are we not communicating anymore?

ah Gary, you are a quixotic dreamer, hombre -- something I can appreciate.  But I must tell you: you're tilting at windmills here.  At any rate, I doubt  that you will be convince Dave or any of the rest of us to go down to Mexico with you.  You need to learn the art of listening to your would-be constituents...this is what Obama did and why he was so successful.  But I apologize for my bad humor the other day.  Yes, we are still communicating. So, tell me, Gary, what is your view of these 287(g) agreements?

Has Obama been successful with health care.  Answer no.  Do you think he's going to tackle immigration reform next after expending all that political capital?   I doubt it, not when the sides are so polarized.  We both watched the same Basso you-tube didn't we.  I thought it had 6 million hits, correction it was 7 million.

Why wouldn't Dave want to become more familiar with his subject?

Apology accepted concerning other day.  By the way you'd never know there was anything wrong health wise with my nomination for Leiutenent Governor by looking at her.  She looks strong as a bull.

Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act. A Law Enforcement Partnership. ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in ...
www.ice.gov/partners/287g/Section287_g.htm

I love ICE, was that the old INS?  What do you think I think of ICE?  Bunch of idiots!

That's a non-answer Gary.  I asked your opinion of the 287(g) agreements.  Now, tell me truthfully...did you just google it because you're not even sure what it is?  Do you understand why it matters to the Latino/immigrant community?  And are you saying that you love ICE, the same agency that is rounding up and deporting people like your best friend Beto?  Is that what you're telling me?

oh my god, ana lisa, yes I googled but yes I pretty much new what i'd find.  oh, my god, the last half of my comment was I called ICE a "bunch of idiots!"

ana lisa, I had a web site last year, my friend had the access because I was and still am a computer moron, so it needs to be cleaned up I couldn't bother him after first draft. The Yokel News, no need to type the www.  com.  Go to it 3rd page to see how i feel about ICE.  The first page is me pretending to be losing it.  That was meant to be, oh never mind, please just go there.  Lot's of pictures of Mexico too.  I wish I'd seen your comment earlier, will be here till about 5pm.  I do like talking to you, besides you look very cute, and me and Wire Paladin might be heading for a High Noon.  Why won't Mr. Bennion want to go to Mexico with me, groups go all over the world all the time.   Does he completely misunderstand me too?

Yes, I see where you called ICE "a bunch of idiots."  Sorry, I got a little emotional and didn't hear what you were saying.  I have no idea what Mr. Bennion thinks about your proposal or what he will do.  I just know how it strikes me. If you want to go off on a quixotic quest by yourself, that's fine.  Send me a postcard.  But I've gone to a lot of trouble to respond to your platform, without getting any answers to my questions.  Take 287(g) for example...I still don't know where you stand on this.  I don't have a sense that you're in touch with the concerns of the Latin@/ immigrant community.  I have the feeling you're just off in the clouds somewhere, oblivious to our concerns.  Forgive me, but could it be that you're running for office in order to escape some issues you can't face at home?  A lot of men do this.  I know my boyfriend gets deeply involved in some major project when he's scared to face emotional issues.  I know that's a little personal so you don't have to answer that.  I just put it out there as something for you to think about.  You appear to have a lot going on in your life right now, just gathering from what you told me.  But we can continue the discussion if you like.

Sorry, I didn't mean to psychoanalyze you.  It's just something I'm wondering about (I'm a fiction writer, so I'm genuinely curious about people's motivations).  And you mentioned that your wife was mad at you.  Anyway, you really don't have to answer me. It's personal and I probably shouldn't have asked you that.

Home for the night.  Goodness you think I'd be afraid to answer a personal question?  Did you go to the yokel news?  Is there not a picture of me standing in my boxer shorts wearing a sport jacket for that nights congressional debate, and me announcing to the world that the threads where purchased at the Red, White and Blue Thrift store?  Was there not an issue titled the Divorce Issue (there were actually two Div. Issue's only posted one)?  What was your question, I forgot?

