If you knew an institution was incapable of keeping tabs on one, crucially-important, person, why would you believe it could track 12 million? And yet . . .
The government knew that one man in Atlanta had a highly-infectious, potentially fatal, disease that puts the lives of untold numbers of people at risk. The MSM is quick to point its finger at the government for its failure to keep track of him. But the same MSM is largely supportive of an amnesty-based immigration bill that would require that same government to keep tabs on untold millions of immigrants and administer a highly-complex "pathway to citizenship."
The MSM is turning the tale of the Georgia man with TB who roamed over Europe and flew back to the US, endangering his fellow passengers, into a story of government misfeasance. Typical of the MSM take was that of Chris Cuomo on today's "Good Morning America." Cuomo spoke to ABC medical consultant Dr. Tim Johnson at 7:04 am EDT this morning.GOOD MORNING AMERICA CO-HOST CHRIS CUOMO: Now obviously there were some breakdowns in the system here, in allowing this man to fly, in figuring out who was on these planes with him.So the government couldn't keep track of one person, which it knew was infected with, as Dr. Johnson described it, "the worst kind of TB, called extensively drug-resistant TB because it's resistant to first- and second-line drugs."
Yet the credulous MSM apparently believes that the same government will be capable of doing the following with regard to 12 million people currently in the country illegally, over the course of the 13 years it could take for them to complete the "pathway to citizenship."
- Collect a $1,000 fine carry out a criminal background check [within 24 hours1!]
- Collect an additional $4,000 fine for purposes of issuing a green card.
- Administer English competency tests.
- Verify that the applicant left the U.S. and filed his application in his home country,
- Determine that the applicant has demonstrated merit based on the skills and attributes they will bring to the United States.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Comments Policy
We need new warm bodies to pa
May 31, 2007 - 07:31 ET by JDWWe need new warm bodies to pay entitlement programs...
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
Sadly, the MSM is hardly the
May 31, 2007 - 07:41 ET by sarcasmoSadly, the MSM is hardly the only entity to promote big government in the face of continual, incontrovertible evidence of big government's manifest incompetence at doing certain jobs America's Founders tried, in vain, via a Constitution & Bill of Rights, to prevent their republic from trying...
JMR
Well I think the real insinua
May 31, 2007 - 07:55 ET by general companyWell I think the real insinuation here is , if we get what we (the MSM) want, they will be keeping tabs on all of us. A huge Government might could do it?
The MSM thought exactly the
May 31, 2007 - 07:58 ET by kgThe MSM thought exactly the same thing in the early 80's when there were but a handful of people with HIV/AIDS. You couldn't infringe on these peoples rights by quarantining them. Now look at the number.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting different results.
But Mark, it's not just those
May 31, 2007 - 08:40 ET by dscottBut Mark, it's not just those things on the list that the government has to get right for each of the 12 million. The I-9 form which everyone has to fill out to take a job (enacted over 15 years ago) has been botched from day one. You remember the I-9? That form where you are required to show two forms of ID, which the employer is supposed to photocopy. If they can't even follow up on the I-9, what makes anyone think any of these other steps will be of use. Had the government actually followed up on the I-9 by verifing the SS# to the ID, then we wouldn't be having this discussion.
Employers have to send in quarterly income tax payments for employee withholding. Had the IRS run a cross check on the W-4 which everyone fills out, the false IDs would be immediately exposed and they could have refered such people for investigation. Right there were two opportunities to nip the problem in the bud, they failed miserably and now we are to believe that passing another set of restrictions and forms is going to make a difference??? They must be smoking crack or think all of us are utterly stupid.
The employment verification system failed from a lack of even trying, why will things be any different now?
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Because they have an incentiv
May 31, 2007 - 10:43 ET by pbanks7Because they have an incentive to NOT investigate. They get to keep the 6-8 billion dollars they collect every year from the mismatches.
I make sure the I-9s are done, because [research]:
This is obviously an extremely high priority for INS and DHS, because THE I-9 IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. Yeah. Right.
