The Dred Scott Republicans--UPDATED
You know, for a party that likes to wrap themselves in the Constitution, they sure do seem to want to obliterate it. We had the "Tenthers" screaming about state sovereignty. And the Tea Parties have called for the repeal of the 16th and 17th Amendment and a new 13th Amendment.
Now, the Republicans have decided the key to electoral success this year is to take aim against the 14th Amendment. Let's just call them The Dred Scott Republicans:
First Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), then Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), now Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is calling for congressional hearings on rescinding part of the 14th amendment to prevent anyone who is born in the U.S. from automatically becoming a U.S. citizen. The intention of such a radical move is to block the American-born children of undocumented immigrants from becoming citizens.
Mitch McConnell initially openly supported this hearing and then backtracked:
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell sought today to characterize his push for hearings on birthright citizenship as an educational exercise aimed solely at a small subset of wealy parents who enter the United States for the express purpose of having a child -- a practice known as birth tourism.
In an interview with The Hill yesterday, McConnell said that a 14th Amendment provision granting citizenship to all infants born in the United States should be reviewed. "I haven't made a final decision about it, but that's something that we clearly need to look at," he said. "Regardless of how you feel about the various aspects of immigration reform, I don't think anybody thinks that's something they're comfortable with." An aide to McConnell confirmed this with the Huffington Post. But today, McConnell denied that he was talking about all children born in the United States.
Today, McConnell told reporters at his weekly press conference that his comments were interpreted too broadly. "I read an article in the, I think, the Washington Post just about the business that's been created overseas to acquire citizenship for newborns," he said. "And I think having a hearing on that would be a good idea. I don't know what the potential solution to it is. Obviously it's a rather unseemly business and I think we ought to...take a look at it."
Sure, Mitch. There's a huge, unchecked industry of "birth tourism" that's killing the country. Yeah, and if you believe that, I got a bridge to sell you.
Make no mistake, this is just more of the Republican tactic of pointing to some other victimized subset of the population as the reason why your life isn't all that it could be. Now those wicked little anchor babies--and not the Republican policies of corporatism, favoring the top 5% of the population, dismantling social safety nets, deregulated markets and union busting--are keeping you from magically being one of those elites who actually stand to gain from the elimination of estate and capital gains taxes. They are not just saying we need a re-examination of the fundamental idea of birthright - but a repeal of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution which includes our right to due process and equal protection. They truly do want to take us back to 1868.
And when Lou Dobbs thinks you've gone too far in your hate and suspicion against the Other to still be within the law, you have to know you're in real trouble.
UPDATED: Chuck Grassley of Iowa adds his name to the list of old white guys afraid of babies. And Alan Keyes says some things about the Republican Party are too crazy even for him.
Is this how "Strict Constructionists" behave? What happened to the absoluteness of the Constitution as American law?
Oh, I see, it's just like the Bible...they only observe the parts they like.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Kind of like the way I like cake. I don't like all cakes but I like certain parts of all cakes. :)
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
is a direct consequence of their biblical scholarship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hym8DHBbUVg
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
I'm with these strict constructionists!
We need to take away Sarah Palin's vote!!
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
? She doesn't LOOK Hispanic.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Yours will be going to...so don't sass me, missy!
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
mixture who just LOOKS Hispanic/Greek/Italian/Mediterranean.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Oh c'mon...don't flatter yourself. After the 14th Amendment is gone...the next step is making you property again.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
I've been divorced for 28 years.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Oh...a spinster who will have to rely upon the charity of strangers. ;o)
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
I bow to your superior longevity.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Inuit, by the looks of her.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
they'll bring back Prohibition, too! woo hoo
Isn't Ms Angle of Nevada talking about that?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
You mean it went away? Looks at war on drugs and whistles.
Shoot, A classifed in the Honolulu Advertiser Birth Announcement section is a whole lot cheaper than actually coming here and suffering through our expensive and fourth tier quality health care system.
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
Wouldn't you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH-K3MU7-fA
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
has a twin.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
be down there on the phoenixjustice video.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
The abortion witchhunt turned out to be a non starter afterall. People like the option...even religious people...they just don't talk about it...unless they're screaming about other people's personal lives.
Can't pick on the gays either. Another non starter, support for the elimination of DADT has put that puppy to bed.
So...back to the brown people...."Brown people are coming to America to procreate and take your jobs byt creating a Fourth Column of backdoor "citizens" really beholden to their home countries. Oh...and the President is one of them!"