There's too much to discuss in one thread.  Your a writer?  Write a screen play about me.  Did you read the one thread to Dave where I said Ben Stiller could play me, or do you skim a little bit like I confessed to doing? After the fiasco of me running for congress last year do you think I think I'm going anywhere with this?  It's all about getting one reporter to go to Mexico, and maybe things would then fall into place helping Beto and maybe me (make a little money i.e. screen play). E-mails didn't work when I came back from the first visit, so I ran for congress and now Governor, what the heck after all this I'm entitled to think about a few sheckles (maybe you'll see me at Cannes, France). The idealism fell by the wayside about 2 months  (July) into last years congressional silliness.   I have 3 more months left this year to be a pain in the ass. The point is some good could come out of it!!!  Mr. Bennion is going to regret not going with me if I ever do get a group together.  Why wouldn't anyone interested in immigration concerns not take me up on the offer.  Beto is the perfect guide.  I'll get us all from the Mexico City airport to his home town in one piece, and then you'll see exotic Mexico like few Americans have seen it- when Beto takes over.  Ask me about the places we could visit. Did you know I invited Mr. Lindley?  He's like you, he wants to argue policy minutia.  I'm the only one expected to answer half a dozen questions in one thread.  It's hard to do like this. 

287g, isn't it enough that I consider ICE to be like the Gestapo, and I'm telling you your not going to get your way with people like Mr. lindley and my congressman opposing you.  And my congressman is a slick one, he's all for sounding like an environmentalist but his position on amnesty- he brags he'd be the first one to vote against it.  What the heck, don't you see why a boycott Mexico, secure the border, and amnesty in combination would work?  A half a loaf.  I could ask Mr. Lindley the same question.  It needed to originate from the Hispanics and their friends, us (I've just about given up).  And starvation in Mexico from a 2-3 month boycott?  I don't think so.  And a boycott by definition is about sacrifice.  And speaking of avoiding the question.  Wouldn't a boycott send a message about our not tolerating the corruption that forces their people to flee in the first place. And answer this.  Are you for open borders?

How's that for a stream of consciousness?  And is it possible I made short work of Mr. Wire Palidan this morning.  Where is he.  Did you know he has a web site like me.  Did you see his last comment to Mellisa.  He was in full role mode.  The girl is only 18 years old.

correction- not your a writer, you're a writer?

how about a little music?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9U6URQSF6U

Oh, I've already tried my hand at writing a screenplay.  It was god-awful. he,he. But writing is rewriting, as they say...and I do get better with revision.  Maybe someday I'll get up the courage to revisit that piece.  I will say this...you would make a great character for a screenplay, Gary. Very colorful. :-)

Nice choice, Gary. :-)  You know one of my pseudonyms at theWrit.org was Astrud the Mute Chanteuse (after Astrud Gilberto).

am i flattering myself too much when I say I think my contentious middle of the road suggestions and the smart alleck threads revives the dialogue just when you think it's done.  i'm a shy guy off the internet but blogging is like acting and my Mexico experiences is like Superman and krypton, or was that what took away his power?  I had a long wknd. I could look that up.  I knew you'd like Gilberto.  I actually have this song on an album and I've loved it for years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By4GrrDyKNc

ana lisa, try and find the you tube where she's on Italian tv.  I can't think of the name of song, windy is playing in background.  it might even be on my web site?

okay, I'll look for it...my mother is a big fan of Gilberto. You know, Gary, from what I've seen, you have a better imagination than any real campaign sense. I was thinking that if you write a good script, you would stand to make more money than your campaign for Governor (which will probably just break the bank and piss off your wife). You've got a great story here with a wonderful protagonist -- namely you and your quixotic longing for recognition at any cost. What do you think about that suggestion? 

btw, you can find some great (free) screenwriting software here:

 http://celtx.com/

Gary, I would like to repeat what I said to Mary, so that you have a better idea of where we're coming from (at the grassroots level, anyway):

The amnesty issue is a non-starter, as far as I'm concerned. We are well aware that amnesty isn't even on the table right now. The trade-off appears to be between a strenuous and punitive "path to citizenship" in exchange for stepped-up enforcement measures. But this will only serve to perpetuate the the same problems as before, while solving very little that's wrong with the system. We are looking for sensible, humane reform, not just an amnesty or a "path to citizenship."