I just noticed that it's no longer the "Immigration and Naturalization Service," it's the "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services." Apparently, "naturalization" is not as important as "diversity."
From Michelle Malkin:
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
Unfortunately, as Mark points
May 31, 2007 - 08:42 ET by GalvanicUnfortunately, as Mark points out, the MSM --- and a great deal of the public itself --- continue to believe that government can efficiently take on complex tasks like tracking individuals, when cases like this and the 2004 Syrian airline passenger case, clearly demonstrate that even critical cases involving infectious deadly disease and expired visas, slip through the cracks. Why should Bush and the other Reps be surprised that so many citizens mistrust the false promise of the new 'immigration reform' bill drafted bgy the Senate. The Feds didn't ennforce the far simpler policy; it's certain they lack the capability and eventually the will, to enforce a new one.
Isn't a breakdown though oc
May 31, 2007 - 09:07 ET by balboaIsn't a breakdown though occurring if they let this guy fly on an airplane?
OJ low speed redux on FOX
May 31, 2007 - 09:13 ET by Cool ArrowLike we really want to see the top of an ambulance driving through Colorado.
You'd think John Mark Carr was in town.
Gore lied. Nobody fried
I am getting soooo sick of th
May 31, 2007 - 09:34 ET by BeowulfI am getting soooo sick of the MSM and reform "advocates" touting this package, while totally ignoring it's manifest impractibility.
First off, does anyone truly believe that more than a small handful of illegals will even want to be legalized? They're already here, they're already getting tons of support to stay here, and they are virtually untouchable as it is. Why change their status?
Who thinks the current crop of illegals will be willing and able to dish out $5000?
Who thinks illegals will be willing to submit to paying taxes?
Who thinks illegals will be willing to give up all the programs and benefits they currently have (medical and education in particular), and for which they pay nothing, and for which they indeed have priority in many cases over American citizens?
How many believe illegals will be willing to adhere to the requirement that they leave the US before submitting their application to come back, thereby taking the chance they might not be allowed back in?
Who believes illegals would fulfill the requirement that they become competent in English? They show no willingness to do so now, why would they change?
Illegals already have so much advantage in keeping the status quo, why would they even consider this "reform"? The only ones who would go through this are the few who truly want to become US citizens.
And the final insult is that this "reform" essentially puts the price of US citizenship at $5000. It must be nice to know the exact cost of buying such citizenship.
And what does this say to the tens of thousands of immigrants who are, and have been, waiting in the que, fulfilling all the requirements, to legally immigrate and earn, yes EARN, US citizenship?
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Good Post
May 31, 2007 - 09:45 ET by iveseenitallGood post, Beowulf. You've slayed the dragon. This legislation truly is an insult to and a disaster for America. God help us; our government surely won't.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Thanks iveseenitall, but I wo
May 31, 2007 - 11:36 ET by BeowulfThanks iveseenitall, but I won't even begin to claim the kill. The dragon may get scratched from those like us, but it is far from dead. Until we, the people, get together as a whole and stand up to both government and the media, nothing will change. Look at what the last few years of apathy have encouraged them to do - politicians blowing off the desires of the vast majority of constituents, and the media spoon feeding their propaganda to a (relatively) willing public.
Politicians who fail to heed the will of those who elected them need to be removed from office, either through losing re-election or through impeachment.
Media outlets blatantly misreporting should lose all circulation and subscribers.
The above remedies would very quickly teach both where their bread is buttered...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Exactly Beowulf...You summed
May 31, 2007 - 11:42 ET by bigtimerExactly Beowulf...
You summed it up.
I saw this article, it is short and to the point and I also watch these RINO's vote with disgust...these are the exact people we need to have a real conservative run against....look what happened to Toomey, I still think he would of won if he would of had some help from the likes of Rove and others...like the President.
I am sick and tired of them...I would rather have the leftists than these enemies within our own party.
