Well, knock me over with a feather....

[wvjules]

I'll be darned. I'm agreeing with the President tonight. Whodathunkit? lol

 

[Robinrs]

I'll be darned. I'm agreeing with the President tonight. Whodathunkit? lol

Sound the alarms!! I do, too!! Especially the part about "learning ENGLISH".

My ex was from Brazil. When I met him he had been a legal immigrant for 5 months. He had learned and spoke English as well as I did, as well as Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. Why? Because it thought it was important.

He also joined the American Army. Why? Because he wanted to give back to the country he loved.

He reminded me how important it was to be American.

 

[luv2nascar]

thank you Mr. President. Finally addressing the issues.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

That was the best address I've heard him give in quite a while. Well done!

 

[bicker]

Yet, he still can't get it right: He thought it made sense to interrupt season finales of television programs? This isn't something that could have waited a week, when his choice of timing wouldn't have been so much the source of derision?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

oh my I need a summary.

I didn't watch b/c honestly didn't want to sit through a boring speech.

Man--the moment I opt out--I miss something good.

 

[wvjules]

Yet, he still can't get it right: He thought it made sense to interrupt season finales of television programs? This isn't something that could have waited a week, when his choice of timing wouldn't have been so much the source of derision?

On the bright side, they cut away immediately after the speech instead of going over it word for word and talking to everyone on Capitol Hill.

 

[JPN4265]

Yet, he still can't get it right: He thought it made sense to interrupt season finales of television programs? This isn't something that could have waited a week, when his choice of timing wouldn't have been so much the source of derision?

So now you know what the problem with the country is, to many people worried about seeing the season finales, instead of worring about secruity issues with the country. Before you now it we will be the ones required to speak spanish, not the other way around. You can only bury your head in the sand for so long. I have a feeling that more people know the coach of their favorite college football team, and not who the senators of the state that they live in. Well, I guess you get what you deserve in the end. Even Rome didn't last forever.

 

[bicker]

So now you know what the problem with the country is, to many people worried about seeing the season finales, instead of worring about secruity issues with the country.

On the contrary: Most of us have been talking about these problems for years, while President Bush has been ignoring them. It seems that the only time they capture his attention is when his aides tell him they're what's dragging his approval ratings further down in the dumpster.

Before you now it we will be the ones required to speak spanish, not the other way around.

Keep in mind that President Bush once sang the National Anthem in Spanish, himself, only to flap in the breeze of public opinion and say that it should be sung only in English.

You can only bury your head in the sand for so long.

Apparently, if you're the President you can bury your head in the sand for five and a half years.

I have a feeling that more people know the coach of their favorite college football team, and not who the senators of the state that they live in.

I seriously do wonder if the President could name the Senators for the state of Texas, or would he have to ask an aide? I know that both Kerry and Kennedy could name the Senators from Texas, even though they don't live there.

Even Rome didn't last forever.

And many people attribute the strength of Rome to how it integrated each of its conquests into the body of the nation, granting citizenship to the nations it defeated, and attributed, at least in part, the downfall of Rome to its arrogance -- its collective sense of entitlement.

 

[bsnyder]

On the contrary: Most of us have been talking about these problems for years, while President Bush has been ignoring them. It seems that the only time they capture his attention is when his aides tell him they're what's dragging his approval ratings further down in the dumpster.

Keep in mind that President Bush once sang the National Anthem in Spanish, himself, only to flap in the breeze of public opinion and say that it should be sung only in English.

Apparently, if you're the President you can bury your head in the sand for five and a half years.

I seriously do wonder if the President could name the Senators for the state of Texas, or would he have to ask an aide? I know that both Kerry and Kennedy could name the Senators from Texas, even though they don't live there.

And many people attribute the strength of Rome to how it integrated each of its conquests into the body of the nation, granting citizenship to the nations it defeated, and attributed, at least in part, the downfall of Rome to its arrogance -- its collective sense of entitlement.

I'm not sure it'll do diddley squat for his ratings. We'll have to wait and see. I do know there are lots of people unhappy with the speech this morning, including me.

And your Rome analogy is ridiculous. We haven't conquered or defeated illegal immigrants. Not only are they here completely by choice, but they are here basically against our wishes. If anyone is displaying a sense of entitlement, it's illegals marching in our streets, under the banner of the Mexican flag, chanting in Spanish about their rights here in the U.S. Unbelievable!

 

[JPN4265]

On the contrary: Most of us have been talking about these problems for years, while President Bush has been ignoring them. It seems that the only time they capture his attention is when his aides tell him they're what's dragging his approval ratings further down in the dumpster.

Keep in mind that President Bush once sang the National Anthem in Spanish, himself, only to flap in the breeze of public opinion and say that it should be sung only in English.

Apparently, if you're the President you can bury your head in the sand for five and a half years.

I seriously do wonder if the President could name the Senators for the state of Texas, or would he have to ask an aide? I know that both Kerry and Kennedy could name the Senators from Texas, even though they don't live there.