I'm not sure that you really understand where we are coming from in the grassroots (not that we all think alike, but we share many of the same concerns). Any reform bill that is truly comprehensive should address the raids, private (for-profit) prisons, racial profiling and other issues of deep concern to immigrant communities. We are willing to compromise, however we do not wish to enter into a faustian bargain that criminalizes hard-working immigrant families while dangling the carrot of "amnesty" (or "path to citizenship") in front of our noses. Any reforms must be comprehensive and address the entire system which is broken.

And I would drop the issue of a Mexican boycott altogether, because there's no support for it on either side.  Mexican migrants are not going to stop sending remittances to their families because some gringo tells them to, no matter what you think.

"And I would drop the issue of a Mexican boycott altogether, because there's no support for it on either side.  Mexican migrants are not going to stop sending remittances to their families because some gringo tells them to, no matter what you think."

you're right

out the door, maybe we can discuss later.

I was with you until you wanted amnesty for the illegals.

I'm at a loss at this point.  Mr. Lindley thinks i want to have perpetual amnesty, and ana lisa is willing to wait till hell freezes over to get "comprehensive" something, I'm not sure what?  She knows how I feel about the raids, throw in racial profiling, I’m with her, but she's disingenuously not mentioning the border?  And she sometimes says I dodge questions.  Are you for open borders?

 If I want to meet with Mr. Benion on Monday, I probably should make an appointment with his secretary and expect to billed at the normal hourly rate.  My campaign war chest won’t accommodate that however.

And I might have to fall back on another scheme to circulate my web site and get the message out, but either no one here is interested, since I did hint about it and better yet, I am running for chief executive of my state; or is it that no one reads completely what the other person is saying.  And if this site is going to ban people like it did Liquid Reins I might as well try sneaking back onto the Daily Kos where I was banned (over nonsense), there’s a lot more action and those bast…buggers are really sharp.

going out the door as I finish reading this, will get back.  ana lisa is really not reading anything I say very closely, you a little better.  The burden is on our side (hers) to convince your side because their is that little matter called "the law as it's on the books" they don't seem to understand.  I'll regret that last sentence because i really want to have a dialogue with her and Bennion.

after 5pm I'm late.  You did know I googled because I wanted you to know, right.  yes.  Didn't you ever try googling Wire Paladin?  It's a riot and pathetic all in one.    

after 5pm I'm late.  You did know I googled because I wanted you to know, right.  yes.  Didn't you ever try googling Wire Paladin?  It's a riot and pathetic all in one.    

Gary, you appear to be talking out of both sides of your mouth just like any other politician.  The burden is not us to please bullies and racists. You're the one running for office, not us.

Another reason we have quotas from diffferent ethnic groups is to stop colonization, non-assimilation and the changing of our traditional society by too many from just one ethnic group.

There are no quotas for different ethnic groups.  Your reasoning is specious and unsupported.  Also you don't seem to know much about the history of immigration in the U.S.  But I get tired of pointing out your factual errors and flawed reasoning every single day.  You don't seem interested in dialogue or compromise.  I do believe your time will be better spent elsewhere. 

Why do you visit this site, if I could be so bold as to ask?

"Why do you visit this site, if I could be so bold as to ask?"

that's funny, that's what I've been wondering too (about Mr. Lindley, who i some times agree with)

Here's another good question.  Mr. Lindley, does your family think you're as nuts as my family does me.  It's an obsession this blooging is; maybe I'm running for Governor as an excuse for blooging?

 to be talking out of both sides of your mouth just like any other politician.  The burden is not us to please bullies and racists

Bullies and racists! that had me laugh out loud. you wanna see bullies and racists, come down to my old neighborhood in LA on rampart street and look at the Mara Salvatruca gang members or the 18th street gangs. you tell me, who is the bully and racists.  the american who is frustrated that his neighborhood is turing to a thrird world country or the people who come here, sneak in, try and take everything they can from this country, send it home and laugh at the stupid gavachos.  Your assumptuntion that the american naitvists are mean because we don't want to live like people in mexico. i dont want a replica of a mexican neighborhood rebuilt next to me doesn't make me an evil person.  We have worked to hard, to give our children better, then to put up with living next to generational ignorance and poverty.  Your sence of intitlement is amusing.