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
... 'John Chinaman is coming to America to steal our jobs, spread their filth and crime and foreign ways, why, they don't even speak English!'
That led to sixty years of discrimination set within American law. You'd think we'd learn, but apparently not.
Let's not forget the shifty Jews, dirty Italians and drunken Irish.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
http://www.theonion.com/video/overcome-stress...
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.phoenixjustice.com
Looks like Laura Ingraham has a twin.
Better.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRMrA8MTXpA
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.phoenixjustice.com
The tea party people have led the republicans into the woods and the only way out is the Crazy as Bat Shit Trail.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
i wish it was shocking...
since 1886 the govt has said that corporations enjoy the same rights as people. and that decision was based on the 14th amendment's equal protection clause. it was insane (my view) to come to that conclusion (although there is some controversy about the court reporter and what really was decided, but that is another story)--in no ways should a fictional entity be given the same basic rights and a living, breathing person.
i always hoped that if a discussion about repealing, adjusting, re-thinking the 14th amendment came about it would be to deal with the absolute bullshit that was santa clara county v. SPac RR.... but no, instead the GOP is trying to use this 'fight' as another wedge issue to signal to their base that they are serious about scapegoating minority children (my view)
first the 14th was abused to elevate corporations and now the GOP is looking to abuse it through political shenanigans.
"corporations enjoy the same rights as people"
Due to a MEMO written by a law clerk, not a Lawyer a clerk.
Stupid Reich Wing agenda's for the Supreme Court, were is the outrage from the people over activist judges now?
Why nothing on the new/journalist screaming about activist judges?
Red Commies, each and every one. Say it again: Red = Commie.
Why don't the dems pick up on the real anti-american sentiment of these god-loving theocrats. Get up and yell about how THEY are GOING to destroy the basis of our Constitution, with the anti-American pro religion BS.
Our founding father warned use about the tendency of religion to invade politics, leave it to the RED PARTY to ignore the warning just like 911 (we never were told they might use planes, except for this detailed report, we had no idea!)
Wrapped in a flag they hate and pounding righteously on a Bible, even if they contradict the teaching of Jesus.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, to pass up a chance to kick them when they are down, because they are getting up again.
HIT THEM HARD NOW, AND THEN STAND ON THEIR NECKS.
Red Commies, each and every one. Say it again: Red = Commie.
Why don't the dems pick up on the real anti-american sentiment of these god-loving theocrats. Get up and yell about how THEY are GOING to destroy the basis of our Constitution, with the anti-American pro religion BS.
Our founding father warned use about the tendency of religion to invade politics, leave it to the RED PARTY to ignore the warning just like 911 (we never were told they might use planes, except for this detailed report, we had no idea!)
Wrapped in a flag they hate and pounding righteously on a Bible, even if they contradict the teaching of Jesus.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, to pass up a chance to kick them when they are down, because they are getting up again.
HIT THEM HARD NOW, AND THEN STAND ON THEIR NECKS.
are the chief concern of the clowns going after the fourteenth amendment. It's that pesky equal protection clause they are after. One of these days the supreme court will use it to protect gays and that just can't be tolerated.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
!!
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
...why would the RED PARTY want to protect tax paying citizens.
Yes the RED PARTY, isn't it obvious?
Red Commies, each and every one. Say it again: Red = Commie.
Why don't the dems pick up on the real anti-american sentiment of these god-loving theocrats. Get up and yell about how THEY are GOING to destroy the basis of our Constitution, with the anti-American pro religion BS.
Our founding father warned use about the tendency of religion to invade politics, leave it to the RED PARTY to ignore the warning just like 911 (we never were told they might use planes, except for this detailed report, we had no idea!)
Wrapped in a flag they hate and pounding righteously on a Bible, even if they contradict the teaching of Jesus.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, to pass up a chance to kick them when they are down, because they are getting up again.
HIT THEM HARD NOW, AND THEN STAND ON THEIR NECKS.
You know, the shootings in Connecticut were really tragic and terrible. Perhaps we should hold hearings about the second amendment.
...(Conservative heads explode)
except for the clean-up.
Not me!
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
...blame Glenn Beck, put his ass in jail for yelling fire in the theater of life.
Little babies are the biggest threat to our country right now?