BT, you're right about how di
May 31, 2007 - 13:11 ET by BeowulfBT, you're right about how disgusting anyone who votes against his/her constituents just to get reelected is, but there's no way I can make the leap to prefer lefties over RINOs. Even a RINO can't do as much damage to our country as a true lefty can.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Completely agree Beowulf.Hope
May 31, 2007 - 13:16 ET by bigtimerCompletely agree Beowulf.
Hope you know that.
BT, you had me skeer'd for a
May 31, 2007 - 14:30 ET by BeowulfBT, you had me skeer'd for a minute there...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Didn't mean to Beowulf...I ju
May 31, 2007 - 14:41 ET by bigtimerDidn't mean to Beowulf...
I just get so aggravated watching their votes after they are elected...they are part of the reason we haven't been dependent on our own oil here for years and years...among other issues.
McCain is a prime example, we only needed one more vote to pass the ANWR vote, I have been watching and hoping for years it would pass...I will never forget it...granted he wasn't the only RINO but it made a huge difference.
as far as when election time comes...I will and have held my nose and vote for a republican rather than any democrat unless they are in the mold of Zell Miller..which are few and far between.
Here in Mt. part of the problem for years has been all of the people ran out of the cities from illegal immigration, only problem is they are mostly liberals who come here creating the same problems they ran away from with their votes...
Plus we have had a token libertarian for the last few years put in purposely by the dem party and it finally worked last election.
There is no such thing as an "illegal", EVEN IF THEY DON'T APPLY
May 31, 2007 - 10:15 ET by RJSomeone correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this bill require that ICE agents give all "caught" illegals the opportunity to apply for a Work Visa?
If that's the case, under this bill THERE WILL BE NO SUCH THING AS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN. They won't have to apply until they are "caught." Now, that's a true "catch and release" amnesty program....
------------------
In exchange for his "legacy", George W. Bush is willing to destroy the Republican Party
"And what does this sa
May 31, 2007 - 10:26 ET by ckc1227"And what does this say to the tens of thousands of immigrants who are,
and have been, waiting in the que, fulfilling all the requirements, to legally immigrate and earn, yes EARN, US citizenship?"
SUCKERS!!!
Immigration
May 31, 2007 - 10:55 ET by pbanks7I have a friend that had to jump through hoops to get her citizenship, including 2 trips to Texas. She had to swear she wouldn't go on unemployment or any other government assistance for at least 5 years. I'll bet that's not in this plan.
Once you're a legal resident alien for a full calendar year, you qualify for the Earned Income Credit. The maximum for 2006 was $4536 with two children. The payback period is less than 2 years.
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
EXACTLY!The Closed Mind Erect
May 31, 2007 - 11:37 ET by BeowulfEXACTLY ckc!
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Can anyone really believe thi
May 31, 2007 - 09:57 ET by pbanks7Can anyone really believe this? Why has the MSM failed to make the connection? Why is the MSM quick to allege the government's incompetence in the TB case but willing to believe in its omniscience when it comes to immigration?
Liberals live in a fantasy world where all you have to do is pass a law, create a government program, and POOF! the problem goes away - No unintended consequences.
"All we have to do is be nice to them, then they'll understand that we mean them no harm, and they'll be nice to us." Does that mean if I'm nice to you, you'll turn into a Republican?
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
Close Encounters III
May 31, 2007 - 10:03 ET by Cool ArrowReminds me of the scene in Close Encounters where everybody becomes friends and we all live happily ever after.
Gore lied. Nobody fried
Civil rights
June 1, 2007 - 11:18 ET by kbworkmanCome on folks. The MSM wil find fault with the handling of this matter how it came out.
If the government had caught the guy and held him quarantine, they would have complained about infringing on his civil rights. You know that we all have the God given (another un PC moment) right to pass on any deadly disease we have. That's why we have an AIDs epidemic.
Oh wait. I just saw an article that the governments quarantine of this "TB Andy", as oposed to Thyphoid Mary, might invovle civle rights issues.
Never mind.