The burden is not on us to please bullies and racists.

Your burden, pro-advocates, is to get the laws on the books either changed or removed with a good enough reason. So until you change the minds of those who have the ability to do so, which quite honestly doesn't look to be happening, and get the Constitution re-done or an amnesty of sorts passed, it is your burden to prove why it needs to be so.

I will tell you why I visit this site. My parents were from the 60's. Flower children who believed that if we all just got along and brought in ever stray dog off the street we would creat a utopia society for our children. the city of seattle convinced my parents that it would be benevolent of them to send their young children from the suburbs over to the inner city urban area of seattle.(the slums) in this utopia world the suburban kids would be bussed and mix and influence the poor children and the tide would raise all the boats. Well we were bussed as children from our homes and the democrats believed by doing this we would make a nice little society. Well can you now looking back think of anything wrong with sending your children to the worst neighborhoods in your area so that the disadvantaged will rub shoulders with the advantaged. My parents though we were going to school with the cosby kids.  We were going to school with American me kids. It was rough.  but it was only 2 years and i lived and saw a different life that i would not have staying in my neighborhood. I wouldn't send my kids there, but that is water undre the bridge. So now, i'm a mom and I have my kids. Guess what I am being told now. that it is a great advantage for me to send my kids to school with the less advantage illegals kids. I've heard your songs dems and seen this dance. You could fool my parents, but you don't fool ME!

this is the next governor of nj visiting his nephew bill in PA, aka as gary stein.  Hello ana lisa and mr. lindley, and welcome to the campaign hillary johnson.  not trying to be smug, just my schtick.

i like what hilary wrote and can appreciate.  i was a full fledged dem. until i saw the same things in the 70's she was talking about, but i witnessed it on the news not first hand like her.

must go, as if anyone cares, we're going to watch "gran torino"  Me, bill and his girlfriend

g.s. on the road at my nephews and unsure if the thread is posting.  they started the movie without me, gran torino.  liked hillary johsons comment. bye

what a lousy movie.  full of racist gratuity no matter if there was a message or not.  not sure if that's the right form of gratuitous?

not in the same league as the Shootist,  if you like a good curmudgeon movie; On Golden Pond.

Movie reviews and blogging on a Friday night hope no one minded.  i'm bold- i'm the jerk running for governor.

I did an ana lisa, got so emotional about top 2/3rds of Hillary Johnson's comment I missed the

"I'm being told now that it is a great advantage for me to send my kids to school with the less advantage illegals kids."

that's too complicated to say i like, but i understand where she's coming from.  and it's another sign that I'm not crazy, every one gets a half a loaf or we're never going to get any resolution on this.  only in the movies do you get that.

too tired to tell you about my new idea, i've been busy like a fool, guess where,  since i got back from trip.  try this you-tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m1X6y9Gzhs

wow that was a good post.

where do those numbers come from?  that's not how it works.  it's 7% per country for family-based immigrant visas, there's no formal division based on ethnicity.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4539.html

Would your head explode if a person of Korean descent who grew up in Ecuador immigrated to the U.S.?  Or a Brazilian national of Japanese descent?  How would we classify them?

Mark actually Alot of countries does have immigration laws which are strict, it is only certain individuals think we in USA should abolish our laws because they believe they should have FREEDOM to do as they please. Laws are place for a reason, even though our own goverment has a problem to follow it too, doesnt means all Americans citizens break laws.

I am a law biding citizen of USA  and this is because I love my freedom .. That is what it means to have freedom.. it is when a person can follow the Laws of their country, because a Law Biding citizens has no fear living in this country.

The outcry i'm sure is from immigrant rights activists in Mexico, who I would happily host on this blog in solidarity.  it's not an either/or situation ... i'm not happy with the Mexican government's response to migration, the UK's government, Italy's, China's, etc. ... but i live in the u.s. and so that is where i focus my efforts at present.

