1 And your point is? Are you implying that we should be like Mexico? A corrupt nation that has serious trouble proving for its people. I would hope that we aspire to better than that.

2 No, Peter, his point is that Mexico is a two-faced liar of a nation.

3 >>>>Democrats have sold out the working class by supporting amnesty for illegals. Democrats haven't stood for the working class since they became the party of "exotic" fringe special interests-- including illegal aliens. The more fringe, the better.

4 Actually, Draconian immigration policies are the norm in the vast majority of nations on this planet - even Western Europe until relatively recently (past several decades). Many nations in the world Peter can not provide for all their people - and many of them use emmigration (often illegal) as a means for disposal and safety valve to maintain their own status quos. 20 years ago the argument was over 3-5 million illegals - now its over 8-11 milion (some say as many as 20 mil) - tomarrow it will be over 20-30 milion. As it stands now - the shit hits the fan when the next severe recession comes (inevitable) - and depending on the severity, it could be disasterous and violent. Make no mistake about it - here in NYC high immigration convienently and benignly allows for quiet discrimination against African Americans, Puerto Ricans (weird huh!) and other select groups (depends on who is doing the selecting). There is also a fair degree of discrimination between immigrant groups and legal/illegal status. all this in an economic environment that is extremely good! (though seldom reported for patisan political reasons). When the bubble bursts - watch out!

5 Amazing isn't it? ...that hundreds of thousands of people each year literally swim rivers, scale walls, suffer desert heat stuffed in closed container boxes, etc etc., all to get into the "GREAT SATAN" (ie. "country with the most corrupt administration in its history"). If I didn't know better, I'd say that this illustrates how tired and weak that condemnation of our country is. What's almost more amazing, is that there are literally MILLIONS of people who believe this Democrap about our nation and President Bush.

6 Well said, Mrclark!!! If we're so bad, then why the hell are people from damn near EVERY NATION IN THE WHOLE WORLD trying to get here?!?!?!?

7 hondo, Good to hear from a voice who is right just about every damn time. Haha! It looks like I might have to come up with that Micky D. gift certificate after all.

8 JJ May need that certificate soon - technically between civilian jobs (unemployed) - will retire soon from Mil Reserve after 27 years total Active/Reserve - got a good solid disability claim pending from LOD injury last Mil activation - hoping for 50% - but could take a long time. Not looking too hard for work - like a vacation - want something close to home - no commute - something mellow - not overly ambitious - modest pay ... 30K is fine (if pension comes thru (tax free!). Spend time working on restoring house - brought 2 years ago cheap - 1880 cottage set in heavily wooded hillside/park overlooking NY Harbor - big time gentrifying area - already doubled in value - fully restored expect 400%+ return. I'm busier now than when I was working for one incredibly corrupt Fed Agency. Spending less time on the net - except job search and computer home design projects. Weather is nice - lots to do - less time for blogs.

9 My neighbor complained that the Republicans were selling the country down the river by coddling up to the illegal immigrants. When I pointed out that it was the Democrats who were doing this, she was very surprised and didn't believe me. She does watch the nightly news so this is where I think she gets her information on every subject.

10 Know that you are missed, my friend! And we will look forward to a time when you will blog more often. Good luck on your job search, and your disability claim. Actually, I have had more time on my hands since I have been working in Arkansas. I'm living in an apartment where I have no yard work or home duties, so through the week I have lots of time to surf the blogs. On weekends, however, when I go home, the wife has a long list of chores for me to do. But I have two teenage sons who work well when you crack the whip! Haha!

11 Two posts back, hondo centers on the other little mentioned aspects of illegal immigration. There are many 'moral' problems which are created from allowing unabated, unhindered illegal immigration. This isn't only bad for the US....its bad for MEXICO. Google Delinquency and Crime statistics for Mexico and you'll understand that to which I refer. Illegal immigration is having the same effect on Mexican families (in Mexico) as it had on innercity African American families here in the US in the 80 and 90's. The creation of millions of one parent households in Mexico in a relatively short period of time CANNOT BE A GOOD THING.

12 JJ - Ha ha No sons - one grown daughter - had custody - it was an experience doing it alone - she's the only woman I had paticence with and could tolerate! She dreads coming over 'cause I tend to put her to work - "lets gut the third floor - tear out that retaining wall - grab that chainsaw - drag these concrete blocks up the hillside" - stuff like that! She loves the pets though - cat, 3 raccoons, 1 possum - damn squirrels in the attic and walls! (lil' bastards keep tearing up the new insulation!). Tells me I need a small army of Mexicans! Her husband's Equadorian - him and his buddies just fix cars - don't know jack about construction! Need Mexicans!

13 Just reference to Hispanic immigration .... Mexico, Central America, South America are on a treadmill to nowhere for 200 hundred years now - they should have been by now on par with at least Europe as far a development - but it hasn't happened - and probably won't. Their own elites (left & right) are perfectly satisfied with their positions - and can always blame the US for their failures. What's different now is modern communications - down there they know its hopeless and the only real opportunity is here. I feel sorry for them - I like them - but .... We argue about the number 8-11 million - make no mistake about it - it can easily jump far beyond that! Right now anywhere between 100-150 million people south of that border would make the jump when the conditions ripen - and I don't mean here! When conditions worsen there! It will happen - its inevitable - and the consequences will be disasterous.

14 As usual, hondo makes a connection that the rest of us don't see. I had not thought about how economic conditions south of the border might impact illegal immigration. I should have, but this makes it even more imperitive that the southern border be secured.

15 JJ Most Americans view immigration (legal and illegal) though the rose-colored glasses of American mythology - peoples wanting to come here for opportunity, advancement, freedom etc. etc. Its a two-sided coin - and Americans conveniently forget the other (ugly) side. Peoples are fleeing conditions where they come! FLEEING! Fleeing not just limited opportunity - but REAL poverty, disease, violence, oppression, discrimination (YES! non-whites discriminate massively) etc. Those conditions in many parts of the world will worsen and are as we speak. You can feel sorry for them (I do), but the sheer numbers are potentially staggering! I am not joking when I say the numbers of people who would flee to the US (don't use immigrate!) is in the hundreds of millions. The only thing that stands in the way is ease of access. Remember - we only have one significant border access - otherwise we are surrounded by oceans and Canada. I expect economic and political conditions south of the border to worsen - its almost like a freakin' cycle! They are coming - and it will increase even more dramatically - I would.

16 Hondo, isn't that why they're building more ICE facilities? To be prepared for a full on invasion of illegals? Or am I just imagining things?