Check out what that one guy said on the video that Jon Stewart showed last night. He thinks the terrorists are coming here and having babies so they can raise an army of terrorists right here as citizens.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
I think we have more of a "threat" to our way of life from the people who are already here, thank you very much.
Retirement? Not after they fuck Social Security and Medicare, then tank the market and our 401k retirement plans along with it.
Health? Don't worry, we'll make sure the insurance companies are permanently subsidized, just like all of the Democrats and Republicans wanted. What, they're complaining about the bill? That's just because they're obligated to oppose anything the current ruling party says ...
Peace? Hell, we can start wars with *anyone* darker than us who has natural resources. Hey UK, better not darken up, otherwise we'll shove a Patriot missile in your tea holes ...
Human rights? If anyone says "terrorism", we'll gulag their asses before you can say "founding fathers".
Post-racial society? We'll make sure that anyone darker than oaktag has posters distributed of them with bones through their noses -- just because they're so racist! Yeah, that's the ticket!
Ugh. I think "illegal alien babies" (codewords for "Mexicans who might vote for a democrat") are the least of our problems. Also, I don't remember a long history of Mexican terrorists...
Nothing else to talk about in Congress . .
I'll translate republican 21st Century obfuscation:
border babies = blowjob
It never fails when these incompetent, liars come up for re-election. They come up with bogus issues to rile up their misinformed and illiterate base to hate.
There is NOTHING conservative about amending the constitution. These angry old white men are acting like radical extremists willing to destroy the basis of our union for possible political gain. They have nothing to offer in the way of fixing the problems they created under their last run in the majority. Matter of fact, they can't even articulate, on a reasonable level, what is wrong.
World English Dictionary
insanity (ɪnˈsænɪtɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
1. relatively permanent disorder of the mind; state or condition of being insane
2. law a defect of reason as a result of mental illness, such that a defendant does not know what he or she is doing or that it is wrong
3. utter folly; stupidity
insanity - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
and, in this regard, i would counter that the GOP is not insane (as per the definition above) in pushing this issue. they do the same thing over and over again (scapegoating minorities, and waving their far right bona fides up in the air like they just don't care), and they expect the same results (support from their knuckledragging wing of their base, distraction from issues they would rather avoid), and they get those results too.
they know what they're doing, however shitty
that propelled the Republican Party to power in the first place.
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
insanity - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
Oh..I thought that was seanhannity.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
I'm pretty sure all these same republican men are against abortion yet they want to change the constitution so little babies cannot be born on US soil and become Americans. How do they balance that out?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
...You know, the nanny?
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
The radical extremist so-called republicans are desperate for votes so they are resorting to scapegoating and demonizing the African Americans, the Muslims, the gays, the Seniors, the US Government, President Obama,the Democrats, the pro-abortion groups, the immigrants, any legislation created in Congress, demonizing regulation, etc, etc......
By scapegoating they radicalize various groups turning them into sheep to be driven to the polls where they will vote against their own interest, the interest of their families, the interests of their neighbors, the interests of their community, and the interests of state and country.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=...
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
When you are too crazy for Alan Keyes, I think it's time to stop drinking and sleep this one off.
Welcome, Alan Keyes to the Class of 2010. Can Tom Delay be next? Who's crazier, Newt Gingrich or Trent Lott?
1) How do the Brits handle this issue? Their law excludes "birth tourism" but also grants citizenship to any child who has lived continuously in the UK up to age 10. Worth a read:
WikiPedia: British citizenship by birth in the United Kingdom
2) Thom Hartmann pointed out that in South Korea there is a brisk business in "birth tourism" motivated by Korean parents wanting their children to avoid the mandatory draft. By flying to the US at the time of birth the child acquires dual citizenship and is exempt from the draft. So "birth tourism" is apparetnly not just a right wing fantasy.
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
There's always a way to prevent such abuse without a false crisis.
There's no reason in the world to change the Constitution unless you just don't like the Constitution any more.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
Although the GOPers would hate the idea of borrowing ideas from filthy Europeans, we could take a cue from them on this issue. It's enlightening to note how these 'liberal' countries have dealt with these practical issues of immigration.
in Germany they have this small problem with German born Turks. There's supposed to be a not insignificant number of Germans of Turkish heritage that still don't have German citizenship even after several generations. Good way to create a second class of citizens though.
to point "Gastarbeiter Germany" as an example on this subject ...
Germany the country that treat emigrants worse than any other country - well maybe being on second place after us.
Get your lemonade, watch the traitors hang.