"i'm not happy with the Mexican government's response to migration,"

I'm back, I was daydreaming,  looking up and watching you tubes.  They pulled a 1965 version of just Neil Young singing his song "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing"  From before he was famous and his talent was so obvious, it's a shame it was pulled.  The money grubbing s.o.b was probably responsible for having it banned, he just released some ridiculously expensive compilation of his career.  I'm not going to get in trouble am I for posting you tubes here?  I have exquisite taste in music and I know the immigration situation (upside down and right side up) and that we have to get together as a group.  A boycott by the way is the only new idea in this old, old mix.

daydreaming, watching the clock turn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbZq4RQ2PDc

Ah yes, I can see it now.  You, Dave and some fifth-string reporter will sail into Mexico on a mission -- nothing less than to exhort the Mexican people to boycott their own government!  And you will accomplish this while swimming in Beto's pool and scarfing down his mother's world-famous chile rellenos (Mmm...muy saboroso!), while your Mexican neighbors are worrying about the price of tortillas and where their next meal is coming from.  Ah, but they be stirred by your rallying grito: "Stein para los Pueblos!"  Gringos in bathing suits always did look cute(especially on spring break! ;-)  Ah, but you will be the spark that ignites the coming revolution so that the people can finally free themselves from the oppressive yoke of corruption and elitism  (que deja vu!...ever read Orwell's Animal Farm?). Yes, it would make a great script and you have a fantasic imagination, Gary.  I really think you should write it because that's the only way it's going to happen. It would make it a great comedy (with Astrud Gilberto crooning in the background ;-)

*sabroso (typo)

i laugh at all of you.  that's not exactly how i envision the trip.......it would be hush, hush when we got there.  have you read any of my "diaries" have you seen my web site (any of them) 

It’s dangerous down there!  mucho peligroasa

can’t sit and stay very long in headquarters- the computer laundry room, have to go play softball shortly and then work.  So let’s cut through all the bull shit, why don't we…………hears my favorite you tube, she’s dynamite isn’t she?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_vAwKnFlQk

scroll down, read my you tube comment, register if you have to and recommend, it's embarrassing i have no recommends.  i don't just go off the cuff when i say things, i said "no charisma" i meant it.  the no recommends is proof.

so sorry, and this...i'm not surprised mr. "have gone will travel", wire paladin is gone, but where is liquid, did he get banned?  does anyone else worry about him (Mr. Lindley, Hillary?)

Hilary

I agree  I get tired by some of the people who calls some americans racists, when many  of that is untrue.. Not all of us Americans are racists, it just we dont think they should be above the laws of our country and if they want to be here, then follow the laws and come here LEGALLY...

There has been many people who is still on the waiting list who applied for a green card  and came here with a visa .These other people who comes here illegally those who jumped the borders.. shouldnt have the right to get anything.. since like mexico its a felony to be illegal... and it should be that way here tooo.

Now the people who were transported here by coyotes... they should be freed from their new found slave masters and if they have the money be able to get a work visa...

 and if they are living here after they got their work visa I believe its 2 years being a law biding citizen they can apply for a green card. Because those people were forced to be here, no different then any other slaves who were forced to be here...

I have no issues with people coming to USA, just follow the bloody laws and everything will be ok.

i'm making a mess of every body's in-box, this is definitely last one for now must get going.

ana lisa, as far as that idea of yours for me to write about my experiences, you’ll appreciate the next you tube, my nephew showed me this Friday night, but putting it in this context is all me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqrfYNCvHSE&feature=channel_page

the people who were transported here by coyotes... they should be freed from their new found slave masters and if they have the money be able to get a work visa...

I assume you are talking about some new reform, because under the laws of our country that now exist what you propose is almost always impossible, especially if the person leaves the U.S. and tries to reenter lawfully.

Most who cross the border come with coyotes, so I'm not sure who it is exactly that you're so upset about for not following our laws.

and if they are living here after they got their work visa I believe its 2 years being a law biding citizen they can apply for a green card.

Do you mean work visa or work permit?  There's a big difference.  How would someone become a law abiding citizen before they get their green card?  And it's normally 5 years as a green card holder before a person can apply for citizenship.  I think you are very confused about how the laws work.