And many people attribute the strength of Rome to how it integrated each of its conquests into the body of the nation, granting citizenship to the nations it defeated, and attributed, at least in part, the downfall of Rome to its arrogance -- its collective sense of entitlement.

We the people run this country. If we choose not to participate, then the problems are ours. Getting all upset because the President interrupted our television program just gets to the core of the problem. If we took as much interest in what was going on in our country and not what we were going to watch on TV, or where we were going to eat dinner, these problems might not have to be solved 5 1/2 years later.

My guess is that President Bush could probably name all the Senator's from every state. My comment was more to the point of the average american citizen not knowing who his or her senator is. But they do know who the head coach of the state college football team is and who won the nascar race last weekend. We just don't get involved anymore. We think that by voting (if we even do this) every two to four years then we have done our duty. We deserve what we have created. But the good news is, we can change it.

 

[Chicago526]

As usually, the devil is in the details. While what Bush said sounds good on the surface, when you look at what his plan actually does, it falls waaaaay short.

6,000 National Guard isn't enough to supliment the manpower we have (estimates given to secure the border state that we need around 25,000 personel in addition to all the high tech gadgets). These 6,000 troops will be on two week rotations, meaning that by the time they get halfway trained, they ship back out again.

And he didn't say anything about increasing penalties against companies that knowingly hire illegals to work. But then, I'm sure he doesn't want to upset his corporate sponsers by threatening to fine them. The id card is a good idea, but if we don't enforce penalties against employers that don't ask to see them or don't care if the employee can produce one, what's the point?

And the whole thing is incredibly under-funded. Bush is asking for $1.2 billion. To put that in prespective, we spend $1 billion a week in Iraq. The talking heads after the speech last night felt it wasn't enought to secure the border the way it needs to be.

And what I really can't stand is that 5 and 1/2 years after 9/11, the President is just waking up to the realization that we have an illegal imagration problem! This should have addressed years ago (and Clinton and Bush1 don't get off the hook either, they also should have done something during their time in office). This whole thing smacks of Pres. Bush just looking for a way to get his poll numbers up.

 

[DVC Sadie]

And many people attribute the strength of Rome to how it integrated each of its conquests into the body of the nation, granting citizenship to the nations it defeated, and attributed, at least in part, the downfall of Rome to its arrogance -- its collective sense of entitlement.

I bet it would have been a great time being intergrated into the Roman Empire. NOT. Lets see the two choices: 1. Gladiator (sounds fun but not for me, thanks anyway). 2nd choice. Slave (this doesn't sound good to me either).

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The timing of all this makes me suspicious. I mean this has been a problem for a long time, even before this presidency. Bush's numbers are tanking, but what is the one issue most American's will rally around? Illegal immigration. Though we all may not agree with how it should be dealt with, most can agree that there is a problem. Sounds like President Bush is working on his popularity.

The DHS is such a mess, it will be interesting to see if any of this really pans out.

 

[DJR]

Let's not kid ourselves. 6000 National Guard troops on a 2000 mile border aren't going to be able to do anything about securing that border, (3 per mile) assuming they are on duty 24/7.

This is just a lame attempt to pander to his conservative base and keep his poll numbers from going even further into the tank.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Yet, he still can't get it right: He thought it made sense to interrupt season finales of television programs? This isn't something that could have waited a week, when his choice of timing wouldn't have been so much the source of derision?

Well then, we can see what's most important in YOUR life

 

[Crankyshank]

Those of you with the self righteous because people question the President's choice of speaking last night (despite the fact it's been a hot topic for several weeks) realize that you can *gasp* read the transcripts online within minutes after the speech is done, don't you?

You can be extremely concerned about the topic, be informed of what the speech specified, and be irritated about the timing of the speech.

 

[imsorry]

Well then, we can see what's most important in YOUR life

Don't forget the burning issues of pool hopping and refillable mugs.

 

[momof2inPA]

I agree with Bush about strengthening the borders, even if it's just a little and stopping the catch and release, although it should be stopped immediately. If there isn't room to detain the people entering the country until their hearing date, they shouldn't be let in, period.

However, the rest of his program consists of amnesty and a guest worker program. So, we'll stop some leaks in the border, allow most if not all the illegals to stay, and let more Mexicans come in to water down the employment pool as a give away to big business. With these people working for peanuts and no benefits, employers will be encouraged to hire guest workers and illegals working to become legal citizens over U.S. citizens.

A few years ago, the Republicans tried to pass a bill that would prohibit OSHA safeguards from being extended to illegals. I would bet they will try to do the same for guest workers. That would further encourage U.S. companies to hire guest workers.

Basically, I see the President's plan as an exploitation of the U.S. citizens' desires. He throws us a bone about beefing up the border- a little- and uses the issue as a giveaway to Tyson foods and construction contractors. But, I be Rush Limbaugh (on the administration radio network) will spin the President's speech as the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Of course he timed his address during prime time finales. Using the football analogy, why do Super Bowl commercials cost millions of dollars while cable access ones are only a few hundred or so? Because that is when the most people are watching!