Congress' TREASON have no boundaries, so does M$M's brainwashing/sidetracking.
Republicans for Voldemort.
We should welcome people here to view our beautiful birds. Our national symbol is an eagle, for crying out loud. There is absolutely no reason...huh? Oh, birth tourism. Never mind.
Emily
I've seen some stuff, man. And some thangs...
If two undocumented parents have a child born here the parents can be deported just as easily as if they had no kids. This has lead to immoral separation of families. IMO the Republicans want to remedy this ugly truth by making the kids illegal too. Then they can all be deported.
http://www.legalmomentum.org/our-work/immigra...
The people of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage." J.K. Galbraith
Are you suggesting that the baby would be 'left behind' to fend for itself?
Seems like a pretty emotional response to a valid immigration policy question.
We're going to have to deal with these issues logically, just like the EU nations have had to, without getting hogtied by emotions.
If the Republicans succeed at repealing the 14th the Democrats have to insist it be retroactive so it includes Michelle Malkin. Might as well get something of value if the thugs insist on taking the country over the cliff.
Also should be retroactive to apply to the corporations they love so much more than us smaller citizens. If indeed they consider us citizens.
Showing their hate for Hispanics given the number of them in this country isn't the smartest campaign policy.
is intended to be a factual statement
But should either party be making decisions about immigration based on what votes it can garner?
the 14th ammendment doesn't say any baby born here is a citizen, it says
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside"
Seems like that specifically prohibits what republicans and foxnews are talking about (terrorist anchor babies, or people on vacation to have their baby and get US entitlements)....yet everybody on the left is simply name calling and laughing, rather than pointing out to these guys that the 14th ammendment doesn't allow for their nightmare scenario...(furthermore, the definition of reside is " To live in a place permanently or for an extended period"...so gomerts terror babies are excluded)
and some of the response, from politicians(reid)to blogs, seems to suggest that indeed the 14th does say that if you're born here, you are a us citizen, without exception...
but is there no lawyerly wiggle room in that first sentence..it is a conjunctive...born AND subject to the jurisdiction thereof...
seems like everyone is using this issue dishonestly to score political points....
i am no lawyer, so please anybody enlighten me with case law, etc...
With VISA's? Many of the "illegal" immigants in this country now came here legit, but their Visa's have expired. Children born to these parents in the 90's who had documentation, but for fear of deportation allowed them to expire, are they saying these children are now illegal? My husband's father came over from poland in 1954, did not receive his citizenship until the late 70's, while my husband was born in 1968, does that make my husband illegal? Being his father was not a citizen at the time of his birth? Where does the insanity stop?
unanimously vote NO on the 14th amendment nonsense - show them that TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME.
Get your lemonade, watch the traitors hang.
Congress' TREASON have no boundaries, so does M$M's brainwashing/sidetracking.
Republicans for Voldemort.
Let's remember that the previous occupant of the White House -- a Republican! -- allegedly stated that the Constitution is nothing more than "just a g******d" piece of paper"...
Never trust anyone who insists that patriotism requires you to blindfold yourself with the flag.
I'm concerned that I'm not seeing a clear, non-emotional, national-interest argument in favor of enfranchising the children of tourists and undocumented immigrants. Until that argument gains currency, it's hard to refute the idea that the 14th needs reinterpretation in those specific cases.
I understand that it's not a real problem, I understand that the right is coming at this in the wrong way for the wrong reasons, I understand that openness is tradition and charitable. But the core of their argument is a reasonable point, and without a clear and cogent refutation, I fear they will win on this incremental issue, breaking open the box on other protections. Can anyone point me to a good policy paper on this specific issue?
I'm still waiting for some decent polling on this issue. I'm willing to bet that a majority of Americans are against the concept of automatic citizenship for babies born to non-citizens.
And if that idea is racist, then a whole bunch of 'liberal' EU nations are racist, because they have that exact policy.
Russ Feingold whips it out and pisses on the Dred Scott Republicans. There will be NO HEARINGS! Nice going Russ. You finally got one right after the stupid and pandering Czar hearings you held to pander to your most ignorant constituents instead of just telling them to SUCK IT!
If they're going to insist on those born in the U.S. not being citizens, then the negative of this should be written into law, also...that is, if your parents were U.S. citizens but you were born outside of the U.S., you're not automatically a U.S. citizen, either. At least then we could get John McCain thrown out of office!
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