Because those people were forced to be here, no different then any other slaves who were forced to be here...

That is not true in most cases either.  Most people who pay smugglers come here of their own accord to try to find a better life for themselves and their families.  This is not true of trafficking victims, of course.  Some who come here willingly later fall into trafficking, male and female.

"fifth string reporter" I was specifically looking for a New York Times reporter, but I'll settle for a Philadelphia Inquirer since that's where Dave lives and works and I'm close by.

"exhort the Mexican people to boycott their own government"  you don't mean Mexicans in Mexico, that country is in the hopper- nothing worth boycotting

"While swimming in Beto's pool."  Beto doesn't have a pool, unless you mean the sickening, disgusting smelly stream that runs next to the house his brothers still live in.  I know every detail of the history of that stream, the one he was able to swim in as a child, which wasn't that long ago.  I think Al Gore was already in the Senate and a Pres. candidate one time already.

you got the part about Chile Renos correct.  And all of it taken together would make a great comedy, I've said it many times myself.  Ben Stiller with Astrud Gilberto playing in the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqsda-1h_y8&feature=related

Ana lisa, you think i want to go to Mexico and be hooping and hollering?  Ms. Nunes comment had me scrambling back to look up this information.  And you say I don't read enough?

read this!  just the type of country we want on our southern border.....but i at least have a way to try and begin fixing-  boycott.

Dave's not interested!  read this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/31/AR2007033101359.html

I hope everyone reads, I just either read or re-read.  No, I don't think I read the entire article before, I know I heard the last 5 minutes of Cacho being interviewed on NPR late one spring night and I then looked her up on internet and found that article.

Had I read the entire article I would have gone crazy because Puebla is the same police department Beto and  I turned over an $800 bribe- shakedown, and threat! All we could do was negotiate it down from $2000.  They where going to put him in jail if we didn't pay- and they where going to physically beat me where it wouldn't show, if I didn't either leave without him or get out of my truck.  This was right in front of the Puebla police station after being led there by one cop and his backup from where the original "traffic violation" occured ( the Chief was standing right there during all this at the station!!!)  And i never did get out of the car but the bastards did get the $800.  For that $800 and 4 wasted hours the chief kindly had one "officer" show us the way back to the highway towards Mexico City.  The officer was on another Harley Davidson, they all had , the only town that did.  No need to get silly and put a you-tube of Brando and Lee Marvin, in was it the Wild One or Wild Bunch.

After that nothing went right that night driving my Suburban, the one I was giving him.  Traffic jams, road construction, speed bumps (rushing to make up for lost time and speed bumps and no street lights) missing street signs etc.  It was about 3pm and 80 degrees when it all started in Puebla; by the time we finished negotiating it was freezing.  (He was in and out of the police headquarters, with an escort of course, and he had on shorts and a nothing t-shirt (guinee tee, can I say that).  All that time I was sitting in the drivers seat with an idiot cop leaning in passenger window trying in pathetic English to "dope" out how much money we where probably carrying.)

After the police escort waved bye, bye you should have seen the road construction and delays on the main highway out of town.  They had miles and miles of the right most lane cordoned off but you only saw a few construction vehicles.  Nothing but nothing makes sense down there. 

I forgot to mention that they tried to be real cute at the end, after we paid, and said they where impounding the car overnight. I'm sure the truck would have been 100% the next day.  Also I snuck a cell phone call out to my friend back in jersey and told him we might be in deep doo doo but the battery died after about a minute.  Stein for Governor, right.

Mr. Lindley, Dave and ana lisa never follow up when I mischievously ask them to ask me a question.  You don't like Mexico and I have very mixed feelings about it myself.  Ask me how the trouble started in Puebla?  Ask me what we witnessed the very next day in another police station the next town over from Beto.  We where just bystanders, but it was actually more cynical than what we dealt with the night before.  Ask me why Beto deserved that truck in the first place, better have a hanky ready

Even though the fence will slow the migration to a virtual halt, the disease will still be down there.  And sorry Mr. Lindley, I have to laugh yet again, you think the 10 to 12 million here are going to wander back there if we sanction employers?

sorry, I meant to say, now I have to laugh at Mr. Lindley having said the same about Dave and ana lisa.

