Citizen Critic
16 years ago

“Bill Tetrault” is right about one thing: the Progressives are winning the battle to control RI –but, at what cost?
In aggregate, RI is a financial disaster. By virtually all economic indicators, RI ranks close to 50th out of 50 states. Foreclosures are rampant, there are no jobs, and taxes are up, up, up. The economy is dead, businesses left long ago, and now people are following.
After the illegal aliens, welfare mothers, welfare cheats, unions, and political insiders got their share –all that’s left for the people is a corpse. It’s exactly as would be predicted from a corrupt/ socialist business model. Is that a big victory to stuff your pockets while killing the golden goose? Hardly. It proves ‘progressivism’ AKA socialism is a failure.
But, as long as the RI locals approve of it and fund it, have at it! Knock yourselves out!! Give away the state treasury every day of the week, it is OK with me.
I am just so glad for my decision to move out last year.
Anyone with half a brain will move out ASAP. After you move, you will enjoy far less stress in your life and more of the fruits of your own labor.

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Ok, see what your unwillingness to accept undocumented Americans leads to? This from today’s AP wire:
PORT CARBON, Pa. (AP) – Three white teens were charged Friday in what officials said was an epithet-filled fatal beating of an illegal Mexican immigrant in a small northeast Pennsylvania coal town.
Please stop hating and start nurturing? You are no better and no worse than those undocumented Americans who only seek to do what’s best for their families.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Greg-even if this guy is a troll,it’s a good mental exercise
Bill-this isn’t about who is better or worse-I am sure there are illegal aliens who are much better people than me in any given respect-I just don’t believe in anarchy when it comes to this issue.
If you feel so strongly about the conditions thaht drive people here,why don’t you go organize protests in one of these nice home countries of your “undocumented Americans”-wear Kevlar if you do,though,because not everyplace is like the USA where your little street theater will be yawned at.
“Undocumented Americans?Sounds close to “Undocumented Citizens”referred to by BILL Rappleye(hmmm?)

Bill Tetrault
Bill Tetrault
16 years ago

Joe,
Did you not read my previous post or are you just stupid?
The hate, and killing is being done by you and your kind who are unwilling to welcome those seeking to just better there lives. Is killing someone justified for not having documentation? Come on, its like a traffic ticket. Do you drive the exact speed limit everywhere you go? Then you are as guilty as these poor undocumented Americans. Don’t you see that?
Wow, thank God you and your moronic party are out of power and will be for the foreseeable future. Let the grown-ups in the democratic party give all these folks the amnesty they deserve.
God!

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