Lara, I'm so tired and I'm going to make a point of not going to links because it's my way of showing Mr. Benion I comprehend why nobody goes to my links either, we're all run ragged, there's too much stuff to read.

I'm sorry and maybe just to be contrary I will go to them later.  Either way my heart is with you 100%.  You're on the right side of an important issue and nobody gives a hoot. I know the feeling.

There's a lot of nasty stuff going on in Mexico and for the life of me I wish Dave and Company would explain how outside of a boycott we could change anything.   Oh, I know, by blogging! That will change the other 299,999,994 Americans minds. Tomorrow they'll wake up and read this blog.

hello my friend (and critic), obviously I responded to you over at

 http://immigration.change.org/blog/view/bill_moyers_interviews_former_health_insurance_

insider_wendell_potter

I'm so tired and the night is still young

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAmfx0ZIZlA

Here's a video for you Gary...that is, if you care to get serious by actually addressing the topic at hand:

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/08/03/us/1194817111333/the-deportation-of-luis-jimenez.html

I meant to  bring a headset with me to Fort Lauderdale to use in the library.  sorry my dear.  i'd never talk that way in person.

i'll try and borrow a set.  i see something about the deportation of luis jimenez, i'll google his name.  i'm not for deporting my friends from Mexico if there here minding their own business.  anyway thanks for keeping up the dialogue even if we sometimes skim.  Dave is a busy guy posting one story per day it seems.  what better place to gather original, original material than Mexico.  hasn't anyone noticed all the original stories i have to tell?  and am i obnoxious?  you seem to be my only regular pen pal.  or is my middle ground position to unsettling for the others?  library closing will google his name real quick.  good night

Ana lisa, as I said yesterday I’m at the library with no head set and I’ve extended my session a few times already,  but I did a google and re-read the same information on Louis Jimenez that’s above?  So what’s up?  I’m 100% on your side on this issue.  If you’re focusing on this incident, is it because you read my account of Maria and Pallone in another thread.  Pallone the guy I knew who was minding his own business working on the back of a sanitation truck (on the books Mr. Lindley) when a maniac white kid side swiped with his uninsured car and threw Pallone into the next county and paralyzed him for life?   You did read?

 p.s. I’m at library working on my 500 word essay that every candidate has an opportunity to have sent to every registered voter in the state of New Jersey.

Good luck, Gary.  Listen, I think you need to make up your mind who you support: people like your friend Beto and Pallone, or the restrictionists who would sell them down the river, because frankly they don't care about undocumented peoples.  I suggest you take at least a month and interview Latinos --both citizens and undocumented workers -- and their allies.  Go door to door and find out what's going on in the communities (don't just ask Beto).  Talk to churches and organizations who work with migrants.  Even if your footwork doesn't pay off in this election, it will later. Latinos are the growing in numbers and influence, and will likely influence future elections.  So, it would be a smart move for any politician to get to know this community and find out what their issues are.  Find out about 287(g)...in fact, I handed you this issue as a gift, but you didn't recognize it.  Obama is talking about racial profiling now.  I predict that this is going to become a very issue in the near future, because we are not going to let him get away with hypocrisy on an issue that's so important to the Latino community.  This is a civil rights and human rights issue...so it is an issue that resonates with Latinos.  Imagine if you were the one politician with enough courage to address when no one else was.  This would put you in a very good position for future campaigns.  But you must learn how to listen, focus in on what's important to people and become more serious about what you believe.  People pick up on the fact that you're giving them a song and dance right now.  That's probably why they don't take you too seriously. 

As I said, I rather like you, Gary because you seem to have some compassion for undocumented people, like your friend Beto. But you're going to have to ask yourself what and who you're willing to fight for.  Then show the courage of your convictions and moral beliefs.  If you're just trying to get everyone on your side by proposing some "pie in the sky" compromise, you won't convince anyone.  In order to know what you're talking about, you need to start listening to the folks you're interested in helping. Then maybe your campaign will be meaningful...it will be based on more than just a desire for money or recognition.  In order for us to believe in you, you have to believe in something besides yourself and your campaign.  Why are you running Gary?  I still don't have a clear idea about this.  Why is it important to you?  If you can't articulate this clearly, no one is going to be swayed by your ideas, no matter how wonderful you think they are.  Listen, I know I'm giving you a hard time, but the voters are going to ask you even tougher questions....and they deserve serious answers from would-be candidates. If you're running out the door every time someone poses a tough question you can't answer, what are you going to do if you do find that elusive reporter?  Do you think the pundits are going to wait for you while you google 287(g) to find out what it's about or why it matters to the Latino community? So, take some time, do some research...then come back and talk to us about the Stein for Governor campaign, k?  All the best.

Ana lisa, I’m thrilled again you’d take the time to respond with such a detailed, personal response but please, just as you’re so sure I’m not listening and evaluating, look at yourself, your allies and also the “restictionists” as you call them.  Neither side has made on iota’s difference in the other sides view of things on this blog as far as I can tell; I’m at least suggesting a compromise. 

Now you say a cautious Obama is hedging his bets on the 287g statute, and then look at what’s getting thrown in his face with the health care reform.  Do you think if he was even inclined to use any more precious political capital on amnesty, some of the idiots from my party wouldn’t have a field day?  And don’t think there’s going to be town hall meetings on this issue, it’s a non-starter.   In other words he’s going to propose reform and then run like hell hoping Hispanics will remember how he tried.  These (politicians) are the most cynical bastards in the world for good reason.  You might not have to live with the “restictionists” but the politicians have to consider them and with good reason.  That’s where your naiveté is showing.  Who’s tested their theories out on the middle group of Americans like me?  Nobody. Who’s been where I’ve been that’s running for political office? Nobody.  Since I don’t have the sheckles to hire my own polling company I’ll go with my own gut feeling about the whole issue i.e., boycott.  Boycott- you make it sound like I invented the word.

You want to know why I’m running or you’re not sure; do I have to say again.  It’s a stunt pure and simple to get one reporter, or a group to go down to Mexico with me with two purposes in mind.  One to help promote my agenda thereby helping Beto…but that has taken a backseat since I discovered how hard headed people are, to now hoping there’s one chance in a thousand that someone eventually will do a documentary on the guinness world record holder, me, for being  the biggest pain in the ass- plain and simple.  Maybe there will be some financial gain come out of it for me and mine and Beto and his.  It’s the Republican way and that’s a good thing and nothing to apologize for.

And as far as speaking to undocumented workers, depending on how the question is asked, you could elicit any response you’d like.  I’ll spell this out, not for the last time,  …..Mr. and Mrs. Undocumented, if there was no other pathway to amnesty but  some fool’s idea who’s running for Governor-  and that idea could magically put an amnesty proposal on the table so that maybe the Mr. Lindley’s and ana lisa’s of the world can’t block it, because the enormous middle ground of moderates like me see the potential to resolve once and for all- would you not send remittances back to your family for 3 or 4 months in order to capture the attention of the despicable corrupt government of Mexico (current President excluded).

Ana lisa I don’t have to decide which side to support because there’s a third side, mine.  When I say I’m for closing the border I mean it.  Any one who’s honest about it, including “undocumented” persons knows the reason.  The status quo is like some one being half pregnant.  They’ll keep coming and coming and coming across- and getting people not as gentlemanly as Mr. Lindley even angrier, and angrier, and then what happens eventually?  Starts with the letter…..V…….  I get it; maybe that’s what both sides want- a vigilante war.

Mark, have you ever heard of a country that didn't restrict how many foreigners come into their land. I mean if there aren't any restrictions that have to prevent a takeover. That was where we were heading pre 911.  I still haven't heard any of the anti Americans come up with a finite number on how many is enough so that we are seen as a compassionate society. If we take in 20 million would that be enough? If we take in 20 million they by law could bring in 40 million. If we let mothers and fathers come in, they have to bring in all of their family or else we are still mean, nativists. America needs to stay the course.